by Kay Gordon
Slowly and while not missing a single word, Drew led me to the stage. When we got to the middle, he handed me a microphone. That’s when I realized what he was doing. I backed away, shaking my head, but he just thrust the microphone at me again. His eyes plead with me while his lips continued moving and I groaned before taking it from his hand.
Seconds later, I was singing Christina Aguilera’s part poorly but the crowd cheered anyway, causing me to smile. I got into it, wagging my finger at him while I sang about keeping my secret. Drew twirled me twice and we danced next to each other while finishing the song. When it was over, he swept me up in a dramatic kiss that made the cheers even louder.
He pulled away but didn’t let me go. Instead, he lifted the microphone to his lips and spoke.
“Isn’t she fantastic, guys?” He grinned out at the crowd and they cheered again while I rolled my eyes at him. He didn’t stop talking, though. “I met Shaylee Butler fourteen years ago right in this very camp. Even though we lost touch for a few years, Camp Holcomb brought us back together last summer and again a few months later. That summer by the lake, I fell in love and now… I don’t ever want to be without her again.”
His words were beautiful but understanding didn’t wash over me until the handsome man before me sank down to one knee. I always thought it was stupid that women cried in movies when they were proposed to, but I totally got it now. Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes and I looked out to the crowd to make sure I wasn’t dreaming this.
Hannah gave me a thumb’s up and the girls from my cabin were all grinning. I glanced around again and found Howard standing with his hand clasped in May’s, both of them overjoyed. I was also surprised to see my parents standing in the wing with the proprietors. Mom had her hand over her heart, tears streaming down her face, and my dad had his arm draped across her shoulder with a look of pride on his face.
When I finally brought my eyes back to Drew, he just smiled below me, the microphone still in his hands.
“So, Shaylee, my beauty queen… Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” He held up his free hand and opened his fist, revealing a ring. “Will you marry me?”
I nodded frantically, dropping my microphone when he stood abruptly and swept me into his arms. Our lips met in a hard, PG-rated kiss and when we pulled back, I felt like my face was going to break from smiling so wide.
After tucking the microphone in his back pocket, Drew used his thumbs to dry my cheeks and then grabbed my left hand. He revealed the ring again and it was all I could do to keep from sobbing when I realized that the band under the gorgeous diamond was twisted into the shape of two infinity symbols. He slid the ring onto my finger and then locked those beautiful eyes on mine.
“I love you, Shay. For infinity, babe.”
“I love you, too, Drew,” I managed to choke out as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “For infinity.”
The End
Acknowledgments
Lucky number nine. Is nine even a lucky number? Well, in any case, I can’t believe we’re on nine! Writing these never gets easier because the same people always deserve my acknowledgement…
The people who read this before its ready while also listening to me whine, twist plots, and yell at them when they’re wrong (you know who you are)- You’re the best. I couldn’t do this without you.
To the reader who takes time out of their busy life to read words I’ve written down- You’re awesome. Without you, why would I do this?
Until next time!
Also by Kay Gordon
Available on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited) now!
The Scars Series
Scars of the Past
Scars of the Present
Scars of the Future
Scars of Denial
Scars of Hope
Scars on the Surface
The New Hope Fire Department Series
Playing with Fire
Up in Flames
Reduced to Ashes (Coming soon)
Standalones
Summer by the Lake (A Camp Holcomb Novel)
Finding a Hart (Available Fall 2017)
Keep reading for a sneak peek from Kay Gordon’s Scars of the Past, part of the Scars series.
Available on now Amazon (Free with Kindle Unlimited)!
Sneak Peek
A night out with the girls turns into a bad dream for college student, Madelyn Thomas. Feeling weak, violated, and ruined, Maddie must learn how to live life as a victim.
Out of the nightmare, an old friend that disappeared more than a year ago reappears. With his help and the help of her friends and family, she will learn that being the victim doesn’t mean your life is over.
She will work on overcoming hurdles to reclaim her life, fall in love, and accept the person she has become. Along the way, she’ll learn something about herself, too. She isn’t the weak, ruined woman she thought she was but someone much stronger than she ever imagined. Not all of the scars left behind are visible but each one represents one thing…
That she survived.
Now, she just has to come to terms with every single one.
Scars of the Past
Book One in the
Scars Series
Warning: This book contains adult sexual content and adult situations. It is not intended for readers under 18 years old.
Scars of the Past: Chapter One
Sweaty bodies moved in rhythmic motions all around us as we pushed through the dance floor. I clung to the hand in front of me like it was a life preserver while trying to keep the person attached to the hand behind from stopping every five seconds. The brightly colored mini-spotlights moved over us as we passed and the thumping of the bass reverberated in my ears. It smelled like fake fog from a machine mixed with sweat and alcohol.
I hated clubs.
We finally emerged from the throng of people and Amanda led us to straight to the bar. The three of us squeezed into a spot against it and she threw her hand up to get the attention of the bartender without success. She turned back around and flashed me a brilliant smile. A smile that said she knew how uncomfortable I was and that it was amusing to her.
“Don’t look so pissed off, Mads. We’re here to have fun.”
“I’m not pissed,” I replied with a frown before catching myself and forcing a neutral expression on my face. “I just feel so out of place.”
Sydney wrapped her arm around me and put her head on my shoulder. “That’s what alcohol is for, babe. Liquid courage.” Even with the deafening music, her loud, enthusiastic personality ensured I could hear her perfectly.
She gave me a smacking kiss on my cheek before leaning across the bar and yelling, “Yo, barkeep!”
The bartender raised his hand in answer and signaled that he’d be a just a second. Sydney sighed and turned around, looking out at the crowd as she did.
“I saw a few out on the dance floor I might have to get to know better.”
Amanda rolled her eyes and smiled. “Of course you did. It’s not a normal day unless you’ve filled your man-candy bowl full of prospects.”
Sydney winked at us before tucking her short hair behind her ear. She opened her mouth to retort when a voice behind the bar shouted to be heard over the pop song that was playing.
“What can I get you, ladies?”
Amanda smiled at him and held up three fingers. “Three shots of tequila.”
“Six!” Sydney yelled, leaning forward and giving him a better view of her exposed cleavage. Not like it hadn’t been noticeable before. The bartender took notice and gave Sydney a perusal before setting out six shot glasses to fill.
Sydney was the boisterous one in our group and, even though she was the shortest, she still knew how to work it. The knee-high boots she had on gave her five-foot-three inches a good height boost and almost brought us eye level. She had topped off her outfit with a short, black skirt and tight, red tube top that dipped low enough to make
her generous chest seem even larger. Her short, bright blonde hair didn’t go past her ears, but it was somehow always done more elaborately than anyone with long hair. Her dark brown eyes twinkled as the bartender gave her another once over before announcing our total.
Sydney passed him her debit card before handing us each a shot and raising hers into the air.
“To us- The hottest bitches in this place!”
Amanda raised her glass high as well. “To us!”
I raised mine feebly before mumbling the sentiment and bringing the foul liquid to my mouth. It poured down my throat, leaving fire in its wake, and I scrunched my nose. “That’s disgusting.”
Sydney laughed and shoved another into my hand. “Keep going. The more you have, the better it tastes. Or your throat just becomes numb. One of the two.” She glanced around as people walked by us and gave me an evil grin. “There are so many good looking guys in here. I think you need to break your dry streak and bring someone home tonight.”
I grimaced and shook my head. “I don’t think so. The thought of taking home some drunken guy makes me want to gag.”
Amanda smiled, but Sydney scowled. “Sometimes you’re such a prude.”
We sat at the bar for a moment and I people-watched while waiting for the alcohol to do its job. Solid was a very popular night club with its close proximity to the campus, so I wasn’t surprised that it was packed on a weekend night.
I self-consciously pulled the black tank top I was wearing up, hiding my mediocre cleavage. It was hot in the club, and I was regretting my choice to wear jeans for the night. On top of them contributing to my raised body temperature, my jeans made me look like I was completely over-dressed compared to some of the outfits the other girls were wearing. Apparently it wasn’t proper club attire unless you could show off your ass when you bent over.
Thirty minutes and another round later, the three of us were among the sweaty bodies dancing very un-rhythmically with each other. The four little glasses of tequila I’d consumed had given me a very nice buzz and I no longer felt out of place as I moved to the music.
A man’s hands settled on my hips from behind and I turned around to look at their owner. I ran my eyes over him slowly, my brain feeling a little foggy. His hair fell effortlessly on his forehead, his t-shirt hugged his nice, broad chest perfectly, and the cocky smile on his face told me that he knew that I appreciated the view. He wasn’t that much taller than me in my heels but the way he moved with confidence probably won him quite a bit of admirers.
I gave him a smile as I took his hands in mine and pushed them gently into his defined chest. We danced near each other for a bit before he snaked one arm around my waist. I let him for a minute and we just moved to the beat. Once the song changed, he turned me around so my back was to his front and our bodies were pressed together. He tried to run his lips down my neck but I wriggled out of his grip. When I turned back around to face him, I gave him a small smile and shook my head.
“Thanks, but I’m not interested.”
He winked at me and placed his hands back on my hips where they’d been originally. He leaned in and I could smell the beer and cigarettes on him as his lips met my ear.
“You and I make great dance partners. I’m sure we’d be great at other things, too. What do you say we get out of here?”
“I’m not interested,” I repeated, taking a step back. “You’ll just have to find another partner.”
His smile grew wider and he didn’t look at all deterred. “Okay. I’ll try again later and see if you’ve changed your mind.”
“I won’t,” I said as fast as my alcohol fueled brain would let me, but he had already disappeared into the crowd.
I turned around and found Sydney with her body pressed up against some guy, doing more rubbing than dancing. I rolled my eyes and turned to head towards the bar.
After I pushed through the other people on the dance floor, I caught sight of Amanda coming from the hallway that led to the restrooms.
Amanda was the level-headed but fierce one of the group. Her long, dark red hair fell in loose curls down her back, and her hazel eyes could burn holes through you if you weren’t careful. She had chosen to wear flats, saying her five-foot-nine inch frame didn’t need any more height, but those long, toned runner’s legs looked fabulous in the shorts she was wearing.
“Where’s Syd?” she asked, pulling her phone out of her pocket so she could glance at the screen.
I pointed towards the dance floor and gave my friend a lazy smile. “She found someone to get to know better.”
Amanda laughed as she linked her arm through mine and pulled me up to the bar. She held up four fingers to the bartender and he immediately placed the shot glasses in front of us. We each downed one quickly but Amanda’s eyes were glued to the phone in front of her. She blew out a frustrated breath and typed out a text message furiously.
“What is it?” I asked, lifting the next shot to my mouth. I set the empty glass back on the bar with more force than I meant to and giggled as if it was the funniest thing all night.
Amanda sighed before tucking her phone back into her pocket and pushing her other shot towards me. “Just Mom again. She’s having a bad night and I need to go before she gets too riled up. It’s only midnight, though, and I hate to make you leave. Would you rather stay with Sydney or do you want to cab it with me to my mom’s?”
I held up her shot glass and tried to remember what number I was on. Five? Seven? I laughed at my lack of coherence and shook my head. Going to Amanda’s mom’s during one of her moments would definitely kill whatever buzz I had.
“I’ll stay with Syd. She’ll just have to go home alone tonight.”
Amanda smiled and gave me a big hug, almost knocking me over with my shaky equilibrium. “Drunk Maddie is fairly adorable.” She released me and fixed a motherly look upon me for a moment that made me giggle even more. “Are you sure?”
I nodded, settling my weight against the bar. “Positive. I’m having fun.”
She squeezed me again before saying something about finding Sydney to tell her to come back to me. I blew her a kiss as she left and leaned over the bar. There were two bartenders now and they stood in light conversation, apparently enjoying that they weren’t completely slammed at the moment.
“Can I have one more, please?”
The bartender who had been serving us most of the evening frowned and propped his hip against the bar. He was a bit older than me, probably his early thirties, and had a rugged sort of charm about him.
“I think you’ve had enough, sweetheart.”
I pouted and gave him my best pleading look. “Just one more, okay?” I let out another giggle when I realized how slurred my words sounded. He shook his head but pulled out a glass to fill it for me anyway.
The second bartender had been on the opposite side of the bar for most of the night, but he stepped up to the counter shaking his head, too.
“That’s the last one, Madelyn.”
I scoffed and waved a dismissive hand in his direction. “It’s fine.” I picked up the small glass but immediately put it back down and gave the new bartender a wide smile.
He had familiar brown hair that sat in curls on top of his head, and his gorgeous, honey-brown eyes looked concerned. My own eyes trailed up and down him at a slow pace as I let recognition wash over me. He didn’t smile back but instead continued to give me stoic look.
“Josh Richards.” I reached over the bar to pat his cheek but my hand missed and I ended up patting the counter instead. “Hi, Josh.”
He finally broke his solid demeanor and gave me a small smile.
“Hey, Madelyn. It’s good to see you.”
I stared at him, confused for a moment as my brain tried to catch up. “You’re back. When did you get back?”
The small smile fell from his face. “Not too long ago.”
“Oh.” I studied his face for a second. “God, you’re sti
ll as hot as ever.”
He chuckled and leaned in close enough that I could smell whatever cologne or aftershave he wore.
“And you look even better than the last time I saw you.”
I threw back the shot and opened my mouth to say something else, but Sydney appeared with a grin on her face. She didn’t say anything as she grabbed me by the wrist and promptly dragged me back to the dance floor. We danced clumsily against each other for a while before a couple of guys joined in and we all danced together, laughing at one another’s dance moves. I felt light and disconnected from my body, but I also felt like it was a thousand degrees in the club.
“Be back. I’m gonna find a bathroom,” I yelled to Sydney and she gave me a nod of understanding as I started to move in the direction of the restrooms.
As I walked, I felt my feet working against the measly two-inch pumps I was wearing and I stumbled a little. I stopped to lean against the wall and tried to convince myself that the room was not spinning. After a moment, I started to walk again and I noticed a door near the restrooms that led outside. I pushed through that door, ignoring the ‘Employees Only’ sign, and felt the fresh fall air hit me in the face immediately. The air smelled faintly of garbage but it was still far more refreshing than the stale atmosphere in the club.
I took in several deep breaths, filling my lungs as I leaned against the concrete building. The world around me tilted in several directions and my eyes drifted shut to try and slow it down. I heard the door close again but I couldn’t persuade my heavy eyelids to reopen.