Crossroads

By Megan Keith

Nick is about to head overseas on an adventure of a lifetime. It’s what he has always wanted, to travel the world, to experience new cultures, see the places he’s dreamed of for so long. He should be over the moon. Instead, he’s been in a slump ever since he lost his friend Em.

Nick is a player, always has been. The first time he ever wanted more from a girl he was shot down. So now he’s left licking his wounds. Emma made her choice and now Nick has to live with it.

Or does he? When he finds out that Emma is single after all, will he fight for her? Will he be able to convince her to give him a chance? And if he does, what will happen when he leaves?

Nick has reached a crossroads in his life - the girl or the dream.

Seems like an easy choice when the girl of his dreams is Emma. But what if she doesn’t see things the same way?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Keith
• Release date: Sep 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301639397

Megan Keith

I am an indie author, mother of three, wife of one. I live in a small town in country New South Wales, Australia and couldn't be happier about that.I love writing and hanging out with the family and I love listening to music LOUD!!!Reading is my addiction and I love books that are full of angst, heartbreak and breathtaking romance, tragedy, everyday issues and not-so-everyday fantasies. I love swoon-worthy bad boys and hot and steamy sex scenes, edge-of-your-seat drama, twists, turns and surprises. And most importantly, happily-ever-afters!

Book preview

This will be a habit of mine, so get used to it! I love to listen to music, it’s my favourite pastime besides reading, and I have to put music into my stories. So again I have compiled a list of songs that either feature in this book, inspired me or I imagined to be playing in the background of a particular scene. Of course, the list is in order of appearance and I hope you like these songs as much as I do, or my characters do, whatever. Enjoy!

Without You - David Guetta (featuring Usher)

This is What it Feels Like - Armin Van Buuren (featuring Trevor Guthrie)

Sorry - Buckcherry

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

Witchcraft - Pendulum

The Fear - Ben Howard

Crossfire - Brandon Flowers

Walking On A Dream - Empire Of The Sun

Clarity - Zedd (featuring Foxes)

Eyes Wide Open - Gotye

Wake Me Up - Avicii

Under The Gun - The Killers

All Is Not Lost - OK Go

Somewhere Only We Know - Keane

The Girl - City And Colour

Depth Over Distance - Ben Howard

Yeah 3X - Chris Brown

Don’t You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia (featuring John Martin)

I Need Your Love - Calvin Harris (featuring Ellie Goulding)

Just One Last Time - David Guetta (featuring Taped Rai)

Ghost - Sparkadia

Eyes - Rogue Wave

PROLOGUE

Emma

Seth left my apartment that Saturday night and I never heard from him again. I called in sick on Monday. I couldn’t face going to work. I felt positively wretched for what I had done to him. The look on his face was something I don’t think I will ever forget. There he was thinking we had a future that included marriage and babies and I broke his heart, giving him nothing in return.

I called in sick again on Tuesday, I was only planning to talk to our new receptionist, leave a message, but my boss Julia intercepted the call. She informed me that Seth was gone. He’d quit on Monday morning, cleared out his things and left. No notice. He told Julia about a job opportunity in Sydney he couldn’t turn down. Seth had apologised profusely for leaving without any notice and told Julia to keep an eye on me.

I hurt him and yet he was still considerate enough to be concerned about me…

It only broke my heart further.

On Wednesday, I drove to work and parked in Seth’s spot. Facing everyone was awkward, they all knew we were a couple and they all treated me with trepidation and kindness, thinking Seth had broken up with me. That he had up and left me. Dumped me for a job opportunity in another city. It only furthered my guilt. Eventually it ate away at me so much I told Sophie the whole story. I did so knowing she would get word out on my behalf, I didn’t need or deserve any sympathy. Soon word did get out that I was the bad guy. And the sympathy was taken away, replaced by whispers and meaningful glances, making me feel like the monster I truly was.

~1~

Emma

I can’t believe you talked me into this, I complain for the umpteenth time as we line up outside the nightclub.

Stop your whinging! You owe me a night out. You both do, Kat says from beside me.

How do you figure that? Kat’s cousin April asks from my other side.

You went clubbing without me last time! she says, pretending to be upset.

"Well you were on your honeymoon!" I roll dramatically my eyes as we reach the bouncer at the door. We all show our IDs and he lets us through.

That’s beside the point. Kat pouts at me over her shoulder.

The music is loud in the club. It’s dark and crowded. There’s a faint blue tinge to the smoky room and lights that flash in time to the beat. We make our way to the bar and order our drinks. I scan the crowd while waiting for our order. My heart is thumping as the music vibrates through me, though it’s not the music creating the nervous energy around me. It’s Nick. I’m worried I might bump into him here. He loves to go clubbing and even though I’m not sure if this is a club he goes too, I can’t help but be reminded of the last time I went dancing.

Will you relax? Kat whisper-yells in my ear. We’re here to have fun! Just chill.

I’m trying. I grab my drink and change from the top of the bar.

We walk over to a tall table that doesn’t have any stools around it. It seems they’ve all been taken away to be occupied by people at other tables, which is frustrating because my shoes are already killing me. I don’t know how I let April talk me into wearing them. She really has the power of persuasion down to a fine art. I had bought these shoes on a whim, months ago, but had only worn them once before tossing them in the back of my wardrobe. Now I remember why.

I look down at the strappy silver heels that are causing me grief. She is right though, they do look good and they do match the glittery black dress I’m wearing. It was also a spur of the moment purchase, but it was more recent - I bought it today when Kat and I went shopping. I had tried the tired excuse of not having anything to wear, therefore being unable to go clubbing. But of course Kat only insisted on a shopping spree to fix the issue. I should have known that would happen.

I’ve lost some weight this past couple of weeks and so I felt confident in the sexy little number, before I left the apartment that is. Now I’m here all I can think about is the possibility of seeing Nick, so all confidence has flown out the window. And the form-fitting and short dress I’m wearing now feels way too revealing.

"You are a girl after my own heart! April laughs, as I nervously finish off my drink way ahead of the other two. Well, if it helps you get out of this slump, I’m gonna buy you another. Same again ladies?" Kat and I both nod as April finishes off her drink and then heads back to the bar.

You okay? Kat asks, giving my arm a squeeze.

Yeah. I shrug my shoulders.

I know it’s only been two weeks, but you are allowed to have fun you know? You deserve a little fun Em, she says reassuringly. I force a smile her way. "For me?" she says in a whiny voice, batting her eyelashes at me, making my smile turn genuine.

Okay!

I am trying, but it’s hard to enjoy myself when I can remember exactly what Seth’s face looked like when I crushed him only a fortnight ago. I messed up so bad. I don’t deserve to be happy right now. I know I don’t want to go back to Seth, but it doesn’t make it any easier, the guilt is always there. I could have handled things better, maybe ended things earlier… I don’t know.

Then there’s Nick. I still can’t stop thinking about him and what could never be. I feel like my heart is torn in two different directions, guilt and pain, versus lust and regret. And there I was thinking I could just focus on my career and be happily single. Yeah, that ideal lasted for about a day! ‘Strong, independent woman’ my arse!

April squeals excitedly, putting drinks down on our table. Drink up girls, I wanna dance!

I do exactly that. Drinking away the night is the only thing that’s going to make me happy at this point. I slam my glass back down as the icy cold liquid slides down my throat, burning as it goes. It’s funny how a cold drink can feel like it’s burning. Seconds later, Kat’s glass follows mine. She gives me a smirk. I’ve got my drinking partner back. It’s been a while since Kat has let her hair down. The last time was her hens’ night. After that, the stress of organising a wedding took every waking moment. Now the honeymoon is over, and life is settling back into a regular pattern, it’s time for her to cut loose.

Let’s boogie! Kat squeals, raising her hands in the air and waving them about before bringing them back down to loop them through both mine and April’s.

We push our way to the centre of the crowded dance floor as one doof-doof tune bleeds into another. I get jostled by a large man who’s dancing overenthusiastically. He almost makes me fall and apologises straight away, but continues to dance like a crazy person, so I pull on Kat’s arm to move a little away from him. The last thing I need is a broken ankle.

I dance along with Kat and April and force myself to smile. I don’t want to bring Kat down on her first girls’ night out in ages. She’s the reason I’m here. Clubbing was the absolute last thing I felt like doing tonight, or ever, but Kat had insisted…

C’mon, I haven’t been out in ages! Kat whined.

Okay, okay! But do we have to go clubbing? Can’t we do something else?

Pretty please. She batted her eyelashes at me. I really want to go dancing.

Kat was my best friend, she knew I couldn’t say no to her. It’s not like I was going to do anything but mope around my apartment anyway. But clubbing? The last time I went to a night club it was fun… until I went home with Nick and he humiliatingly rejected me. He’s a DJ, so in my head, clubbing is always going to be associated with him.

As long as we don’t go to a club that Nick is working at. Kat rolled her eyes. I mean it Kat!

Alright! I’ll make sure he is not the DJ! She held her hands up in surrender.

Promise me this isn’t some ploy to get me to talk to Nick. You know how well it worked out the last time.

Will you let it go already? I’m sorry, okay? Well, I’m sorry that you got hurt, but I’m not sorry about helping you to realise what you really wanted. She looked at me with concern and then gave me a squeeze on my arm, And that is Nick, by the way.

It doesn’t matter if I want Nick, he isn’t the one for me.

I was still mad at Kat for interfering on my birthday. Not only did she invite him to the pub, but she left me to be driven home by him too. That night was yet another time he kissed me and left me reeling; left me feeling hurt, confused and rejected. And Kat had helped to orchestrate the whole thing.

Woohoo! Kat yells and pumps her arm in the air as a new song starts. She smiles at me and I can’t help but return her grin. Alright, I’m not that mad at her. She’s a good friend, her intentions were noble and she did force me to come to a conclusion. The next day I had made the tough decision to end things with Seth.

~2~

Nick

So I was out DJing again. I hadn’t been to a club for any other reason in weeks. When I’m not working at a club or the station, I’ve been at the gym or home. On occasion I’ve also been the third wheel with Dan and Jo too. Every other moment the past couple of weeks have been spent with Hailey. She's fun. I'm going to miss her when I leave for Greece.

Hey I’m DJ Stozie! I call into the microphone. I hope you’re all having a fun time! This is my last song for tonight.

I launch into the latest David Guetta track. I was a last minute fill in and didn’t need to bring my own gear tonight so it only takes me a second to collect my belongings. I head out of the booth just in time for Hailey to throw her arms around me.

Thanks so much for making me come out tonight! she breathes in my ear. She’s a little overexcited and when I smell the bourbon on her breath I know why. Even though I first met Hailey at a nightclub, she’s not that much into clubbing, and it had taken a bit of convincing to get her to come tonight. Obviously she was enjoying herself now though, thanks to some alcoholic courage. It was so good to see you at work Nick!

Thanks for coming, I say, squeezing her back.

~3~

Emma

My heart starts to race at the sound of his voice over the loud speaker. Immediately I seek out the location of the booth and spot him as he walking out of it. He looks good. I can’t believe he’s here. I know my eyes are bugging out of my head but I can’t stop staring. Not only is Nick the DJ tonight, but there he is, in my direct line of sight with his arms around a girl. And she’s very attractively smiling up at him.

I’m sorry Em! Kat yells in my ear. I swear he was not the DJ listed to play. You saw the posters outside the club too.

I swipe at my eyes as angry tears form in them. She’s right, we had both checked. There must’ve been a cancellation, it’s the only explanation. I stand still as a statue as I watch Nick put his arm around the girl’s shoulder and they head for the exit.

Em. Kat’s pulling on my arm. Please look at me.

When I can no longer see Nick, I turn to face her. The look on her face is a mixture of pity and pleading.

Who’s for another drink? I ask with false cheer. I don’t wait for a reply from either of the girls as I hastily make my way to the bar. I shove my way to the front, not caring about the toes I’m stepping on or the rudeness of my approach. I don’t care that I’m cutting in line. I yell out my order for a shot of tequila. Before I’ve even paid, I’ve drunk it and ordered another. Kat spins me back to face her.

I’m sorry Em. I swear I didn’t know.

I turn away from her. I feel the hot tears about to overflow from my eyes as I hand over my money to the bartender and swallow my second shot. I look Kat square in the eyes.

I want to go home.

She knows I’m not kidding, so she doesn’t argue. She exchanges a look with April who’s standing behind her and then we silently leave the club. We stand just as quietly while we wait for an available taxi. It’s uncharacteristically cold for this time of year. It’s November already when’s it going to warm up? I rub my arms to keep warm as I stare out onto the road, trying to rein in my feelings. So he was at the club with a girl? Big deal. He has every right to see whoever he wants. And he doesn’t want me.

I’m sorry Em, Kat says again.

Stop apologising! I snap and then turn towards her and speak more gently, "It’s not your fault. He wasn’t supposed to be working here."

Yeah, I know that. I’m still sorry you saw him though, Kat says, looking down at her feet.

I can’t believe he was with someone else! I swear he was so into you Em! April says. I don’t understand how he could be dating someone else already. She shakes her head in disbelief.

That’s just what he’s like. I shrug.

I knew Nick was never that interested in me. He only wanted what he couldn’t have. He obviously got over that. I’m not surprised to see him dating, or hooking up or whatever he was doing with that girl. It doesn’t make it hurt any less though.

***

Well that’s it for today then, unless anyone has anything to add? Julia asks, looking around the board room. Good. She stands up and promptly leaves. I watch absentmindedly as everyone follows.

Are you okay? I hear a gentle voice ask. Looking up, I see it’s our new receptionist, Renee. I glance around the room and realise we’re the only two left.

Yes, I’m fine. I blink at her. She starts to stack the cups and saucers from our Wednesday morning meeting. Standing up, I say, Here, let me help you with those.

Thanks.

We collect all the pieces of crockery and dump them in the kitchen. I start to fill the sink.

You don’t have to do that, Renee says, coming up behind me with the last of the dishes.

Force of habit. The phone rings. You can go grab that. I’ll do these.

Are you sure? I can come back and do them.

It’s fine. I smile at her. Go. She smiles back sweetly and then hastily walks out of the kitchen to answer the phone.

I return my attention to the sink. I’m volunteering to do the dishes, which used to be the worst part of my job when I was the receptionist. What is wrong with me? I’ve got plenty of work to do at my own desk. But I’m not excited about it. Surely, it’s better than doing dishes though? I shake my head. My work requires concentration, dishes don’t. I think that’s the problem. I haven’t been able to do a lot of concentrating lately. Ever since Seth left for Sydney and Nick left my life, I’ve had a hard time getting enthusiastic about anything. And since seeing Nick at the club last weekend, he's about the only thing on my mind.

~4~

Nick

So how have you been, Nick? Hailey asks when I enter through her doorway. Actually, you look like shit.

Thanks, I mumble as I take a seat in the armchair.

What’s wrong? You still obsessing over Em? she asks, passing me a glass of amber liquid. I know better than to ask what it is and gulp it down immediately. The alcohol burns my throat and I welcome the feeling.

Hailey, can we not talk about her? I ask, holding the empty glass out for a refill. Em is the last thing I want to talk about now. It’s bad enough that I can’t stop thinking about her still, even after all this time. I definitely don’t need to talk about her anymore; I’ve done enough of that.

You need to move on anyway, it’s been weeks. No longer than that- I raise my eyebrow at her in frustration and she stops talking. Too long. I’ve never even been in a relationship and yet I still feel like I’ve ended one. There’s no way I can move on. Not yet. Okay, okay. So tell me more about where you plan to travel. I love hearing about that.

I sigh with relief knowing I can count on Hailey to keep me occupied for the next couple of hours.

***

Hey, wake up. I get a not-so-gentle nudge.

What? I keep my eyes shut. I don’t want to wake up. I much prefer the dreams to the reality.

Nick, you need to get up. I’ve got to get to uni. Don’t you have work at lunch time or something? I blink my eyes open and find Hailey inches above me.

What’s the time? I ask groggily.

Almost eleven, she replies. Hey, I’ve really got to go. Can you lock up when you leave?

Yeah sure. I slowly sitting up, my head pounding. Hey Hailey, thanks for last night.

No probs. Anytime you want to drown your sorrows and crash on someone’s couch I’m ya girl. Gotta run. See ya! She slams the front door and I flinch when it hurts my head.

I note that I have a Care Bears blanket on and give out a small chuckle. That was nice of Hailey to tuck me in, she’s a good mate. I don’t remember lying down or taking off my shoes either. I wonder what time I passed out. I begrudgingly put on my shoes and remove myself from Hailey’s couch.

I use Hailey’s toilet and then lock up to race home for a quick shower before my Friday afternoon shift at the train station.

~5~

Emma

I pull my earphones out when the train begins to slow. I permanently took over Seth’s car park at G & C after he left and have been driving to work every day. I actually miss catching the train, having that time to ‘be’, to exist and do nothing but listen to music on my iPhone and drown out everything around me. But at the same time I couldn’t face seeing Nick. This morning though, my car wouldn’t start, the battery died and I was left with no choice but to catch the train to work. Luckily for me Nick doesn’t work on Friday mornings. Unluckily for me, it’s not morning anymore.

As the train pulls into the station I instantly feel tense. I haven’t spoken to Nick in almost a month, since the day after my birthday. And I haven’t seen him since that night a couple of weeks ago at the club, with that girl.

I glance in the direction of the kiosk with the hope that it’s already closed. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that is. I walk past it with my heart still pounding, I haven’t been here for so long now and it seems weird not to see him. I’m almost at the stairs that lead out of the station, almost free and clear, when I hear him speak behind me.

Well if it isn’t Emma Taylor. I freeze on the spot, his deep voice vibrating through me. "Aren’t you going to say hello, old friend?"

His tone is icy and laced with sarcasm. I feel the heat prickle up my back as the anger takes over. Why does he always have such an instant effect on me, good or bad?

Hi Nick, I say, as casually as I am capable of, when I turn to face him. Of course, he’s as gorgeous as ever, and he takes my breath away. How are you?

Oh just peachy, he says, in an unfriendly tone that makes me cringe. He scratches his perfectly stubbled chin. You’re looking well. He looks me up and down, but I can tell he doesn’t really believe that. I know for a fact I don’t look well. My hair is dirty and I have permanent grey bags under my eyes these days. What’s it been, like a month since I last saw you? he asks with a false pleasantness, making it obvious that he doesn’t really want to chat.

Maybe since you’ve seen me, but I’ve sure as hell seen you in that time... Yep, I say, walking away, disheartened at the confirmation that we have lost our friendship for good. We can’t even be civil to one another. Well, it’s been nice chatting with ya, I say over my shoulder in the same icy tone he has given me.

I walk a few more steps before he groans loudly, and then I hear his footsteps behind me.

How are you really Em? he asks, a little more pleasantly, falling into step beside me.

Fine, I answer, as I usually do whenever anyone asks me. I don’t look at him. I can’t bear it, because I know if he sees the hollow look in my eyes he’ll know I’m lying.

Good. So Seth’s treating you well then?

I turn my head in his direction as we continue to walk. He’s staring ahead, not looking at me. I haven’t spoken to Seth since I broke up with him. Since he walked out, the same day I last saw Nick.

No-

None of my business, Nick says, cutting me off. I know.

That’s not what I was going to say but

Reviews for Crossroads

[kate.good · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Firstly, I would like to say that Megan Keith has grown SO much in her writing between her first book and this book. In Finding my way, there was a bit too much information. I think that's a common issue with new writers...determining the right amount of story to share. It's either too much or too little. The level of detail is so hard to get right! In Crossroads, Megan found it. It's not too much, not to little...it's just right.

On to the book. If you haven't read Finding My Way, you should. It really gives you the groundwork for Emma and Nick's relationship. We start Crossroads right were Finding My Way left off. Seth is gone and the spark between Nick and Emma is still hot as hell. Except Nick is leaving. Just when they find their way to each other, will it all have to end?
They play a game of "friends with benefits" to mitigate the chances of broken hearts...but in the end, they are more than that, and they know it. Is it better to risk a broken heart and enjoy the now? Or to walk away before you are all in? That's the question that they have to answer.
I have to say, Emma frustrates me. SO many times I want to shake her and smack her upside the head and scream "communicate!! You damn fool!!!" Ugh. I felt the same thing in the first book. She is just SO, so, so bad at clearly communicating, jumping to conclusions and not asking questions. She instead goes into instant pissed off or shut-out mode. Frustrating as hell. Thankfully, in this book she seemed to mature throughout the book, especially toward the end. She finally figured it out. Thank the lord!
I really like Nick. Yes, he's a reformed player, man-whore...whatever. When he is in, though? He is IN. All in. I love that.
The sexy time was ratcheted up in this book as well. Which makes sense because Emma is finally with a man who sets knickers on fire! No more of that boring sweet Seth sex.
Thankfully in this book we do get an HEA. It's not a cliffy.
The next book in the series will focus on Seth. I am hoping he finds a girl who brings him out of his save (boring) shell and makes him go a bit wild!

[uanbookaddict · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After Finding My Way, we are now left at the “crossroads” of a love that may or may not be able to overcome. Em tries her best to hold on to the love she has for Nick. However, Nick has a hard time allowing that love to overcome the obstacles of things that he never thought would be obstacles.
These two have to face hard reality in having your dream may not be all rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes in life, the hard decisions aren’t made easily. These two have been through so much to not get everything they want. But you are lead into having the question of them possibly not wanting the same thing? Or maybe they are a little delusional about how things can work out. Either way, you are left with your gut twisting and your heart swelling for these two characters. Taking the evolving journey of these two characters growing and learning about themselves, their wants, and their love is a journey you won’t regret taking.