Shattered: Family by Choice, #21

By Robin Nadler

A school dance.

A new romance beginning to grow.

A moment in time that can never be changed.

The results are tragic.

The happiness is gone.

Their lives are shattered.

Now it’s time to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move forward.

If only it were that simple.

Unfortunately, the past begins to rear its ugly head and questions nobody wanted to answer are asked.

It’s not simply a matter of talking about it. For David and Bill, it’s a conversation a lifetime in the making.

For Sabrina and David, it’s a rift that might never be healed.

For Tommy and Brittany, it’s a wound that has finally healed. Now it is ripped open again, with no warning.

Ian is destroyed.

Cassie comes home.

How can the family help each other heal when everything has been

Shattered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin Nadler
• Release date: Sep 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536542516

Robin Nadler

Robin Nadler is a high school teacher, romance author, animal enthusiast and sarcasm aficionado. When not standing in front of a classroom of teenagers, she is immersed in the lives of the characters she creates. As a fighter of Multiple Sclerosis, Robin continuously pushes the boundaries of what is expected of her and what she knows is always possible. Her goal is to inspire and share a love of humor, romance and passion. For information on her Family by Choice series, as well as her current works in progress, please connect with her on any of the following platforms. Facebook: facebook.com/nadlersnovels Twitter: @buka163090 Instagram: rnadler103 Blog: www.nadlersnovels.com

Book preview

Table of Contents

Shattered (Family by Choice, #21)

Chapter One:

Chapter Two:

Chapter Three:

Chapter Four:

Chapter Five:

Chapter Six:

Chapter Seven:

Chapter Eight:

Chapter Nine:

Chapter Ten:

Chapter Eleven:

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen:

Chapter Fourteen:

Chapter Fifteen:

Chapter Sixteen:

Chapter Seventeen:

Chapter Eighteen:

Chapter Nineteen:

Chapter Twenty:

Chapter Twenty-One:

Chapter Twenty-Two:

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Chapter Twenty-Four:

Chapter Twenty-Five:

Chapter Twenty-Six:

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

Chapter Twenty-Eight:

Chapter Twenty-Nine:

Chapter Thirty:

Chapter Thirty-One:

Chapter Thirty-Two:

Chapter Thirty-Three:

Chapter Thirty-Four:

Chapter Thirty-Five:

Chapter Thirty-Six:

Chapter Thirty-Seven:

Chapter Thirty-Nine:

Chapter Forty:

Shattered

Family by Choice

Book 21

By Robin Nadler

Copyright 2016 by Robin Nadler

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and plot are all products of the author’s imagination and are used as fiction. Nothing is to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

To the real Desi... May you always know your strength.

**********************************************************************************************************

Chapter One:

I don’t understand where she was, David said to his dad as they drove to the school. Nobody was home at Desi’s house when they got there and she wasn’t answering her phone. 

I called your mom and she said she hadn’t seen her, but she would look.

We weren’t that late. What if she thinks I punked her? She was really worried about going with me. She has a really low opinion of herself and I don’t want her to think I would do something like that, David rambled and Bill smiled at his son. 

Don’t make a whole story up in your head. It’s entirely possible her dad dropped her off and the lines got crossed. Let’s just go to the dance and see if she’s there.

David looked out the window and couldn’t get Bee’s words out of his head. 

He went after me to hurt you and he might do something else.

Nobody knew he was seeing Desi, so she should be safe.

That’s what he kept telling himself.

They pulled into the parking lot and made their way inside. 

******

Julie looked everywhere and asked around, but nobody had seen Desi. 

It’s possible she just wasn’t there. 

Julie smiled as a bunch of girls came out of the bathroom and she walked in to make sure there weren’t any problems. She was assigned to stay by the bathrooms for now. 

She was dying to know what Bee and David talked about, but judging from Bee’s demeanor on the car ride here, she didn’t think it went well for her. 

She knew her son was smitten with Desi. 

Julie really liked Desi. She was spunky and sweet and funny and she carried a lot of heavy burdens. 

Julie recognized herself in Desi and she hoped that a friendship with David might help her to smile a little more. 

I asked around, but nobody has seen her, Sabrina came up and sighed. I am going to look a little more and see if I can find any of her friends.

Okay, thanks. I know it’s weird, but David is worried.

Bee smiled. 

It’s what I should be doing. He deserves to be happy and I owe him more than simply looking for his date.

Julie squeezed Bee’s arm and shook her head. 

You don’t owe him anything other than being his friend.

Bee sniffed and nodded before she walked through the mess of teens. Julie smiled at the appreciative stares Bee garnered. She was like her father, commanding attention wherever she went. Sabrina was also kind and compassionate, like Jack and Stephanie.

Bill walked up to her and she smiled at him while she filled him in. 

David is looking for her, too. I wish I had her dad’s number. It’s possible he took her out for dinner to soothe what she thinks is a broken heart.

Julie grinned. 

You’re right, I didn’t think of that.

They stood at their post by the bathroom and looked around. 

*******

I’ll be back before you know it, Desi’s mom told her the night before she left. 

I don’t want you to go. I know I should be strong and brave but I need you, mom. I don’t want anything to happen to you, she said and wiped her eyes. 

Cassie held her daughter’s face in her hands and nodded. 

I know, baby, but I will do everything in my power to come home to you and daddy. You are my best blessing and I adore you. We will be able to talk and skype and I will be home before you know it.

Desi nodded. 

Okay.

I love you, Cassie said. 

I love you, too, mom, Desi said and hugged her tightly. 

Why was she remembering that right now? Why was her mom running through her mind?

Desi wondered where her mother was at this moment. Was she safe? Was she hurt? Would she be home soon?

Would she know what happened?

She lay there in the dirt and looked up at the sky. 

Maybe she was looking at the same stars tonight? Maybe she would know that it was time to come home. 

She really needed her mom. 

She needed help. 

******

The dance was ending and most of the kids were leaving when David sat with Sabrina and ran his hand through his hair. 

I’m sorry I messed things up. You were late because of me and I promise I’ll tell Desi that when I see her.

David smiled at her. 

It’s not your fault. I appreciate you telling me everything. I’m just worried about her.

Bee nodded, the pang in her heart growing. 

David was really into Desi. 

They both heard a loud commotion and saw Derek and Drew and Jacob coming in from the back of the gym. David stood up and Bill and Julie walked over with some other chaperones. 

The smell of alcohol was overpowering. 

What were you doing out there? Those doors should have been locked, Principal Lock said. Are you all drunk?

The boys seemed to sober up quickly when they were in the presence of the adults and none of them said anything. 

Sit down while I call your parents, he said and David and Sabrina looked at Bill and Julie. 

Have any of you boys seen Desi? Julie asked them. 

Drew stood up and proceeded to vomit on the floor. 

Dude, that’s nasty, Derek said as he stood up, his clothes disheveled and his fly down. 

Why are your pants undone? Bill asked him.

Derek zipped his fly and said nothing.

They looked up when Ian walked into the room. 

Julie? Hi, I was waiting outside for Desi, but she never came to the car. Is everything okay?

Ian? Did you drop Desi off earlier? she asked. 

He looked at her and then at David. 

Yeah. She got a text from David to meet her here instead of him picking her up. I dropped her off at 7 and then went to check on some patients. She never texted me to come get her earlier, so I figured she was having fun. Is everything okay?

I never sent her a text, David muttered to himself.

Sure you did, Derek snickered and then cleared his throat.

David looked at him and ran out back, through the doors the boys had come in from. 

David, wait, Bill called after him and followed. 

What’s going on? Where is my daughter? Ian yelled as he followed after Bill and David.

Sabrina was frozen in her seat, a million terrible thoughts running through her mind. 

Julie went to her and they waited while the other chaperones dealt with the three boys. 

******

David raced through the field out back of the school and Bill followed. 

Desi? Desi are you here? he yelled.

Ian stood there, trying to process that something was wrong. He watched the other people calling for his daughter and he couldn’t breathe. He looked through the trees and bushes and tried to focus on simply finding her. 

David was beginning to panic. He knew the area where kids always went when they were skipping class and when he got there, he saw her foot first. 

Oh no, no, no, please, he said slowly as he walked in and saw her lying there in the dirt, her dress half off and her eyes staring blankly at the sky.

Help! I found her! he cried and Bill and Ian raced over. 

Get away from her! Ian screamed. Desi? Baby what happened? he gathered her in his arms while Bill called for help. 

Go get your mother, he said to David who was frozen.

He nodded wordlessly and ran back to Julie. 

We need help, he said through a colorless face and Julie nodded, nothing needing to be said. 

David? Is she okay? Sabrina asked. 

David turned to look at Derek and he ran at him. 

What the hell did you do? What did you do? he grabbed Derek and the other adults pulled him off. 

Derek didn’t say anything and Sabrina went to David, standing with him and trying to help. 

The ambulance is here, one parent said and they led them to the back. 

Julie was standing with Bill and they watched wordlessly as the paramedics moved Desi to the gurney and Ian raced off with her. 

Bill filled the detectives in on what he knew and told them they would be at the hospital. He looked at his wife. 

Let’s take David to the hospital and be with Ian.

Julie nodded and they walked to Sabrina and took her with. 

*******

Brittany and Tommy sat with Naomi after the party and were listening to how amazing it was. She and Jimmy danced and ate and she had the most fun she’s ever had. 

Mike and Jade and the twins sat with her and made sure everything was okay, but it didn’t matter. 

Naomi was in love. 

Tommy couldn’t help but smile at how happy his daughter was and he and Brittany laughed as she kept thinking of more things to tell them. 

She finally couldn’t fight the sleep anymore, and Brittany helped her clean up and go to sleep. 

I was hoping she wouldn’t have such a good time, Tommy said when Brittany sat on the couch with him. 

Why?

He looked at her. 

Because now she’s going to want to do it again.

She laughed and jumped when her phone rang. 

Hi, she smiled when she saw it was her brother. Oh no, really? Okay, I’ll call Jade and we’ll be there in a few. Okay. I understand. Love you, too.

What’s wrong? Tommy asked as she hung up. 

There was a sexual assault at the high school dance. Bill wants me to meet him at the hospital.

It wasn’t Sabrina, was it?

No, it was David’s date, Desi.

Tommy paled. 

Desi Yearling? he stood up quickly. 

I don’t know her last name, Brittany said. Why?

When you get there, will you please let me know? She might be one of my patients.

Brittany nodded. 

Of course.

******

Jade was exhausted after the party, but when Brittany called, she didn’t hesitate. Her heart broke for what this girl was going through and she vowed to comfort her in any way she could. 

She and Brittany arrived and saw Bill sitting with David and Julie sitting with Sabrina. Brittany had looked at the chart and told Bill to call Tommy and tell him the last name.

I’ll let you know what I can when I can, Brittany said and Bill nodded. 

They walked into the room and saw a young girl lying on the bed with a man next to her. 

Hi, I’m Dr. Brittany and this is Nurse Jade. Can you tell me what happened?

Desi still stared ahead and Ian looked at them.

She won’t say anything. She hasn’t moved since we found her. What am I going to do? She’s my little girl?

Jade went to him and touched his arm. 

Come walk with me to the lobby while Dr. Brittany speaks with your daughter. We are going to do everything we can to help her and I promise, when we are done with the exam, you can come back and sit with her.

Bill stood up when he saw Ian and walked over. 

I’ll sit with him until you are ready, Bill said. 

Jade nodded and went back to the room. 

David stood up and walked to him. 

I’m so sorry, he began. 

Get away from me. This is all your fault. Get the hell away from me!

Bill looked at his son and Julie walked over. 

David, come on and sit with us.

He nodded and did as she asked. 

Ian paced and didn’t let anyone near him. 

*****

Brittany sat on the side of the bed and looked at Desi. 

Desi? My name is Brittany and I want you to know you are safe now. I am a doctor and this is Jade, she is a nurse. We would like to help you clean up and make sure everything is safe for you.

Desi didn’t say anything and Brittany nodded. 

You are going to get through this.

Desi finally looked at her. 

I don’t think I want to.

I know that, but there are a few things you need to realize. The first thing is that you survived. The second is that you have choices. You can choose how to move forward from this moment on. What happened to you was out of your control, but this is the time where you take it back. You choose to fight and you choose to live. You choose to take your life back and you let us help you.

Desi blinked and the first tears spilled over her cheeks. 

Everything hurts.

Brittany took her hand and nodded, knowing she meant so much more than physically.

I know. I can also promise you that we will help with that, too. It’s important that we do an exam and clean up any cuts you have. We need to let the police know if there is anything we can find to help them catch who hurt you.

Desi nodded and her tears fell. 

Do you remember what happened? Was there any time where you lost consciousness? Brittany asked.

Desi looked at her. 

Why do you think David left me alone? Why would he ask me to the dance if he didn’t want to go?

Brittany didn’t know the details, but she also knew Desi needed to talk about what happened. 

David is here. After we take care of you, I know he would really like to see you.

Desi looked at the two women. 

I don’t want anyone to see me. I think I’m hurt down there. I think something ripped, she said as her tears fell.

Brittany looked at her with nothing but compassion. 

I’m going to help you, okay? I’m going to make sure you are taken care of and nobody else needs to see.

I told him to stop, she said softly. I don’t know why he didn’t listen.

Desi, can you tell me what he did?

Her blue eyes met Brittany’s.

He raped me. The other boys kept watch until he was done. They all stayed there and drank while I lay in the dirt. I think they thought I was unconscious, but I wasn’t. I just acted like I was. I said no, but then when he held me down, I never made another sound. I felt like my body was separate from the rest of me. I didn’t move. I couldn’t move.

Thank you for telling me, Brittany said. We are going to make sure you get through this, okay? I promise, you’re not alone. How about you let Jade help you change into a gown and then I can do the exam? We will need to take pictures as well and then you can tell the officer everything you remember.

Okay. Why do you need pictures?

The police will need to document everything. I’m so sorry.

Okay.

I’ll go and tell the female officer to come in and she can do what she needs to do before we start.

I’ll stay with you while the officer is here, okay? Jade said. 

Desi stared at the ceiling again and Jade went to help her change. Brittany walked to the lobby. 

How is she? Ian rushed over. 

Come to the conference room with me for a minute, she said and walked him to the area. We are going to perform an exam and clean Desi up. The police will take pictures and after we are done, they will take down her statement.

Did she say what happened? he asked in a tiny voice. 

Brittany nodded. 

She said she was raped.

Oh God, Ian said as he picked up a chair and threw it. 

Bill ran in at the commotion and Brittany shook her head that she was okay and he needed to stay back. 

How could this happen? There were chaperones. It was at school. She’s only 16 years old, he said and sank to the floor. 

Brittany saw Bill step back but not leave the room. She went to Ian and took his hand. 

I’m so sorry this happened, but I need for you to listen to a few things. Desi needs your support right now and not your anger or blame or pity. She needs to know you can handle this or she will shut down and internalize this more than she already has. She needs to know you are a safe place for her.

How am I a safe place? Look what I let happen to her?

Brittany sighed and stood up. 

I need to go help her, but we will come get you when the exam is over. I’m so sorry.

Ian looked at her as if another thought suddenly occurred to him. 

She has cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. We were supposed to check back into the hospital on Monday. Dr. Williams is her oncologist.

Bill was stunned and Brittany nodded. 

I will let him know what’s happening.

Ian sat on the floor and put his head in his hands as Bill walked to him while Brittany left. 

Leave me alone, Ian said. 

Bill nodded. 

We’ll be outside the door if you need us.

Ian didn’t respond and Bill walked out and saw Jack and Stephanie sitting with Sabrina. Julie was with David and everyone was quiet. 

What happened? Is she okay? David asked when Bill approached. 

Aunt Brittany is helping her. I think it’s important that we let Desi talk to you when and if she wants.

She was raped. I know it. I can’t believe this! David yelled and ran out. 

Sabrina cried in Stephanie’s arms and Bill went after his son. 

Julie looked up as Tommy came over to them. 

Hey, where is she?

Britt is in with her. Why are you here? 

Tommy sighed. 

Desi is my patient.

Dr. Williams? What are we going to do? Ian asked as he walked out. 

Tommy stood up and walked to him. 

We are going to do everything we can to get her through this.

Chapter Two:

Bill walked onto the roof and saw David sitting in the corner. He didn’t even know how to begin this discussion, but he knew that no matter what, he would be there for his son.

David? he said as he sat down next to him.

David angrily wiped his tears away and looked at his dad.

They deserve to die. I want them dead.

Bill sighed.

I know. I also know that what Desi needs right now is a friend and not your anger.

David turned to him and his face was incredulous.

A friend? What kind of friend lets this happen? Did you know she had never been to a dance before and I made her come. I told her I would be careful with her and look at what happened? I brought this on. Derek was angry because of me. He went after her because of me. This happened because of me. I can’t ever change that! he screamed and Bill nodded.

That’s what they want you to do.

David took a deep breath and exhaled.

What?

People like Drew and Derek and others like that want you to blame yourself. They do things with the idea that other people will decide it was their fault. They will make Desi think she asked for it. They will blame you because you decided to move on from Bee. They will make everything else responsible when the only thing that is responsible is them. They chose to do this. They chose to become predators. They chose to hurt someone and nobody else is responsible for that.

How does that change anything?

It doesn’t change what happened, but it changes the power they have over it. You blaming yourself gives them more power. You need to understand that they will pay for this, but you need to let it go. You need to be there for Desi and show her that this doesn’t change how you see her. You need to help her and not focus on the pieces of shit who did this.

David didn’t stop his tears.

How will she ever look at me and not think of this?

Bill put his hand on David’s shoulder.

My concern is that you look at yourself and see the man I know you are. Show her that we are better than violence. Be the person you are and she will be better because of that.

David nodded.

Do you think she will be okay? She wouldn’t even say anything.

She needs time and patience. Your Aunt Brittany will help her and when she’s ready, she will talk. I think she will get there, but it’s going to take time.

I just want to talk to her. I just want her to know I still want to be with her.

Bill smiled and nodded.

Maybe we should just let her know that?

Okay, David said. I think her dad hates me.

Bill thought of what he heard Ian say and he looked at his son.

How would he react when he knew the truth about her health?

******

Brittany sat and held Desi’s hand after everything was done. Jade went to take the tests to the lab and Desi was hesitant to see her father.

He loves you and he wants to be with you, Brittany said. There is no right or wrong way to handle any of this and you can only do what you feel comfortable with. Just know you aren’t alone.

Desi looked at her and nodded.

Thank you for staying with me.

Brittany smiled and shrugged.

I think you’re worth staying with.

There was a knock on the door and Tommy stood there. His heart broke when he saw Desi pull her blanket up to her neck.

I’m sorry to bother you, but I wanted you to know I was here if you need anything,  he said softly.

Desi nodded.

Hi Dr. Tommy, she said. Did my dad call you?

Brittany smiled at her.

I did. Dr. Tommy is my husband.

Desi looked between them and smiled a little.

I’ve been sitting with your dad and he really wants to see you. I told him I would ask if that’s okay. I’ll tell him you’re asleep if you don’t want to.

Desi looked at Brittany and nodded.

I would like to see him.

Okay, great. I’ll be back.

Brittany stood up and Desi exhaled.

Do you think I will be able to get through this?

The beautiful redhead didn’t miss a beat.

Without a doubt in my mind.

And you’ll be here with me?

Every step of the way.

Desi lay back and took a deep breath.

Okay. I believe you.

Tommy stood at the door with Ian and Brittany walked to them.

We’ll be right down the hall if you need anything.

Ian didn’t say anything, he just went to his daughter and pulled her into a hug.

Daddy’s here, baby. I love you so much.

Desi started to cry and finally allowed someone to comfort her. Brittany stood there for a minute and then walked to the office with Tommy. When they went inside, she picked up her stapler and threw it across the room. She picked up the charts and tape and anything she could and tossed it all. Tommy stood there and didn’t stop her. Finally she collapsed onto the couch.

He sat next to her and she wiped her face.

Fuck.

He smoothed her hair back and nodded.

Yup.

Did they catch the guy who did this? She remembers it all.

Tommy nodded.

Bill said they have the three boys in custody. He was waiting on word about charges.

Good.

Are you okay?

She looked at him and shrugged.

I’m fine, just angry. She has cancer?

Yeah. We were going to start immunotherapy on Monday, but now I don’t know. I need to see how this effects her system.

Is there a mother in the picture?

She’s in Iraq, has been for the past year. Her name is Cassie. I treated Desi when she was six, that’s when the cancer first came up. She’s been in remission for the past eight years.

Brittany leaned against him and he put his arm around her.

Sometimes I hate this world.

He kissed her forehead and nodded.

Me too.

******

Jack was looking out the window of the hospital when Stephanie walked over to him. She wrapped her arm around his middle and looked up at him.

You okay?

He shook his head.

That could have been Sabrina.

Stephanie nodded.

I know. I think the worst part is that she knows that, too.

I knew he was a punk when he came over to the house. How could I let her go out with him? Then he manhandles her and threatens her and what did I do? Nothing. I should have done something and maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

Stop it. This isn’t your fault. We can only do what we think is right in the moment. We didn’t think he would do something like this, and we needed to trust our daughter when she asked us to stay out of it. None of us saw this coming, Stephanie said.

Jack sighed.

We should go home.

Stephanie looked at Sabrina who was still in her dress. She had been crying and she knew her daughter was struggling.

I think we need to have a talk with our daughter.

Jack nodded.

They walked over to Bee and Stephanie took her hand.

Let’s go to daddy’s office.

Sabrina nodded and got up, walking with her parents.

Julie watched them leave and felt better when she saw Bill and David come back. David sat down and Bill walked to his wife.

Anything new?

Ian is in with her. I don’t know anything else.

Tommy walked out and looked at David as he walked to his sister.

"We are going to