Photographer: Toski Covey Photography – Custom Design
Cover Designer: Perfect Pear Creative Covers
SYNOPSIS
There’s a fine line between love and hate, so fine that you don’t know you’ve lost balance until it’s too late.
I’m not sure exactly when I lost my balance, all I know is that he was to blame.
Dane Winters.
The boy who’d spent most of his life hating me for reasons I never understood.** ** ** ** ** **It was no secret that I hated her, but only I knew why.
She was off-limits.
And then our separate worlds collided with one tragedy.
It wasn’t her fault, I knew that, but I wanted her to hurt the way I did, and I needed someone to blame. She was an easy target.
Kennedy Monroe.
The girl I’d picked on all our lives.
And the woman I barely tolerated.
Until the line between love and hate was no longer visible…
I’m not sure exactly when I lost my balance, all I know is that he was to blame.
Dane Winters.
The boy who’d spent most of his life hating me for reasons I never understood.** ** ** ** ** **It was no secret that I hated her, but only I knew why.
She was off-limits.
And then our separate worlds collided with one tragedy.
It wasn’t her fault, I knew that, but I wanted her to hurt the way I did, and I needed someone to blame. She was an easy target.
Kennedy Monroe.
The girl I’d picked on all our lives.
And the woman I barely tolerated.
Until the line between love and hate was no longer visible…
*New Adult Contemporary Romance*
*Due to mature content this book is not suitable for readers younger than 18*
PROLOGUE
Kennedy
There’s a fine line between love and
hate, so fine that you don’t know you’ve lost balance until it’s too late.
hate, so fine that you don’t know you’ve lost balance until it’s too late.
I’m not sure exactly when I lost my
balance, all I know is that he was to
blame.
balance, all I know is that he was to
blame.
Dane Winters.
The boy I’d spent almost all of my life
hating.
hating.
And now? I find myself on the other side
of that very fine line…
of that very fine line…
Dane – 16 years old
I stood to the side, watching it all
unfold in the wings. Jason’s voice grew louder, and attracted the attention of
the students passing the hall. Kennedy looked around, her eyes growing frantic,
her cheeks reddening in embarrassment. I played Varsity football with Jason, he
was the all-star quarterback, and while I thought the guy was a complete tool,
what I disliked most about him was his interest in Kennedy Monroe. He was a
Senior; she was a sophomore like me, and he could have his pick of any girl in
the school – why did it have to be her?
unfold in the wings. Jason’s voice grew louder, and attracted the attention of
the students passing the hall. Kennedy looked around, her eyes growing frantic,
her cheeks reddening in embarrassment. I played Varsity football with Jason, he
was the all-star quarterback, and while I thought the guy was a complete tool,
what I disliked most about him was his interest in Kennedy Monroe. He was a
Senior; she was a sophomore like me, and he could have his pick of any girl in
the school – why did it have to be her?
“Jason, please, can we go somewhere
private and talk about why you’re freaking out?” Kennedy’s voice was soft, and
filled with desperation.
private and talk about why you’re freaking out?” Kennedy’s voice was soft, and
filled with desperation.
“Is it true?” Jason asked. He towered
over Kennedy’s small frame, and if I hadn’t orchestrated this whole thing I
would’ve told him to back the fuck off and leave her alone. But I couldn’t.
Because she was the enemy.
over Kennedy’s small frame, and if I hadn’t orchestrated this whole thing I
would’ve told him to back the fuck off and leave her alone. But I couldn’t.
Because she was the enemy.
For as long as I could remember, my
father had warned me about the Monroe family. He told me to stay away from
them, that their family had hated ours since our forefathers had founded this
town. For a while, I listened, I stayed away, and I allowed my fathers apparent
hatred for the Monroe family to become my own. It wasn’t until after we
returned from this past summer that it all changed.
father had warned me about the Monroe family. He told me to stay away from
them, that their family had hated ours since our forefathers had founded this
town. For a while, I listened, I stayed away, and I allowed my fathers apparent
hatred for the Monroe family to become my own. It wasn’t until after we
returned from this past summer that it all changed.
Kennedy had changed. In just three short
months, she went from a gangly, dorky teenager to a gorgeous, stunning girl who
intruded my very thought, both in sleep and consciousness. She’d started school
a year earlier, making her younger than the rest of us, and what I thought she
lacked in social graces she definitely made up for in smarts. She embodied
everything I wanted, but couldn’t have. And that’s what had led me here.
months, she went from a gangly, dorky teenager to a gorgeous, stunning girl who
intruded my very thought, both in sleep and consciousness. She’d started school
a year earlier, making her younger than the rest of us, and what I thought she
lacked in social graces she definitely made up for in smarts. She embodied
everything I wanted, but couldn’t have. And that’s what had led me here.
“Is what true? I don’t know what’s
gotten in to you, but we can’t do this in front of the entire school.”
gotten in to you, but we can’t do this in front of the entire school.”
Kennedy’s voice brought me back to the
present, and I straightened, leaning against my locker on the opposite side of
the hallway.
present, and I straightened, leaning against my locker on the opposite side of
the hallway.
“Open your locker, Kennedy.”
I stiffened when Jason’s tone grew
harder, but reminded myself that I had to watch rather than get involved and
stop it.
harder, but reminded myself that I had to watch rather than get involved and
stop it.
Kennedy fiddled with the combination on
her locker, and as soon as it popped open, the photos fell out. They consisted
of pictures of Jason, close ups of his face, of him at practice, and I even
managed to get a few of him at home in his room. It was all very stalker-ish.
her locker, and as soon as it popped open, the photos fell out. They consisted
of pictures of Jason, close ups of his face, of him at practice, and I even
managed to get a few of him at home in his room. It was all very stalker-ish.
I’d outdone myself, and couldn’t help
the wicked grin on my face.
the wicked grin on my face.
“What the hell?” Jason bellowed, picking
up a few of the pictures scattered on the floor. “I can’t believe it, he was
right.”
up a few of the pictures scattered on the floor. “I can’t believe it, he was
right.”
My grin fell slightly, and I hoped to
God he didn’t mention my name.
God he didn’t mention my name.
“These aren’t mine,” Kennedy said
quickly. “I swear, Jason, they aren’t.” She reached out to grab his arm, but he
pulled away.
quickly. “I swear, Jason, they aren’t.” She reached out to grab his arm, but he
pulled away.
“I didn’t take these!” Kennedy held a few
pictures in her hands, and looked up at Jason as if he’d believe her. I knew he
wouldn’t. I’d made sure of it.
pictures in her hands, and looked up at Jason as if he’d believe her. I knew he
wouldn’t. I’d made sure of it.
“Then why are they on your locker?”
“I-I don’t know,” Kennedy replied.
With a shake of his head, Jason looked
between Kennedy and her locker on last time. “Dane was right,” – fuck – “You’re a freak.”
between Kennedy and her locker on last time. “Dane was right,” – fuck – “You’re a freak.”
Students laughed, and Kennedy slammed
her locker shut before running towards the girls’ bathrooms, tears glistening
on her face.
her locker shut before running towards the girls’ bathrooms, tears glistening
on her face.
It was a dick move, but that feeling of
morbid satisfaction uncurled itself in my stomach. It was just too easy.
morbid satisfaction uncurled itself in my stomach. It was just too easy.
“You actually did it.”
I looked to the side, and saw my best
friend Reid standing next to me.
friend Reid standing next to me.
“Of course I did.”
Reid sighed. “You are such an asshole.”
I pushed away from my locker, and
slipped the strap of my bag over my shoulder before heading towards my next
class.
slipped the strap of my bag over my shoulder before heading towards my next
class.
“I know.”
Kennedy – 14
years old
years old
The sound of laughter echoed behind me,
and finally died down when the bathroom door closed. I slipped into a stall,
and closed the toilet seat before sitting down and taking a breath. My heart
was racing, and my face was hot. Humiliation warmed my skin, and spurred the
tears that had started falling down my cheeks. I shouldn’t have been surprised,
but Dane had been quiet for the past weeks and I’d assumed his need to
embarrass me on a daily basis had finally been satisfied. Apparently he’d been
busy planning his latest prank.
and finally died down when the bathroom door closed. I slipped into a stall,
and closed the toilet seat before sitting down and taking a breath. My heart
was racing, and my face was hot. Humiliation warmed my skin, and spurred the
tears that had started falling down my cheeks. I shouldn’t have been surprised,
but Dane had been quiet for the past weeks and I’d assumed his need to
embarrass me on a daily basis had finally been satisfied. Apparently he’d been
busy planning his latest prank.
I wiped my eyes, and took my cellphone
from my bag. We weren’t allowed to keep our phones in our bags, but I always
kept it on silent, and on hand in case of emergencies. If anything happened at
school, they’d have to call my father, and I had to avoid that at all costs.
There was only person I could call when I needed help, only one person I knew
who would drop everything to be there for me.
from my bag. We weren’t allowed to keep our phones in our bags, but I always
kept it on silent, and on hand in case of emergencies. If anything happened at
school, they’d have to call my father, and I had to avoid that at all costs.
There was only person I could call when I needed help, only one person I knew
who would drop everything to be there for me.
I pulled up Charlie’s number, and waited
for him to answer. He was coming home from college for the weekend, and I hoped
he was close. I still had four hours of school, but I needed to leave now. I didn’t want to have to stay and
deal with any more crap. I’d had my fill for the day.
for him to answer. He was coming home from college for the weekend, and I hoped
he was close. I still had four hours of school, but I needed to leave now. I didn’t want to have to stay and
deal with any more crap. I’d had my fill for the day.
My brother’s voice came through the
phone, and I relaxed, if only a little. “Hello? Kenny?”
phone, and I relaxed, if only a little. “Hello? Kenny?”
“C-charlie…” My lip started trembling.
“Kennedy, what’s wrong?”
“Are you close?” I asked. “Can you come
get me, please?”
get me, please?”
“I’m ten minutes out, baby girl, you
hang tight.”
hang tight.”
My shoulders sagged in relief. “Okay,
I’m at school. I’ll meet you in the parking lot next to the sports field.”
I’m at school. I’ll meet you in the parking lot next to the sports field.”
“I’ll be there.”
I ended the call, and after righting
myself in the mirror, I checked the hallway to make sure everyone, including
the teachers, were in class. When it was clear, I snuck out, and quietly made
my way towards the back exit of the school. No one would see me, and I could
cut class for the rest of the day without anyone knowing until the teachers
took roll call. By then I’d be gone.
myself in the mirror, I checked the hallway to make sure everyone, including
the teachers, were in class. When it was clear, I snuck out, and quietly made
my way towards the back exit of the school. No one would see me, and I could
cut class for the rest of the day without anyone knowing until the teachers
took roll call. By then I’d be gone.
I never cut class, ever, but today I felt like I needed to. I needed to see Charlie,
and waiting four more hours wasn’t going to happen. I hadn’t seen him in almost
a month, and it had been unbearable without him.
and waiting four more hours wasn’t going to happen. I hadn’t seen him in almost
a month, and it had been unbearable without him.
As soon as his blue Ford F250 stopped in
the lot, he was out the door, and had his arms around me before I could say
anything.
the lot, he was out the door, and had his arms around me before I could say
anything.
I hugged him close, and breathed in his
familiar scent of leather, and pine. The girls always ate him up, but nothing
compared to having him as my big brother. He was all I really had, and had been
protecting me for most of my life.
familiar scent of leather, and pine. The girls always ate him up, but nothing
compared to having him as my big brother. He was all I really had, and had been
protecting me for most of my life.
“I’m here,” he breathed into my hair.
I pulled away, and wiped the fresh tears
that had slipped down my eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
that had slipped down my eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
He gave me his boy-ish grin, his eyes
bright and so alive. His hair, which was a darker shade of blonde, had grown,
and hung on his forehead. He was such a man now, but I still saw the little boy
who always bandaged up my ‘booboo’s, and the teenager who stayed with me the
first time I got my period because there was no one else who could do it.
bright and so alive. His hair, which was a darker shade of blonde, had grown,
and hung on his forehead. He was such a man now, but I still saw the little boy
who always bandaged up my ‘booboo’s, and the teenager who stayed with me the
first time I got my period because there was no one else who could do it.
“C’mon,” he tugged my hand, and helped
me into his truck. “We can grab some ice-cream, hit our favorite spot, and you
can tell me what has you looking like a hot mess.”
me into his truck. “We can grab some ice-cream, hit our favorite spot, and you
can tell me what has you looking like a hot mess.”
I giggled, and felt the weight of the
last month drift away as Charlie drove us away from school and into town. He
picked us up some ice-cream, and took me to the only spot he knew I loved more
than any other place. The lake.
last month drift away as Charlie drove us away from school and into town. He
picked us up some ice-cream, and took me to the only spot he knew I loved more
than any other place. The lake.
It was a ten-minute drive outside the
town limits, and at this time of year it was beautiful. Warm, and sunny, and
safe.
town limits, and at this time of year it was beautiful. Warm, and sunny, and
safe.
I laid out a blanket from Charlie’s
truck on the deck, and took a seat, dipping my toes in the water. Charlie sat
down next to me, his big arm around my shoulders, and pressed me against his
side.
truck on the deck, and took a seat, dipping my toes in the water. Charlie sat
down next to me, his big arm around my shoulders, and pressed me against his
side.
“Okay, kid. Tell me what Dane Winters
did this time.”
did this time.”
I looked up at him in surprise.
“Jewel called me,” he explained.
Jewel was Dane’s twin sister, and while
our families couldn’t stand each other, Jewel and I had managed to become
close. We could never hang out like normal best friends did, but we made it
work anyway.
our families couldn’t stand each other, Jewel and I had managed to become
close. We could never hang out like normal best friends did, but we made it
work anyway.
Charlie said her name with reverence, and
while I wanted to know what that was about, I didn’t want to pry. He would tell
me if he’d wanted me to know, and I left it at that. I had more pressing issues
that needed to be cleared up, and the only way I could do that was to lay it
all out.
while I wanted to know what that was about, I didn’t want to pry. He would tell
me if he’d wanted me to know, and I left it at that. I had more pressing issues
that needed to be cleared up, and the only way I could do that was to lay it
all out.
“Spill it,” Charlie said.
And so I did. I told him everything.
That day at the lake was one of my
favorite days, and I hadn’t known until much later in my teen life that it
would be one of the last memories I’d have with my brother.
favorite days, and I hadn’t known until much later in my teen life that it
would be one of the last memories I’d have with my brother.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tamsyn is a 22 year old blogger turned author from who has an insatiable hunger for New Adult Contemporary Romance novels, coffee and chocolate. When she’s not getting caught up in yet another steamy romance with a new book boyfriend, she can be found spending endless hours working away on her laptop. Tamsyn is a Brat when it comes to books and believes that every story, no matter how challenging, should have a Happy Ever After.
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