Pieces of Paisley
By
Leigh Ann Lunsford
Copyright © 2014 by Leigh Ann Lunsford
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author acknowledges trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and or use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Edited by Chelsea Kuhel (
www.madisonseidler.com
)
Cover Design by Kristen Karwan (
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristen-Karwan-Graphics/218090248223049
)
Image: Shutterstock and
Mandy Hollis of MHPhotography
ISBN 13:978-1502573094
ISBN 10:1502573091
Table of Contents
Prologue
Paisley
Chapter 1
Paisley
Chapter 2
Jake
Chapter 3
Paisley
Chapter 4
Jake
Chapter 5
Paisley
Chapter 6
Jake
Chapter 7
Paisley
Chapter 8
Jake
Chapter 9
Paisley
Chapter 10
Jake
Chapter 11
Paisley
Chapter 12
Jake
Chapter 13
Paisley
Chapter 14
Jake
Chapter 15
Paisley
Chapter 16
Jake
Chapter 17
Paisley
Chapter 18
Jake
Chapter 19
Paisley
Chapter 20
Jake
Chapter 21
Paisley
Part II
Chapter 22
Paisley (Sean)
Chapter 23
Paisley (Kevin)
Chapter 24
Paisley
Chapter 25
Paisley (Ellis)
Chapter 26
Paisley
Chapter 27
Jake
Chapter 28
Paisley (Noah)
Chapter 29
Paisley
Chapter 30
Paisley
Chapter 31
Jake
Chapter 32
Paisley (Wayne)
Chapter 33
Paisley
Chapter 34
Paisley
Part III
Chapter 35
Jake
Chapter 36
Paisley
Chapter 37
Jake
Chapter 38
Paisley
Chapter 39
Jake
Chapter 40
Paisley
Chapter 41
Jake
Chapter 42
Paisley
Chapter 43
Jake
Chapter 44
Paisley
Chapter 45
Jake
Chapter 46
Paisley
Chapter 47
Jake
Chapter 48
Paisley
Chapter 49
Jake
Sneak Peek of Metamorphosis by Stephie Walls
Prologue
Paisley
It has been said that time heals all wounds. The truth is that time does not heal anything. It merely passes. It is what we do during the passing of time that helps or hinders the healing process.
Jay Marshall
Standing in the bathroom of the church holding a pregnancy test that has a positive sign, contemplating not walking down the aisle, is a sure fire way for me not to end up in heaven. Hell . . . that will most likely be my residence in the afterlife.
My life was all wrapped up in a neat little bow before
he
came in and set it spinning, both times. White satin swirls around my legs, I have no shoes, a damn tiara on my head (thanks Mom), a church full of guests, and a positive pregnancy test.
This is the first time in nine years I have ever been close to walking down the aisle. Who am I kidding, this is the first time I ever survived an engagement, and there have been several of those.
Some would say this is an unfortunate circumstance, but I would have to laugh at them and tell them my entire adult existence has been an unfortunate circumstance.
What do I do? I know the right thing would be to tell him the truth before I walk down the aisle, ruining his life and his trust, but when was I ever known to do the right thing?
As I hear the beginning of ‘Amazed’ by Lonestar, my heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. Do I run towards him or run from him? The pounding of my heart is getting louder, and then I realize it is someone banging on the door. I know if I open it he will be on the other side, and I honestly don’t know if I can face him, to see the disappointment in yet another jilted groom’s face. I glance towards the tiny window and make my choice.
Fate has other plans. As soon as I get that tiny window to budge, the door comes crashing open into the tiny bathroom, and when our eyes meet, the breath leaves my lungs, and I see the sorrow in his eyes, as tears leak slowly down his face.
Chapter 1
Paisley
9 years ago
June
Walking into that beach house with my best friend Krista was nothing like I expected. She told me we were hanging out with these guys she had met at the beach a few weeks ago, and they were all in the military. She has been hooking up with one of them, Chad, I think his name was. Her hook-ups and mine aren’t the same thing. I have never “hooked up.” I am sixteen and I have never had a real boyfriend. I had a mad crush on one boy my whole sophomore year, that carried over through the beginning of my junior year, even though he had graduated and clearly moved on. We had a “summer fling,” and when his girlfriend returned from out of town, he decided he wanted her back. I guess I am not approachable, and I have been told I seem closed off or aloof, but I am just naturally shy and insecure.
I changed high schools for my junior year, needing a change, needing to spread my wings. Being the youngest in a family of six, you tend to not have your own identity. You are Donna’s younger sister, or Aaron’s little sister and off-limits. Not my idea of good times and enjoying my youth. My mom had a shit fit, and I have to admit that was half the appeal. When you have dealt with five other teenagers, by the time you get to the sixth, nothing shocks you anymore, and so I do my part in keeping her on her toes. Now, here it is the summer before my senior year, the first week of summer break, and I am in a house full of men. I may hyperventilate from the hotness that surrounds me. I see several guys in the kitchen doing shots, a girl sitting on the counter in between one guy’s legs and practically having sex in front of everyone. I want to tell her to have some pride and at least take it into the bedroom.
Krista must spot her man of the month as she gravitates to one of the guys in the living room. In between tongue fucking, she manages to introduce me, and I was right, his name is Chad. He is really cute and seems nice, too bad he will be history in a few weeks at the most. She is a lot more free spirited than I am. I have no issues with that, though, and I am slightly envious I can’t be more carefree. I look up and see the girl that was most recently dry humping on the counter glaring at me. One thing I am not is weak or intimidated by other girls. I throw a look right back at her and see the surprise register in her face. Most people don’t expect me to stick up for myself, but being raised with heathens for brothers and sisters, I have learned to stand my ground. I may be small at barely five feet, but most times I think I am ten feet tall and bullet-proof, especially after some liquid courage, or a couple hits off of a joint. What? I said I was shy and insecure . . . not a saint. I see Skank whisper to the guy she was molesting, and he looks back at us and just shakes his head. Whatever.