by Cole Lepley
That’s when my heart completely stops. I clutch my chest to make sure it’s still in there and am surprised to find it beating erratically against my palm. I swallow hard. “I get that.”
She shakes her head, smiling a little more. I raise an eyebrow when she walks even closer. “I don’t care if you think you’re not good for me, because I know you are. I know I’ve spent every moment since you’ve been gone thinking of ways to change to your mind about us.”
The heaviness increases with each word to the point where it’s crushing me from the inside out. “Elle—”
She steps in front of me and places her hand on my knee. “Just let me say this first, okay?”
I nod.
“All I could think about since this day began was how important everyone thinks it is. It’s like all of your high school memories come down to this one night and everyone wants to hear your story.” She takes a breath and then smiles a little. “Do you want to know what I want my story to be?”
I shake my head slowly.
“One day when someone asks me how my prom was I want to be able to tell them I had the perfect dress, the perfect date, and at the end of the night I had my last dance with the person I love.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “But that won’t be true, will it? You basically sacrificed everything you’ve been looking forward to just to be with me, and I’ve been acting like a jerk the entire time.”
“That’s not true.” She moves between my legs and pulls the bottle from my hand and sets it down beside me. “For the first time in my life I listened to my heart, and I’ll never regret that.” She laces her hand with mine and pulls me off the tailgate. “So, what do you say—will you dance with me?”
Elliot nods her head to the empty parking space between our vehicles, and I laugh. “Right here?”
“Yeah, there’s still time. It’s not over yet.”
She bites down on her bottom lip while she waits for my answer. I hold up a finger before reaching inside my truck to switch on the radio. I flip through the stations until I find a slow one and turn the volume up enough to hear it. Neither of us even know the song, but I don’t think that’s what matters.
As we move together in small circles on the pavement, I think about my future and how I can’t picture it without her. She remains quiet in my arms and then she presses her head into the crook of my neck.
“Don’t leave,” she whispers.
When I don’t reply, she lifts her head and searches my face. I gently place my hand on the side of hers. “I wanted to do the right thing for once, but I don’t think that I can. I can’t leave here knowing I left behind the one person in this world I can’t live without.” I lean down and kiss her once. “I love you, Elliot. I’m not going anywhere.”
The smile that breaks across her face melts away all of the rest of the doubt still lingering inside of me. How can something that is supposedly so wrong feel so amazing? She doesn’t give me an answer and she doesn’t have to. Being apart was never the solution, and I think we both knew that. I’m just lucky she was strong enough to show me.
Graduation day holds a much deeper meaning for me than prom did. This actually signifies we can finally be together, and nobody can hold it over our heads anymore. When I watched Elliot walk across the stage earlier today, I felt relief. There were so many times over the past year I thought we weren’t going to make it, and somehow, we remained strong. The bond we have is stronger than all of the obstacles that stood in our way and now we get to just—live.
I watch her load the last bag into my truck and it makes me smile. Although I insisted she attend the graduation party this evening, she convinced me to spend it at her family’s lake house instead. To be honest, it didn’t take much convincing.
“I think that’s everything,” she says with a smile, walking over to me. Her arms wrap around my neck, and she kisses me once. “We have the whole weekend to ourselves.”
I run my hands up and down her sides before kissing her again. “You have no idea how good that sounds.”
“Oh, I think I do,” she says against my lips.
“Hey lovebirds,” Oliver calls from the side door as he steps outside. “Don’t leave yet.”
He jogs over to us, and I let out a sigh causing Elliot to pinch my side.
“Ollie, we’re kind of busy right now,” I say in frustration.
His face scrunches up as he takes in our current position. “I can see that.” He gives a shrug. “I guess it’s something I’ll have to get used to. I could think of worse things than being able to spend more time with the two people I love the most in this world.”
Elliot’s mouth drops open, and I pull my hand up to my heart. “Ollie, you love me?”
He scoffs and shoves me in the arm. “You know what I mean, asshole. I’m just saying it makes me happy you both are so happy.”
Elliot narrows her eyes at him. “Oliver, are you on drugs?”
He laughs loudly, tossing his head back. “Um, no, actually. Over the past few months I’ve unwillingly been a part of this whole charade and it made me realize how much you two actually love each other.” He pauses and runs a hand through his hair, a smile hinting on his lips. “It made me think that maybe that’s not so bad.”
“Love?” Elliot asks skeptically.
Oliver shrugs, but then he winks at her. “Yeah, well—you know for other people.”
She gives him a knowing smile. “You’ll never change.”
He winks back at her. “And I have the testimony of countless women who thank me for it.”
His insistence on playing the field can’t last forever. I’m willing to bet one day soon he really will change his mind, and I’ll be more than willing to help him through it.
After spending the majority of the evening in the bedroom, Elliot and I decide it’s time for the fresh air. We grab a blanket and share a lounge chair down by the dock. I wrap my arms tighter around her from behind. “You cold, baby?”
She turns her head and presses her lips to mine. “No, I feel perfect.”
Perfect. I couldn’t think of a better word to describe how I feel right now. I smile and then lean down to speak close to her ear. “You know, I was thinking about what I want my story to be, too.”
Elliot twists herself around so she is facing me. “Oh yeah? I’d love to hear it.”
“Well,” I begin, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I would want to tell them when I was at the lowest point of my life I fell in love with a girl who gave me her whole heart even though I’m not sure I deserved it.”
Her face scrunches up, and I put my finger to her lips. “Let me finish,” I say with a laugh.
She gives me a look to continue, so I do. “And I would want to tell them despite all our attempts to destroy each other, it only made us stronger.”
There’s a tear in the corner of her eye, so I brush it away and kiss her softly. I pull back and hold her eyes with mine. “But most of all, I would want to tell them that even though the journey we had to take to get here wasn’t always pretty—in the end, it was beautiful.”
The End
Acknowledgments
I wrote this book in under a month—and then proceeded to rewrite it fifty times over the past two years. There was a point (many if I’m being honest) where I wanted to light it on fire and be done with it. I’m glad I didn’t. I’m so excited to share this series with everyone. It was a long time coming and I think it got to a place I can be proud of. There’s so many people I want to thank, so I apologize if I miss anyone.
T.J. – You will never read this, but your unconditional love and support is what gets me through basically everything.
Amy and Lauren- Unfortunately I made you guys read every rough draft and you claimed to love every minute of it. You’re amazing friends and I don’t know what I’d do with you.
Sarah Hay- For nearly fifteen years you’ve shown me unwavering support no matter what I decide to do. And I know I change my
mind a lot, so thank you for continuing on this journey with me. Your friendship means so much to me.
Wendy Million- I don’t even know what to thank you for first. You’re my editor/proofreader/English teacher, my voice of reason, writing bestie—so many things. I’m sure you’ve wanted to strangle me a time or two over the past three years, but I think that’s what you love most about me. I’m so excited to enter this world of publishing with you. This is only the beginning. #texasforever
Sarah Hansen- (Okay Creations) Thank you for the amazing cover. I’m so in love with your work.
My Beta team- Melissa Rivera (Rogue Readers), Amy Halter (Obsessive Book Whore), Kirsten Moore (Beta Bitch), and Stephanie Howes. This book wouldn’t be what it is today without you guys. Your insight and guidance is priceless to me and I look forward to working with all of you on the rest of the series.
Dawn and Rachel (Yours Truly Book Services)- Thank you for all your help. It was a pleasure working with you for the final (and most important) steps of this book. Looking forward to many more.
My Wattpad readers-I can’t thank you enough for all of your comments and inspiring words. This was never something I planned on doing, and without all of your support I’m not sure I would have. You’re the best readers!
Also by Cole Lepley:
Cherry Grove Series:
Tragic
Tamed
Torn (Feb. 2020)
Tortured (March 2020)
Did you enjoy Tragic? Why not leave a review and tell others how much you liked it?
A Note From the Author:
Did you enjoy Tragic? Want to read more? Follow me on social media for updates.
Did you like Ollie? Want to read the first chapter of his story?
Here is the first chapter of Tamed, Coming January 2020.
Tamed: Chapter 1
Remember This
Oliver -Present Day
Another season, another group of girls ready to be molded by yours truly. I have to admit I’m a little bit nervous with Elle not leading the team but my general awesomeness should be enough to pull us through.
I twirl my whistle around my finger as I pace along the bleachers and watch my mediocre crop of senior girls run sprints. It’s only three weeks until our first meet so I better see a drastic improvement if I have any shot at ranking this year.
“Relax,” Hunter says from behind me. “It’s only the first week. They’ll find their rhythm.”
I turn back to him with an incredulous look. “Rhythm? Elliot could run laps around these girls without even breaking a sweat.”
Hunter laughs. “Well, not everyone can be like your sister. She’s one of a kind.”
The look of admiration on his face when he speaks her name almost makes me nauseous. That’s what love does to you. It makes you weak. Once you submit to them it’s all over. You slowly turn into a shell of your former self and are somehow convinced you’re happy about it. Well, not me—at least not ever again.
I turn back around to face my team. “Okay, that’s enough for today. Take a lap and you can be done. Practice resumes tomorrow at four o’clock sharp. Don’t be fucking late!”
A serious of nods and grunts echoes from the field and I smile. I turn back to Hunter. “So, what do you say? You up for some wings and drinks at The Roost?”
Hunter looks thoughtful for a moment. I know he wants to come but I have feeling he’s thinking of a way not to disappoint me.
“Elliot has…”
I hold my hands up. “No, dude. You can’t keep bailing on me now that your dirty little secret with my sister no longer comes with a stint in the slammer.”
He runs his hand through his hair and sighs. “I’m sorry. She’s been really busy with track at WVU. This will be the first night all week we get to spend together.” He stands and clasps his hand on my shoulder. “You understand, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, yeah. I hear ya.”
He smiles and turns to walk away. “Rain check,” he calls over his shoulder.
At this point I’m not sure there is enough days in the year to cash them all in. I start shoving my equipment into my bags and the girls begin to slowly make their way off the field. I catch Principal Bellamy walking toward me out of the corner of my eye.
“Mr. Monroe,” he says with a grin. “It looks like you have quite the team this year.” He gives a pointed look to the athletes jogging off the field. Truth be told, they look more like cheerleaders than serious runners, but who am I to say what a track star looks like?
I sling the bag over my shoulder as I stand. “Yeah, I’m seeing a lot of potential, sir.”
He scoffs. “I bet you are.” He flips his sunglasses on top of his head before he meets my eyes. “That’s not why I’m here. It seems our little problem from last year resolved itself without any major complications. I would like to think we won’t be having any repeats if you catch my drift.”
I swallow hard. “No, sir. Absolutely not.”
He laughs once. “I like you son, but you and I both know you’re full of shit.”
“Mr. Bellamy, I assure you, everything will be by the books this year. No drama for me.”
He laughs louder this time. “One step at a time, Oliver.” He pushes his sunglasses back down and pauses. “There is a faculty meeting tomorrow morning at seven-thirty before homeroom. I expect you to be there. We have several new additions that I would like to introduce, shouldn’t take longer than fifteen minutes.”
“Sounds good.”
He gives me a wave before walking back toward the field house. It’s no secret Hunter and Elliot were the reason for the scandal last year. With the help of myself and a few unlikely sources, we were able to keep it under wraps until after graduation—barely. Even though they could never prove what happened, they’ve taken an extra special watch on the younger staff, which most definitely includes myself. No more one on one practices for me I guess.
It’s not like I would ever take advantage of my position as an educator. I know I’m attractive, that’s obvious—but it doesn’t mean that I would allow myself to fall for one of these girls. I’m smarter than that.
As I’m driving down my road, there’s several cars lining the driveway of the Reed house across the street. This wouldn’t usually catch my attention, but the house has been vacant since Mrs. Reed passed away several months ago. A part of me still feels guilty for skipping that funeral, but I had more than one reason to avoid it.
I do my best to brush it off and pull up my winding driveway. The houses on the street are far apart enough that even your closest neighbors can’t be seen very well from your own property. Ours is the largest. The crown jewel of Cherry Grove if you will. I’m sure a lot people think it’s easy to live a life like mine. They would be wrong. It’s not easy always falling short of your families expectations. That’s why I don’t even try anymore.
The sight of Elliot’s car in the driveway makes me smile. Even though she’s only twenty minutes away at WVU, it’s weird not to have her around all the time.
When I enter the house through the side door, she’s seated on the floor in the living room with stacks of clothes piled around her. I pause in the archway and lean along the wall.
“What are you doing?”
She looks up at me with a confused expression. “Laundry. What does it look like I’m doing.” She continues folding her jeans and I nod.
“Yeah, but someone does that for me. They fold it and everything.”
Elliot throws her head back and laughs. “That someone—is mom.” Her eyes roll. “You seriously need to learn how to do things for yourself.”
I shrug and then walk over to take a seat in the large chair beside her. “Nah, I think she enjoys it.” I smirk at her, but she’s clearly not amused.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“A whole lot of nothing. I asked Hunter to go out and he said he already had plans.” I give her an irritated look and she laughs again.
�
�You can come, too. We’re just going to dinner.”
I scoff. “Oliver Monroe is not a third wheel.”
She finishes folding her last pair of jeans and adjusts herself to face me. “You’re not a third wheel, Ollie. We can all hang out together. We always did before.”
“Yeah, but it’s different now.” I scrunch my face in disgust. “You didn’t kiss each other and call each other gross fucking pet names before.”
She smiles wistfully and I almost throw up in my mouth. They’ve been really laying it on thick now that they don’t have to hide anymore. I guess nine months of pent up public displays of affection are all coming out at once.
“You know,” she says, her lips curling into a more sinister smile. “It would be nice if you found someone to settle down with. Then we could have a double date and you wouldn’t feel like you were intruding.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “Now you’re just talking crazy.”
“Come on. I’ve never seen you give anyone even half a chance.” She stands up from the floor, picking up one of the baskets with her. Her eyes lock back on mine. “How will you know if you never even try?”
Her words penetrate to the deepest part of my chest. The part that I ignore completely. I have tried before, maybe not enough, but I gave it my best shot and it still wasn’t good enough. So, instead of showing her that I actually do have a heart buried in there, I press my lips together and remain oblivious.
Elliot rolls her eyes at me and then nods to the other basket on the floor. “Well, could you make yourself useful and help me carry these out to my car. Hunter is waiting for me.”