Her Love Lost (Love Shattered Series Book 1) (3 page)

Courtney

Once I rested up a bit, I took a nice long shower letting the hot run over my stressed out muscles. I took a little longer than I had planned because the water did wonders to wake me up. I tossed on a grey knee length pencil skirt with a purple silk blouse, I put on very little make up, just enough to cover the dark circles under my eyes, then I straightened my Brownish blonde shoulder length hair, pinning a little back out of my face with two bobby pins just like I always did, and headed down stairs for some coffee. Then I was out the door headed to the bakery. I had put on my lavender high heels and I felt like I was ready to take on the world, but I was so nervous though, twenty-eight years old and this was the first real job I had ever had.

Parking out in front of the shop, I stepped out of the car and took in a deep breath. “Come on Courtney you can do this, you’re a big girl, the hard parts already over, you got the job now just go on in there and accept the offer as the manager,” I mumbled to myself trying to sike myself up and get the confidence I needed to get through this meeting.

The meeting with the bakery was uneventful, quick and to the point, I would start work in 2 weeks. I was so relieved they didn’t need me to start for two weeks. That meant I could take the next week and have this trip with Lillian to Alabama, then take the following week to organize childcare for the kids, and get everything settled and ready for the new job. I was so very lucky to have this job, and was excited to start in two weeks’ time. The manager they had was going on a permanent maternity leave. I couldn’t help but be a little envious of the woman. After all, that was the life I had always lived until my world was turned upside down at the unexpected death of Dave, leaving me no choice but to find my first real job ever. I felt like I should warn the woman to have a backup plan in case of sudden unexpected circumstances, but bit my lip and thought better of it. Why ruin someone else’s happiness because I had little happiness of my own. Well that was before, because things were starting to look up and I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

After getting back to the car, I sent out a mass text to my family and friends.

ME: Hey Guys! I have great news, after 2 long years of searching, I finally got a job! I am the new manager at the Sweets and Treats Bakery down town.

I was immediately bombarded with texts of congratulations from my family and friends. Most of which were from friends demanding a girl’s night out for celebrating that coming Friday. It was probably not a good idea to go out to celebrate the night before our trip considering we would be leaving early in the morning, but I felt like this was definitely worth celebrating and my friends were always looking for a good excuse to get a night out on the town. I responded simply with

Me:
sounds like a plan send me the deets but let’s just make it dinner because I will be going out of town early Saturday Morning
.

I sat back in the seat of the car and felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Reaching for my seat belt and turning up the radio I sang and banged the steering wheel dancing like a wild woman in excitement. I have finally landed a job, good things come to those who wait I guess. Buckling up my seatbelt, I bobbed my head to the beat of the song and headed home.

Once I walked in the door, I saw that the kids were up and about but they all still looked a little rough. I am really hoping they are feeling better by Saturday. I will feel terrible if I have to leave them when they are feeling bad, and I know I won’t want to leave for the trip if they aren’t better by then.

Speaking of the trip, I need to text Lillian and tell her the good news.

Me: Hey Lil Guess what?

Lillian: What? You know I hate when you do that crap.

Me: I have a huge surprise for you..are you sitting down? LOL!!!!

Lillian: Just get on with it already. I hate surprises Bee-otch!!

Me: Okay Okay…… Well this Saturday you and I will be heading to Alabama. We will be stalking some Vampires and hopefully we will be lucky enough to catch them on set filming because we will not be coming back til NEXT Saturday!!! So we have a whole week worth of stalking to do.

Lillian: Holy Shit Sis..You better not be screwing around….

Me: Totally serious.

Lillian: Okay I gotta go pack you know I need a weeks’ worth of notice to prepare for a trip of this magnitude. BYE Chicka

That was Lillian for you. That girl liked to be prepared. She will probably end up bringing five or six suitcases for a week’s trip. This trip is going to be amazing. I cannot wait.

Courtney

Early Saturday morning, Lillian and I hit the road headed for Alabama for what promised to be one hell of a trip. I am going to miss my kids that is for sure. This will be the first time I have been away from them since Dave died, so I am having a wee bit of anxiety about that, but I know they are in great hands with my parents. I am sure there will be plenty of FaceTime and Skype to go around with the week to come.

We had a pretty easy trip to our hotel. It only took about 9 hours to get here but it was a fun ride. Lillian and I caught up on everything going on in each other’s lives. We talked about my new job, and how weird I felt getting a job for the first time in well ever. We even talked about Greg, the asshole baby daddy of hers. We sung along with the radio, and reminisced with memories from our child hood. Now we were checking into our hotel and then heading out to get some dinner, and who knows maybe run into some vampire actors while we are out on the town tonight.

After a round of naps and showers, Lil and I hit the streets of Alabama to check out the sites. We ended up having dinner in the cozy little diner that reminded me of back home. They had the best club sandwich I have ever tasted. Even the soda seemed to taste better out here. Or maybe it was just that refreshing to be out enjoying myself for a change.

After dinner we agreed to head back to our hotel and get some sleep and start off tomorrow with a fresh new day. We were planning on heading into town where they film for the show, and then heading over to the park for a picnic lunch which will actually be take out from the diner we just had dinner at. Yes, it was that delicious that we want it again tomorrow.

The next morning we were up and ready to leave our hotel by eight o’clock. We had a complimentary breakfast from the hotel which was actually pretty good. Who knew hotels served hot eggs, bacon, and sausage and stuff like that? I sure didn’t. That just shows how much of a hermit I have been the past several years.

Once we got into town the vampire stalking began. We figured we probably wouldn’t see any today giving that it was a Sunday. You never know though so we went just in case because we didn’t want to miss a single opportunity. We did not see any of the actors on this day, but the town was so adorable we shopped around and stopped at all the stores and restaurants that we had seen in the show and took our pictures at each landmark we could. By lunch time we were starving and headed to the diner to get our picnic lunch. They even supplied a little picnic basket and a blanket. I think I may move to this town. I may never want to leave.

We picked the perfect spot, where we could enjoy some sunlight but we were slightly in the shade and there was a nice breeze blowing. A couple of guys caught my attention a little ways across the park. They were playing soccer. That made me think of Jason and Caleb. Soccer was there favorite sport. I miss those boys already.

“What are ya thinking about Court?” Lillian interrupted my thoughts.

“Oh I was just thinking about the boys and how much they would enjoy being here playing soccer over there on that field like those guys.”

Lillian looked over to the guys and looked back at me. “Pfft if you can even call that soccer they look like a bunch of babies bobbling arou.. Ouch What the hell” Just then a soccer ball had flown out of nowhere right into Lillian’s drink that she was holding in her hands. The drink splashed all over her, and the ball knocked her hard in her pregnant stomach.

“Oh my god Lil are you alright? Is the baby okay? Oh no, it hit you right in the stomach. Should I call an ambulance? Why aren’t you answering me? Oh God! You have a concussion don’t you? Lillian!!!!” I was a hysterical mess. I was fretting over Lil like a mother hen, and when I got all up in her face to check her eyes she was laughing, wait what laughing at me? Are you for real right now?

“Courtney, would you calm the hell down. I am fine other than being covered in Sweet tea and being all sticky now, I am great. It didn’t even hurt really. I’m okay.”

Just then, we both looked up and at that moment I was struck stupid, because the most gorgeous two men I have ever seen were standing directly in front of us, and all I wanted to do was rip them a new one for being so reckless at where they were kicking their soccer balls. It was like all brain function seized to exist, and for the first time in a long time my smart ass mouth had be rendered sp
eechless.

Dexter

Robert and I had the day off today from filming, so we had decided it would be a good day for a little soccer in the park. We were kicking the ball around when we saw these two beauties walk into the park and pick a spot in the shade a little ways away from where we were kicking the ball around. One was pregnant and looked a bit younger than us, and the other chick looked to be about our age.

Most people could recognize us from a mile away, but these two ladies appeared to have no clue who we were. It was a tad bit annoying to get recognized for our roles in the famous television show
By the Light of the Moon.
We are just like ordinary people outside of filming. Exhibit A: Me and my good pal Rob here are just out like two regular dudes playing some soccer at the park.

“Hey Rob man, check out these two chicks dude. Do you think we should go say Hi? I don’t think they know who we are. We could show these ladies a good time tonight if they are up for it” I looked over at Rob he was staring at the girls. The non-pregnant one looked sad like she could use some fun in her life.

“I don’t know dude, that one is pregnant man. They might be married or something. We can’t just go walk up to them and start hitting on them if they are married women. Not. Cool. Dude.”

“Who said we have to just walk up to them?” I looked over at Rob and gave him my best eyebrow wiggle “maybe you know, you could casually accidently kick the ball over in front of them, then we would have to go over and retrieve it. We can take a peek at their hands and see if they are married or not. If not we can wait and see if they recognize who we are, if they don’t we strike up a conversation and see what they are up to tonight.”

Just then Rob mumbles “Good Idea! That’s why you are my ultimate wingman bro” He kicks the ball and it goes sailing through the air. We both watch in horror as it smacks the pregnant chick right in the hand and knocks the drink she was holding so that it splashes all over her from head to toe. We both look at each other frantically, and start speed walking over to make sure the girls okay.

“Shit man, I said casually kick it over there not kick it like you are trying to score the winning goal of the world cup you idiot. Are you looking for a law suit dude? We don’t know what kind of people these women are. For all we know if they figure out who we are they could sue the shit out of us for that stunt.”

“I did not mean to kick it that hard man I swear.”

We arrived over to the girls just as the non-pregnant woman was finished fussing over the pregnant one. The pregnant lady burst out laughing at the other lady’s antics. I bet these chicks are sisters the way this girl is going all mother hen on preggo here. I take in a quick sweep of both of their ring fingers. No rings. Yes I am still wondering if they are married even though we probably don’t stand a chance at a date with these two after my dumb ass friend Rob over here almost knocked them out with the soccer ball.

Both of the women looked up at Rob and I. I was struck numb by the Non-pregnant girl as she turned around and her eyes locked with mine. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Shit, she must be star struck the way she is staring back at me right now. That sucks man, just when I think I have come across someone who might not recognize me.

Non-pregnant beauty seems to recover first and instead of shock her gorgeous face clouds over into anger.

“Which one of you freakin idiots just kicked that ball over here so carelessly? Have you no manners? I mean come on you guys look old enough to know better than…” The pregnant chick tries to cut her off.

“Courtney you might not want to yell at these guys.’’ So my beauty’s name is Courtney. Wait what? My Beauty? What’s up with that shit?

“Lillian no, you stop. Those guys think just because they are all gorgeous and shit that they can do whatever they want they, ughhh I don’t even know.” She stomps her foot like a child and throws one hand on her hip. She is incredibly sexy when she is pissed.

“No Court, seriously stop yelling that’s…that’s those two guy they’re…they’re Mark and Eric, from you know” Ahhh so these two did know who we were after all. Bummer. We have apparently caused this little Miss Lillian to forget how to speak correctly. She couldn’t form a complete sentence to save her life.

“Lillian what are you talking about Mark and Eric I don’t know no body named Mark and Eric” Courtney looked over at both of us sweet maybe she doesn’t know who we are.

That thought was short lived though because I noticed the second she realized who we were her face flamed red as a beet and that blush crept all the way down her neck. I figured I should say something to get this whole situation under control.

“Hello Ladies. We are deeply sorry for this little incident here. It appears you know who we are already but let me properly introduce myself. My name is Dexter, and this here idiot who I will say is the guilty one for kicking the ball over here is Robert.” I stuck my hand out and gently took Lillian’s hand and shook it.

“Hey Dexter. I’m Lillian. No harm no foul. Hello to you too Robert. This speechless lobster looking thing beside me is my big sister Courtney,” So I was correct about the sister thing. Courtney sent Lillian a death glare at her lobster remark and if it was possible her face flamed even brighter.

Courtney pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and looked up at me shyly. Even with her face flaming red she was the cutest thing I have ever seen. She stuck her hand out and I took hers in mind and I felt a full on shock jolt in my hand that went up my arm and sent goose bumps over my entire body.

“Ow. Not only do you go around kicking your balls at innocent girls, you also go around shocking the shit out of them too. What are you wearing one of those shocking jokester rings on your hand or something.” She asks jerking her hand away and shaking it violently.

No baby girl, I was not wearing a shock ring but I sure as hell felt that shit too, I think to myself. She has to know that was a connection she just felt right? One that I have never felt with any other woman before her. Everyone but Courtney busted out laughing, because she had just insinuated we go around “kicking our balls at women” I know she didn’t mean it the way it came out but it was so damn cute and funny. Okay, I am starting to use way too many cutesy words around this girl.

“So ladies, how would you feel about going to dinner tonight with Robert and I. Ya know like an apology dinner. To show you gals how sorry we are for having been so careless with our balls here” I winked at Courtney

“Then we can head down to the beach to a bonfire that’s going down tonight that some of the other cast members will also be in attendance at,” I looked over at them hopefully. I don’t know what it is about this Courtney girl but I feel like I need to get to know her better.

Lillian answered for both of them. “We would love to. Where can we meet you guys at and what time?” Courtney sent her another look like are you sure that’s a good idea and Lillian gave her an affirmative head nod. So the younger sister is calling the shots now I see.

“No need to meet us anywhere. We will pick you gals up. Just send us the address. Here take my phone and type in your phone number where we can text you the info in a little bit.”  I handed over my cell phone to Lillian and she typed her number in. I took the phone back when she was done and sent a text to her.

The phone that pinged with an incoming text however didn’t come from Lillian’s pocket it came from Courtney’s. Courtney took out her phone and looked at it and scowled at her sister. Lillian just shrugged. I mentally high fived Lillian for that because now I had my girl’s number. Yes my girl.

“Great. Now you have my number. We will text you ladies and let you know what time to be ready.”

With that Rob and I turned to walk away from the girls. I was super excited about tonight. I had a date to plan. One hell of a date that would wow the socks off Miss Courtney. I had a lot of making up to do where that girl was concerned.

I looked over my shoulder to see the girls in a heated discussion. No doubt, my girl Court was trying her damndest to convince Lillian that going out tonight was not a good idea. I had no worries though. I knew I’d be picking up these two tonight and showing them the time of their lives. After all, who would pass up the chance to hang out with the actors from one of Americas top rated television shows?