Legacy

By L.P. Maxa

WHERE THE HEART IS

Children of famous rock band, The Devil’s Share, Beau Cole and Halen Connor have known and loved each other all their lives. There was no one Beau wanted to be with more than Halen, no one who would ever have his heart. Four years older than his girl, Beau had vowed to keep their status as best friends until Halen was eighteen. But at sixteen Halen—beautiful, willful, stubborn Halen—wanted more, and Beau has never been able to deny Halen anything. And that was his mistake. He knew better, and she deserved better, so he left, trampling both their hearts to dust. Now, two years later, Beau must return home, and seeing Halen is either going to kill him or save his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781944262853

L.P. Maxa

L.P. lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, daughter, three rescue dogs, and one adopted cat. The first group of chickens met with a sad and unexpected death. They have been replaced. The dwarf goats are a story for another day. And now there are ducks. Writer, business owner and office manager, L.P. says she loves to read as much as she loves to write. Reading a good book is her reward after writing one. In her spare time—ha!—she fosters puppies for a rescue organization based in Austin. Connect with L.P. – lpmaxa.wordpress.com facebook.com/pages/LP-Maxa/1442560722667127 twitter.com/lpmaxa instagram.com/lpmaxa

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Prologue

Beau

Twelve Years Old

I was twelve and I was pretty sure I was in love with my eight-year-old cousin. I promise you it wasn’t as backwoods as it sounded. Halen wasn’t actually my cousin. We weren’t related by blood or anything. We’d just been raised that way. All the Devil’s Share kids were raised as a family. But I had four other girl cousins and I didn’t feel the same way about them as I did about Halen.

Halen was the first person I wanted to see in the morning. Halen was the person I always looked for when I thought something was funny—always checking to see if she was laughing too. She was the person I turned to when I was feeling down, or if I needed to talk. And I thought she was beautiful. Now, don’t get me wrong; objectively, all the girls in my family were pretty. But Halen? When I watched her walk into a room it made my heart flutter.

I may’ve been only twelve, but I was almost positive that all those things I felt amounted to being in love. It wasn’t something I chose. You see, being in love with Halen, it wasn’t easy. For starters, if my Uncle Dash knew, he’d kill me. Halen was too young for me, too good for me. She was so fun, so amazing. Everyone wanted to be around her. She was contagiously happy.

What are you doing up here being all sulky?

I smiled when her head popped into the tree house. I wasn’t being sulky. I was hiding from her. Trying to get some distance, some perspective. Because, as in love with her as I was, I knew I could never tell her. Never act on it—and that stung sometimes.

I’m working, Sweets. I held up the camera in my hand, the one I had pointed out the tiny window, capturing the sunset. My Aunt Lexi paid me for the shots that she used. Some of them she’d post to the Riffraff website, some she’d sell as stock. She said I was the youngest, most talented photographer she’d ever seen. And that was saying something. Because my Aunt Lexi was world renowned.

Halen moved to sit next to me, looking out and seeing the same beauty that I did. There is great light from here. I let myself look at her and I couldn’t help but grin. I turned my camera, capturing her gorgeous fresh face in the dying light. It’s Friday—be my date?

Friday family dinner. It was tradition, and it was something you didn’t miss. If you wanted to see your friends, you did it after. Sometimes I daydreamed about being her date for real. Taking her out, telling the world that she was all mine. Strolling into the house, my arm around her and our parents being happy about it. I sighed as I got to my feet, holding my hand out. Let’s go. When she put her palm in mine, my heart did that stutter thing again. I helped her climb out of the treehouse and then let go of her, choosing to ruffle her hair instead. I had a plan when it came to Halen. Fake it till you make it. We’d be friends, we’d be family; we’d be exactly what our parents wanted us to be.

As long as Halen was happy, as long as she was still smiling, then I would be too. It didn’t matter what I wanted; it didn’t matter that my chest hurt thinking she’d never truly be mine. No. All that mattered, all that had ever mattered to me, was Halen.

Halen

Nine Years Old

Halen, sweetheart, what’s wrong? My mother was standing in the middle of the kitchen, frown lines crinkling her pretty face.

I wiped my tears on my shirt. I didn’t want to look like a baby in front of Beau. I didn’t ever want him to think of me like that. I wanted to be big, be his age. He was constantly reminding me that I was younger than him and I hated that he thought it made a difference. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. I knew he’d be here any moment. I’d run home, but I knew he’d show up. He always followed me.

My mom glanced over her shoulder as the slider to the patio opened. Beau walked into the kitchen, he face flushed from running. Hey bud, what happened? Why is Halen crying?

He crossed the room and hopped up on the kitchen counter beside me. She fell out of a tree, he mumbled, staring down at his shoes like he was guilty of doing something bad. He wasn’t. He’d told me to get down, but I’d wanted so badly to prove that I could keep up, I’d ignored him, and had fallen out of the oak tree when I’d lost my footing.

Oh my gosh, Halen. Show me where it hurts? Are you bleeding? Is something broken? My mom ran her hands up and down my body as she checked for scrapes and bruises. I held up my wrist, the one I’d been clasping against my chest. Let me see, she asked softly. I jerked away when she tried to touch it. Can you move your fingers? I nodded and showed her. I’m going to get your Aunt Dilly over here, don’t move. Mom stepped away then spun back to point at Beau. Don’t leave her side.

After she left, he put his hand on my knee and I smiled, even though my wrist really hurt. I’m sorry Sweets, I should have never let you climb that high.

I hiccupped. You’re not the boss of me, Beau. And I’m not a baby. I sounded like a brat.

He sighed, hanging his head. It’s my job to protect you. I can’t believe I let that happen, I should have—

It’s not your fault that I fell out of a tree, silly. I hated that he was blaming himself. I hated the sadness in his voice. I was showing off. I wanted you to think I was cool. That was the honest truth. I wanted him to think I was cool and worth his time. Worth his affection. I had a crush on him, though I’d never admitted it to anyone. Especially Beau. I knew that no matter how hard I tried, he’d never see me the way I saw him.

I think you’re the coolest, Hales. You don’t need to prove anything to me. He turned and carefully took my throbbing wrist in his hands. You think it’s broken? I let him try to move it. He looked up, and caught me biting my lower lip. I was trying not to cry again. Sweets, I think you’re going to have to go to the ER.

I sighed. I know.

I’ll come with you. He bent his head lower, making me meet his gaze. I’ll stay with you the whole time and when we get home, we can watch a movie.

I smiled. You’ll make popcorn?

He nodded. All you can eat. Promise.

My wrist was still in his hands when my mom came rushing back into the kitchen, Aunt Dilly hot on her heels. Mom stopped short when she saw Beau examining me. Really? You nearly jumped off the counter when I tried to check it. I shrugged.

Aunt Dilly stepped forward and took my wrist from Beau, examining it the best she could since it was definitely starting to swell and bruise. I smiled at Beau and he smiled back, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I leaned my head on him, closing my eyes against the discomfort. I think we need to take her in, Lex.

All right you two. Lets go. Mom went to the freezer and got an ice pack while Beau helped me off the counter. Bud, I’ll call your parents on the way and let them know you’re staying here for the night.

My mom knew I wouldn’t want to be without him at the hospital or when I came home. She knew I’d need him to distract me, to help me be brave, and to comfort me.

Beau and I had been inseparable from day one. For real, I learned to walk by holding onto his hand.

He may never feel about me the way I felt about him, but as long as he was by my side, I’d be okay.

Beau

Fifteen Years Old

This love thing was getting out of hand. Halen was my best friend. She was the only person I truly desired to be around. Sure, I loved my family, my sister, and my cousins. But I knew I’d never be able to live without Halen.

I’d made myself a promise that I’d stop thinking of her that way. I’d stop longing to hold her hand. I’d stop looking at her lips. She was too young for me. I’d wait until we were grownups, which was way more realistic than staying away forever. So I vowed that I’d be her friend—her best friend—until the day she turned eighteen.

That way, I’d never hurt her.

Because hurting Halen would kill me.

She was light and laughter and everything good in this world.

Beau, where are you going?

I stopped in my tracks. I’d been trying to sneak off without her seeing. That was all part of my new plan. Spend more time on my own since she was like my dang shadow. Home.

But we haven’t even had dessert yet. Her singsong tone made it sound like she thought I’d lost my mind.

You can have my share. I have homework. Stay strong.

I’ll come with you. I’m better at math than you are anyways. She walked up and threaded her slender arm through mine, smiling up at me.

I should tell her no. I should tell her to stay at Uncle Luke’s house, that I didn’t want to hang out with her tonight. But she’d know I was lying. I always wanted to hang out with her. She was my best friend. She made everything better, even homework on a Friday night. When she rested her head on my arm I sighed. Okay. Come on, Sweets.

I’d stick to my plan. I’d be her friend, and I’d stop looking at her like I wanted to kiss her.

I’d do anything it took to do right by her.

Chapter One

Halen

Now

Halen Grace Conner! You get your butt in this house right this second. I rolled my eyes when I heard my younger cousin yelling at me from inside the house; the double doors stood open to the front porch. Since he’d gone through puberty, he sounded a lot like my dad. Or any one of my uncles.

I sighed when my date dropped my hands and took a large step back. Well, I guess you better get home. Either this guy didn’t have much of a backbone, or he wasn’t all that into me.

No, I, uh, that’s not my—

I mean it, young lady. Do not make me come out there. The front doors slammed and I pictured Cash and Crue slapping hands, laughing. It would be hard for the guy standing in front of me to realize that there were two different people screaming at me from my house, and that neither of them was my father.

I gave my date a small smile. Thank you for tonight. I had a lot of fun.

He took a step forward, leaning in like he was going to kiss me. I closed my eyes and—

That’s it. I’m getting my gun.

Annnd the date was officially over. He turned around and all but ran back to his truck. No backbone. I clenched my fists and stomped up the front walk, throwing open both the front doors and then slamming them closed. Are you two assholes fudging kidding me? Cash and Crue ran toward the backyard cracking up. I ran after them, like I was nine, not nineteen. Through the living room, past the kitchen and out to the back porch where some of my family was gathered.

Hey, whoa. What’s going on? My dad grabbed my hand as I tried to bolt past him and after my twin cousins. Halen? I thought you had a date tonight. I could hear the smile in my father’s voice and it pissed me off.

I whirled around. Oh, you did? I narrowed my eyes. Is that why you sent dumb asses one and two to spy on me?

Halen Grace. Watch your language. My mom smacked my butt lightly. And don’t call your cousins dumb asses.

Cash. Crue. My Aunt Harlow, the twins’ mom, stood with her hands on her slim hips. What did you two do?

They came sauntering back up to the porch, from past the pool house that was toward the center of the compound; from where they’d been hiding. Cash stepped into the light first, his blond hair shining and his blue eyes sparkling. The twins were so damn attractive it wasn’t even funny. She had a date with Johnny Masters. That guy’s a tool.

Uncle Luke leaned back in his chair, looking at me. Is that true? He wrinkled his nose. Halen, did you have a date with a tool tonight? I stifled another eye roll. Living around here, with the egos of the Devil’s Share and their spawn? If I rolled my eyes every time I wanted to, they’d come disconnected.

Crue came over and sat down on one of the steps leading out toward the grassy area of the property, but still under the overhang of the large back porch. His shirt was pulled tight around his muscles. The twins were tall and built. Perfect bodies to go with their stupid perfect faces. Sure the hell did, Crue half-coughed, half spoke. He graduated last year. I had a math class with him. He plays golf and spends all his free time at some country club. He is in a frat at UT and he wears boat shoes. All year round, Hales.

Uncle Luke shook his head sadly. Sounds like a tool to me. Aunt Lo smacked him on the back of the head and he sat up straighter in his chair. But, you boys had no right to ruin the end of her date. He didn’t mean that. There was no parenting fire behind his words. I’d be surprised if he hadn’t winked at his sons as he said it.

He’s a good guy and he’s really smart. I didn’t know why I was sticking up for him; Johnny was not my future. He wasn’t the guy for me. But still, I was so tired. Tired of trying and failing to move on and tired of my life being run by this family—my parents, my uncles, my cousins. I’d agreed to live at home while I attended the University of Texas, and I’d been regretting it pretty much every day since.

Halen, the boys are just looking out for you, for all of us, really.

I turned around, facing my dad. "All of us? How is scaring off my date looking out for all of us?"

Well, sweetheart, no one wants to spend time with a tool. Including your mother and me. He grinned and the rest of the males on the porch started to chuckle.

But I was my mother’s daughter, if nothing else. I stalked over to Crue and leaned down so only he could hear. It’d be a shame if my dad found out that Avory wasn’t alone in her bed last night, wouldn’t you say? I pulled back, grinning as all the color drained out of Crue’s face. He was a year older than Avory, seventeen to her sixteen, and he definitely didn’t treat her like a little sister.

Come on, Hales. We were only kidding around. Cash came to his twin’s defense, always, meeting my gaze head-on and giving a slight shake of his head. No harm, no foul?

Whatever. I spun around, my hair fanning out behind me and almost smacking Cash in the face. I have a paper to write. I marched back into the house, shutting the door behind me. I’d never rat on Avory and Crue, ever. And they knew that, but the fact that I’d noticed had sent him for a loop. Those two weren’t nearly as sneaky as they thought they were. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Speaking of my baby sister…

Hey, Hales. I smiled when I heard Avory call my name as she walked in.

Your boy is outside. Ruining my life.

She laughed. Scare off another one? She pulled her dark hair into a ponytail, the loose curls falling down her back. Avory was the perfect combination of our mom and dad, with mom’s good looks and dad’s olive coloring. She always reminded me a little of a young Nina Dobrev, this girl on an old teenage vampire drama my mom and Aunt Dilly used to love. They made us binge on reruns one winter when we’d all come down with the flu.

You know it. I sat down at the island while she pulled a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. How was the game?

Fine. We won. She shrugged. Cheering at basketball games isn’t nearly as exhausting as cheering for football.

Avory was everything I wasn’t anymore, but everything I’d used to be. She was wild and free and daring. She never let anyone in this family push her around or try to bend her will. She was a cheerleader and the perpetual life of the party. Crue spent most of his time trying to beat off other guys with a bat. Our parents didn’t know about them. They’d raised us all more like siblings than the cousins they’d said we were. As evidenced by the fact that the twins felt like they could ruin what little love life I had every chance they got.

Hey, you left your door cracked last night. I watched her reaction; it was very similar to Crue’s. Pale and scared, but only for a moment. And then her playful smile slid back into place.

Well, I’m guessing no one else saw or mom and dad would still be screaming at me right now, huh?

And dad wouldn’t be outside high-fiving the twins for running off another date. Avory came and stood by me, her hip leaning against the counter.

How are things going with Crue? I nudged her arm.

Avory and Crue were somewhat of a surprise to me. Cash and she had been inseparable when they were younger. Cash was the yin to her yang, the calm to her storm. But the older they all got, the closer she and Crue had become. Then, one night I’d caught them making out in the shadows of the old treehouse. It had taken me a minute to realize it was them tangled together. For a moment, I’d thought I was seeing ghosts. That was about six weeks ago. And now? He was climbing in her window at night. I knew the squeak of the glass well.

She bit her bottom lip, a habit we’d all acquired