Unveil

  Unveil

  Amber Garza

  SMASHWORDS EDITION

  PUBLISHED BY:

  Amber Garza on Smashwords

  Unveil

  Copyright © 2012 by Amber Garza

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with others please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and you did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

  Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  DEDICATION

  To Eli and Kayleen, my miracles, my greatest blessings, my loves. May you always know the love God has for you, and embrace the authority you have in Jesus.

  Acknowledgements:

  Thank you to Andrew, for being the best husband I could ever hope for. Your support and love sustains me. Dad, your unconditional love is the reason I am whole and able to write what I do now. Mom, your belief in me is the reason I have been able to reach for my dreams. Matt and Kagen, I’m so glad you’re my brothers! Karissa, thank you for your continued support. Thank you, Malerie Plaugher, for your Washington expertise. Grandma Donna, thank you for allowing me to use your house and neighborhood in book one and for being my inspiration for Kenzie’s grandma. Grandpa, thank you for teaching me what it means to work hard and do the impossible. You inspire me. A shout out to one of my steadfast fans and supporters – Rocky Garza. Thank you to Amy Flores, Auntie Boo and Meadow Pritchett for the invaluable edits and suggestions. Lisa Eneqvist, you rock with your amazing cover art, sister! Book club girls, I love you and we still have to come up with a name for our group! Crystal Prescott, thank you for being patient with America’s-most-awkward model. Thank you to God for everything. I couldn’t have done this without each and every one of you. I love you!

  Daniel 2:22 – He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

  Prologue

  Tanner reached up with his hand and grazed my cheek. It felt warm and soft. Despite my better judgment, I leaned into it, my eyelids fluttering. A car engine rumbled down the street, a door slammed. But I felt frozen in place. Tanner’s face neared mine. I knew I should back away, but I stayed still and forced my breathing to slow.

  Just as his lips reached mine, footsteps clicked on the concrete behind me. I heard a sharp intake of breath and whipped around. When I saw him, my heart stopped. I gasped.

  “W-w-what are you doing here?” I asked.

  “I came to surprise you. But I guess I’m the one who’s surprised.” Isaac dropped the bag he held in his hand. His shoulders drooped. His eyes were downcast. He wore a pair of gym pants and a basketball shirt.

  He looked just like I remembered. At the sight of him standing in my front yard, I realized how much I’d missed him.

  I stepped away from Tanner and toward Isaac. “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “It’s not?” Tanner asked.

  I threw him a sharp look.

  “What is it then, Kenzie?” Isaac asked, drawing my attention back to him.

  “Hey, be easy on her, okay,” Tanner said. “She’s had a rough night.”

  It was weird seeing Tanner defending me from Isaac. In fact, I might have laughed at the whole thing if I didn’t feel like I was on the verge of throwing up.

  Isaac glanced over at me and for a moment his face softened. Then it returned to Tanner and his eyes blazed with anger. “I had no idea. Apparently, you’re the one she’s confiding in now.”

  “That’s not true,” I said. “I called you before calling Tanner but you didn’t pick up.”

  “You called him first?” Tanner’s face fell. It cut to my heart. I couldn’t say anything right at that moment.

  “I was probably on my way here. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.” Isaac tucked his hands in his pockets and gave me a sheepish look. It was so cute, I wanted to kiss him right there.

  “Well, that’s how it’s been for the past three months. Kenzie’s been through a lot, and you weren’t around,” Tanner said to Isaac. “I was.”

  “It’s not because I didn’t want to. Man, believe me. I wanted nothing more. But I don’t live here.”

  “Well, she needed someone who could be here for her,” Tanner countered.

  Isaac groaned. “I can’t believe I was actually glad she had you looking out for her, man.” He shook his head in disgust. “I mean, seriously, what kind of guy hits on another guy’s girlfriend?”

  “It wasn’t like that. We were just friends. I didn’t mean for it to turn into anything more. But then I fell in love with her. I wasn’t trying to.”

  My face warmed.

  Isaac ran a hand over his face. “What?” He looked at me, searching my face. I was still in shock over what Tanner had said.

  He loved me?

  “Kenzie,” Isaac said, “do you love him, too?”

  I wanted to scream no. I wanted to tell Isaac I only wanted him. But it was more complicated than that now. Isaac nodded at my hesitation.

  Disappointment was written all over his face. “I see.”

  I rushed to him. “No. Isaac, you don’t understand.” I wanted to grab him and pull him close, but I was afraid. I hadn’t touched him in so long. My fingers burned with longing, but I didn’t want him to push me away. I wasn’t sure I could handle the rejection. Standing inches from him, I stopped. Tears filled my eyes. “I love you, Isaac. I do. That hasn’t changed. It’s just that Tanner and I have spent a lot of time together and we’ve been through a lot.” I looked back at Tanner who was watching me with an expectant look on his face. “I care about him.” I faced Isaac again. “I care about both of you.”

  Isaac sighed. “You can’t have us both.”

  “He’s right,” Tanner chimed in. “You have to choose.”

  I bit my lip and stared into Isaac’s eyes. I knew I loved him, but did I love Tanner too? I wasn’t sure. How could I choose between them?

  “Kenzie?” Tanner asked. I looked at my friend, my protector, the boy who had spent the last few months looking out for me. He had just professed his love for me and all I wanted to do was run into his arms and tell him I loved him back.

  “Kenzie?” Isaac asked. Glancing at my boyfriend, my heart tugged. Before tonight I had been convinced he was my soul mate. I had wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He was the first boy I had truly loved. I’d missed him for so long that I wanted so badly to hold him and kiss him and tell him how much I loved him.

  Why did this have to be so hard? No matter what I chose, I couldn’t win. By choosing one, I would hurt the other. The thought was more than I could bear. And yet, I knew they were right. I had to choose. It was time to make a decision.

  I glanced up. The minute our eyes locked, I knew. It was him. He held my heart. He was the one I truly loved.

  I opened my mouth, ready to share my decision.

  Chapter One

  “Isaac.” I rushed to him and threw my arms

  around his neck, the way I should have done when he first showed up. Nuzzling my face into his chest, I savored the familiar fresh scent of his laundry detergent and soap. “You. Of course, I choose you.” His arms tightened around my waist. I felt his heart beating under mine. Tears pricked my eyes. “I missed you so much.”

  “Me too.” He lowered his forehead until it touched mine. His breath was warm, causing me to s
hiver against the cold night air. He pulled me closer, his body providing more warmth. For a moment, everything around us fell away. It was like we were the only two people in the world, like we were suspended in time.

  Footsteps behind us broke the spell, reminding me that Tanner was still there. My heart dropped. By choosing Isaac, I had hurt Tanner. It was something I never wanted to do. Especially not after tonight; after all he’d done to save me. We’d been through so much, and I cared about him a lot.

  I turned to him, but he was hurrying toward his car with his head down and his shoulders stooped.

  “Tanner,” I called after him. “Wait.”

  Without acknowledging me, he unlocked his car and jumped inside. The engine roared to life and he sped down the street.

  I bit my lip, watching the vehicle disappear into the darkness. Sadness washed over me.

  “Hey.” Isaac grabbed my hand and threaded his fingers through mine. “It’s okay. Just let him go. He needs some space.”

  Nodding, I leaned into Isaac. His arms wrapped around me. I rested against him, allowing him to hold me. Allowing him to comfort me, even though I knew I didn’t deserve it. I’d betrayed him. I’d hurt him. I hadn’t been honest with him. He deserved so much better than me.

  “I’m sorry, Isaac. I really am.”

  “Don’t.” His hands fell away from my body, leaving me cold. I panicked, thinking he would leave. Thinking he would realize what a jerk I was and take off. Instead, he placed both hands on the sides of my face. They were warm and soft against my cold flesh. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve missed you so much. Let’s just enjoy the moment, okay?”

  He lowered his face to mine, covering my lips with his. I kissed him back. It felt so good. Love welled up inside me, warming my entire body. His hands raked up my back, sending tingles up my spine. The kiss was more passionate than ones from him before, and I reached up, hungry for more. My heart sped up. In his kiss I could taste the bitterness of betrayal, smell the anger he felt toward Tanner, and the intense passion and love he felt for me. Suddenly, Isaac pushed me away. I sucked in a breath, feeling dizzy.

  “Sorry.” He ran a hand over his hair. “I don’t know what came over me. I guess I just didn’t realize until now how much I missed you. And then when I almost lost you…” his voice trailed off. He shook his head.

  I swallowed hard, emotion rising up in my throat. “I’ve imagined seeing you a million different times over the past three months. I’m so sorry about what you walked in on. I’d give anything to go back in time and change that.”

  The moonlight sliced across his chiseled face. His eyes looked sad. “Me, too. But it’s too late.”

  My chest tightened. I felt like he was a butterfly hovering nearby for a matter of seconds. If I didn’t catch him, he would fly away without a moment’s warning and I’d never see him again. Grabbing his hand, I held it so tightly my knuckles turned white. I was determined to keep him with me.

  As if understanding, he said, “I’m not leaving, Kenzie. You chose me. I won’t forget that.” He kicked the bag by his feet.

  “I’ll always choose you, Isaac,” I spoke softly into the night air.

  He touched my neck, swept the gold chain up and held the cross in his fingers. “You’re wearing it.”

  “Always. I only take it off when I sleep.”

  Smiling, he let the necklace slip from his fingers. His eyes shone in the darkness. A cool breeze circled us, causing goosebumps to rise on my flesh. He reached down to grab his bag. “It’s cold. We should go in.”

  Glancing over at the house, my body shuddered involuntarily. Memories of the evening assaulted me like the crashing of an ocean wave. I froze in my tracks.

  Studying me, Isaac said, “Are you okay?”

  “It’s just been a long night. I’ll tell you all about it when we get inside.” Keeping his hand tucked in mine, I led him into the house.

  The hot air pouring from the heating vents felt good to my frozen, tired body. Isaac dropped his bag next to the door and then we sunk down onto the couch. His arm came around me and rested on my shoulder. I nestled into him, feeling safe and protected. In that position, I spilled the evening’s events. He stayed still, holding me the entire time, even when my body trembled and tears filled my eyes.

  When I finished, he exhaled loudly as if he’d been holding his breath.“Wow, Kenzie. That’s crazy. I wish I’d been here for you. If only I’d gotten here earlier.”

  Yeah, for a lot of reasons.

  If Isaac had been the one to rescue me, he certainly wouldn’t have walked in on Tanner and I about to kiss. As quickly as the thought entered, I erased the image from my mind.

  “You know, I may be totally angry with that dude for hitting on you, but I am grateful to him that he saved you tonight.” Isaac’s jaw clenched.

  I reached up and touched his chin with my finger, causing him to flinch. “I know. That’s why I love you so much.”

  Peering down at me, he smiled. Then he kissed me again, lightly this time. As much as I tried to stop it, exhaustion set in. I let out a tired yawn. Isaac rubbed my back with his palm.

  “You should get to bed. It’s late and you’ve had a long night.”

  Late was an understatement. It was practically morning. I stood, and then a thought struck me. Where would Isaac sleep?

  As I mulled this over, he stretched his legs out on the couch and leaned his head back on the cushions. I felt bad about him sleeping on that old thing with no springs. It couldn’t be comfortable. But then again, what other option did I have? It’s not like he could sleep in my room with me. However, after everything I had put him through I should be the one to sacrifice.

  “Will you be okay there? I mean, you’re my guest. Why don’t I take the couch and you can have my bed.”

  Isaac chuckled. “What kind of guy would I be if I took your bed? I’ll be fine. But a blanket and pillow would be nice.” He shifted to get comfortable.

  “Of course.” I ran down the hallway. We didn’t have any extra blankets and stuff like other families kept in their hall closets. However, I did have a quilt Grandma made me one year, and I always slept with two pillows. I could give up one for the night. Racing back out to him, I gave him the quilt and the pillow. After he got situated, I made my way back to my room and got ready for bed. As I drifted to sleep, I prayed Isaac would still be there in the morning.

  The minute I woke up I scurried down the hallway in my flannel pajamas. The couch was empty and my heart sank. Was it all just a dream? Or had Isaac left?

  “Hey, you’re up early.”

  I gasped and spun around. He stood behind me wearing the same clothes he’d had on the night before. His hair was mussed from sleep but he still looked amazing. My heart soared. He had stayed. I raced to him, even though I knew I must have looked awful. He took me in his arms and held me close. I savored the feeling of him against me.

  “I thought for sure you’d sleep in late after the night you had.” He kissed the top of my head. The act reminded me of the fact that I hadn’t showered yet, or brushed my teeth. Embarrassment filled me.

  “I couldn’t sleep knowing you were here. I don’t want to waste our time together.” We disentangled and I appraised him. “How long are you here for, anyway?”

  “Until Wednesday. I promised Mom I’d be home for Thanksgiving.”

  I frowned. I had hoped he would spend the holiday with me, but I should have guessed he’d have to go home.

  “Holidays have been hard enough since my brother died.”

  Nodding, I bit my lip. “I understand. I’m just glad I have you here for five whole days!”

  He flashed me one of his heart stopping dimpled grins. “Me too.” He reached his arms out again and stepped toward me, but this time I backed away.

  “I’d better take a shower and get dressed. I’ll be back out in a minute.” Just when I turned, Mom walked into the room. Her hair stuck out all over her head in crazy tangles, and black mascara
caked the side of her face. She looked even more deranged than normal. I stiffened, noticing the large bruise on her chin.

  “What’s he still doing here?” she asked, quickly glancing in Isaac’s direction. “I realize he practically lives here, but you know I’m not okay with boys spending the night. You should go home, Tanner.” She walked past us and shuffled into the kitchen.

  My body went numb, heat crept up my neck. Isaac stiffened beside me. Swallowing hard, I forced myself to face him. His cheeks had paled. Betrayal filled his dark eyes.

  “I-I’m sorry. She must have just assumed. She hasn’t really been herself and -”

  “It’s fine,” he cut me off and glanced away. “Just go take your shower.”

  “Isaac.” I moved toward him.

  He put his palm up. “It’s fine. Really.”

  Mom re-entered the room. I could hear the sound of the coffee percolating and smell the aroma of the strong beans coming from the kitchen. She stopped and stared at Isaac, squinting.

  “Hey, you’re not Tanner. You’re the other one.”

  Would have been nice if she had taken a better look before.

  To Isaac’s credit, he smiled as if unfazed by the whole misidentification. “Isaac.” He held out his hand. “Nice to see you again, Ms. Smith.”

  Narrowing her eyes, she hesitantly took his hand in hers. “Nice to see you again, too, Isaac.”

  “I’ll be back. I’m gonna get ready.” Grateful to get away, I walked down the hallway. Just as I opened the bathroom door, I heard Mom inhale sharply.

  “What happened to my sculpture?”

  I froze. She came toward me with fast, clipped strides. The bruise looked even darker in the dimly lit hall. I wondered why she wasn’t saying anything about it. She must have been in pain. Not to mention that I knew she had another one on her chest.