by S. R. Grey
I turn the pages. Kay follows along, her eyes wet.
When Sarah was a toddler she played patty-cake with my girl almost every single day. Sarah knew there was no Santa Claus, but believed in the tooth fairy. And then I reach this section: Sarah loved the color purple, and she called my girl Kay-bear, never Kay. Sweet girl touches my hand and informs me these were the three things she told Sarah the day she met me in the church parking lot. I read the last entry from that day: Sarah couldn’t sleep unless she was holding Peetie. The stuffed rabbit I saved from a junkie-filled parking lot the night I meted out justice for Kay. Now, it means even more that I retrieved that little bunny.
I set the journals down and I notice Kay crying softly. I hold her until the tears subside. Afterward she asks me to make love to her. I ask if she’s sure that’s what she really wants. To me, she looks sad at the moment, like maybe she might need some time alone as opposed to me all over her. But she tells me the opposite is true—when we’re together, like that, it’s an affirmation of life.
I never thought of sex that way, but I try my best to think of it like that today. When we get started, everything I do, I do slowly and gently. Careful and tender touches, soft caresses, and light kisses. When I finally bury myself deep inside the woman I love I move differently—so-o-o slowly—allowing us both to savor the connection.
And for the next hour, I make slow, sweet love to my girl.
The next night, Monday evening, Kay and I are watching a movie in my living room. My girl is all nestled into me, which I fucking love, and my arm is draped over her shoulders. The movie we’re watching is a comedy and we find ourselves laughing at all the same parts.
Things are better and brighter today. Father Maridale relayed this morning that Mrs. Wilson will recover completely. She has a long road ahead, but she’ll be fine. Mrs. Wilson’s upgraded status means Doug-fucking-Wilson is back in Columbus where he belongs. Far away from me equates to very lucky for him. If I ever run into that motherfucker, he’ll be sorry real fast for keeping his bigger-than-we-realized role in Sarah’s death a secret for so long. I may have told Kay I’d let it go, but I don’t think I really can.
I tense and my girl gives me a questioning look. I shrug it off and try to think of something else. But now that Columbus is on my mind, I can’t help but be reminded of Kay’s mother.
Mrs. Stanton is also back in Columbus. I’m sort of all over the place with that one. We shall see how it all plays out, this mother-daughter reconnection. That lady better not renege on my girl, I can tell you that. So far, though, things look good. Kay’s mother is staying in contact. She called earlier this evening, in fact, and even put Kay’s dad on the phone for a few.
My girl seemed so light and happy afterward, that’s why we went with a comedy for tonight’s movie. I’m glad Kay’s talking to her parents. She needs her family, just like I need mine, even if both our families are pretty much fucked up.
Speaking of which, just as the movie ends my cell phone rings. I check the screen and groan to Kay, “It’s my mom. Maybe I should let it go to voicemail and call her back tomorrow.”
“What if it’s about Will, though?” Kay says, sitting up.
“Good point,” I respond.
I haven’t heard from my brother since Friday after he blew up over my refusal to allow Cassie to come with him to Ohio.
I answer my cell, and, as usual, my mother is in somewhat of a panic. I only half-listen initially, but when she catches her breath and slows down a little I quickly catch up.
Shit.
I sit up swiftly and glance over meaningfully at Kay. She places her hand supportively on my arm.
“What the hell are you saying?” I ask my mom. “What do you mean Will ran away?” Kay’s little hand tightens and slides down to my wrist to cover my hand.
My mother fills me in on what’s going on. Will was supposedly staying at Cassie’s house this weekend. “So much for being grounded,” I mutter.
Apparently, the day he skipped his flight and went to Cassie’s he did call Mom like I told him to, but instead of demanding he come home, she gave him permission to stay the weekend.
“That was three days ago,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Doesn’t he have to check in with you or something?”
Mom ignores me and continues, explaining that Cassie’s mom was on some weekend business retreat and just returned home today. Of course, this was all news to Mom since she assumed Cassie’s mother was home all weekend. Anyway, Cassie’s car was missing from the driveway, but her mother didn’t think much of it at first. Then, she went into Cassie’s room to gather laundry and noticed a bunch of her daughter’s clothes were missing, as well as a suitcase.
“Cassie’s mother said the room looked like nobody had been in there in days,” my mom says.
Fuck. Where could my brother and Cassie have gone? Would they really run away? Maybe something worse happened with the stepdad that prompted them to leave?
“Has Will called you?” my mom asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“No,” I respond.
Worry creeps up my spine.
My mom kind of sobs, and I ask, “What about the stepdad, Paul? Will said when I talked to him on Friday that the guy was home.” I don’t add that the stepdad had done something to upset Cassie and that’s why Will blew off his flight. Why worry Mom further?
“Where was this Paul-guy all weekend?” I continue. “How could he not notice Will and Cassie weren’t there?”
“I don’t know, Chase,” my mother says, sniffling, a little calmer now, but not much. “I guess he was in and out of the house a lot over the past couple of days. That’s what Cassie’s mother said, anyway. Paul didn’t even notice they weren’t there until this morning.”
Sounds like a great guy, I think sarcastically as I roll my eyes.
Just as my mother is declaring she’s going to call the police—which I agree is the right thing to do—the doorbell rings.
Kay and I look at each other, and I know she’s thinking the same thing I am. “Fuck,” I mumble.
Kay bites her lip. I think about how Will asked if Cassie could come with him to Ohio if he still were to visit me. Next, I calculate how long of a drive it is from Nevada to Ohio. Definitely enough time has passed for the two of them to make it here.
“He wouldn’t,” I mutter.
“What?” my mother on the phone and Kay who’s at my side ask simultaneously.
The doorbell rings again. Shit. I ask my mom to hold on, but I keep the phone at my side. Kay stands up when I do and follows me to the door. When I open it, my brother is standing on the porch.
I raise the cell to my mouth. “He’s here,” I say somberly.
My eyes meet Will’s fiery greens. I shake my head at my brother, like I’m saying what-the-fuck. And I kind of am saying exactly that.
I tell my mother I’ll call her right back, but not to worry. Will’s okay. I add that I’ll get the details on Cassie’s whereabouts as well. My mother protests, but I hit end. I need to take care of one thing at a time, and this takes precedence.
I lower the phone and my brother smiles at me. “Hey, bro,” he says, all casual and smug-like. “Guess what? I made it to Ohio, after all.”
He glances at Kay, who’s at my side. My little shit brother smiles all charmingly and says, “Hi, I’m Will, Chase’s brother.”
Kay says hi back, all while squeezing my arm. My girl is holding me back, like I’m about to go off on my brother. I am a little, but mostly I’m just shocked.
It’s then a young girl steps out of the shadows at the base of the porch steps. She stares down at the ground. Will catches her attention and motions for her to come up on the porch. When she reaches his side she places her hand on his arm, just like Kay’s hand is on mine. It seems to strengthen my brother’s resolve. I see it in his face.
My brother firmly states, “This is Cassie. And before you say anything, Chase, I am telling you now we’re not going back to Vegas. We can e
ither stay here with you…or we’ll just leave and keep driving east.”
“Did something happen?” Will knows what I mean. And apparently so does Cassie. When I glance at her, her eyes dart skittishly away.
My brother’s girlfriend positions herself behind Will, he answers for her. “Nothing happened, but we decided to leave. It’s better if Cassie’s away from that place.”
I almost ask Will if he’s high. I mean, what the hell is he thinking? I know he wants to protect Cassie from her stepdad, but this has gone too far. They need to tell the girl’s mother about this creep. I feel sure she’d kick him out in a heartbeat; she just doesn’t know what’s going on.
“Will—” I begin, but my brother interrupts.
“I’m serious, Chase. Can we stay with you, or not? It won’t be forever, just until we figure things out.”
“Figure things out?” I scoff. “What kinds of things? You’re both in high school. Or are you just not going to go back in the fall?”
Will looks away but I reach out and gently coax him to meet my gaze. He lets my hand stay on his shoulder. “Will, you’re only fifteen,” I softly remind him.
But my brother is resolute, his greens bore into me. “I’m serious, Chase. We aren’t going back. What’s it gonna be? Can we stay here or not? It’s your house, it’s your decision.”
Three pairs of questioning eyes fall on me. My wayward brother, my love, and this runaway girl who I’ve just met all await my answer.
So I take a deep breath and tell all three what I’ve decided…
The story continues in
NEVER DOUBT ME,
the next novel in the Judge Me Not series.
Expected publication: Spring 2014
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, my gratitude and appreciation extend to all the readers, bloggers, and reviewers who read and support my novels. Some of you have been with me from the beginning, and some of you are new, but I thank all of you equally. Also, thank you to my copy editor, Gail, Damon at damonza.com for another stunning cover, and Benjamin at Awesome Book Layout for always awesome print and e-book formatting. A special thank you goes out to Julie at AToMR Tours for organizing a great cover reveal in August and for what promises to be a wonderful blog tour this October.
Last, but not least, a huge thank you to my family, my friends, and especially to Tom and the extended “E” family.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
S.R. Grey is the author of the bestseller Harbour Falls, and Willow Point, the first and second books in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, the first novel in the Judge Me Not series. Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, as well as an MBA. She is currently working on Wickingham Way, the third novel in A Harbour Falls Mystery series, to be released in January 2014, as well as Never Doubt Me, the second novel of the Judge Me Not series, due out in the spring of 2014.
Other interests include reading, traveling, running, and cheering for her hometown sports teams.
BOOK CLUB/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Spoilers—-do not proceed if you’ve not read I Stand Before You
1. Kay and Chase believe they are “destined” to be together. Do you believe in fate and/or destiny? Do you think some things in life are predetermined? What about in your own life?
2. There are many instances of “judgment” in I Stand Before You. Have you ever prejudged a person or situation when you only had limited information? When you received more information, did you change your opinion?
3. Kay’s mother, Ruth, turns her back on her daughter, her only remaining child. When Kay sees her mother at the cemetery were you concerned it would end badly? Did you find Ruth Stanton believable? Should Kay trust her? Give her a chance?
4. Kay is burdened with guilt over the death of her little sister, Sarah. Do you understand why she feels this way? Did you place any blame on Kay? What about after her mother revealed Doug’s secret?
5. Chase stays clean, up until the night his brother doesn’t show up at the airport. Do you feel as if the culmination of events led Chase to Kyle’s house? Were you surprised he went there? What did you think of his actions while at Kyle’s?
6. Do you think Kay forgives Chase too easily for keeping his indiscretion with Missy a secret? Do you see how her keeping her own secret influenced her decision?
7. Chase is so anxious to rebuild his relationship with his brother, Will, that he trusts him implicitly, even when he senses he should not. Have you ever trusted someone you knew was probably lying to you? Why? How did it turn out?
8. How do Chase and Kay give each other strength? Give an example of how Chase positively influences Kay, and vice versa.
This is just as starting point for discussion. Please feel free to formulate your own questions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Playlist
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue: Lead in to Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2)
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Book Club/Discussion Questions
Table of Contents
Playlist
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue: Lead in to Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2)
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Book Club/Discussion Questions