The Ocean Between Us (A Southern Heroes Novel Book 1)

by Michelle Heard

  Even though my finances aren’t the best, I feel hopeful, and for the first time, I don’t dread what tomorrow might bring.

  Lifting my bag onto the bed, I start to unpack. It only takes a minute to transfer my clothes over to the spacious closet. The few items look lost in all the space, but still, a warm feeling settles in my heart.

  I might not have much, but I have my freedom.

  “You’ve done it, Emma,” I whisper. I grab clean clothes and the only towel I have, then walk back to the bathroom so I can shower. “You have six months to find a way so you can stay here.”

  After I’ve taken a quick shower, I get dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

  Back in my room, I place the dirty clothes in my backpack. I’ll have to find a laundromat where I can wash them.

  I turn on my phone, and immediately it starts to vibrate with messages and missed calls. I choose to ignore them for now and search for Chloe’s number.

  Holding the phone to my ear, a smile spreads across my face the second I hear her voice.

  “I’ve been going insane! Did you land in one piece? Is the place you’re staying at nice? What is your roommate like? Have your parents cont –”

  “Chloe, slow down. One question at a time,” I stop her interrogation with a burst of laughter. “I’m safely here. The flat is very nice. It’s a two bedroom, and it has an open plan kitchen and small lounge. The bedroom is huge, Chloe. It has so much closet space, and the window looks out over a beautiful courtyard. It’s nothing like the room at home. It’s easily twice as big. Don’t even get me started on how comfy the bed looks.”

  A sense of freedom washes over me as I take in my new home.

  I’m really free.

  “I’m so happy you like it, Em. You sound better too. You did the right thing by leaving. Have you met your roommate?”

  “I haven’t met the person I’m sharing the flat with. I’m a little nervous about that. I saw a pair of men’s sneakers, so I’m sure it’s a guy. Miss Jessie, the owner, let me in. She seems nice, but she was surprised to see me. My application got mixed up with some other guy’s. After explaining that I can’t afford to live on my own and how important it is that I share a flat, she relented and gave me the keys.”

  “Oh hell. I’m just glad you got it all sorted. Anyway, I’m glad you’ve settled in. After everything we had to go through to get you there,” she sighs. “Just don’t answer your phone if that bitch tries to call you. Don’t reply to her texts. Don’t let her intimidate you. Remember, she’s on the other side of the world now. You’re safe in America.”

  “Thank you for helping me,” I say, thanking my lucky stars again that I have such an incredible friend.

  “You know I’d ride a porcupine butt naked for you,” she laughs. I don’t know where she heard that, but since she did, she hasn’t stopped saying it.

  “You’re the best,” I whisper. It’s the best I can do to tell Chloe that I care about her.

  I can’t say the words I love you. My mother has made them lose all meaning, and now they’re just empty words I hear after a beating.

  “Now, go on! Go out and have some fun,” she says, her voice laced with excitement for me.

  “I’m a little scared, to be honest, but I’m not going to let it hold me back,” I admit.

  “Yes, don’t hide in your room. Go out and experience new things. You’ll see not everyone is as evil as that insane mother of yours.”

  I want to experience everything this world has to offer. I’ve never gone out before and have no idea how to socialize. Being out and between people is the only way I’m going to learn.

  “Take your phone with you and call if you need me. Or text me. I’m on standby,” Chloe says, offering her support like she always does.

  “You’re the best. You know that, right?” I say again.

  “No, you’re the best,” she laughs.

  “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  My phone beeps just as I cut the call. One glance tells me I can’t run from the inevitable. Chloe would kill me if she knew I was answering them, but I can’t just ignore my parents. They are my family, after all. I’ll just let them know I’m safe.

  Dad: Where are you? We can’t reach you. Your mother’s worried.

  Me: I’m taking a break from it all. I’m safe.

  I bite my bottom lip as I watch the message go through. Even though an ocean separates me from them, I can’t help but feel scared.

  My heartbeat starts to speed up as a panic attack threatens to engulf me.

  Closing my eyes, I picture an eagle taking flight, and I let all my feelings soar away with it. It’s something I started doing two years ago after I saw an eagle soaring above our house. I had just finished gathering all the dead leaves from the swimming pool when I heard the sharp cry. I must’ve watched it for an hour before it flew away. What I remember most from that day was the peaceful feeling which filled my heart.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I slowly open my eyes. “You’re going to be fine, Emma. You can do this.”

  CHAPTER 2

  EMMA

  I lock the flat behind me and make my way down the stairs. Chloe and I picked this place because it’s close to town, and I won’t have to worry about transport.

  I don’t get to see much of Chapel Hill on my quest to find a place where students hang out. I spot a group of girls around my age walking into a place called Strikers Bar and decide to go inside.

  Stopping in the entrance first, I take in the people and surroundings while I force myself to not turn around and run away. My nerves feel shredded, but I know if I turn around now I’ll never try again. I have to do this for myself.

  An upbeat song fills the air. To my right is a weathered, overused dance floor. There’s a really old bar counter to my left. Seeing the students sitting around tables while laughing and having drinks, makes excitement grow inside of me.

  Not wanting to sit alone at a table, I walk over to the bar. I find a seat in the far corner, so I can watch everyone around me and hopefully not look like a creep while doing it.

  When I glance at the men to my right, my nerves almost get the better of me. A couple of them look my way, and my mouth dries right up. I feel my cheeks flush and quickly look straight ahead of me.

  I watch the bartender serve some patrons, his hands working fast to get the glasses filled. A door behind the bar opens, and another bartender places some clean glasses on the counter before he looks up. He smiles at me, and I have to admit, he’s not too bad looking.

  “What can I get you?” he asks, and hearing his heavy Southern accent makes my stomach flutter.

  Wanting to know what all the fuss is about when it comes to alcohol, I ask, “What would you suggest?”

  “Start her off on tequila,” the guy to my right says with a creepy sounding laugh.

  Yuck, I wouldn’t touch him if my life depended on it.

  “Just not wine,” I quickly add as the bartender glares darkly at the man before getting busy fixing my drink. Seconds later, he places a frosted glass in front of me. There’s even a strawberry wedged on the side.

  “Strawberry Daiquiri,” he says, winking at me.

  “Thanks,” I say as my eyes drop back to the drink.

  Taking a sip, I’m surprised by how pleasant it tastes. It’s sweet and actually refreshing and not all what I expected.

  After another sip, I glance around. I haven’t even dated back home. How am I going to handle dating American guys?

  It’s during moments like this when I realize just how much my mother has held me back. Finally being free, I have an urgent need to experience everything all at once.

  I want to face all my fears and rise above them, and coming to this bar tonight is hopefully a step in the right direction. With a little luck, I’ll have enough courage to talk to a few people tonight, and maybe even meet a guy. I have to start somewhere, right?

  I hate feeling broken, and want to prove to myself that I�
�m the same as any other girl. I’d like to experience sex for the first time. I’m not looking for romance, because that will only lead to having to tell someone about my horrible past, and I’m not sure I can do that.

  Knowing I might never get another chance like this, I want to live life to the fullest, just in case I have to go home.

  Halfway through the drink, which is really only seconds later, a loud roar of cheers erupts from the entrance, and just like everyone else, my curiosity gets the better of me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a group of guys greeting people. They must be the ‘in’ crowd because most of the girls are staring at them.

  It gets even louder as more students start to arrive. For a few minutes I sit and watch as guys hit on girls, friends talk and laugh, and couples dance.

  It’s just like the books I’ve read.

  A sharp burst of laughter draws my attention, and my eyes go back to the group of guys. They’re slowly making their way in my direction but stop at every other table to talk to someone.

  I notice that there’s only one girl with the testosterone brigade. I’ve never seen a girl move with so much confidence before, and it makes me stare.

  Her black hair shimmers in the dim light, and the sparkly top and short skirt doesn’t cover much. But then again, if I had legs like hers, I’d walk on my hands to show them off.

  The men are built like rugby players. They give off a vibe that says, ‘screw with us, and you’re dead’.

  Before I can turn my attention back to my drink, the girl glances around, and her eyes meet mine. Instantly a cold shiver runs down my spine, making my stomach pull into a tight knot. Even with the distance between us, I can see she’s bad news.

  Then she smiles at me, and no matter how I try to force my lips to curve up, I can’t make myself return the smile. She reminds me too much of my mother.

  Don’t judge every woman you meet just because your mother is a monster!

  I take big gulps of my drink while berating myself for being so judgmental.

  Placing the empty glass back on the counter, I have to admit that I feel less nervous than when I walked in here.

  Glancing at the bartender, I’m just about to ask him for another drink when I hear, “Hey, sweet thing.”

  Crap.

  I freeze, and for a second, I hope that the person isn’t talking to me.

  “Why’s a pretty little thing like you all alone?”

  Please, please, please don’t let it be her.

  Even as I send up the silent prayer, I know it’s going to go unanswered. My first night out, and the first person to take an interest in me has to be the woman I was staring at.

  Just my bloody luck.

  I take a deep breath before I glance over my shoulder. Bugger! Her eyes are so cold, they look like they’ve been carved from ice.

  “Ah… Hi,” I whisper lamely, not sure how I should respond.

  I’m willing her to go away, but she doesn’t. Instead, she squeezes in beside me, way too close, and I’m starting to wonder if I read her wrong. Is she a lesbian? Did I give her the impression that I am?

  “Rob, the usual. Add one for my new friend,” she practically purrs at the bartender before turning her sapphire eyes back to me. “Come on. You’re too pretty to be sittin’ here between the uglies. We’ll take care of you.”

  She’s not asking, but instead, demanding I join them, and I can’t begin to imagine why. If I looked like Chloe, then I’d understand. Chloe has brown curls I’d kill for, and brown eyes to match them, along with a body that would fit in with this group.

  Me? With my blond hair, green eyes and pale skin, I look anemic. I’m utterly dull in comparison to this girl’s beauty.

  I’m just about to decline her invitation when a guy catches my attention from over her shoulder. I didn’t notice him at first, but he’s all I see now.

  Damn, he’s hot.

  I’ve read a lot of books, and this guy is definitely book boyfriend material. He’s not built as bulky as his friends even though his shirt sits tight enough for me to see that there’s plenty of hard muscle hidden beneath it. His brown hair is a little longer on top than at the sides.

  He gives off an intense vibe which draws me in like a moth to a flame.

  For the first time in my life, I have an urge to touch someone. I want to see if the tingling sensation I’m feeling can possibly get any more intense. That’s saying a lot coming from me, seeing as I don’t do the touching thing, at all.

  While staring at the guy, I wonder if I’ll be able to let him touch me. Just thinking about it, I don’t feel the familiar wave of disgust well up in my stomach, and without another thought, the word slips over my lips, “Sure.”

  I follow her, all because of him and the distracting tingling feeling growing in the region of my stomach. Which is so much better than the bad case of nerves I had earlier.

  “Look what I found all alone by the bar,” the girl drawls when we join her group of friends. They’ve moved a table closer to the booth in the corner, so there’s enough space for everyone to sit.

  “What’s your name, sweet thing?” She throws her arm around my shoulders which instantly makes me cringe. I take a step closer to the booth and out from under her arm.

  “Emma,” I answer.

  I have to force myself to not look at the guy who caught my attention. The last thing I want to do is embarrass myself in front of him.

  “Well, Emma…” She says my name as if she’s tasting it. “This is Colton. He’s mine.”

  Colton has shaggy, blonde hair and sharp brown eyes. His smile doesn’t soften his face at all but instead makes him look downright scary. I’ll make sure I stay away from him.

  My attention is drawn away from Colton as the girl keeps introducing everyone.

  “Paul, Harper, Aiden,” My eyes stop on Aiden, and I can’t help but eye-stalk.

  Even his name… holy hotness.

  I’m going to drool just saying it.

  Aiden finally looks at me, and the bar starts to spin around me. I’ve never seen grey eyes like his before. It looks like there’s a storm brewing in them. His eyes sweep over me, and suddenly, I wish I’d dressed better. I feel like the dullest girl here.

  “And Joe, and Dave.” She finishes. I don’t bother looking at them because I’m still admiring the work of art that’s Aiden.

  Aiden’s mouth curves at the corner, just slightly, but enough for me to notice. The tingles are back in full force, making it feel as if hundreds of eagles have taken flight in my stomach. The slight smile makes him look devastatingly good looking.

  Stop gawking, Emma. Now! Jeez, stalker much?

  I manage to tear my eyes away from his and look back at the woman. She’s waiting for something, and then I realize she hasn’t introduced herself.

  “Oh… and you are?” I ask so she will feel important. I’m very good at making people feel important. I’ve done it all my life.

  “Katia,” she says, a slow smile spreading over her perfect face. “Slide in,” she orders pointing to the booth.

  Hesitating, I dare another glance in Aiden’s direction. He catches me glancing at him, and a tidal wave of heat spreads through my body, before pooling in my cheeks.

  Feeling flustered, I slide in, and when Katia follows behind me, I realize I’m going to be pinned in by them.

  I glance under the table, looking for the fastest way to escape should I need to make a quick exit.

  “Or you can just climb over it,” a deep voice says close to my ear.

  I glance up, and everything around me fades away as my eyes meet Aiden’s.

  You’re gawking again, Emma.

  I square my shoulders as I lift my chin, trying to look braver than I feel. I don’t want these people to see how nervous I am.

  “Why would I climb over it?” I feign ignorance.

  “You look a little nervous,” he says.

  So much for trying to be brave. It probably took Aiden a second to see right thr
ough my act.

  “Great,” I whisper as I shove my hands into my lap.

  “Some people here might bite,” he says. His gaze sweeps over his friends before they settle back on me. “But I don’t.”

  He tilts his head slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifts in that sexy way again.

  Aaand my hormones start to play table tennis with my ovaries.

  From the way my body reacts to being near Aiden, I start to think that I might just be able to be intimate with him. The thought of getting naked with a stranger is daunting, and I’ll need another drink to gather up some courage to go through it.

  Hell, at this point it’s hard just talking to him, never mind trying to have some fun with him.

  I now understand the meaning of liquid courage, and damn do I need some desperately. I’d really like to see how far I can take it with Aiden, even if just to prove to myself that I’m normal.

  I finally manage to force my eyes to the bar, but they have a mind of their own because they pop right back to Aiden. He smiles, and my ovaries are suddenly in the Wimbledon final.

  CHAPTER 3

  AIDEN

  She stands out like a sore thumb. Don’t get me wrong. I see why Katia zeroed in on her. She’s pretty and all, but she doesn’t belong here. Every other girl is smothered in make-up, some sinus-killing perfume, too tight underwear, and too little of everything else.

  Then there’s her.

  With her blonde hair up in a ponytail and those wide green eyes, she looks way too innocent to be in a bar.

  I wonder if she’s even old enough to drink. I hope Rob asked for ID.

  This girl should be home, safely away from all of this, and that’s why Katia went for her. Katia loves to play with the innocent type girls. She feeds on them.

  Seeing that she looks flustered, I try to put her at ease with a smile. Her cheeks flush a soft pink, and that tells me just how right I am about her being innocent. I’d love to know what she’s doing here, though.