A Safe Place To Fall (The Fall Book 1) Read online

  A Safe Place To Fall

  By: Jessica Kile

  COPYRIGHT

  Copyright © 2016 by Jessica Kile

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  A Safe Place To Fall is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, or persons, live or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Formatting by Jessica Kile

  Cover illustration used with a licensing disclaimer from Flickr

  Cover Photograph by: Leon Bliss

  Cover design © 2016 DarkLight Designs

  To my family and friends, who pushed me to finally chase my dream.

  Table of Contents

  A Safe Place To Fall

  COPYRIGHT

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Playlist

  Acknowledgments

  About Author

  Prologue

  Music blasted through the house, along with shouts of laughter from almost everybody in the senior class. They were celebrating being done with their high school careers. There were a select few preparing to say good-bye to their graduating friends, while they stayed behind to become the new senior class. A few would be stuck for another year, because they had chosen to party; instead of sticking to the books.

  Lana Richards was part of the lucky group to be departing the high school. She was on cloud nine. Nothing could hold her back. Kristen, her best friend, all but held a gun to her head to get her here tonight. Now that she was here she was glad. This, no doubt, would be the last time some of them saw each other. Part of her was rather sentimental. Probably the part that was on her fourth beer.

  Kristen pulled her to the dance floor. “Dance with me.”

  If not for the liquid courage, now coursing its way through her body, she would have stayed on the sidelines. The nice school girl never showed her inner self to the outside world. Not tonight. Tonight she was more than willing to shake her ass on the floor. Guys stepped in behind her, pulling her back against them. On a normal night she would have pulled away and ran for the hills. However, tonight the good girl was stepping out of her comfort zone.

  “Shot for you. Shot for me.” Shawn, who had decided to forgo college, handed her a shot glass.

  Lana eyed the glass. Throwing caution to the wind she accepted the shot. Warm liquid fire slid down her throat. “Wow.”

  Shawn laughed, his blue eyes shining with alcoholic euphoria. “Your eyes are watering.”

  Chasing the liquor with her beer, she smiled. The alcohol had allowed her to slip into girly mode. Her girly side was glowing with the attention from the line- backer.

  “So, are you sticking around?” He eyed her hopefully.

  Her body moved to the music of its own accord. “I haven’t really decided yet.”

  His eyes darkened, as they traveled up and down her body slowly. “You have that many choices?”

  “A couple,” she admitted.

  Someone bumped into Lana from behind, sending her into his chest.

  Shawn wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer. “Watch where you’re going,” he shouted over his shoulder.

  “She didn’t mean to,” Lana said, using her hands to shove away from him.

  “Hey, where you going?” he asked, pulling her back.

  “I should go check on Kristen,” she said. His anger made her uncomfortable.

  Almost reluctantly, he released her. “Hurry back.”

  She smiled, turning to go find her friend. For the first time in her life someone was paying attention to her. Well, someone who was not on the chess team. It was definitely a good night, even if he was too touchy for her liking.

  Kristen was gathered around the beer pong table with a group, her arm around Barry’s waist. She smiled when she saw Lana approaching. “Having fun?”

  Lana eyed the newly paired couple. “Looks like you are.”

  “That’s what tonight is about,” Kristen said, all but shouting to be heard. Music blasted from the speakers set up behind them.

  Lana had definitely earned it after twelve years of constant studying. She had never gone to parties, or even out on a date. Her main focus had been on doing well in school, and making her parents happy. Now that high school was a thing of her past, she could actually breathe. College was right around the corner, but she still had the summer to enjoy herself. She was going to soak it up.

  “Don’t look now,” Kristen told her, “but you’re being watched.”

  Lana turned slightly, and saw Shawn leaning against the wall. He was talking to another guy. They were both watching her. Shawn caught her look and grinned.

  The other guy scowled and walked away. He was quickly forgotten, as Shawn started moving towards them.

  “Did I miss something,” Kristen asked, as Barry took his place at the pong table.

  Lana tried for a carefree shrug. “Not really. We talked for a couple minutes.”

  “He can’t keep his eyes off of you.” Kristen wiggled her eyebrows.

  Lana laughed. She wasn’t the only one taking advantage of the free alcohol. “You are such a dweeb.”

  Suddenly a male arm wrapped around her shoulders. “You guys talking about me?”

  Lana thought her face would burst into flames.

  Shawn laughed while tugging her closer to his side. “You’re cute. You know that?”

  Lana took a drink to avoid speaking.

  Brown hair hung down to her, slightly thick, waist. Her pale brown eyes were forgettable. Freckles were splattered all over her face. She knew she was unattractive.

  Kristen wiggled her fingers to signal her departure.

  Lana rolled her eyes at her friend's need to be with a guy.

  “Let’s get away from the noise,” Shawn suggested. He moved his arm away from her neck to hold her hand. “Nobody's found the basement yet.”

  Lana found herself following him through the garage door, into the house, and down to the basement.

  Shawn tugged the pull string. Soft light revealed a flat screen TV and a stained couch. It kind of smelt musty, but they didn’t have to shout to be heard. The music really could not be heard from down here. It was as if they were in their own little world.

  He pulled her over to sit on the couch. As he put his arm around her shoulders; he turned the TV on. WILD THINGS filled the screen.

  Lana found herself unable to pull her eyes from the screen as Nev kissed Denise.

  She felt Shawn’s hand moving up her left leg slowly. Her head turned, just in time, to see him lowering his mouth to hers. Her breath caught in
her chest as his mouth found hers. His tongue began an intimate battle with hers. He tasted of Whiskey and Budweiser.

  An unfamiliar warmth filled her core.

  Time got away from her as she got lost in his touch and kiss. Reality came crashing back down around her when she felt a hand go up her skirt.

  Lana tore her mouth from his, shoving his hand away. “I didn’t come down here for that.”

  His hand bit into her leg. “Don’t be a tease, Lana.”

  She tried to pull her leg away, but his hold was too strong. “I thought you wanted to talk.”

  His breath felt hot on the side of her face. “We didn’t have to be alone to talk.”

  “I should go,” she said shakily, trying in earnest to shove his hand away from her. “Kristen is probably looking for me.”

  He laughed. “She’s too busy chasing Barry.” He ran his hand back up her skirt. “Relax, nobody even knows we’re down here.”

  That was exactly what scared her. Why had she followed him down here? She had known better. His womanizing reputation had followed him since tenth grade. How wrong had she been, thinking he wanted to get to know her.

  Lana shoved against his chest when he went after her mouth again. “Seriously, I need to go.”

  Before her brain could register what was happening, he was tearing her panties off of her body.

  In a smelly basement she, unwillingly, lost her innocence.

  Chapter 1

  3 Months later

  Lana bolted up in the bed drenched in sweat. It took her a moment to bring her small bedroom into focus. The small alarm clock announced that it was 5:15 A.M. Her pink Hello Kitty curtains were illuminated by street lights casting shadows across the bedroom. Her brain slowly registered that she was in her bedroom in Morgantown. She was safe.

  “You okay, Sugar?” Ricky, her roommate, asked through the crack in her door.

  Lana took a steadying breath. “It was just a nightmare.”

  “Those clowns chasing you again?” There was humor in his voice.

  Ricky probably thought she was the biggest goober on the planet. It was better to allow him to believe that evil clowns chased her in her nightmares, than for him to know the truth. She could not bear for him to know the real reason she woke up almost every night screaming.

  “Stop laughing, and go back to sleep,” she said, getting out of bed.

  No point in trying to get twenty more minutes of sleep. If she did somehow manage to drift off she would find herself back in that basement. Instead she'd take the extra time to shower away the remnants of the nightmare. Maybe if she scrubbed hard and long enough, she would be able to erase all memories of Shawn from her brain. This had been an ongoing ritual since that dreadful night. No amount of soap and water had been able to rid her of painful memories.

  After her shower, she stood in front of the bathroom mirror staring at her reflection. There were times she didn't even recognize herself. The day after the attack she took scissors to her own hair, hacking away through blinding tears. Long hair was a thing of her past. She no longer tried to impress guys with nice clothes and make-up.

  Ricky was stretched out in his recliner, when she walked out of the bathroom.

  “Dressing up for your first day of classes, I see,” Ricky sarcastically commented on her favorite yoga pants and baggy t-shirt.

  Lana hooked her book bag over her shoulder. “I’m not going to class to impress anyone.”

  “Clearly,” he replied. “You know it would be easier for you to meet someone, if you actually wore something aside from sweatpants all the time. Make-up might help a little too.”

  She rolled her eyes, as she moved across the room to the main door. “I came to Morgantown for school. Meeting a guy isn't on my to-do list.”

  Ricky sighed dramatically. “I have a lot of work to do with you.”

  “See you tonight,” she hollered, closing the door behind her and on that ridiculous conversation.

  Lana found a seat in the back row of the Criminal Terminology class. Nobody saw her enter the room. Which meant nobody would be watching her during class. She hated when people watched her. It made her feel like she had rape victim tattooed across her forehead.

  As she was beginning to relax, a guy came walking in and chose to sit right beside her. Lana held her breath, counted to ten trying her best not to panic. Reason told her they were in a crowded room. She was safe here.

  Lana observed the guy out of the corner of her eye. He looked like he spent time in a gym but wasn't going to be in an UFC fight anytime soon. Blonde hair, reaching to almost his shoulders, was pulled back in a ponytail with a black rubber band. A Nirvana shirt hung loosely around his frame.

  Oh, he was looking at her!

  Lana turned her attention to the front of the class, as the professor started his lecture. Just breathe. Big deal he was looking at her. That didn't mean he was planning on attacking her when the professor turned the lights down.

  Just to be sure she was safe she chanced a look at him, as she jotted down notes from the lecture. He was messing around with his phone not giving a damn about the class.

  Relaxing a little, she admitted to herself he was good looking. Not underwear model hot. He definitely had the alternative rocker look going. It suited him.

  Lana sighed, turning her attention back to the professor and her notes. No point in going there. Checking a guy out was pointless. It didn't matter if she found his looks appealing; because, she knew he was a pig. Only one thing would be on his mind. That was something she was unwilling to give. EVER!

  “Candy Crush,” Mr. Hottie whispered. “Damn thing is addictive.”

  Lana snorted before she could stop herself. She could not believe he was the type, who would play the ridiculous game. It seemed no one was safe from the games clutches.

  “Drew Adkins,” he informed her. “And you are?”

  She hesitated for a second, staring into his green eyes. “Lana Richards.”

  He reached out to shake her hand. “Well, Lana Richards, it is very nice to meet you.”

  Lana stiffened and pulled her hand away. “You too.”

  “You look like a coffee drinker,” he said.

  Lana eyed him nervously. Where was he going with that statement?

  “We should go get some coffee after class.”

  He had fallen out of the crazy tree. Who asked a woman they just met out for coffee? That would've been a move right out of Shawn’s book. Make the girl think you want to get to know her, get her to lower her guard, and then bam. Yeah, there was no way she was going anywhere with this guy. Not in a million years.

  “I have classes all day,” she said. Not a lie. Just not the whole truth.

  Drew grabbed her cell phone off of the arm rest of her chair and started poking at the screen. “If you change your mind call me.”

  Lana heard his phone make a noise; as, he dropped her phone into her book bag resting on the floor between them. No way was she ever going to use that number. Matter of fact, she would be finding somewhere else to sit the next time they had class. Who did this guy think he was?

  “Don’t worry, I don’t drive a box van.” He smiled at her. “I just happen to really like coffee.”

  Had her discomfort really been that obvious? The last thing she needed was for someone to be able to read her like an open book. She had too many things she wanted to keep locked away.

  “Don’t tell me you’re like my sister,” he prodded. “Always uptight and too focused on school to know how to have a good time.”

  She bristled with anger. Mainly because he was accurate with his description. Her new found freedom had been ripped away from her when Shawn had lured her into his basement. Now she was right back to the timid high school girl, who had her nose shoved into books every waking hour.

  “I have fun,” she said.

  “Then go and get some coffee with me.”

  “I’m not
going to go anywhere with someone I don’t know.”

  He rolled his perfect green eyes. “I already told you I’m not going to lure you into a white van with candy.”

  No, he would use coffee and his good looks. She refused to fall into that trap again.

  “I said no!” How many ways was she going to have to turn him down before he got the point she wasn't interested?

  Drew held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, I get it.” He gave her a grin. “At least use the number if you ever need to talk about anything.”

  Even if he was a good guy if she talked about what was going on in her head; he would definitely want to leave her alone. There was no way she would ever tell him about her nightmare. It was better to keep him at a distance.

  After class Lana did her best to get Drew out of her head. He hadn’t attempted to follow her down the hall. Maybe he was one of the few good ones.

  Since her next class was not for two hours, she decided to put in a couple of job applications. One was at the campus book store. The second was at the coffee shop.

  Maybe she was crazy. Why would she apply for a job at a place Drew would visit quite often?