Chasing Rainbows (29 page)

I'd decided to major in Psychology. After my ordeal with handling Natalie's death, I wanted to help others who were suffering. Others just like me. It was easy for people to get sucked into destructive behavior when their world shattered, and I was a living breathing example of broken but mending.

I'd learned to be strong. It had been two months since I'd gone to counseling. Though I'd forever miss my sister, I had to let go of the darkness that had been holding me hostage. It wasn't my fault. I knew that now.

The urge to cut was always there, and it probably always would be. My need was comparable to an alcoholic craving a fifth of liquor or a junkie jonesing for a fix. I knew this and accepted it. I fought daily, and would continue to fight. I was stronger both inside and out, and knew without a doubt that Natalie would be proud of me.

When Jake pulled into the school parking lot, I spied Kara and Devon outside talking with Brandon and Cal. I was so excited that I could barely sit still. Jake glanced over at me, grinning. I was a bundle of nerves. Kara looked gorgeous in a short puffy fuchsia fairytale of a dress, which complemented her tanned skin and long legs. Even from a distance, I noticed she had traded her bright red streaks for the same shocking pink as her dress. Mine were still red and went with the color of
my
dress. The guys all looked so debonair in their tuxes. Kara and Brandon were waving at us when we pulled in to park.

"Are you ready for this?" Jake asked, and I leaned up, his eyes widening and kissed his smoothly shaven cheek. His hand rested on my waist, fingers clenching. His eyes met mine then briefly darted down to the indecent thigh high slit of my dress. If he looked close enough, I was sure he could probably see my panties. I'd chosen black lace tonight for that very reason. "You know, I'm not going to let you sit down in that dress. Every guy in there will be trying to see what's mine."

"I don't plan on sitting, Jake. For the remainder of the night, I plan on being in your arms."

He smiled at my words, some of the tension easing from his broad shoulders. His hand held me tight as his other drifted to the split that was causing him so much unease. His fingertips drew small lazy circles on the inside of my thigh. I shifted as his hand drifted higher. My breath hitched. My eyes locked on his lean but smug face.

"Jake," I whispered in warning. Then his fingertips brushed against the lace at my center and the air stalled in my lungs.

"No one can see us," he growled, rubbing his fingers along my seam. I squirmed as the sound of our harsh breaths filled the quietness of the cab. If he touched my bare skin, I'd explode.

A series of rapid pecks at the side window jolted us, and we jumped apart. Heat radiated outward from between my thighs, I missed his touch and didn't feel quite complete without it.

"Fuck," he muttered, pressing his forehead against mine. "I want you, Addie."

"I want you, too," I whispered. He leaned back against the seat glancing over my shoulder with narrowed eyes.

"Good things come to those who wait," I teasingly reminded him and scooted across the seat to reach for the door where Kara stood patiently waiting.

"Oh, they will come," he replied in a harsh whisper, and I glanced back over my shoulder, meeting his eyes. His roguish wink caused my heart to beat faster at the double meaning behind his words. I blushed because I knew he'd make good on his promise. He opened his door and climbed out of the truck.

Kara stepped back as I pushed open my door and climbed down. "You look freaking fantastic, Addie," she squealed, grabbing my arms and lifting them from my sides and surveying me with an approving smile.

"You look pretty awesome yourself," I replied, smiling back at her.

Her dress was so short, I knew she wouldn't be able to bend over or sit down. We were both in the same boat so to speak. "Girl, look at that slit. Living dangerously?" she asked with a knowing grin. "At least, I'm not the only one. Devon can't keep his hands off of me. Easy access." She giggled shamelessly, and I glanced at Jake, feeling my cheeks grow warm.

"Hello, hotness," Kara said, playfully patting Jake on the chest. She winked at me.

"Hey, Kara," he replied. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks, let's go on over and meet up with the guys."

Jake held my hand and Kara's arm was linked through mine while we walked. I couldn't control the smile plastered on my face as we made our way across the parking lot toward the high school where Devon, Cal and Brandon stood beneath the canopy waiting.

"You look smoking," Brandon said, enveloping me in a friendly hug. "Hey, Jake."

"Hey," Jake replied with a smile and shook Brandon's hand and then Cal's next.

"I know we're all civilized and stuffy tonight, but I ain't shaking your hand bro," Devon said, punching Jake in the arm. The two of them were laughing. Some things never changed.

"Hi," I said to both Cal and Devon. The conversation buzzing around me grew my smile even wider. Life was good, and I was blessed to have Jake and my friends. I leaned against Jake. His hands rested at my waist. He wore an easy smile and tucked me protectively against his side.

"We better get in there," Kara finally said, sliding her arm through Devon's. We'd been outside talking for a while.

"This is the lamest prom theme ever," Brandon remarked as we all walked up the steps into the school. "Chasing Rainbows. Who gets to decide this shit?"

"The prom committee," I piped sarcastically, and he smiled at me from over his shoulder.

"Hey, shut your mouth, Brandon!" Kara yelled, pretending to be offended since she was a member of the prom committee. "And I was outvoted," she said defensively, shaking her head. "I, myself, was rooting for a Vegas theme."

The lighting inside the gym was low. Overhead the soft glow of spot lights reflected on the hundreds of shimmery balloons in a multitude of color. They were carefully crafted along the long arching rows of PVC pipe strung overhead. It stretched across the gymnasium giving the illusion that one were dancing under a giant rainbow.

Jake squeezed my hand, and we followed the crowd out onto the dance floor. Music began to filter from the speakers positioned along the edges of the gymnasium. A smile tugged at my lips as I recognized the song Jake had played for me the night I'd first given myself to him.

He was smiling, and I knew he remembered too. My hands slid to his shoulders as his settled at my waist and he pulled me flush against him. I felt every hard lean line of his body and couldn't tell where I ended and he began. He looked down into my eyes staring straight into my soul as we slowly swayed among the sea of brightly hued dresses and dark tuxedos. My hand slid from his shoulder to cup his cheek and he sweetly sung the chorus of the song for my ears only. The raspy timbre of his voice held me spellbound, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl inside his heart and stay there forever.

"I won't give up," Jake whispered, and I knew that he wouldn't let go or ever give up on me. He'd always be there, through all of my doubts and fears. He'd proved himself to me time after time.

"I don't ever want you to," I told him, caressing his cheek. His head drifted down until his lips fit perfectly against mine. When we finally broke apart, I was looking up at him with my heart in my eyes. "I love you."

"I know you do, Addie," Jake whispered, his head lowering and his lips moving softly against my cheek. "I love you too. You have always made me weak in the knees. I want our forever. You and me." He was so strong and so patient. While I had been lost in my own sorrow and torment, Jake had been my redemption; never once afraid to admit what he felt for me. I loved that about him. I always knew where I stood. There was no second guessing.

"No more chasing rainbows?" he whispered near my ear.
Even after all we'd been through, did I still detect a hint of doubt in his voice?

I pulled back and looked up into Jake's handsome face. To me, there wasn't anything or anyone else better than him. His eyes met mine, and I smiled. "Why would I chase after something as fleeting as a rainbow when I've already found my heart's desire?"

He smiled. His lips brushed against mine, and he pulled me snugly into his embrace. I'd found my forever. He was my future, and together we would create our own happy ending. I didn't need an imaginary pot of gold or anything as elusive as a thousand tiny raindrops reflecting the sun at precisely the right moment in time. Rainbows left too much up to chance. They were fickle. If I wanted to see beauty, I only had to look into Jake's eyes. He was the only rainbow I'd ever need.

The End

About the author

L
INDA
O
AKS
has always had a passion for books. At the age of five, she was a book of the month club member. Her love for books eventually led her to a love of writing. She resides in Eastern Kentucky with her husband, two children, three dogs and a pet rabbit named Dozer.

She can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She can also be reached by email at [email protected]. She loves connecting with her readers.

Acknowledgements

F
IRST AND FOREMOST,
I would like to start by thanking everyone at Blue Tulip Publishing for without you
Chasing Rainbows
would have never been possible. Thanks guys for taking a chance on me and my story!

Also I would like to give a huge shout out and personal thanks to Nathan Van Dyken, JM Chalker, Katherine Tate, Kathleen Payne and Monica Kimble aka. Heather Kennedy.

Thank you Monica and Nate for loving my story and for all that you. You both are AWESOME! :)

To Kay and Kathleen, I was truly blessed to have you both placed in my path. Thank you for putting up with me and for helping me make my story shine! You two are PHENOMENAL! :)

I would also like to thank my husband, who had more faith in me than I had in myself, and my children for their support and unending love. You guys are what makes my world keep spinning, and I love you!!!

Also I want to thank my Mom, who instilled in me a love for reading. You helped set me on my path, and I love you for it! Thank you for always being there for me.

I want to also thank all of my family and friends, those who sent words of encouragement and support. You don’t know how much it truly meant to me!

I would like to personally thank all of the book bloggers out there who help promote all of these wonderful stories. These lovely folks were kind enough to help get
Chasing Rainbows
out there and to the public, and I want to personally thank each of you for all that you do:

• Chanpreet at Confessions of YA/NA Addict
  
• Danisha at Smokin Hot Books
  
• Kim at Oh My Growing TBR
  
• Shera Layn at Book Lover’s Obsession
  
• Danielle at Love Danielle’s Escape: Thank you, Danielle for going above and beyond! You are awesome, my friend!
  
• Nichole at Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog
  
• Amy N. Senethavilay at Pages Abound-Thank you, Amy! Your kindness knows no bounds! You are awesome!
  

Last but not least, I would like to thank the lovely Jill Sava at Love Affair with Fiction. Thank you, Jill! You are wonderful!

If you are not following these blogs, you are missing out. Authors may write the stories that we love as readers, but without these wonderful bloggers and friends who help promote these books, many go unrecognized and undiscovered. I want to thank you for all that you do! If I missed anyone, I am truly sorry.

And I would like to give a huge thanks to you… the reader. Thank you for purchasing Chasing Rainbows. I hope that you loved Jake and Addie’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you loved
Chasing Rainbows
, could you please post a review and help spread the word about this book. Thank you in advance. You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I’m also on Goodreads. I love connecting with my readers!

Last and definitely not least, I would like to thank God for through Him all things are possible.

Never give up on your dreams!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Best Wishes and Happy Reading,

Linda

D
UE TO THE SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATERIAL
of
Chasing Rainbows
:

If someone you love suffers from self-harm, please seek help. You are not alone, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. You are worthy. You are loved, and people care. Don’t be afraid to take that first step. Talk to a friend, a family member, or a guidance counselor. Just talk to someone.

I care, and they will too.

—Linda

F
OR
S
UPPORT:

*Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE

*National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-273-TALK

*United Way Helpline: 1-800-233-HELP

*Youth America Hotline: 1-877-YOUTHLINE

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