Take My Breath Away Read online

  Take My Breath Away

  Copyright © 2015 by Wendy L. Wilson

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  ISBN: 978-0-9962379-1-8

  Cover Design by Cover to Cover Designs

  Cover Photo by MH Photography/Female Cover Model

  Male Cover Model, Julio Elving

  Author Photo by Ashleigh Pettis

  Editor, Jeremy Thompson

  Formatting by Champagne Formats

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Take My Breath Away

  Dedication

  Hit by a truck

  Girl’s getaway

  Trouble

  Not TOO much fun

  I freaking love paint

  ..........!

  Moving too fast

  Could this be love

  Good news

  If you don’t marry her, I will

  Truly horrendous things

  I’m all yours

  Fireworks

  See you later

  Disconnected

  Someone to lean on

  Ready to Party

  The guy around campus

  Barely staying afloat

  I would not change a thing

  I’ll find you

  Still want to run to him

  Happy Birthday

  All is revealed

  Making up for lost time

  Home for the weekend

  Breaking the news

  Keeping secrets

  Am I missing something

  A date to remember

  Party for two

  Don’t look back

  Hope in my heart

  Help me forget

  Goodbye

  One Day at a Time

  Forgive me

  Take my Breath Away

  Sneak Peek of Catch My Breath

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Dedicated to the ones that take my breath away . . .

  To my husband and two wild little boys:

  You support me, motivate me and encourage me every day of my life to be a better person, to believe in myself and to always strive for more. I love you and truly could not have done this without all three of you by my side.

  Also,

  In Memory of my Daddy.

  I know you have always watched over me and every breathtaking moment of my life.

  I love you, dad.

  I PRY MY EYES OPEN and squint from the blinding sunlight streaming in through my bedroom window. Instantly an aching sensation in my head reminds me of yesterday’s events. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. No, it’s as if a massive construction crane went for a joy ride and ran me down. Not just once either. Nope, it plowed me down, turned around and did it again. I suspect it considered taking another pass at me, but missed the chance when I ran away to save myself. Even though I physically feel crushed and beat down, it is nothing compared to the cracked, broken and shattered remains of my heart.

  I flip onto my stomach and let my body sink into the mattress as I grasp onto my feather-down pillow. The softness of it against my skin lends a false sense of comfort as I pull it tightly to my chest. Hoping a little sunshine will improve my mood, I peer out the window at the head of my bed. Last night’s torrential downpour seems to be letting up to a steady drizzle and the sun barely peeks out from behind the clouds. If I see a rainbow, I may have to scream.

  Being careful not to jostle around and make my pounding headache any worse, I sit up gradually then reach over to the nightstand for my phone. I power it up and quickly notice twelve missed calls and eight missed texts. Unfortunately, they are all from Kyle, with the exception of one that came in this morning from Bethany. As my hand hovers over the word delete, I sigh and let the details of the day before replay in my mind.

  The bus ride back from the state track meet was complete pandemonium.

  Throw in the excitement of last night’s graduation, a landslide win today and our last high school meet ever and you get a seriously amped up bunch.

  In the four years since Kyle joined the track team, our school has dominated the sport. School records have been broken, and we have managed to head to state every year. He wiped out the competition and made it look so easy; if it wasn’t for sweat dripping from every inch of his lean body, you would think he put no effort into winning at all. He would glide around the field as if he was on skates and was never passed by another runner.

  I snuggle up close to him in the back seat of the bus while he bounces around telling jokes with his teammates. The other cheerleaders are all seated in random spots and join in on the celebration. Kyle whoops and hollers with the others before he settles down beside me as we pull into the school parking lot.

  He looks at me with his deep chocolate eyes while he traces circles across my outer thigh. ”We’re here, gorgeous.”

  I lift my chin to meet his gaze as he gives me the smile that stops most girls in their tracks.

  “Wake up,” he whispers against my cheek.

  “I’m not asleep,” I giggle.

  The bus jolts to a stop and we both stand to file out with the crowd. I shuffle along behind him as he says something to his friend Chris and then follows it up with a high five. Still on his heels, we exit the bus and all disperse to our separate vehicles but not before Kyle announces, “Party at my house, tonight!”

  After a quick peck on the lips, I jump in my car and steer out of the school parking lot for possibly the last time.

  I race home at record speed and leap up the stairs, skipping every other one on the way to my room. Halfway there I hear hushed tones coming from my parent’s room. I sneak up to the cracked door and peer inside planning to eavesdrop.

  My mother and father embrace each other as Mom’s sobs fill the air. I immediately assume the worst when I see Mom’s puffy face. The last time I saw that hopeless look on her face, we were headed down a long road of chemo treatments, lab work and doctors visits. I push the door open and pray they will fill me in.

  “Mom, Dad, what’s wrong?” They both look at me while my mother tries to recompose herself.

  I cross the room and wrap my arms around Dad’s neck, collapsing down between my parents with tears stinging my eyes. Dad hugs me tightly and comforts me in the same way that he did last time we crossed this bridge.

  When he was initially diagnosed with cancer two summers ago, our family’s world was turned upside down, yet Dad always managed to keep his head up. Even when he was too weak to lift his arms and too sick to hold any food down, he still continued to reassure us that everything would be fine. He kept a smile on his face and a positive frame of mind the whole way and by that following spring there was no trace of cancer in his body.

  I have no idea how I would ever live without Dad and I never want to find out.

  “Honey, we are going to keep our faith,” Mom says, shaking me out of my thoughts.

  I blink my eyes and let a few more tears slip down my cheek.

  Mom clears her throat and begins to explain the gravity of the situation. “Sweetie, your father had a biopsy done this mo
rning. We don’t know anything yet and may not hear back for another week so we cannot assume the worst. Let’s just pray for the best results and believe that everything will be alright.” She takes a deep breath and I can tell she is trying to convince herself just as much as me. “You caught me at a weak moment, that’s all. My mind was getting carried away and I was thinking the worst.” She pulls me into a hug with a small unconvincing smile.

  I seal my eyes closed and focus on regaining some amount of calmness. Opening my eyes back up, I see both of my parents staring at me with pained expressions. I know the last thing they want to do is worry me.

  Dad keeps his arm firmly grasped behind me and pats my knee with the other hand. “How did the meet go, anyway?”

  His swift attempt at changing the subject makes me smile. I know the conversation is closed and to not talk about it until we know more. My parents have always reminded us to never dwell on a problem unless there is a tangible reason to worry. Even in times like this, that same level of faith applies. It’s how my parents raised me. Smile instead of cry and focus on the positive, I repeat in my head to reassure myself.

  “Dad, you’re changing the subject,” I point out, knowing this is Dad’s way of keeping his mind off of it.

  He nods his head with a soft chuckle.

  “It went fine,” is the only response I can get out.

  Mom lifts off from the edge of the bed where she is sitting with me sandwiched between them. She walks to the doorway, straightening her crumpled up slacks and smoothing stray hairs back into her barrette. When she shifts her body towards me, I see her bloodshot eyes and know that this was more than just a weak moment. She is scared. The edges of her mouth lift into a hint of a smile as she also shifts the topic to today’s track meet.

  “I assume Kyle wiped out the competition as usual?” She asks with a soft smile that tells me she is putting on her brave face.

  I tip my head forward to confirm and loosen my grip on Daddy.

  As much as I want to fall onto the floor in a blubbery mess, I know it won’t help matters so I swipe my arm across my face and dry my eyes. There’s nothing to worry about. Everything will be alright, I silently tell myself.

  Dad joins Mom at the doorway, but turns to ask me one last question before leaving the room. “Are you and Kyle going out tonight?”

  They know my Friday and Saturday nights usually consist of being out with him, but the last thing I feel like right now is being around a bunch of drunken jocks, so I lie. “Actually, we don’t have plans tonight. Besides, I’m in the middle of a good book so I think I’ll hang out in my room and finish it.” I plaster on my best I’m-doing-just-fine smile and my parents nod their understanding.

  After I am safe and sound behind the closed door of my room, I shoot Kyle a text.

  Me: I’m so sorry, but I can’t make it tonight. I’ll miss you. Call me tomorrow. <3 U

  As soon as I hit send, his name lights up my phone. He is not going to let me off very easily.

  “Hello.” I don’t even have to try to sound upset, because I definitely am.

  “Hey, babe.” My heartbeat picks up at the sound of his voice and I know this will not be easy. “Why can’t you come? I really need you here,” he begs.

  I really don’t want to get into the particulars right now so I just come up with a bland explanation, hoping he will understand.

  “My parents already made plans for us tonight as a family. Now, I’ll feel bad if I leave,” I say, knowing this will not satisfy his urgency to have me there tonight, so I go a bit further in my explanation. “Besides, I really don’t feel that wonderful at the moment. I think I got too much sun today.” It’s not the complete truth, but it is true. I’m nauseous from Dad’s news.

  There is a stretch of silence and I grit my teeth to keep from relenting. If he doesn’t speak up soon I know I’m going to hop in my car and speed over there.

  “Ok, but I’ll miss you. I was hoping you could stay the night,” he says as I hear him muffle the phone and holler something out to Chris. His best friend must be there helping him get ready for the party. Great, I feel guilty for lying.

  A text message sounds in my ear and I know it must be Bethany, my best friend. Wonderful! I forgot I had made plans to go with her tonight. Let’s see how many people I can let down in one evening.

  Kyle’s firm tone comes back on the line. I’m half a minute away from telling him I will be there in fifteen, but he lets me off the hook. “Ok babe. I have to go because people are starting to get here. Get some sleep and feel better. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”

  “Love you too, and I really am sorry,” I tell him right before hitting end on my phone.

  Once I’m off, I click on my messages icon and read Bethany’s text.

  Bethany: You just about ready to head to the party, chicka??

  I blow out a loud sigh after reading her text message. Here I go again.

  Me: I’m gonna pass, girl! Sorry! I don’t feel good. I think I got too much sun today. Have fun and drink a beer for me.

  As soon as I hit send, I grit my teeth while waiting for her reply.

  Bethany: Bummer! Now I’m going to be all alone! I guess I’ll forgive you this time, but call me tomorrow! Maybe we can go shopping if I’m not too hung over. Lol! BTW, you suck for standing me up!:P

  At least she isn’t giving me too much grief for bailing on her. I laugh knowing Bethany’s intention at most parties is to find a guy to hook up with for the night. She won’t be alone for long, so I don’t feel too bad.

  Me: You mean if you’re home and not crashed with some random guy somewhere at the party! LOL!!

  I giggle, remembering some of the stories she has told me about her weekends.

  Bethany has always been a bit more outgoing than me in that department. By our sophomore year she had already lost her virginity. I, however, had tried to hold onto my virtue as long as possible more out of fear of the unknown rather than being responsible. I made Kyle wait until our nine month anniversary. He never pressured me and always pointed out that he was fine with waiting, but secretly I think it was killing him.

  Bethany: You know it, girl! Call me tomorrow and I’ll fill you in on my night!! LOL ;)

  Me: Will do! Have fun and B careful!! <3

  I lay my phone down on the nightstand beside the bed and kick my sandals off to get comfortable. I might as well stay true to one thing I said I was going to do tonight. With that, I roll onto my stomach and grab the book I just started reading last night. This will, by far, engage my mind better than partying with a bunch of classmates that I tried my best to avoid my entire high school existence. I can get lost in a good book. It will at least let me escape my reality for a while.

  Minutes soon turn into hours and before I know it five hours have passed.

  My parents have since said their good nights and I’ve changed into my PJs. I’ve also indulged in a bowl of ice cream and enjoyed a couple drunken texts from Bethany.

  I put my book down and glance over at the clock when I hear the door downstairs slam shut. It’s 10:46 so that must be my older sister, Abby, coming home.

  Sitting up, I raise my arms to stretch just as she cracks open the door to my room.

  “Don’t tell me you’re reading on a Saturday night,” she states more than asks in a distracted tone that tells me she is trying to keep her mind busy as well.

  She stands with her hands on her hips and her golden hair hangs loose around her face.

  Abby and I had never been close until a couple of summers ago. Hearing such dark news about Dad woke our family up to how short life can be and since then, we have all been very tight knit.

  Her petite frame glides over to my bed then she not so gracefully plops down to her knees on the hardwood floor. Clearly needing some sense of security herself, she reaches out to grab a fuzzy aqua throw pillow that I flung to the bottom of the bed earlier and hugs it to her chest.

  “So, I guess you decided to stay home ton
ight after hearing Dad’s news?”

  I draw my eyebrows together, knowing her heart holds the same fear as mine. No doubt she is trying her best to cope with this, just like me.

  “Yeah,” I suck in a deep breath.

  She is going to force me out of my hiding spot. She above all knows I am in fact hiding, afraid to leave the house for even a second. The reason she knows this is because she did the same thing a couple of summers ago. Back then, I pushed and pushed until she joined me in silly mind-consuming adventures. Before long, I had her helping me plant flowers in the front yard, building a birdhouse with Dad, shopping with Mom and many other excursions that ultimately drew us all closer.

  Abby heaves out a loud breath and jumps to her feet. She darts to my closet in a blink of an eye and swings the door open. Rifling through it, she shoves outfit after outfit to the side to examine the next.

  “What are you doing?” I ask as I stand up and walk over to see what’s going on.

  She twists around to face me so fast that her body creates a small breeze that flips my long blonde hair into my face. I spit out the small hairs that land in my mouth while she shoves a black halter top and white skirt in my line of sight. Leaning away from her, I giggle as she shimmies her hips and shakes the outfit to add a dramatic effect to her actions.

  “Get out of those jammies and get all sexified. We’re going to a party.” Her eyes light up and her face glosses over with a huge smile.

  I know she is talking about Kyle’s party and there is no reason for me to even argue. Besides, I know that look. She will drag me there if she has to.

  Grabbing the outfit, I laugh as I point to my black toeless wedge sandals at the base of my closet. She obeys my silent request, handing them to me and then jets out to change herself.

  I quickly wiggle out of my tank top and shorts and slip on the outfit my sister so carefully selected. Smoothing the soft, felt tip edge of my pink lip gloss over my lips, I spruce myself up just a bit and finish up by swiping some mascara across my ridiculously long eyelashes. I love my sister. Here, I was prepared to mope all night and she pulls me out of my slump. She always seems to know what I need before I do.