His Love Shattered (Love Shattered #2) Read online

  His Love Shattered

  Love Shattered Series

  Book Two

  CAT BROWN

  His Love Shattered

  Loves Shattered Series, Book Two

  Copyright © 2015 Cat Brown

  All right reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission, electronic or mechanical, except for 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.

  Dedications

  To my husband and children for putting up with all of my long hours of writing and always believing in me. I love you guys!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter One

  Dexter

  I had gone to Courtney’s house to wait for her there hoping that she would show up soon. I had no idea where she was. Lillian had no idea where she was. I asked everyone close to her and no one had any ideas where to look at this time of night.

  Courtney had given me a key to her house, so I let myself inside and just waited.

  I had been waiting about forty-five minutes when my phone pinged with a text.

  Courtney: I am okay. I just need some time I will be home later if you want to meet me at the house. I want to talk you about tonight. XO

  I went to text her back but thought better of it deciding to give her the time she asked for. I tossed my phone onto the couch and headed to the kitchen to grab a drink. Since she told me to meet her here I might as well make myself comfortable while I wait. I hope that after she clears her head some that things will be okay between us. I hate having this bad feeling like something is going to go wrong.

  My phone pinged with another text. Hoping that it was Courtney again, I rushed out of the kitchen and nearly fell over the back of the couch trying to get to the phone. It wasn’t Courtney it was Lillian.

  Lillian: Courtney just text to let me know she was okay. Just wanted to let ya know that she is fine. She didn’t tell me where she was though.

  Me: Yeah she text me too. Let me know if you hear anything else.

  Lillian: Will do you do the same. Hang in there Dexter she will come around.

  Me: Thank you Lillian.

  Poor Lillian. I really hope this isn’t stressing her out. It’s not good for her or the baby. Maybe I shouldn’t have called her at all. She is already in the hospital for crying out loud but I knew she would have wanted to know what was going on.

  The longer I sat here the angrier I got. What is Courtney thinking taking off like this without telling anyone where she was going? It’s late at night and she doesn’t need to be wandering around the streets. God only knows what kind of people are out roaming around, plus it’s about to start storming its ass off and I would hate for her to get stuck in a situation like the tornado a few weeks ago.

  Is this how the rest of our relationship is going to be? I do something that I think is romantic and thoughtful and she freaks out without even bothering to talk to me about it. That shit aint gonna fly with me. She should have stuck around and let me comfort her and tell me what was going on. I could have helped her through this rough patch, but instead what does she do? Takes off like a bat outta hell. We are going to be having a serious talk about how a relationship should be because I wouldn’t put up with this shit again.

  I sat down on the couch and exhaled out a whoosh of air from deep within my chest.

  I rested my elbows on my knees and hung my head in my hands. I was getting more worried and angry by the minute. Why couldn’t she just come home already? I couldn’t come to terms with what I did so wrong that made her flee. I sure hope she has a good explanation for this.

  I am here in this town for her and Lillian. I am supposed to be in Alabama filming but here I am, staying in town because I can’t stand the thought of being away from my girl. Then all the sudden here I am sitting here alone because my girlfriend decided she wanted to go fucking MIA. I don’t have time for this shit. If this is the way she wants to be I am going to pack my shit up and head back home.

  The second those thoughts cleared my mind I felt guilty just thinking them. I leaned my head on the back of the couch and got comfortable. No telling how long this night was going to last.

  I must have fallen asleep, because I was startled awake by my cell ringing. It was Lillian.

  “Hey Lillian have you heard anything?” I glanced at the clock and it was three in the morning.

  “Dexter, this is Rob you need to get to the hospital right away.” His voice was frantic as shit. This couldn’t be good.

  “Is Lillian okay? What’s going on?” I already had my keys in hand and I was heading for the door.

  “Lillian is fine Dexter. It’s Courtney. She was brought in by ambulance. We don’t know what happened to her yet man, but it doesn’t look good you better hurry up and get down here.”

  I was already into my car and had fired it up.

  “I will be there as soon as I can Rob. I am on my way.” I started backing out of the drive way and headed towards the hospital.

  “Okay man be careful. Oh and Dex?”

  “Yeah Rob?”

  “Courtney was brought in here by her husband man. Don’t know what that’s all about but I thought I should warn you before showed up here.”

  Rob was still talking but I wasn’t hearing anything else that he was saying.

  Her husband brought her in? Was he talking about Dave? That dude died years ago. Did she get married again? I am so confused. Maybe Rob had just misunderstood the situation.

  I arrived at the hospital thirty minutes later with no recollection how I got here. I made the whole drive on auto pilot.

  Courtney is hurt no idea how badly.

  Her husband brought her in.

  No idea what to even say or think about that.

  Once I was inside the hospital my main focus was on finding Courtney and figuring out if she was going to be okay. I made it to the waiting area Rob had texted me to go to while I was driving over.

  The nurse at the front window wouldn’t tell me anything because I wasn’t family. I tried to tell her I was her boyfriend, but the chick didn’t believe me because she said that I was lying because her husband was already back with her.

  Her husband was already back with her.

  I let out an exasperated breath and sat down in the waiting room chair.

  Ten minutes later Courtney’s parents arrived and I let out a sigh of relief. They could get to the bottom of this.

  They rushed over to me and engulfed me in a tight family hug.

  “Where are the kids Julie? You didn’t mention anything to them did you. I am sure Courtney wouldn’t want them to be worried.”

  “Dexter, thank god! How is she? Is she going to be okay? The kids are at Becky’s. We got here as soon as we could.” Julie rushed out with tears in her eyes.

  “I am not s
ure what is going on they won’t tell me anything and they won’t let me back to see her.” I paused wondering if I should tell them about the apparent husband that is back with her.

  “According to the nurse her husband is back with her though. You guys have any idea what that could be about?” I squared my shoulders and crossed my arms in front of my chest. A stern expression in place.

  “Her husband? What on earth do you mean? She doesn’t have a husband Dexter. Are you sure that’s what they said?” They looked as confused as I felt.

  Courtney’s dad headed over to the nurses station like a man on a mission. He told the nurse that Courtney did not have a husband and he demanded answers about Courtney’s condition. The nurse said she would have the Doctor come out with an update as soon as possible and she would ask the man in Courtney’s room to come out as well.

  The three of us stood around waiting for the doctor or for the mystery husband. Whoever appeared first. I just wanted to get to the bottom of this.

  When the double doors opened, out walked a man who looked like he just stepped out of an episode of Survivor. He had a long ass beard and hair half way down his back. He was scruffy looking and his clothes were worn and ragged and torn. Who was this guy?

  Courtney’s mom let out an audible gasp and clutched her hand over her chest.

  I looked between the two of them trying to figure out what was going on.

  “Dave?” Her parents both said at the same time. Shock clear in their voice.

  In my mind I was just as shocked. I thought this fucker was dead.

  “It’s me. Hey Mom. Hey Pops. It’s good to see you again.” He walked up to them and gave them a hug. They both just stood there stiffly with their arms at their sides. Who does this prick think he is? He just strolls out here acting like everyone hasn’t thought he was dead for the past several years. Like he just came back from a long vacation or some shit.

  “We thought you were dead. How are you even here right now? Does Courtney know you are alive? Has she known this whole time?” Julie asked.

  Great question Julie I am thinking the same fucking thing.

  “No, Courtney doesn’t know I am alive. At least I don’t think she does. When I found her she mumbled my name but she was in and out of consciousness the whole time. She probably won’t even remember any of it. As to why I am alive that’s a really long story. I will fill you in after we know that Courtney is going to be okay. I found her on a sand bar, she crashed the boat. I guess she had been over on the island tonight.” He looked over at me confused as if he just realized I was standing here.

  Of course she was on the island. That thought crossed my mind but I thought she had enough sense to know not to go over there with the weather we were expecting. Once I couldn’t find her anywhere else that should have been where I went. God I am an idiot.

  “Hey man, I am Dave. Who are you?” He reaches a hand over to me to shake and I look at it with disgust. This fucker has been alive this whole time? What kind of dickhead fakes his own death? Leaves his wife and kids alone to fend for themselves. I wasn’t shaking this assholes hand. Fuck him.

  “I am Dexter, Courtney’s boyfriend.” I answered smugly.

  “Her…. Her boyfriend?” He looked shocked. “Well I can assure you that once Courtney wakes up and she realizes I am still alive you will be out of the picture. We were high school sweethearts after all. Nothing beats a love like that. You can head on home now. You don’t need to stay. I will look after her and you can be on your way.” Did he just dismiss me? Oh Hell to the no. I don’t think so buddy.

  Is this guy for real right now? Who the fuck did he think he was. He thinks he can just turn up here and all will be forgiven like he hasn’t been gone the past almost three years. Did he think she would just sit around lonely forever?

  “Dave. Don’t talk to Dexter that way. Courtney loves him very much. I know for a fact that she would want him here right now. So you will just have to get over yourself. You disappear and fake a death then you show back up here like you have just been at work for the day. I wouldn’t expect Courtney to forgive you just like that.” Julie snaps her fingers to drive the point home. She was up in Dave’s face with her finger pointing directly in front of his eyes during her whole speech. Go get ‘em Julie.

  “You, however,” she says pointing at Dave. “I am not so sure she would want you here at all Dave. You might cause more stress than she needs at this time. You will wait out here while the three of us head back to her room.” Julie spun on her heels and headed for the nurses station with determination.

  Dave looked pissed.

  I gave Dave a little wave and a smug grin.

  Hah take that motherfucker.

  When Julie was done talking to the nurse the three of us left Dave in the waiting room and headed back to see my girl.

  When we got to her room the doctor was there.

  He explained to us that Courtney had been in a boating accident. She suffered from a bad gash on her back that required stitches and she had also injured her spine. He didn’t think that it was a serious injury but they would have to wait for some of the swelling to go down before they would know for sure. If he was correct then rest and time would heal it just fine. She had also hit her head but all her brain scans were coming back normal. So they were not concerned about that so much either. They said she would wake up when her body was ready. I hoped that was sooner rather than later.

  All we had to do was sit and wait.

  I just hoped that once she woke up and realized that Dave was alive and well that she would still want me. I had faith that our love was strong enough to overcome this. I just hope that I am right.

  Chapter Two

  Dexter

  It has been three days and Courtney has yet to wake up. I can’t wait to look into her deep baby blue eyes again. The Doctor assures us there is nothing serious going on that this is just her body’s way of coping with everything that happened. He warned us that there is no way to know when she will wake up. So we just sit and wait.

  I am by her side as much as I can be. I have gone to Courtney’s to shower only to head right back to the hospital grabbing take out or fast food on my way back. I don’t want to leave her side for too long. I want to be the one there when she wakes up.

  Dave hasn’t been back to hospital since the first day. Not that I am complaining. He can stay gone for all I care.

  Lillian had her baby yesterday, a healthy five pound six ounces little girl. Despite being born early she is doing wonderful breathing on her own and eating great. Lillian Faith is a little fighter. Lillian decided to name her after herself. She said she had to do all the work by herself that the baby should have her name. She is going to call her Faith though. It seemed only fitting after everything she has been through and with faith we all made it through that ordeal.

  Courtney will be upset to know that she missed the birth. She was supposed to be the one by her side through it. Rob happily stepped up to the plate though and the two of them have been living blissfully on the maternity floor while the love of my life lies here in a coma. She still takes my breath away. Even with her bruised skin and hair all a mess she is the most beautiful thing.

  I have just gotten back to Courtney’s room when I walk in to see Dave sitting beside her hospital bed holding her hand. My face flushes with anger and when he spots me he stands up so fast his chair knocks over sending it crashing to the floor.

  “What do you think you are doing in here Dave? You are not supposed to be back here.” My authoritative tone makes him take a couple steps back and he trips over the chair and falls to the floor beside it.

  “I just wanted to see her man, I don’t want any problems. I just needed to know that she was okay. I don’t want to cause any trouble with you. Now that I know she is fine I will leave.” He looks over at Courtney with a solemn expression and then turns back to me. “Just don’t tell her I was here if she wakes up. I want to be the one to explain everything to her
when you all feel she is ready to hear it. Here is a number you can reach me at.” He hands over a blank card with a number scribbled across it.

  “Where exactly have you been these past several years anyway?” I ask him. “Don’t you know how much you have put her and your kids through by having them believe you were dead? What kind of man can do that to his family?” My voice booms so loudly I am sure Rob and Lil can hear me two floors up.

  “I didn’t want to leave them. Honest I didn’t. I had no choice I did it for them. To keep them all safe. You don’t understand why I left.” His expression is grim and I have to admit I kind of feel sorry for the guy.

  “Make me understand then. Explain to me why you left everyone you loved to think you had died.” I demand.

  “Alright, I will tell you but you have to promise to let me be the one to explain everything to Courtney.”

  “I promise you can be the one to tell her. That’s not my place to do so anyway. So let’s have it Dave. Please fill me in.” I can’t wait to hear this. This ought to be interesting. Dave reluctantly begins his story.

  “A couple of days before the explosion a few of the guys and myself had stayed after work finishing up some door frames in the building before we left for the night. We only had four to finish and we wanted to get it done so we could start off fresh the next morning. When we were done it was pretty late and we had gone out back to throw some scraps into the dumpsters that we had put on site. When we came out there was a man aiming a gun at another man. The guy with the gun didn’t see us come out and before we could do anything to stop it he proceeded to shoot the man right through the center of his chest. A chorus of cursing and yelling ensued and the shooter ended up taking off out of sight. The cops showed up and we gave a very detailed description of the man who had the gun. Between the four of us guys we had an exact description of him. The cops knew who he was and promised to have a cop present at all of our homes until they could catch the guy. According to police it was a drug deal gone badly. A couple days later when we arrived to work someone had carved the words you are next in the center of the floor. We didn’t know what to do next so we called the cops again. They came out, took some pictures and informed us that they hadn’t seen the guy anywhere. They said for us to be careful and watch our backs. Real comforting to know. Later that day the cops showed up and said they had an anonymous tip called into the police station that there was a bomb set to go off at the construction site at precisely eight thirty in the morning the following day. The cops instructed us to show up to work, clock in act like everything was fucking peachy and then head out back to the field where there would be an SUV waiting to take us to an undisclosed location. It was made to look like we were all inside when the bomb went off.” He paused to take a break and gather his self back together again. I could tell he was close to losing it.