Twists & Turns (Lydia & Jerome Book 2)

By Olivia Williams Ball

Being in-love can be complicated. Add in sordid pasts and you make it even more so. But it’s that turmoil – that uncertainty – that also makes love exciting. What is true in life is the same in fiction. Lydia, a single mom to a young boy, finds the love of her life in Jerome, a recovering addict with a heart of gold. She falls head over heels for him – so much so that she becomes possessive. She starts to worry about what he is doing when he isn’t with her. This causes her to make bad decisions that cost her the relationship she so desperately wants.

Enter Phillip, the father of Lydia’s child.

Twists and Turns is about love lost and happiness gained. Lydia and the people that surround her learn full well what changes love can put people through.

Will Lydia be able to repair her relationship with Jerome? Will she reconcile with her ex-love Phillip? Is happiness to be found living alone? Read Twists and Turns and find out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Williams Ball
• Release date: May 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310723933

Olivia Williams Ball

I live in California with my husband. I enjoy writing and plan to write several more stories. Twists & Turns is my 3rd book.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I can’t believe my patient’s wife complained to Monica, saying that I was neglecting her husband. Can you believe that?

I glanced at Rhea as we headed to our cars, which were parked on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. Parking on the street was our best bet because it was closer to the department in the giant medical center where we both worked as nurses. The employee parking structure was further away and that was more than we wanted to take on after a long shift.

Really? Which one?

The older black man in room 514 with the foot ulcer.

But it seemed like you were in there all day to the point of neglecting your other patients. I even answered a couple of your call lights.

I know, and thanks.

Well, you’d do the same for me.

Anyway, I had only been gone for about twenty minutes, after giving him a pain shot and changing his dressing, plus listening to him call me Brown Sugar the entire time instead of my name.

Rhea chuckled. That’s cute.

I cut my eyes in her direction. Yeah, right. It got old quick. When his wife got there, neither one of them pressed the call button to let me know they needed me. She had the nerve to tell our supervisor that I had ignored her husband all day. I was so…

Rhea raised her brows and looked past me. Her eyes lit up as she grinned. Check out that guy…

I looked to see what man she was gawking at and then I suddenly felt as if something was caught in my throat. It was Jerome, approaching my car from the opposite direction. I stopped in my tracks.

You ok? Rhea paused, concern etched on her face.

I nodded, feeling a dull ache in my stomach. I’m… I took a breath. I’m ok.

Jerome reached my car. He leaned his roasted coffee colored body against it and crossed his arms and ankles as he waited. Our eyes locked from the distance.

Rhea shifted her eyes between me and Jerome. You know him?

I nodded, again. Yes.

Oh… Well alright then, girl… She gave a go-get-‘em smile. See you tomorrow.

My eyes were still connected with Jerome’s as I answered her. Yeah. Ok. I barely noticed her leaving. I didn’t see anything … except him.

Jerome wore gray dress slacks and a white long- sleeve shirt. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular arms that were covered in fine hair. I stopped a couple of feet in front of him. He looked puzzled. Why haven’t you taken my calls or answered my messages?

I fiddled with my purse-strap that was draped over my shoulder. Then I changed my stance, shifting my weight to one side, placing my hand on my hip. Why did you lie to me?

He squinted, looking confused. What?

There was no tennis tournament, Jerome. Why did you tell me that you were willing to try the celibate thing if you actually thought of it as a joke? What were you, laughing at me the whole time?

He lifted his body off the car and unfolded his arms. What are you talking about, Lydia?

I didn’t twist your arm, Jerome. You didn’t have to lie. Just man-up and tell me you’re not willing to do it, and we can end this now; especially since I’m not into sharing.

He stared at me like I had two heads. "There was a tournament, which I participated in. As a matter of fact, I won the match."

I shifted my weight to the other side, rolled my eyes and glared at him.

Is that why you’ve avoided me for two days? You think there’s someone else?

He looked surprised. Maybe even a little hurt. It was hard to resist but I stayed strong. I raised my eyebrows and folded my arms across my chest.

Lydia, I’ve been worried sick that something happened to you. I was going to drive out to your place if I hadn’t spotted your car.

My expression began to soften. Maybe he is telling the truth? I unfolded my arms and dropped them to my sides.

You know what, Lydia? I don’t know what you want…

Fear suddenly began creeping up my spine. I ran my fingers through one side of my shoulder-length hair. Well, I...

Jerome held his palm towards me like a stop sign. Go to the website of Saunders Park and you’ll see my name listed on the tournament roster for Sunday.

Saunders Park? I was confused.

He nodded, Yes. Saunders Park.

You said the park near you.

He nodded. "It is near me."

I stood quietly, puzzled.

There’re two parks in my area. Jerome frowned.

I squirmed, raking my hair again. Now he knows…he knows that Sunday morning I drove all the way from my condo in Covina to the park out here in Los Angeles, checking up on him, instead of trusting him. Oh. I shrugged. It’s just that…

He cut me off again, shaking his head. He gestured with his hand towards me. You know, I really wanted this to work.

He folded his arms over his chest, again and widened his stance. "You’re 33 years old, but you obviously aren’t as ready for a relationship as you claim to be. The other night, was perfect, Lydia, just being with you. I was amazed that we were finally back together again. It seemed like we had made a true commitment to each other that night. You’re the only woman I’ve wanted, since I met you—the only woman I desire to be with. But unfortunately… He sighed, glancing off, momentarily. You have these issues… It’s understandable that you were uncomfortable about me being a recovering addict even though I’ve been sober for eleven years. He nodded. Ok, I get that… Then it seemed like you decided to give me a try although you were still confused… He shrugged, more to himself than to me. I could feel the struggle I had put him through. He continued, You keep going back and forth, with…with… He shook his head, again. I don’t know, Lydia. You have fears and trust issues that you obviously need to deal with. He paused sighing again. I’m tired."

My body stiffened… I stopped breathing. He’s…he’s…he’s breaking up with me? Nooo…This can’t be happening… I love him… I tried cutting in. But Jerome we can…

He cut me off, shaking his head. No. This just isn’t going to work. I can’t do the back and forth thing, anymore. You haven’t shown me anything that says we want the same things.

Tears swelled in my eyes. What, what do you mean?

Jerome looked as if there was no use explaining, farther. I’ve had enough, he said looking away. I just can’t do this anymore.

My mouth hung open but I was too stunned to speak.

He gazed at me once more with tears in his eyes. Take care of yourself, Lydia. He turned and headed down the street to his car.

I gasped, standing in shock. Jerome! As desperation consumed me, my whole body shuddered.