Pieces (Riverdale #1) (25 page)

     
They stood wrapped in each other’s arms
for a while, rejoicing in their commitment to one another. Jake was the first
to pull back. He cupped her face in his hands and ran his thumb along her
bottom lip that still quivered from her crying.

     
“I love you.” He whispered. “I always have
and always will. In sickness and in health, until death do we part…” He choked
on the last words and she answered his vow by sealing her mouth over his.

     
Cara had never known love until Jake came
into her life. She was just a girl when he met her, whose world was broken. He
picked up the pieces of that girl and made her whole again. He taught her to
love and to be loved. He allowed her to dream and now together they would chase
those dreams. No words could describe what she felt, maybe just one. Complete.

     
Jake’s mouth broke from hers and he
offered her a smile when she opened her eyes, dazed that he had ended the kiss.

     
“We have to make it official.” He said
proudly and reached into his pocket. She watched as he pulled out a ring and
took her left hand in his. He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed as he
slid the diamond ring over her finger. The ring slid over the band of strength
they each had tattooed to their ring fingers.
 
They both looked at the two rings on her finger. The one of ink
symbolized their past struggles and the one of platinum, the promise of a
future.

Dear Cara,

     
I’ve
decided to stop using this journal as an outlet for me during my illness. Today
is the first day I will begin to fill the blank pages with letters to you. If I
told you everything that was going on in my head, you’d probably beat the crap
out of me. I’m too weak and the truth is I’ve seen you fight and you could
probably kick my ass even if I was feeling a hundred percent.

     
All
our plans for the future have once again been put on hold due to Cancer. I know
you don’t want to hear it, but I’ll say it anyway. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that
you’re going through this shit storm. I probably should’ve waited until I knew
if the chemotherapy had worked for sure, before I asked you to marry me. But I
was so sure. I guess that’s what they mean by false hope. All the medical
websites I’ve been looking at, there are these testimonials from Cancer
survivors, and their families. Most of the time, after you’ve received
chemotherapy, your life goes back to the way it was before you were diagnosed.
They say you feel like you are reclaiming your life, and that’s what I thought
too. I wasn’t naïve to think I would be in remission when the PET scan results
came back, but I did think that the chemo had worked a little bit. I know you
were just as disappointed as I was when the doctor said it had done nothing but
damage some of my organs.
 

     
I
know that no matter what, even if we had just remained friends, you still would
be my side. God allowed me time with the girl of my dreams and even allowed me
to call her my fiancé. How could I ever complain?

     
 
I’m probably dying. I can say that on paper,
but not out loud. The doctors have already told me that they cannot continue
treatment with chemo, my body isn’t reacting well. Instead of it killing the
cancer the drugs are killing me. The next step is a bone marrow transplant and
we’re on the hunt for the donor. Luke and Sam are probably taking bets on which
one of them will be the perfect match. I just hope it works. The thought of
dying isn’t as scary as the thought of never seeing you again. To never see my
sweet Cara go through all the milestones of life that we have been talking
about.

     
It’s
funny the, things I told myself I had my whole life to do, and procrastinated
doing them, are things now I wish I had done. I want you to know I never
thought I’d get married to anyone other than you, even when we were just
friends. You used to tell me that you could picture your wedding but never the
man you married. It was the opposite for me. I just pictured you. You’ve been asking
me to marry you, not even caring what day of the week it is or if you even have
your dress. The dream you had of your wedding, you’re willing to give up.
You’re so hell bent on marrying my crazy ass that you’ll marry me in a hospital
room. I’m flattered baby. So, fucking flattered.
 
I keep telling you I’m going to get better
and when the cancer is gone, you’ll get your wedding.

     
We’re
not going to get married Cara. I want to explain why, so that when I die, you
don’t hate me. I can’t leave this earth knowing that when I die, your future
would die along with me. You’d be married to my spirit and to our past. You’d
never look to fulfill your future. You wouldn’t remarry and have a family.
You’d be alone, clinging to the past. You’d sit by my head stone and talk to me
as if I was standing in front of you. Time would stand still for you and before
you know it you’d be old and gray just waiting to be in the plot beside me.
There would be no children and there would be no stories to tell your
grandchildren. Don’t shake your head, I can picture you shaking your head and
crying right now as you read this. Stop it. You know I’m right. I’m always
right. Guess what I’m doing right now as I write this? I’m wiggling my
eyebrows, because you know I’m right.

     
Seriously
babe, I don’t want that for you. I want you to live your life. Go get married,
have some kids, name one of them Jake. I’ll watch over them just like I’ll
always watch over you. When your husband accidentally electrocutes himself
hanging Christmas lights, know I’m even looking out for that son of a bitch
too. Know that I’m happy that he’s giving my girl a chance at a good life.
You’ll always be my girl, lucky for him; my mom taught me how to share.

     
Maybe
you’ll never read these letters, but I have to write them anyway. I want to be
there for you, when I know you’ll need me the most. Just always know I love
you.

Love
Always & Forever Yours,

Jake

     
Jake stared down at the words he scribed
for a moment before closing the leather bound journal. He took a deep breath,
feeling the relief wash over him. It was the one thing he could do for her if
he died, he’d be there to help her move on. He’d be able to go to the pearly
gates with a clear conscience, knowing he took care of his girl.

     
“Hey, there you are.” Cara said as she
stepped onto his parent’s front porch. She held out a glass of water to him.

     
He smiled up at her. “I’m just getting
some fresh air.” He placed the glass of water on the table beside him and took
her hand, pulling her onto his lap.

     
Cara smiled at him and held out her palm.
“It’s time for your medicine.”

     
Jake’s eyes widened mischievously. “Why
baby, are you trying to be my naughty nurse?”

     
She smirked but her eyes watched him
warningly. He opened his mouth and she placed the pills upon his tongue. He
reached for the glass of water and swallowed the pills like the perfect patient
he was.

     
“Now that I was such a good patient, don’t
you think you should reward me Nurse Cara?”

He
said as he wiggled his eyebrows.

     
She wrapped her arms around his neck and
leaned her forehead against his. “How do you suppose I do that?” She said,
mustering up a seductive voice and treated him to a kiss.

     
“Why don’t we go inside and see what pops
up.” He suggested and cut off her laughter by kissing her sweetly. He made a
mental note that in his next letter he’d have to thank her for being the best
kisser. In fact, he was going to dedicate an entire letter to her mouth.

To my husband Paul, thank you for standing beside me
on this journey. From the first day I mentioned the idea of writing a book, you
were supportive and never doubted me. You just assured me that I could do it. I
love you today and always. Thank you for giving, me my very own, happily ever
after.

To my son Joseph, when you are older and look back on
the days I sat in bed beside you writing, remember I was only trying to set an
example for you. Always chase your dreams, my boy.

Frankie the same goes for you. Never let anyone tell
you, you can’t do something. My wish for the both of you is that you both
always aim high and know I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Mom and Dad anything good in me, is because of the two
of you. You’ve taught me what it is to love unconditionally. The sense of
family you have instilled in me has left a profound mark on my heart and I hope
my readers get a taste of that in this book. Mom, you’ve always encouraged to
reach for the stars and for that I thank you. Dad, you always know, just what
to say or do to make me smile. Thank you for inspiring Joe Lanza, and for being
such a staple in all my childhood memories. Rave On!

To my sister-in-law Jennifer, I would have never
written this book without you. I am so honored to call you my sister of the
heart. Thank you for all your help throughout this entire process. The best
part of writing this book was the bond that you and I will forever share. I’m
glad I never had a sister because the one I received through marriage was
better than anyone I could’ve hoped for.

To Andrew you’ve taught me the value of friendship and
that a guy and a girl could be the best of friends. Every memory we share, is
etched in my heart, for you truly are the brother I never had. I will forever
wish you happy anniversary, on April fools.

To Kristin, Nicole, Jackie, Marie, and Vinnessa, thank
you girls for being excited and happy for me during this time. Friends are not
the family you are given but the family you choose.

Pieces

By Janine Infante Bosco

All rights reserved. No part of
this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or
introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form of by
any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without express permission of the
author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes,
if done so constitutes a copyright violation.

This book is a work of fiction.
Names, places, characters and events are fictitious in every regard. Any
similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead are purely
coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features
are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for
reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

ISBN: 978-1-4951-0743-6

Cover designed by: Hang Le at
byhangle.com

Edited
and Formatted by: Jennifer Bosco

http://jbsbookobsession.blogspot.com/

The Riverdale Series continues with

Nick Foti and Samantha Lanza facing their past, in

Broken Pieces

     
“Phillip
this is Nick. Nick I’d like you to meet Phillip.” Sam settled against Phillip’s
chest and smiled at Nick, her eyes blazing with fury. Nick nodded in
acknowledgement of Phillip and then threw some bills on the bar when the
bartender lined up their shots. Mallory grabbed one before Nick could hand it
to her. Nick handed one to Phillip and then held one just a little bit out of
reach towards Sam. His eyes roamed her questioningly.

     
“You
sure you want it?” He asked sincerely, knowing very well shots of tequila and
Sam didn’t really go hand in hand.

 
    
She
rolled her eyes at him and took the shot. “I’m not twenty-one anymore Nick.”

     
“Suit
yourself.” He said and lifted his glass before throwing back the shot. The
three musketeers, that’s what they reminded Nick of, downed the shots. Mallory
and Phillip took the fiery liquid like champs, while Sam reached across the bar
to chase the shot with Nick’s beer. Her body shuttered and she scrunched her
face up as she guzzled the beer. He couldn’t help the smirk. It was nice to
know as much as things changed there were a few things that remained the same.

     
She
slammed the beer bottle against the bar and slapped Nick’s bicep. “Wipe that
grin off your face Foti.”

     
Her
hands lingered for a moment, her fingertips traveling along where his sleeves
ended. He looked down at her hand and then back at her face. She retracted her
hand as if she had just scorched her fingertips. He thought he heard Phillip
mumble something but wasn’t sure when he pieced together the words. Something
about swinging from his arms, Nick shrugged it off.

     
Mallory
turned to Nick. “So are you going to make Samantha drop her panties or what?”

     
Phillip
threw his head into his hands and his shoulders slumped defeated. It was almost
comical, Nick mused. Mallory looked at Phillip innocently.

     
“What?
What did I say? Wasn’t this the plan?” She scratched her head confused.

     
Nick’s
eyes wandered towards Sam’s, he brought his hand up to his face and scratched
at the day’s stubble that covered his jaw. She was an awful embarrassing shade
of red, and he couldn’t tell if was from anger or shame.

     
“I’m
all for Samantha dropping her panties for me.” He took a long sip of his beer,
eyes intently staring into hers. He pulled the neck of the bottle down, and
licked his lips. “What color are they anyway?”

     
“None
of your business.” She said through gritted teeth and then surprised him by
taking a step towards him. He bit the inside of his cheek to hide the smile.
The fire in her blue eyes had him truly wondering what color they were. She
poked his chest with one perfectly manicured fingernail. “Read my lips.” She
whispered. “No many how many times you say my full name, you’ll never see my
panties.”

     
His
hand closed around her wrist and he cocked his head. “I bet their black.” He
leaned over and his breath grazed her ear, causing her to shudder. “Samantha.”
He whispered against her ear. He decided he liked the way her full name sounded
coming from him, and vowed to make more of an effort to use it.