Dismantled (Girls on Top #2) (23 page)

We waited for the police to arrive. Oh, they were pissed. Poor Brianna had to take most of the heat. After the crime unit came and took pictures of everything, Detective Hall told us that we needed to go to the Police Station to give our statements and to be interrogated.

We spent hours at the station. More pictures were taken and they also collected DNA from all of us. We had to write down all the events of the night. We were all in separate rooms. After a while, we were finally released, but were warned not to leave the city. So much for my planned weekend getaway.

When we got back to the apartments, we updated Notso and Keagan on everything. Keagan fixed us something to eat, and after that, I was ready for a shower and to relax with my Nibblet.

After today, I value my life a lot more than I did yesterday. I finally know for sure that I am loved, not only by my friends, but also by this amazing woman who’s resting on my chest. I adjust my arm around her and move her closer to me. I love being with her and I love
her
. My hand is rubbing up and down her arm and I can’t get over at how happy I feel.

“Traxx?”

“Uh huh…”

“We need to talk about something.”
What?
Isn’t this soon for a “need to talk” speech?

“What’s going on?”

She moves and rests her elbows on the mattress next to me so we can look at each other while we talk. I have come to learn this is important to her. “It’s time to talk about Step 5.”

“You mean to tell me we are not done with the BTB plan? Because it seems we are doing very well so far.” I give her my best smile.

“Not done. The best is yet to come.” She smiles back at me.

“And what is that?”

“
Step 5 – Pay it forward.
”

I laugh. “I should’ve known. Go on, tell me about it.”

As she described everything to me, it all made perfect sense. I was happy, loved and now I would finally be able to live my life with purpose. As Ciara continued to talk about what I needed to do, I felt a warmth radiate inside my chest and it was as if the rest of the dismantled pieces of my life slid back in place, and for the first time ever, I was at peace. I finally felt whole.

It’s another cold, misty day. This is important for Traxx, so it’s important to me. We are at the cemetery, visiting Marcy one last time. I feel so bad for that family. Not only is Marcy gone, but her father too, at my hands, no less. Her mother and brother were convicted of kidnapping and attempted murder, and are now spending their days locked in a mental institution. After weeks of investigation, the police decided not to press charges against me for taking Mr. Smith’s life. I feel bad to have done it, but I have no regrets.

I stand back to give him some space while he talks to her, but I can still hear him. He has brought her flowers and placed them on the little metal holder next to her headstone.

“Hi Marcy. It’s been a long time since you last whispered things in my ear. No, I’m not here to give you a hard time. I’m here to update you on everything that has been going on with me.

“When we first met, we both were in a very dark place. The difference between us was that I was still trying to stay afloat, but unfortunately the darkness had already pulled you under. We were not that much different about the fact that we wanted to be loved for who we were but didn’t know how to go about it the right way.

“After you were gone, the darkness claimed me. That’s were our lives became apparently different. You drowned because you didn’t have anyone to help you. I got lucky, because even though I wanted to go under, my friends and family wouldn’t let me. They stuck around and it meant so much to me, although I didn’t know it at the time. I’m sorry that you didn’t have anyone. I’m sorry that I was so late in trying to take the gun away from you.

“A while back my girlfriend, Ciara, had an excellent idea. She talked me into volunteering with the local suicide crisis center. I spent months in training, to make sure I could communicate in a positive manner and that I would say the right things to whoever was on the other side of that call.

“Today was my graduation day and I needed to come and tell you about it, because everything good that has happened in my life in the past few months has been a direct result of your visit on the night you decided to come and confront me. I needed to stop by and say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

“I know I didn’t do right by you, but I cannot go back in time to fix it. All I can do is to look forward and hopefully make a difference in someone else’s life. I will be saving lives, Marcy, and it’s all thanks to you. I’m pretty sure that if you had not done what you did, I would still be the careless asshole I used to be. Now I have someone who loves me unconditionally and I can love her back. You would have liked her, I think. She’s is full of spunk, greatness and goodness. She is a wonderful example to others, and I love her. She’s the first person that I have given my heart to, and it has been worth it. Now I sit back and wonder why I was so afraid to do this in the first place.”

He stays quiet for a little while, as if he was listening for her to say something. After a few minutes, he gets up and touches her headstone.

“Goodbye Marcy. Thank you.”

Tears were rolling down my face and his, too. He reaches for my hand and I happily give it to him. I would happily give him anything. We walk back to the car in silence.

“I’m so glad that you are happy.” I tell him.

“I’m only happy because you are a part of my life. You helped me become a better man, a better human being. Someone that we can all be proud of.”

“You are awesome, Traxx. That’s the bottom line.”

He embraces me, and rubs my back soothingly. I wrap my arms around his waist. Traxx kisses my forehead first and then places a light kiss on my lips.

“Thank you for loving me, Nibblet.”

“I will love you always, Traxx. Always.”

The End

First, I want to thank you for reading my work. The fact that you bought my book and invested time in reading this story doesn’t go unnoticed.
I appreciate you. I’m grateful.
I would not be able to create stories, if it wasn’t for you, the readers.

If you enjoyed this book, I need to ask you for a huge favor: Please take a few minutes and leave a spoiler free review. It doesn’t have to be long. You don’t need to recount everything that happened inside the pages. Just a couple of sentences will do. As an Indie author, reviews are our most important marketing tool. It’s the truth. A lot of people will not purchase books unless they take a look at the reviews.

Also, as Indies, we have to cover all expenses that go with releasing a book: cover design, promotions, book tours, prizes and giveaways, formatting, editing, the list goes on and on, but I hope you get the idea. We need to sell books so we can publish some more.

Please
help me
to be able continue writing and publishing books. Your words count.

Until next time,

Yara

My family
–
My husband
Scott
and my son
Sean
, who patiently eat hot dogs more times than they care to, and get super excited on those nights I am able to pull away from writing in order to cook a decent meal. Thank you for cleaning the house and doing the laundry. Thank you for waiting on me to be ready so we can watch “Castle” together, even though sometimes may be two weeks after it aired. Thank you for not giving up on me and supporting me on this crazy dream. I love you guys so much! My oldest son,
Ricky
you may live far, but you are not forgotten. I hope you find your path soon. I love you. My niece
Ciara
, Thank you for allowing me to use your first name and likeness for one of my favorite characters, and although you two have different personalities, all her good attributes come from you. <3
Cindy & Mike,
I could not have asked for a better extended family. Thanks for treating my kids like they were your own.

Janie Thornley
–
You saved me! This book would not have happen if it wasn’t for you. You are an awesome friend. Thanks for having my back. Thank you for your great editing skills. I promise, next time I will follow the schedule! Love you bunches!

My Book Club
–
The Crazy Ass Book Bitches – Ashley, Jamie, Karina, Kelsey, Leighton, Natalie, Randi, Sarah, Shannon, and Vanessa  – One of the best days of my life was when we decided to branch out on our own. Thank you for all the laughs, opinions, pictures and chats. Sometimes, the best part of my day is catching up with you every evening. I look forward to seeing y’all every month. Love you guys so hard!
Especial shout out to Karina and Jamie
for being my first guinea pigs when I started this story, for wanting to read pieces of it knowing that I was going to leave you hanging for a while… Thank you for being the best cheerleaders anyone can have.

Elexis Darden
–
Thanks for beta reading, all your input, for sharing my books with all the blogs posting teasers and links. I’m so touched that you love my work so much. Your help and ideas are always welcomed and appreciated! Most of all, thank you for listening all those times I just needed to vent and not necessarily about the book. I love and care for you and your family as if I’ve known you for years! Can’t wait to meet you in person!

Paige Boggs
–
One of the best decisions
I’ve made this year was to bring you into the fold. Your help has been invaluable. Thank you for creating all the forms, the teasers, for sharing my books with blogs and for being available to help me anytime I needed you. You are awesome!

My work family
–
Nick, Amy M., Amy R., Stephany, Lindsay, Cleo, Henry, Norma – Thank you for listening to my crazy ideas, showing interest on my progress, telling people about my book and supporting me during this wild ride. It really means a lot… You guys rock!

Rebecca Berto (Berto Designs)
–
Thank you for creating my covers, making changes and taking the time to make sure I’m happy with the final product. I look forward to working with you more in the future and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

Erin Dawson Photography
– Can’t thank you enough for the wonderful pictures! I hope we can work together again in the future!

To all the Book Bloggers
–
OMG! Thank you! You guys are a vital part of the Indie Book Community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the endless amount of support and enthusiasm you have shown for my stories. I can’t believe how many of you I have interacted in the past year – you guys are amazing! I hope I get to meet you guys during some of the author events I will be attending. So PLEASE drop by my table and I promise I won’t squeeze you too hard! I can’t wait to hear what you think of “Dismantled.” Get in touch with me, I’ll be waiting!

Readers!!!!
–
You guys make my life a happier place. Even though I don’t write on a full time basis (oh, but I want to!) It’s because of all of you that I am able to chase my writing dreams and create these characters for you to enjoy. You make it possible and I’m delighted and humbled. A little over a year ago, the fact that I wanted to write a book was nothing but a dream. Thanks to you, I can make my dreams come true. I’m so excited about the future and all the stories floating through my mind… I hope you are too, because I cannot wait to share them with you, always!