Chances: Coming Home Series, #3

By Janet A. Mota

Sometimes the demons that live within us can suffocate us and take over every part of our being.  Belle has demons living inside her that are taking over her brain and making her believe she can't have certain things in life.  She's isolated herself from friends and someone she wants as more than a friend.  She starts to self-destruct and finds herself in a position that may get her in trouble.  Can Belle overcome the demons and allow herself to live the life she wants to live?  Will Belle allow herself to love and be loved?  Can Belle listen to her heart and shut the demons out of her brain?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet A. Mota
• Release date: Jan 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386565222

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Kayla

It’s a girl’s night out, finally. We’ve been trying to get out for a while now, but life gets in the way. Anyse has been working so hard at the office. We’ve been so busy, and we were able to hire two more dentists and more staff. We’re a four-dentist practice now and I’m very happy with the reputation we’ve built in the community. Anyse had to get new software to handle all the staff and has been undergoing training so we’ve been crazy stressed. Belle’s hiding something. She seems so preoccupied all the time. She’s lost some weight, but she still looks great. I’ve been watching her though. She hasn’t had anything to eat, yet she’s had three drinks. We’re at Uncle Dan’s so there is plenty of decent food on the menu. Anyse and I ordered appetizers for the table, but she hasn’t touched them but has hit the liquor hard. Now, she’s dancing with some guy. He’s all over her and she’s letting him. I’m watching her like a hawk.

I’m worried about Belle. She’s going to get herself into trouble. I tell Anyse, whose been watching her too.

I know. We need to keep a close eye on her tonight. She says. We continue to eat and watch as Belle finishes her dance with ‘hands’ and comes back to the table. She orders another drink. Why don’t you eat something? She asks Belle.

No, thanks. I’m not hungry. Belle says.

You shouldn’t be drinking like that without some food in your stomach, I tell her, and she shrugs.

If I force myself to eat, I’ll get sick. She responds and I frown.

Well, you’re going to be very sick later and tomorrow, Anyse says. Belle shrugs again.

I’m going back out do some dancing. Are you ladies going to join me? She asks us.

Yes. We’re right behind you. I tell her. Anyse and I grab our drinks and head to the dance floor. We try to keep our dance between the three of us, but Belle keeps getting caught up with different men. Each one of them touches all over her and she allows them to.

After an hour and many drinks later, Belle is wasted, and the men are taking advantage of her inebriated state. Anyse and I are trying to keep them off of her, but our efforts have been futile. I decide I need to call Jake. He’s the only one who’ll be able to stop her and take her home. I’m more worried about her now. Whatever is stuck in her head is eating at her. I wish she would talk to us. She knows we’re here for her and will help her with whatever she needs. Instead, she’s choosing to let alcohol make her forget, even if it’s just for a short amount of time.

Right now, though, we need to get her home safely. I pull my phone from the clutch hanging from my wrist. I pull up Jake’s number and hit dial.

Hello. Jake answers.

Hi. It’s Kayla.

Hey! Are you ladies having a great time? He asks.

No. Belle has had way too much to drink and has refused to eat anything. There are men hanging all over her on the dance floor. Anyse and I haven’t left her but she’s getting worse. Can you come to get her? She won’t listen to us. I tell him.

I’m on my way. He quickly says.

Okay. As I’m about to hang up, I hear, Kayla.

Yes.

Keep her safe. The anguish in his voice breaks my heart.

Of course.

Jake

I walk into the bar and immediately spot Kayla and Anyse. They’re dancing but you can see they aren’t having any fun. I see they’re only out there to keep an eye on Belle. I haven’t seen her yet. As I approach them, I see her. She’s dancing with her back to some guy and grinding all over him. He has his hands on her hips and loving every bit of it. My jaw tightens and my fists clench. My blood pressure immediately rises, and I see red. I start toward them and Kayla stops me.

Go over there and get her but do it calmly. Fighting is not going to help the situation. She calmly says in my ear.

I nod my understanding and look over at Anyse. She mouths ‘sorry’ to me as I proceed forward. I approach them and they don’t notice. I call out for her and she looks up at me. She stops dancing but the guy isn’t having it. He pulls her back toward him and I take a step toward him.

Take your hands off her, I say through gritted teeth.

The man looks at me and laughs an ugly laugh. A chill runs down my back. Who the hell are you? He asks with a slur.

That’s none of your business, I say, and he reaches for Belle again. She’s so drunk and has no control over her movements. She tries to pull away from him but can’t. I grab his hand and push it off, Belle. He lets go of her and comes to stand in my face.

I’m dancing with the lady, shithead. Leave us alone. The guy says and turns back around. Belle somehow gets out of his grasp and comes to stand next to me. She seems confused by the situation. The guy turns and swings. I duck and hit him in the nose. Blood immediately gushes from his nose. Son of a bitch. He yells as he falls backward. He fumbles and lands on his ass.

Security is there within seconds. Stan, the resident security guard comes up to me. Jake, what’s going on? He asks.

This guy had his hands all over Belle. When I told him to take his hands off of her, he felt the need to take a swing at me. I ducked and punched him in the nose. I tell him and the other two security guides escort him out of the bar.

Belle, are you okay? The security guard asks her. She nods.

Can I take her home? I ask Stan.

Yes. We’ll take care of the other guy. Have a good night. Stan walks away. I turn to Belle.

Come on. Let’s go. I say sternly. She needs to know there will be no argument.

Belle turns to Kayla and Anyse and says her goodbyes. I follow her out the door and help her into my truck. I pull out of the parking lot and head toward my house. I want to go home. She mumbles.

It’s way too far to take you home tonight. You’ll just crash at my place. She doesn’t respond but I can tell she’s pissed at me. Her hands rushed to her mouth and I read all the signs. I quickly pull over and she pushes the door open quickly. She jumps out and starts throwing up. I rush to her side. Her hair is up so I rub her back until she’s done. I reach into the truck and grab the bottle of water I was drinking on the way to the bar. I uncap it and hand it to her. She rinses her mouth and spits it out. She drinks the rest of the water. She doesn’t say anything but climbs back into my truck and puts her seat belt on. I walk around and get back in.

Within minutes, I pull into my driveway. She doesn’t wait for me and gets out of the car. She’s waiting for me at the door. I take a deep breath and get out of the car. I lock it and unlock my front door. I open it and step out of the way so she can pass. She passes me and storms inside. I follow her and lock the door behind me.

How dare you? Who the hell do you think you are? She yells as soon as the door clicks shut. I was waiting for this. I don’t dare say anything but look at her. Why did you do that?

Kayla called me because she was scared that the guy was going to take advantage of you. You were in no state of mind to fight your own battle. I say quietly.

I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. I don’t need you to constantly come to my rescue. She walks down the hall. Within a few seconds, the guest room door closes. I throw my keys on the dining table and run my hands through my hair. Something has been so off with her and she’s managed to shut me out. I need to find a way to break down the wall she has built around herself. She needs me and I’ll be there for her. I’ll help her with anything she needs. That’s a promise now and for as long as I live.

CHAPTER ONE

Jake

Moving back to Crescent Beach hasn’t been what I expected. I’m happy being close to my brother and my friends, but a part of me is missing. My job’s great, and I’m blessed to have a relationship with my brother again. I didn’t think what happened between us could be repaired, but here we are. Tucker’s a huge role model for me. He always has been, and always will be. For a while there, I thought he wasn’t going to pull his head out of his ass and lose the love of his life. He finally woke up and has a beautiful family. His wife, Kayla, is the best and they’re an inspiration. They have a beautiful little boy that I would do anything for. I want what he has. Unfortunately for me, the woman I want it with doesn’t seem to want it with me.

Belle is my one. I knew the moment I saw her for the first time. Ten years ago, she walked into my life and into my heart. That’s where she’ll always be. I haven’t admitted my feelings for her, and I know I should, but I’m so afraid to mess up the relationship I do have with her. She’s my best friend. We’ve always been close and even went away to the same college together. We have the same friends and get along great. She knows me better than I know myself. I