Tough Love
Janessa knows she should run in the other direction when Brendan enters her life. Her squeaky-clean upbringing is in direct opposition to his piercings, a myriad of tattoos and the rumors that surround him. But she doesn’t run. Love, betrayal and lies become the foundation of their lives, but one heartbreaking confession makes Janessa question everything. After a devastating diagnosis, Janessa’s world crumbles around her. When she can no longer ignore the reality of who Brendan really is, she must choose between those who love her and the only one she has ever loved.
EXCERPT: I picked up the phone on the first ring.
“Hey, beautiful.” There was nothing off in his tone, nothing that told me he knew why I had been calling him. It just made me angrier.
“Where the hell have you been? You know what, never mind. I don’t want to know. Just get over here!” I slammed down the phone, my hand shaking.
He arrived ten minutes later and joined me on the front porch swing. It was all I could do to not look at him. I knew he would defeat me with just one glance, and I could not afford that.
“I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you–”
I whipped around to face him but did not look him in the eyes. I could feel the heat in my cheeks as the fury grew.
“Don’t! Don’t you dare say that to me! You disgust me! Of course you meant to hurt me. You knew exactly what you were doing.”
I raised a shaking hand to wipe away the tears and was instantly mad at myself for showing this weakness. I got up, stormed off the porch and across the yard. Brendan followed me and grabbed my arm around the wrist.
“Baby–”
“No!” I cried as I turned around. “You have no right to call me that anymore. I should have listened to Aimee when she warned me about you.” I yanked my arm out of his grip. “I want you to leave.”
“C’mon Janessa, don’t end things this way.”
“Leave!” I screamed. “Right now!”
He could see the resolve in my face and knew I was serious. He let out a big sigh and turned to walk away but then stopped.
“Are you still going to Michigan? To the lake to see your aunt?”
I nodded. “Aimee and I leave tomorrow morning. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Will you call me when you get back?
“Just stay away from me.”
He hung his head and walked away. I collapsed to the ground, my sobs echoing in the yard.
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Marcie Bridges has always wanted to be a writer, from the time she started keeping a diary in seventh grade. Since then, she has earned a master’s degree in education from Cumberland University while teaching some wonderful children with special needs in Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky.Follow Marcie Bridges Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Blog | Pinterest Personal | Google Plus
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