Table of Contents
Title
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Epilogue
Coming Soon
Acknowlegements
About The Author
Lost Before You: A Heart’s Compass Novel
Copyright © 2017 by Brooke O’Brien
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permissions of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Visit my website at www.authorbrookeobrien.com.
Cover Art and Interior Formatting © Najla Qamber, Najla Qamber Designs
Cover Photo © Shutterstock
Edited by Rox LeBlanc, Roxs Reads
Proofread by Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services
This book is dedicated to my boys.
You’re my reminder to never give up on my dreams.
Love you!
NOTE TO READERS
Dear Reader,
Once you get started on Mason and Brea’s story, you will notice that many of these events sound familiar. This is because their story runs parallel to Where I Found You. My hope is that this gives you a little more insight to Callum and Ellie’s story as you read along.
Enjoy!
With Love,
Brooke
A warm breeze flows through the window, causing my hair to whip around my face. My eyes squint from the sunlight as the music blares through the speakers, helping to drown out all my plaguing thoughts. Pressing down on the gas pedal, my eyes avoid the rearview mirror as I put miles between me and my problems.
I still remember the day I learned my parents were getting a divorce. Maybe my mom was just blind or clueless, but it came as a surprise to her, too. The day after my seventeenth birthday, my mom was served divorce papers. I guess my dad was tired of living a double life.
The life where two towns over he had another family with two children.
Somewhere along the way, things had changed. When you’re busy focusing on your career and how the world views you, I guess it’s easy to miss how the foundation of your life is crumbling beneath you.
I still hear the wails coming from my mother as she begged my father not to leave her. My heart still aches for the broken woman who was willing to turn a blind eye and share the man she loved than not have him at all.
I vowed never to become so dependent on another person that I lost myself.
Spending a week at home during spring break was at the bottom of my list of fun things to do. Nothing about the place I grew up feels like home anymore. Until my trip home, I hadn’t seen or spoken to my dad since Christmas. I’m not surprised at how clueless he still seems, oblivious to the fact I want nothing to do with him anymore.
He called me the day before I left for Chicago, asking if I wanted to meet for lunch. I remember how my hand clenched my cell phone when he offered for me to come by his house. For a second I considered disconnecting the call, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Instead, I told him I wasn’t ready, and it’s the truth.
I’m not ready to see the family he chose over ours. I wasn’t prepared to meet his other kids. I can’t bring myself to accept what he’s done to my mother or forgive him for the years of lies.
I’m still just not ready.
So, I keep driving with my foot heavy on the pedal, leaving everything I’m not ready to face behind me.
The soft vibration on my lap diverts me from my thoughts.
“Mase.” I smile as I click the button on my steering wheel connecting the call. It’s been almost a week since I’ve heard his voice. We’ve exchanged a few texts while I’ve been gone but texting is different.
Mason is my best friend. Along with my roommate, Lissa, he is one of the few people who knows about the drama with my parents. They are also the only two people I trust.
“Hey,” he sighs. With just one word, I can sense something is off.
“How’s the drive going?”
“Good. I’m about forty minutes or so out.”
Running my hand through my hair, I perch my arm on the side of the door, holding the strands away from my face.
“How did the visit home go?”
Only Mason understands and knows how hard it is for me to go back. How every day I’m there sucks a little bit more out of me. While I know he is curious how I’m doing. I can tell he’s hiding something bothering him, too. That’s Mason for you. He’s always more willing to be there for everyone else, but he doesn’t focus on himself.
“As good as I expected it to be,” I say, putting it as nicely as possible.
“That good, huh?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Is everything okay? You sound like you’re upset?”
“I’m alright. You want to stop by when you get home?” Mason asks.
I hesitate for a minute, thinking how I will be able to explain this to Kaleb. I haven’t seen my boyfriend, Kaleb, since I went home to Cleveland. He doesn’t exactly accept our friendship, but I know he knows how important Mason is to me.
“Uh, yeah, I can,” I say, swallowing the guilt I feel. Mason needs me more right now, and I know if I called him, he’d come running to be here for me.
“Never mind,” he mutters, picking up on the strain in my voice.
“No, don’t,” I say, hoping to reassure him. “It’s okay. I just need to call Kaleb and let him know I’ll be by a little later. Okay? I’ll swing by as soon as I get in town.”
We both say our goodbyes. I press my head against the headrest, thinking through how to tell Kaleb about the change in plans.
Sliding into my seat in the lecture hall, I leaned forward to retrieve my notebook and textbook. Waking up late, I barely had enough time to brush my teeth much less get ready for class. I was fresh-faced and dressed down in yoga pants and a t-shirt.
I couldn’t help feeling like I was starting the year off on a bad foot.
Leaning back into my seat, I immediately recognized my mistake as I let out a string of curse words that would rival the mouth of a drunken sailor.
“Everything okay?” a smooth voice asked. I couldn’t help the sudden inhale of breath when my eyes met the deep green irises staring at me. The dimple gracing his cheek would m
ake my knees weak if I wasn’t already sitting.
“I’m sorry?” I asked, forgetting what was said while letting my eyes roam over his face and chest.
“I couldn’t help but overhear you. You seemed a little upset.”
“I brought the wrong notebook and textbook,” I said, holding up my integrated science book for him to see.
Running my hand across my forehead, I brushed away a few errant curls framing my face. I didn’t have enough time to get ready, so I opted to toss my hair into a messy bun. My natural curly hair would never look good if I left it loose and untamed.
“Here,” he said, flashing me his perfect smile as he handed me his. The dimple was back in full effect. Wrapping my hand around the edge of the textbook, I muttered out a thank you just as someone slipped in next to me bumping my shoulder.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Turning my head, I found Mason sitting next to me wearing his signature smirk. I felt my cheeks warm at the embarrassment. I was guessing he heard me talking to dimples and he was trying to ward him off.
“Knock it off and pay attention,” I said, turning my head, trying to focus my attention as the professor started class.
“What, you’re not going to tell me I look handsome?” He feigned hurt, pressing his hand against his chest. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
“Like you didn’t already tell yourself before you walked out of the house this morning.” I wanted to laugh at my joke, but the chuckle sounding from next to me told me dimples heard it too.
“I always like to hear it from you,” he whispered loud enough for those around us to hear, as he leaned in close to my neck. “I’m hurt.” This time, for my ears only.
After class that day, Kaleb worked up the courage to ask me to dinner with Mason standing right there. Despite how many times I’ve told him Mason’s antics that day was us joking, I know he doesn’t believe it.
Even after I told him how much trust in a relationship means to me, after baring myself and sharing about my parents’ divorce, he still throws our friendship in my face. I can’t say I don’t understand where he’s coming from. My insecurities often get the best of me. I’m scared I could end up like my mom, giving my heart to someone only to have them crush it.
Kaleb has never given me any reason not to trust him, and I’ve worked hard to prove to him there is nothing to worry about where Mason is concerned.
Approaching my exit, I hit the turn signal as I veer my car toward the off ramp. Deciding it’s time to bite the bullet, I reach for my cell just as it vibrates in my hand. Kaleb’s name appears on the screen, and I smile as I swipe to accept the call.
“Hey, babe! I’m almost back. I am just pulling onto Washington Street now.”
“Sounds good, baby. I can’t wait to see you. I thought we could go grab dinner together.”
“I miss you, too,” I sigh. My heart warms as it hits me just how much. “I need to make a quick stop at Mason’s house. He didn’t say much, but I could tell something is going on. I’ll call you when I’m leaving his place.”
The line goes silent, and I hold the phone in front of me to check whether the call has disconnected.
“Are you there?” I mumble, already feeling terrible.
“Yup,” he retorts. “Is it always going to be like this, Brea? Will I always come in second place?”
I blink back the tears filling the brim of my eyes.
“It’s not like that, Kaleb, and you know it. Mason’s my best friend, and he needs me right now.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve spent the last week away from you and right now I need you, too. What about me, huh?”
I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears fill my eyes making it hard to see as I maneuver my car onto the side of the road.
“I’m sorry,” I choke. I don’t know how to get Kaleb to believe me when I know I still struggle to trust him, too.
“Yeah, baby, I am, too.” I hear the hoarse sound of his voice before the line clicks, disconnecting the call. I know he has every right to be upset with me. We had made these plans before I ever left town, knowing it would be a long week away from each other.
Looking in the rearview mirror, I run my fingers under my eyes wiping away the mascara streaking down my face. My hair is windblown and wild. Running my fingers through the strands, I attempt to calm the madness.
Checking the time on the dashboard, it’s a little after five o’clock. I decide to try and keep the visit quick. There is still time for us to grab dinner. Letting out a deep breath, I pick up my phone and type out a message.
Me: I promise I’ll make it up to you. I love you. I’ll call you as soon as I leave and we can meet for dinner.
Scrolling through my Spotify playlist, I click on Salt-N-Pepa before tossing my phone on the empty seat beside me. Adjusting the rearview mirror, I pull onto the road leaving my problems behind me for the second time today.
“Fuck, baby. That feels good,” I groan, tilting her head back until her eyes meet mine.
Running my palm along her cheek, I grip my other hand around the base of my cock as I guide it into her mouth. Her tongue swipes the head as I tamp down a strangled groan.
“Mm,” she moans as her tongue darts out, licking the bead of precum before her lips suction around my head.
The action causes lights to flash before my eyes as my vision turns blurry with my impending release.
“Shit, I’m gonna come,” I grunt. “If you don’t want me to come in your—”
At the same moment the words leave my mouth and her lips tighten around my dick, I hear a thunderous pounding on my bedroom door. I’m too far gone to care.
With my fingers laced in her long blond hair, I feel my body shake as I erupt down her throat. Feeling the aftershocks of my release, I lie back on the side of the bed and run my hand over my face as I take a deep breath, forcing air into my lungs.
The quietness is once again interrupted with the loud thumping on the door.
“You left your phone in the living room, and it’s been ringing nonstop, man!” Graham shouts from the hallway.
I hear the annoyance laced in the deep baritone of his voice.
“Yeah, I heard you the first fucking time!” I yell. “I’ll call them back, just give me a minute.”
I run the tip of my finger along Sierra’s bottom lip as I shoot her a wink. Flashing me a quick grin, she pats me on my thigh as she stands. My eyes follow her as she pulls on her bra and slides her tank top over her head.
Sierra is a beautiful woman, and this isn’t the first time she’s visited my bed. I always make it clear with the women I’m with that it is what it is. Sierra is the only one I’ve ever made an exception for a repeat. It’s not because there is more there, in fact, it’s the exact opposite. She knows the score and is only looking for someone to repay her the orgasms she is good at delving out, and I do in spades.
“I’m sorry. I’ll call you later tonight,” I say, feeling sorry for the interruption.
“No, you won’t.” She laughs, leaning forward to pull her pants over her slender hips, never taking her eyes off mine.
As I said, she knows how things are. Although we’ve exchanged numbers, I’ve never called her. We work together and run with the same crowd. Usually, we happen to bump into each other and one thing leads to another. Before we know any better, here we are.
“Yeah. I guess you’re right,” I grunt, pulling up my pants from where they sit around my ankles.
She smiles at me with her doe eyes, making her look far more innocent than I know her to be. Sauntering over to my nightstand, she collects her phone and slides it into the back pocket of her jeans that fit her like a glove. Pulling my t-shirt over my head, I watch as she makes her way over to the door.
“Until next time, Mason.” She winks, turning the doorknob and sauntering down the hallway.
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I hear Sierra’s laugh and Graham’s grunt, followed by our apartment door slamming shut. Running a hand over my chest, I ease the tension in my muscles as I meander to the living room.
“Sierra, huh?” Graham mumbles, crossing his arms over his chest.
“We ran into each other last night. She had a few too many drinks and I wanted to make sure she got home okay. Change of plans, she ended up stopping by.”
“Change of plans alright,” he says, shaking his head.
Graham is one of my best friends. We grew up together in Arbor Creek, Iowa. After graduation, we both decided to get out of the small town we call home, although our reasons for leaving were altogether different.
“Your phone rang ten times in the last hour. Someone named Mary Jo. I didn’t answer, but it must be important,” Graham says, tossing over my phone. The hangover I’m suffering delays my movement, as I fumble to catch it.
Clicking the call button, I don’t bother to listen to the voice mails.
“Mary Jo,” I say when she picks up, the words sounding more like a question. MJ has been my dad’s assistant at his law office for years. I’ve grown to know her quite well over the years. She is like a grandmother to me.
“Mason, son. I’m sorry to bother you.”
“It’s okay. What’s going on?”
I can’t help but feel the panic rise in my chest. Running my hand along the back of my neck, I work to ease the tension.
“Your father was arrested earlier this morning. I got the call a little over an hour ago.”
She doesn’t tell me what happened because I already know. My dad has struggled with alcohol addiction most of my life. His problem is what led to my parents divorcing when I was five years old.
“Again?” I sigh, running my hand through my hair. The strands are longer than I like to keep them.
“This time it was for drinking and driving. I don’t want you to worry, Mason,” she reassures. It’s hard not to though. “I’ll take care of everything. Can you call Callum?”
Lost Before You (Heart's Compass Book 2) Page 1