by C. L. Brees
He returned to the table as Mike looked at him and spoke: “So, can I ask you a quick question about the crazy bitches? Did you ever find anything that could even have been remotely what they were after?”
“Nope, I’ve gone through the safe and all of my mom’s financial information; there is nothing there that seems out of place. I even went to the safety deposit box to close it out. It was just jewelry in there; nothing that I would think belonged to any mafia men.”
“So strange that they kept insisting that your mother had something they wanted. It’s just interesting that we all had to go through this, when in reality, it could have all been avoided.”
“Yeah, I guess if you look at it that way, it could have all been avoided. You know my philosophy though: everything happens for a reason in the end.”
“I’m sorry to bring that up, but I have to say that I can’t believe you are leaving me for New York,” he declared as Alex leaned forward in his chair.
“As much as I love you, you just know I can’t stay here in Ridgewood Hills any longer. There are so many memories, some great and some not so great. If I stay here, I’ll never be able to move on with my life.”
“I understand. I just wish you didn’t have to move all the way to New York City. That place is going to eat you alive.”
“Listen, if I can survive two crazy bitches with a vendetta against my family, I think I can survive 7.4 million people and the subway every day,” he chuckled to himself.
“Well, if you really think that, then I have something I want to ask you,” he said as he pulled out a small black box from his pocket and got down on one knee. “I’m not going to let you leave me here in this small town to rot. I love you with all of my heart, and I want to spend the rest of our lives together. No matter where we end up, I just want it to be the two of us.”
Alex gasped in disbelief, quickly covering his face with his hands. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I am; I’m asking you to marry me.”
“Wait, how is this marriage going to work if I’m all the way on the east coast?”
“Well, I have more good news. Amy came by to visit me in the hospital and told me that you two were leaving for New York at the end of the summer. This gave me plenty of time to consider my options, and I went with my instincts and applied with the NYPD. Just found out two days ago that I got the job.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“I would never joke about something like this. I’ll be off of medical leave soon, and my bosses fully support my decision to leave.”
A sudden knock at the front door snapped Alex out of his shock as he sat there in disbelief and stuttering over his words. Mike looked at him and said jokingly, “Oh, fine, I’ll get the door; you sit down. Is this what it’s going to be like once I marry you?”
Alex sat and watched as Mike approached the front door. As he arrived at the door, Alex was finally able to mumble under his breath, “It’s only Amy and John.”
Mike opened the front door as his two best friends rushed past Mike. They were both waving papers in their hands.
“I got in to NYIT,” she exclaimed.
“And I got into Notre Dame.”
“NYIT? Notre Dame? I had no idea those were the schools you guys were waiting to hear back about.”
“We figured you’d be more excited than this—wait, did we interrupt something? Did you ask him just now what I think you asked him?” Amy inquired as Mike smiled at her.
“I did, and now I’m just patiently waiting on his answer,” he replied as they all stood there and starred at Alex.
Shouting with happiness in his voice, he replied, “Of course I’ll marry you, Mike Temple! You’re the only person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
“Well then, screw this Chinese food sprawled out across the table—we have to go out and celebrate some amazing news for a change,” John announced as they all glanced at each other.
“Absolutely,” Alex gleefully replied.
“Afterwards we’re going back to my place; there isn’t any reason for you to return here except to let the movers in tomorrow,” Mike announced as they all proceeded towards the door.
As he walked across the threshold of the front door, he turned around casually and looked around the living room one final time. Chuckling nervously under his breath he recalled, “It’s been great, Ridgewood Hills, but I need a fresh start somewhere far, far away.”
Turning back towards the door he flipped the light switch off and closed the creaky front door, leaving the past where it belonged—behind him.
Acknowledgement
Thank you to the following individuals who without their contributions and support this book would not have been written:
First, to my husband Jesse for his love and support throughout this process. Thank you for pushing me to explore my talents and helping me to believe in myself everyday – all day and to my grandmother, Jeanetta, for always believing in me.
Secondly, I would love to thank my wonderful editor Aubry Myers for working tirelessly to ensure this book is free from errors and giving me the encouragement to push myself harder to be a better writer.
Lastly, I must thank the following people for their contributions, whether it be emotional support or answering any research questions that I encountered:
Vickie & Vincent Sneed
Kate Kafonek
Will Greenley
Dr. Heather Pfeifer
Michelle Phillips
Kelly Milliken
About the Author
C.L. Brees is a breakout suspense-thriller author from Baltimore, Maryland. An Unsettled Past is the first book in an upcoming series. The second novel, Prospect Park Murders, is slated to be released in Fall 2017.
C.L. is a passionate lover of the criminal justice system, having graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Forensic Science in 2014 and a M.S. in Cyber Security in 2015 from The University of Baltimore.
When he isn't busy writing, C.L. enjoys spending time with his friends and family, travelling, cooking, and enjoying all that life has to offer.
He may be reached via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or via e-mail at [email protected] with any questions.