The Perfect Distraction (Volume 1)

by Melissa Rolka

  Eventually the Chicago city skyline comes into view and a calmness spreads over me as I think of my bedroom and the comforts of home. It is a little less comforting now though and I know it is the lack of my mom’s presence. Already I can feel the rush of everything coming to a head. I have worked shamelessly hard to remain distracted the last few days. Now I can’t do that though. I have to confront everything that is painful in order to move forward.

  The drive remains quiet except for the racing thoughts in my mind. There is no shutting my mind off now. Dad exits the freeway and along the way towards our neighborhood we pass the bowling alley. Memories of the last time I was there with Kyle shake me. Still, I have a hard time separating the different sides of Kyle that I experienced.

  We turn down my street and I try to sit myself up right. Dad squeezes my hand to reassure me. I haven’t thought about what to say to Daniel and I wonder what dad has told him. The throbbing in my head has increased and I rub at my temples. I curl to the side facing dad and close my eyes tightly.

  “Katherine, are you okay, sweetie?”

  “Yea, my head is just starting to hurt again. I’ll take some Advil when I get inside.”

  We pull into the driveway and dad parks the car outside. I slowly open the door and hop down. I stop when I see the front door open and a shadow in the doorway. I freeze and tears begin to sting the back of my eyes as I notice the familiar figure. Dad is in the back of the Navigator grabbing my bags and tells me to head inside that he will get everything. Taking a couple steps closer to the door I can see more clearly with the way the sunlight hits. Before I can stop my feet from moving forward, the still somewhat shadowed figure opens the screen door hesitantly. We both stare for a brief moment into our brown eyes matching each other and then my feet take off running. I crash into the thin arms that solidly grasp me just like I remember. Strands of highlighted blonde hair mix with my own. Sobs escape from our mouths and the tears flow uncontrollably. My mom cradles me in her arms whispering through her sobs how sorry she is and that she is here.

  Epilogue – Reed

  It’s been exactly two weeks since I last saw or talked to Kate. My mind is constantly consumed with thoughts of her. More so than ever and believe me, I’ve thought plenty about Kate in the last year or so. I’ve tried to ignore these feelings with alcohol, pot and even girls. I hit up McGee’s almost every night and still I’m flooded with thoughts of her. I’ve tried to make out with a couple random girls. Tried being the key word. Once my lips hit whatever random girl’s lips, repulsion rises up my throat and the taste of someone else has me pulling myself back. Reese picked up on Kate’s absence and came on to me pretty strong the one night, well, more than came on to me… she was lying on top of my bed buck ass naked. I can’t lie that temptation didn’t infiltrate my mind if nothing more than to distract myself from thinking of Kate, but I knew better and sent her away. Nothing good could come from that and I’d only be left with regret. Hell, I even considered reaching out to my on again off again relationship from back home. And I know damn well nothing ever good comes from that. I’ve had years of experience with that damned relationship. Calling it a relationship makes it sound as if it was solid and meaningful, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Katherine is or was the only solid and meaningful relationship I’ve ever had.

  I pull up to Lake Michigan and park in my usual spot facing the beach. The tunes of Bear’s Den fill my car with words about being so scared of losing you and I don’t know what I can do about it and I don’t want to know who I am without you. These words hit me hard and only make me feel worse, but I continue to wallow in my misery. It’s been two of the longest fucking weeks of my life. I’d do anything to have her here with me. Going back through our times together I sift through my memories trying to remember her words. I tried so hard to reassure her of how I felt for her even though it was foreign. Maybe I hadn’t listened to her words. Did she warn me she was leaving me? Doubt fills me and I wonder if what I felt was a disillusion. Did she have the feelings I thought she had for me? Did I have the feelings I thought I had for her? FUCK! I never said it not even in my mind at the time, but Christ I know I was falling for her. Falling in love with her. Who am I kidding I thought I’d marry that beautiful girl. I still do.

  Her letter is worn from reading it uncountable times and yet I pull it out of my pocket again. Her writing is in cursive and delicate. I drag my finger over her signed name and remember the first time she heard me use her full name. Her lips parted slightly emphasizing the poutiness of her bottom lip. Then she pressed them together and I swear they formed a perfect heart. Katherine. Katherine Rose. Kate. I love that I can throw her off by using her full name at times and then use her shortened name at other times.

  I’ve tried relentlessly to push her from my mind, but it’s no use. A girl like Katherine is not someone you walk away from easily. While there is no excuse for Kyle’s pathetic attempts at keeping her, a part of me gets it. It’s undeniable that she’s beautiful, but not only on the outside. Kyle. A rage boils in me at the sight of his name on the letter. He has destroyed part of her. I squeeze my eyes tight at the image of him on top of her. She looked absolutely horrified. I saw red. The urge to do serious physical damage to someone had never encased me like this before, at least not on this level. Only one other time had a rage boiled in me… I was a boy, only eleven, but I remember it so clearly.

  My mom and I were coming back from my baseball game. My dad had said he had work he had to do. We walked in with Dairy Queen ice cream to celebrate because I got a homerun. We had picked up dad his favorite blizzard too. Our house was large and it was easy to walk in without anyone hearing, but I ran in yelling for my dad. I ran through the kitchen jumping and excited to find my dad. His office was on the main floor and at the end of a long hallway. I ran all the way down and opened his door without knocking. When I opened the door there was a pretty red head sitting on his desk in nothing, but her panties. My dad didn’t have a shirt on and he looked shocked when our eyes locked. I could hear my mom’s feet padding down the hallway approaching. My dad yelled at me calling me Grant, telling me I should have knocked and quickly pushed me from the door. He slammed the door and locked it. When I looked into my mother’s eyes I knew she knew what I had witnessed. I remember the echo of her scream and my dad brushing past me to chase her. The buxom red head stood in the doorway to his office with now my dad’s shirt on saying something like sorry kid.

  The feeling to protect Kate is the same way I felt and still feel for my mom. That day forever changed me and still haunts me in ways that are becoming more clear since knowing Kate. The thought of someone belittling her and causing her this amount of pain infuriates me. I remember being infuriated with my dad and the rage that boiled in my blood. Over time things calmed, but my relationship with my dad changed that day and it still has not fully recovered.

  I cringe and grip the steering wheel wishing I had more of her; more time with her. Remembering the way her body would curl up against me and having her sleeping against my chest was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. Being with her, tasting her, and burying myself in her filled a void in me that I never knew was there. I don’t want to be without her, hell I don’t even like thinking about a time before her.

  I grip the steering wheel tighter and rev the engine to my Porsche and do the only thing I can do… I pull out and start heading south along Lake Michigan knowing that I’ll do anything to be closer to her. I don’t want to be anywhere else, but closer to you Katherine.

  Be on the lookout for Book 2 Coming Soon

  Thankfulness

  First and foremost my thanks goes to my husband and kids. Jason, Carter and Caroline thank you with all of my heart for all the time you allowed me to be present, but distracted (no pun intended). And distracted I was with all of these characters that came to life for me. Jason, who is one of the most patient husbands I know, for always being supportive and never complaining about the lack of a
creative dinner or the mess in the house. Oh! Or a low supply in clean clothes. Your support as I threw myself into this unknown journey means the world to me.

  To my mom for encouraging me from the first time I mentioned I wanted to write a book about love, romance and a little “smut”. During our endless conversations about the books we read I started to develop a small story in my head. Thankful I am for the countless minutes and hours of listening you did. Also, as one of my beta readers you provided just enough advice and criticism. Thank you for your never-ending support. This includes you potty training my sweet Caroline during this time! (Also, thanks to dad for his support. If there is one thing dad is great at, its talking … I know he told anyone and everyone about his daughter writing a novel.) Also, I thank all of my other family that would listen and offer support.

  To my fabulous beta readers! Wow, where do I begin? I know this book would not be where it is without you. My thanks cannot be enough, this I know. Brooke, my long time dear friend and true believer, thank you ever so much! I value your friendship and guidance throughout all of this. Your suggestions, advice and openness helped develop this story. Also, thank you for the photography for the cover and my headshots. Your talent knows no bounds. Jodi, my sweet, encouraging and inspiring friend this book would not have flowed nearly as smoothly without you. I appreciate all your advice, tips and suggestions. You made me strive harder to develop this romance. We share a love of a deep story about romance with a little “smut” in there and I always look forward to our endless discussions. Hearing your passion and love of my story and characters kept me writing. To Mindy, another long time dear friend, my best friend, thank you for all your support throughout this and listening endlessly to me talk. Michele, Jodie, Lisa, Heather and Michelle for reading my story and giving me the encouragement to keep going. Your investment in my story and my characters convinced me that I was doing the right thing.

  Michelle Lynn, fellow Author, I cannot thank you enough for your guidance through all of this. I really lucked out meeting you and know that this process would not have been possible without you. Thank you for talking, listening, advising, guiding, researching and reading for me! Your work is an inspiration and I adore your writing. I’m so thankful for our newfound friendship.

  Heather, thank you for your ease to bring my cover to life! I appreciate you reading my novel first in order to help in the development of my cover. Your creativity and technicality helped channel the look I wanted. I know you are a busy working mom and you still made time for little ole me.

  Not that long ago on a late night back from the city of Chicago I decided to reach out and message a favorite new author of mine, Gail McHugh. (Yes, wine may have been involved.) She probably does not even realize how much her response and time spent messaging back and forth with me in the wee hours of the night helped me. If you read this Gail, thank you.

  Thank you to all the other fabulous writers out there for inspiring me to pursue this dream and move forward with it. Reading your stories and your journey to bring them to life has allowed me to develop my own story.

  I ask regardless if you liked or did not like The Perfect Distraction, that you please leave a review. Thank you.

  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18338181-the-perfect-distraction

  Please contact Melissa Rolka

  E-mail - Melissarolka.author@gmail.com

  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaRolka?fref=ts

  Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7224466.Melissa_Rolka?from_search=true

  Please enjoy a sampling of Love Me Back by Michelle Lynn

  Growing up in small-town Belcrest, Maddy Jennings always thought she was destined to be with her childhood sweetheart, Trent Basso. Throughout the complicated road she has traveled with Trent, someone else has had a strong presence in Maddy's life. Trent’s older brother Gabe has always been someone she could count on, therefore neither of them can be blamed when lines blur from friendship to something more. However, promises made between brothers threaten to ensure that neither of them will have a permanent place in her life.

  When Maddy returns to her hometown for her brother’s wedding, she is forced to face both Trent and Gabe for the first time in two years. While the two Basso brothers fight to win her heart, she is busy struggling with a past that won't seem to let her go. Whether she wants to or not, Maddy must decide to either forfeit her own happiness or forever tear a family apart.

  Chapter 1 – 11 years old

  “Madeline Dolores Jennings!” Bryan yells teasingly at me from the bottom of the hill.

  “What do you want, Bryan Otto Edwards?”

  “Hey, I’m just joking, Maddy.” Bryan runs up the hill, throwing his arm around me. “You knew it had to be coming; I have been holding it in all day since Kenna slipped at lunch.”

  I hate the days my mom “works late”. It entails me having to walk up the grassy hill from my grade school to my brother Jack’s football practice with the other latchkey brothers and sisters of the football heroes of our small town. There are four of us that make the trek every day.

  Mackenna Ross is my best friend and our polar opposite personalities only enhance our different qualities. She is free-spirited, whereas I am more conservative. She speaks her mind and I keep my thoughts to myself. We share a love for tennis, swimming, and the game MASH (mansion, apartment, shack or house), where we try to map out our perfect lives.

  Our brothers are teammates but not the best of friends. In fact, they have been known to fight with each other on several occasions. The most recent battle is over a girl… Cindy Rydel. I don’t see what is so intriguing about her, but I am not a seventeen year-old hormone-induced boy either. It doesn’t matter to Kenna and me that they don’t get along, so long as it doesn’t keep us away from one another.

  Jack glances up to the bleachers on his way to the field, giving me a wave as he checks to make sure that I made it safely across the hill from our school. I wave back and take my seat next to MacKenna. She already has her notebook out, wanting to go first. We keep all of our MASH games in a binder, marking stars next to the lives we want. I grab her notebook, flipping to the next blank page.

  “Alright Kenna, four boys?” I ask.

  “Let’s do five today. I can’t decide who to leave out, Jackson or Tyler,” she says, tapping her lips with her finger.

  “Fine, five,” I reply. Mackenna never changes the cars she desires or where she wants to live, but the boys’ list is forever rotating between the boys in our school.

  “Ok, well my usual four boys and…” she pauses, glancing over to the field next to us where the latchkey boys are tossing a football around. “Bryan,” she says, spitting it out so fast I barely catch what she said.

  “What?” I scream at her. Two days ago, Bryan told her that her butt is big, and now she is picking him to be her future husband?

  “Maddy! Shhh…it’s my choice. Write it down,” she says, pointing to the paper with her neon-green painted fingernail.

  “Alright, but I don’t understand you at all.” I shake my head back and forth, writing it down and hoping that the rotation eliminates him. I love Mackenna but Bryan is a jerk; I would not let her marry him.

  Luckily, Mackenna ends up married to Tyler, living in a shack in California with eight kids, and driving a Range Rover. I am happy Bryan was eliminated in the third round.

  “Not my best life but I’ll take it. I got my Range Rover.” Mackenna shrugs her shoulders, moving her eyes toward the grassy area again but quickly turning back toward me. “Your turn, hand it over,” she says, holding her hand out.

  I dig through my bag and pull out my purple binder, handing it over to her.

  “Maddy, this time you cannot put Trent down four times; you have to choose other boys.” She starts writing MASH across the white sheet of paper.

  “I only did that once, Kenna.” I look over at Trent throwing the ball to Bryan. “Plus, I don’t like him anymore,” I say, trying
to convince myself as much as Mackenna.

  “I’ve heard that before,” she says, tapping the pen on the paper.

  I have known Trent my whole life. His brother, Doug, is Jack’s best friend. We have been thrown together during our brothers’ t-ball and football practices and games, as well as too many Cub Scout events to count. We would play together when we were little, but as we get older we tend to ignore each other, doing our own thing when forced to be around one another.

  Mackenna is right though. If I am being honest with myself, I have had a crush on him my whole life. I have written “Mrs. Trent Basso” millions of times and scribbled over it a zillion more. Regardless of my current feelings toward Trent, he is always on my MASH list for a future husband.

  Today I hate Trent because, during recess, Evan Graham said that Trent asked him to ask me if Mackenna liked him. I tried to act as though it didn’t bother me, but I wanted to march over to Trent and kick him in the shin. I told Evan I would ask and get back to him tomorrow. I already knew her answer without having to ask her; she would never do that to me. I am so mad at Trent Basso today that I knock him down from his number one spot to my fourth option for future husband. Baby steps.