Empty: RUSH, #1

By Brandi Salazar

Running.

That’s one thing I am good at, running away from problems. That would be how I got to being 24 years old on the run, from it all.

 ***

five years ago.

“Bella it’s okay, don’t deny it you like this”

The ringing in my ears was so loud I couldn’t hear anything besides my own heartbeat, in this very moment I wished I was dead. I let this happen for far too long and now I have no control of anything in my life. Rage flooded through me like a tsunami, all I could see was how many times as a child I cried myself to sleep wondering why this had to happen to me. Where did my parent go? Did they care about me? When was the last time I was happy? He did this. Took life away from me.

What happened next, I never remembered, because all I saw was red.

The moment I came to the cops were swarming the house, there was no denying what happened here. My shirt torn in pieces hanging on my body, my pants teared and me sitting in the corner covered in his blood. I couldn’t speak, I wasn’t scared of what would happen next a life away from his was worth it. No matter where I went he was there, the good neighbor.

“ma’am are you okay?” I felt a warm hand on my shoulder before it all went black.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandi Salazar
• Release date: Nov 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386783114

Brandi Salazar

Brandi resides in Texas with her loving puppy and family! She has many passions, writing being the main one! Shes working her way to the top and the hearts of all her readers! Being an author has been a dream of her's since she was 5 years old! Brandi would like to thank you, her readers, for reading her book! She hopes you enjoyed the journey she took you on.

Book preview

EMPTY

The Rush series

Running.

That’s one thing I am good at, running away from problems. That would be how I got to being 24 years old on the run, from it all.

***

five years ago.

Bella it’s okay, don’t deny it you like this

The ringing in my ears was so loud I couldn’t hear anything besides my own heartbeat, in this very moment I wished I was dead. I let this happen for far too long and now I have no control of anything in my life. Rage flooded through me like a tsunami, all I could see was how many times as a child I cried myself to sleep wondering why this had to happen to me. Where did my parent go? Did they care about me? When was the last time I was happy? He did this. Took life away from me.

What happened next, I never remembered, because all I saw was red.

The moment I came to the cops were swarming the house, there was no denying what happened here. My shirt torn in pieces hanging on my body, my pants teared and me sitting in the corner covered in his blood. I couldn’t speak, I wasn’t scared of what would happen next a life away from his was worth it. No matter where I went he was there, the good neighbor.

ma’am are you okay? I felt a warm hand on my shoulder before it all went black.

CHAPTER ONE

Life.

Waking up in the morning is always the worst part, my dreams take me back to a place I never want to go again. I moaned rolling over to shut off my alarm, I didn’t even want to open my eyes, slowly the sounds of my world around me came flooding in, the cars honking outside the sounds of people walking the streets the smells of the coffee shop right across the street from me, and then as if right on que the smell of a dumpster truck driving by made my stomach flip.

I’ve really got to start shutting my window at night I said to myself, as if reminding myself again would change anything. I Stepped out of bed and followed the sound of my coffee pot to the kitchen, my place is tiny but cute I got real lucky find a loft for the price I did.

Making myself a ginormous cup of my favorite roast, I headed into my tiny bathroom to get ready for work; looking in the mirror at myself I realized it showed just how little sleep I get. It’s been 5 years since the day that changed my life, I haven’t slept I full night in almost a decade.

I was given this chance to live to make a difference I always gave myself a pep talks in the morning, no one else was around to give them to me, as if I have a choice anyways.

Who would want you anyways? I seem to never can lose that nagging voice in my head, my conscience, is it?  

Today happens to be a very big day for me, the nonprofit charity I work for are in the process of looking for a new partner to help manage all the humanitarian work we do. Dressing the part always felt good, in my dark gray trousers and a purple top tucked in with my I mean business black heels, I looked a confident woman who could do it all.

If only they knew just how fucked up you are. 

I was determined to make today a good day, positive attitude. Locking up my apartment and heading down to start my trek to work I was super in my head, like always.

Bella! I froze in my spot, my throat filling with bile. There’s no way, I thought to myself. I moved clear across the country, changed my name, my hair. My breakfast threatening to come back up, I swallowed hard and turned around. What I saw made me feel ... empty.

I saw a handsome looking man my age smiling at a bubbly blonde walking up to him. He said her name again and she jumped into his arms. I had to force myself to turn around and walk away, so much for a good day.

Angelina, you look good today! my favorite coworker Lizzy said to me, as I strode into the building.

I gave her a genuine smile you do to Girl! Tell me, how did last night go? Lizzy being complete opposite of me, where I am quite and observant she is straight forward and social always looking for a man to make her world worth-while; I tried telling her time and time again it doesn’t take a man to make your life whole. But who am I to give advice on happiness? She beamed, which was a new one usually her blind date stories where a nightmare I had to commend her for being determined.

well he is dreamy! With a capital D, if you catch my drift she winked at me and made me laugh so hard I knew everyone in the back was wondering what was going on.

Attempting to refrain my laughter I spoke well I’m glad it went well; does that mean you will be up for date number two? I was hopeful for her sake that it worked out, she deserved it.

well yes actually, tonight. He has been texting my all day looking down at her desk she said, oh his ears must have been ringing, one sec she picked up the phone smiling like a school girl.

Hey Julian that was the first time I heard his name and it fit the pictures I’ve seen of him... talk about built!

Her face fell as she listened to the deep voice on the other end of the line, I understand Julian, don’t feel bad. Things happen, but hey I’m at work right now and shouldn’t be taking personal calls oh no, this must be bad she totally lied to him. bye she hung up the phone and stood.

I need coffee, or a shot

well seeing as its 9 in the morning, let’s go with coffee I flowered her to the break room, I always get here early so I had time to kill. I wanted to know what happened with her prince, but it must not have gone well since she was the one to end the call. Sitting down in a chair, I let her make her coffee in silence, I knew she would tell me.

so well I guess I was just a booty call she turned around smiling.

did I miss something? I was totally confused.

She stirred her coffee thinking, which honestly, she usually just blurts out whatever she is thinking. My confusion doubled.

he’ll be back, it wasn’t just a booty call Angelina she pulled the seat out from across from me last night was. I’ve never had it like that before, he didn’t only care about me but we sat and just talked in my bed after dinner and drank wine and talked. Then he got up and danced with me

who is he? This guy sounds like a dream come true I was glad to hear how he treated her, usually she went for the jerks trying to change them.

"I know, but I know in my gut he’s not too good to be true. I made love for the first time in my life Angelina. it wasn’t about just getting off, it was primal. I don’t know maybe I was too