Reckless (The Reckless Series)
Page 28
“It will definitely keep my mind pre-occupied,” she mumbled. “I love you, Jonah.”
“Love you,” I said, holding her just a little longer before making my transition.
The immediate isolation from her was always the hardest feeling to overcome each time I transitioned back to my Guardian form. Even though I remained in her room with her, she and I were completely disconnected from one another, which was something I would never get used to. Seeing her and being near was a comfort for me, and it did make it easier, but knowing that she couldn’t hear or sense my presence weighed heavily on me. The only consolation was knowing that the blackout phase was only temporary.
I could hear the clatter of her makeup on her bathroom counter as I settled into the overstuffed armchair in the corner of her room. As I glanced around the spacious space, memories of the cramped living quarters we had suffered through the previous year flooded my mind. Although this room was smaller than her bedroom back at home in Bend, it was twice the size of her dorm room.
It was just before noon when Hailey reappeared from the bathroom, heading straight for her closet. She slipped an oversized cardigan over her silky tank top, pausing long enough to examine her reflection in her full-length mirror. Satisfied, she stepped into a pair of sandals and then gathered her purse from the bench at the end of her bed, slinging it over her shoulder. She took one last glance at herself in the mirror, deciding on a last minute ponytail before exiting her bedroom. I followed close behind, trying to ignore how sluggish my feet felt as I forced them forward.
Hailey locked the door behind her as we left her apartment, just as her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at the message, immediately laughing under her breath. She typed a quick message back and then started walking down the hall, toward Rebecca’s apartment.
“Shayne found her keys— in her purse,” Hailey mumbled to me, looking down at her feet as she giggled again. “Typical Shayne.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I walked beside her, watching her reaction with amusement. There was nothing I wanted to do more than reach out and take her hand in mine and share in her laughter. At the very least, I wished she could hear me so I could say something witty. But I couldn’t.
And then, in the blink of an eye, everything shifted. My reasons for wanting to be by her side had nothing to do with romantic notions and private jokes. Instead, they had everything to do with protecting her and shielding her from harm. Because there, at the end of the hall, looking as sinister as ever, stood Ethan and Matt.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This dream started back in 1985, when I was learning to write my name— and I’ve been chasing it ever since. There are so many people who have stood by me, lifted me up, encouraged me, supported me and helped me make this happen. You will never know the depth of my gratitude to all of you for helping me make my dream a reality.
I have to start by thanking my amazing husband, Jeff, because you are my rock. My best friend. My soulmate. My better half. My source of inspiration, motivation and determination. You know, better than anyone, that I dream big and my reckless need to chase after all of them. Your constant love and support makes it possible for me to be who I am and never apologize for it. Because of you, I am me. Thank you for being so patient and understanding throughout this crazy journey. For having hour-long conversations about Hailey & Jonah, my fictional friends, who have become part of our family. I can write about real, pure, uninhibited love because I experience it every single day with you. I love you!
To my children, Cole & Addisyn, the loves of my life. Thank you for understanding me and being my personal cheerleaders to keep writing. Your love, patience and encouragement helped me see this through in so many ways, I couldn’t have done it without you. Remember to always dream, always chase, always love and always live. Spread those wings and take flight. I love you both so much!
A special thank you to my dad, Rusty, who always encouraged me to keep writing. You recognized my passion for creating stories when I was just a little girl and you’ve never let that fire die. To my mom, Nancy, you are always there to build me up and encourage me to go after my dreams. Happy heart, happy feet, just like you always told me. And to my brother, Eric, thank you for always being there for me and understanding me the way you do. I love you all!
Grandma, you may have made me batty with your constant pushing to finish this book, but I needed it and you knew that! You are the epitome of a strong woman. You showed me how to be an independent, free-thinking, obstacle-breaking, against-all-odds kind of girl. Thank you, with all of my heart, for being such an amazing influence to me and for simply being you.
To the crazy crew I call family, there are no words. Papa, Jack, Kay, Grandma True, Tami, Mark, Mychal, Brittany, Aaron, Jaclyn, Tige, Tiffany, Isaac, Chloe, Lisa, McKenzie, Paz, Brett, Garrett, Tristine, Garrett B., Grant, Jazzy, Derek and all the little ones— I am blessed beyond measure to have a huge family supporting me on this journey, you all mean the world to me. To my Aunt Leann & Aunt Trena, you’re like the big sisters I never had, thank you for always being there for me. To my Uncle Kent, I love how close we’ve become over recent years. You’ve been a huge advocate for me to write this book and your support means the world to me!
To my amazing Reckless Readers: Andrew, Alyssa, Jennifer, Brittany and Mychal— THANK YOU! The excitement you showed me over Hailey & Jonah’s story means more to me than you will ever know. Your input and insight helped me to make major changes and peel back more layers, revealing a better story and stronger characters. You have no idea how much I appreciate you all! And I really hope you all love the final product!
Special thanks to two amazing ladies who pushed me to write and stay inspired, Kaia and Denise. I am so lucky to call you my friends. You get me and simply allow me to be who I am. Your constant encouragement, love and support means the world to me. Love you both so much!
And last, but definitely not least, my partner-in-crime, Marissa Lynn. You have been there with me, every step of the way. Analyzing, plotting, dissecting, planning, exploring... Thank you for the two million texts- at all hours of the night, for helping me make sense of this complex story, for your endless patience and constant love and support. You are like a sister to me and I love you, sweet friend. Hailey & Jonah thank you, too! XO!
TO MY READERS
thank you
You will never know how much it means to me to know that you are out there, reading the pages of Reckless. You are holding my life-long dream in your hands, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you. I would love to know your thoughts on my debut novel and hope that you will consider writing a review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Be on the lookout for the second book, Breathless, releasing in 2015. Much love!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
holli true
Holli True resides in Eugene, OR. with her husband, Jeff, and their two children, Cole & Addisyn. With a passion and love for creating beauty, she became a full time, professional photographer in 2010, while still pursuing her dream of writing. Reckless is her debut novel. It is the first novel in The Reckless Series, with three more books to be released, chronicling the lives and love of Hailey & Jonah.
To learn more about Holli True, follow her at:
TWITTER: @hollitrue
INSTAGRAM: @hollitrue
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/HolliTrueAuthor
AUTHOR WEBSITE: http://hollitrueauthor.com
PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE: http://hollitrue.com
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