Copying this title is a crime.
Don’t be a thief
A Mitchell-Healy Book #7
Copyright © 2015 Jennifer Foor
All Rights Reserved
Cover Art: Wicked Cool Designs
This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This book is not allowed to be offered for sale, discounted, or free on any sites by anyone other than JENNIFER FOOR. To reiterate: This book may ONLY be distributed by Jennifer Foor, the owner and Author of this series.
DOWNLOADING EPUB COPIES IS A FRADULENT ACT.
Acknowledgements: It’s no secret how much family means to me. I come from a huge clan. One side of my family is referred to as THE WORST FAMILY EVER, (#TWFE). We’re really the best family, so it’s obviously a big silly joke. We vacation together, and when we travel we have shirts made. People stop us and ask what #TWFE means. They’re shocked to learn the truth. Some even take pictures and become friendly each time we run into one another. I look forward to many more adventures with my crazy family. So, this book is for #TWFE. You know who you are, and I’ll know if you bought this book because you’ll mention being recognized. We are the coolest. I love you. If you don’t buy this book I will Vaseline your car door handles. BEWARE. Don’t forget I love you.
Preface
“Are you sure this is what you want to do, Cassie? I know how much your family means to you,” my boyfriend Brant asked for the third time in ten minutes. We’d been sneaking around again in order to see each other, because my family didn’t approve.
“Yes. I’m positive. The sooner the better, Brant. The longer we stay here the worse it will get.”
“It’s settled then. I’ll make some calls and see if I can find a job somewhere else. I don’t even care what I’ll be doing. As long as I’m with you we’ll make it work.” He smiled, a tiny dimple forming on his cheek. “You know I love you, right?”
“I do. I love you too. Leaving is going to be hard, but it’s our only choice. I want a future with you, no matter who we have to cross to make it happen.”
Brant dropped me off on the main road leading to my parent’s house. We lived on a large ranch, so his vehicle would be undetected, even if they were waiting up for me. I’d lied about where I was going, only because I wanted to spend some quality alone time with my boyfriend.
When I walked in the door, I found both of them waiting for me. Maybe I should have known to expect it. If they could make my life hell they would do it, until they knew I’d given up on Brant for good.
It was never going to happen.
We’d been arguing about it for the past two hours. You’d think since I was in my twenties they’d lay off about my boyfriend. I’d been paying rent to my parents since I turned eighteen; something they said would teach responsibility. Seven days a week I worked at my family’s huge produce distribution office managing shipments. I went to church, like every good girl was supposed to. I gave back to my community, and helped others whenever I was given the chance.
Why couldn’t they let me be with the man I loved? “Daddy, please. I’m sorry for coming in so late, but we went to a concert. It was three hours away. I was quiet coming in, and didn’t wake anyone. Why are you making a big deal out of it?” They’d been on me since I came home with my first tattoo at sixteen. Sure, I’d done it without their permission, but it was my body to modify however I wanted.
Had he not been waiting in the recliner, gun in hand, I would have probably gotten away with it, but ever since I’d started dating Brant my dad had been irrational. He claimed he knew what kind of man Brant was and if I knew better I’d steer clear of him and anyone he associated with. He said the whole town knew of his criminal record, and that I’d be a disgrace to our family name if I was seen associating with him.
Little did he know I’d met Brant at a time where I felt lost. He’d made me feel good about myself, which is something every teenager struggles with. The moment my dad learned his name, he was forbidden from coming onto our property. They’d tried to make it impossible for us to be together, though we’d been finding ways for a while right under their noses. Who were they to tell me who I could and couldn’t love?
With my mother standing behind him, he snarled and leaned forward in the chair. “Young lady, you live under this roof. I’m not having this kind of behavior for your brother and sisters to see. You need to set a better example. That boy is nothing but trouble. He’s going to end up spending the rest of his life in jail. Don’t let him drag you down.”
“Drag me down? Are you serious? Like I said before, I’m not a kid. I can be with whoever I choose.”
“Not while you’re living in this house. I want you to stop seeing him. I’m not messing around either, Cassie. The relationship is over! This is the last time I’m going to say it.”
I shook my head, hot tears pouring out of my eyes. “I love him. You can’t keep us apart. I’ll leave if I have to.”
I’d never threatened my father before. I’d never dared backtalk him, or go against his final decision. I watched as his eyes widen and then finally closed. I’d crossed a line I couldn’t come back from. He knew I was choosing my forbidden relationship over our family.
My mother interrupted before my father blew a gasket. “Cassie, please. We’re doing this for your own good. Brant is a bad person. We don’t want you to get into trouble. You’re a good girl. Please reconsider. I know you don’t understand, but we’re doing this to protect you. Guys like him will only bring you down.”
I threw my hands in the air. “I’m too tired to argue with the both of you. I’m going to bed.”
“Cassie, don’t you dare walk away from us,” my father ordered.
I continued until my bedroom door was preventing them from coming after me. I made sure the door was locked before falling onto my comfortable mattress and bawling my eyes out.
Why couldn’t they understand how being with Brant made me happier than I’d ever been? All they saw was what other people gossiped about. He wasn’t the guy they’d pegged him out to be. He was so much more than meets the eye, and I refused to give him up because they couldn’t look beyond the surface.
I didn’t sleep at all. I couldn’t.
My mind was a disarray of thoughts. I imagined breaking it off with Brant, and how hard it would be to get over such a love. He’d been my first, my only. It wasn’t just saying the words and holding hands. We wanted a future, the whole kit and caboodle. His rough demeanor was a façade. I knew the man inside of those rough walls. I’d watched him fall apart a month ago when his grandmother fell ill. I’d witness firsthand how her death took a hold of him, destroying all that was precious. Without me, I was afraid of what he would become. We were good for each other; a light at the end of two tunnels, coming together for a common interest. I needed him, just as much as he needed me.
That’s when I knew what had to happen. There was no other way, none that would work. I had to leave, and I’d do it before my father was able to stop me.
By the time the following week rolled around, Brant had made his plans.