Safe with you: Saved, #1

By Shelby Reeves

Cassie Matlock knows how it feels to have parents who don't care about their child. Her parents care more about drugs and running from the people they owe money to instead of her.
Because of their addictions, Cassie is uprooted from her home in Indianapolis. Moving from city to city is not what Cassie has in mind for her life, but she has no choice. Because she moves frequently, Cassie doesn't even bother with making friends or getting into a relationship. Or at least she didn't until J Michaels walks into her life.
Cassie tries to fight her attraction to J, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Cassie knows she will be leaving soon, but she isn't ready to let J go.
Someone from the past is lurking in the shadows, waiting for their time to get revenge. When the life Cassie has been forced to hide comes to the surface, all hell breaks loose. 
What happens when someone you used to know becomes a stranger? What happens when the people who once loved you still loved you after all this time and you never knew it?
Even with people trying to rip them apart at every turn, can J and Cassie fight to stay together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shelby Reeves
• Release date: May 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386762447

Book preview

Acknowledgments

Prologue

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-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

About the Author

Books by Shelby Reeves

Safe with you

Book 1 in the Saved Series

Copyright 2015 by Shelby Reeves

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means.

Photography and Cover Design by Lindee Robinson Photography

Formatting by Pink Ink Designs

Editing by Kim’s Editing Services

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/or restaurants referred in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated, with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Acknowledgments

To my husband, who I love more than life. I’m truly blessed to have you as my soulmate! Thank you for always putting up with me!

My parents- Thank you for loving me and being there for me.

Mary Lynn and Kaela, my sisters from another mother, I love you girls so much! Mary Lynn you have supporting me from the very beginning when I told you I wanted to write a novel. Kaela, you need to move your butt to Alabama! Oh, and thanks for loving me and supporting me through this journey!

My best friends- You girls know who you are without having to name each and every one of you. You girls rock! I love y’all!

Shannon- Girl I don’t even know where to start with how awesome you are! I love our conversations and I can’t wait to hug you in person! Love ya bunches!

My Chicken Soup Chicks- You ladies rock! Y’all are amazing and I am very thankful to have y’all in my life!

To the fellow authors who have helped me and given me advice . . . Thank you!

To all the blogs that have shared my author page, teasers, and helped promote me . . . Thank you for helping me get my name out in the book world.

And finally, to all my readers, y’all’s support keeps me going! Thank you!

WE HAVE MOVED yet again. That makes four different states in the last year. Why? It’s simple. My parents would rather be happy than worry about my happiness . . . or safety, for that matter. It will all be okay in a few months, though. As soon as the clock strikes twelve on the morning of my eighteenth birthday, I’m gone. I don’t know where I’ll go, but I will just be ecstatic to be away from them. My mother probably won’t bat an eyelash at my sudden disappearance. Dad? Well, he won’t be coherent long enough to care. Here’s the thing. My parents are on the run from drug dealers to whom they owe money. This is my life. As soon as I get settled into a new school and make friends, we move. So at the last couple schools, I didn’t even try to get to know anyone because I knew I’d be leaving.

What my parents fail to understand is you can’t run from your problems because they will always catch up to you somehow, someway. If they would just pay the darn people their money, all this would be over. The problem? We have no money. My parents live off the system because they are too lazy to get jobs. If I had another choice, I wouldn’t be anywhere near them. I’d be on my own. Don’t ask me how we even have a roof over our heads because I don’t even ask. I am just thankful I have somewhere to lay my head at night.

Out of all the different places I’ve been, this one has to be the strangest. I swear there is only a thousand people in this town, maybe less. The biggest attraction in this no red light town is the school. When people talk around here, it’s like a time warp and I am sent back to the olden days. Almost everyone here is wearing boots. Do they not have any other kinds of shoes, or are they not allowed to wear anything different?

One thing I can tell you with certainty is that we don’t fit in here. This has to be the worst choice they have ever made. We look like outlaws, for goodness sakes! Also, if those people ever catch up with us, no one would know because, basically, everyone lives miles from one another. Everywhere I turn, I see a field.

When my parents first told me the name of this hick town, I laughed in their face. Brilliant, Alabama. So far, it doesn’t look that brilliant. And they think we won’t be found here? Everybody knows everybody, for crying out loud! My parents are so stupid.

Anyway, that’s the story of my life. Welcome to it.

Cassie

MY FIRST DAY AT a new school is always the same. To start, the teachers make you stand in front of class while they introduce you, then people ask you that awkward Where are you from question. My parents have drilled into me what to say when I’m asked. Never give out personal information, keep a low profile, and lie whenever necessary. I abide by those rules only because I’m tired of moving, even though I know we’ll move anyway.

This school is different from the others. It’s very, very small. The dress code seems to be boots, jeans (the girls’ having holes in them), and t-shirts. A select few of the girls dress like they are from the city. Basically, I stand out more here, which unnerves me. How am I supposed to keep a low profile? My parents better not expect me to change my attire just so I fit in. I look like a goth compared to these people. Like I’m from the rough side of the tracks. My light brown, flat hair hangs loosely past my shoulders, my eyes are a dull shade of brown, and my clothes look like I bought them from a thrift store. I did, but no one needs that bit of information.

As usual, the school day drags. What I don’t expect is for practically everyone to wave or say hi to me. I am afraid they’ll start asking the typical questions, like Where are you from? or Why did you move here? Normally, I get asked those questions a lot. I’m afraid to talk around these people, though. My accent is very different from theirs, and I’m afraid people will start looking at me like I’m an alien or something.

At least lunch looks good, I think to myself when I walk through the lunch line.

Hey, new girl!

I gasp, almost dropping my plate. I turn around to find a girl just a bit taller than me, a friendly smile on her freckled face. Her blonde hair is in braids, and her blue eyes shine through her bangs. I’m Jessie . . . or Jess, if you prefer. And you are?

I stare at her outstretched hand and clear my throat, trying to find my voice. Cassie, I say, trying not to let my accent show, even though it kind of sticks out.

Awesome name. Where are you from? There it is. The same dang question I get asked all the freaking time.

Indianapolis, Indiana. Truthfully, it was the only place I had felt at home. It is were all my friends, including Zack, still live. It’s the place I miss more than anything.

She whistles. Good Lord, girl. What made your family move all the way down here? Dang it . . . There’s the question that always follows the first one.

My parents decided they wanted to live somewhere different . . . so here we are, I answer with a nonchalant shrug.

I’ll say.

We continue to move down the line. Once I pay for my food, I glance around the small cafeteria for a place to sit.

Jess bumps my shoulder, causing me to jump again. I wish she’d stop scaring me. Come on, Yankee. You can sit with me.

Seeing no other choice, I follow her to a table against the wall.

Jess gives me insight on who is okay and to whom I shouldn’t even give the time of day. Judging by the evil glare I am getting from one girl, it is probably safe to say Jess is right about not hanging around her. Wow, I’ve only been here four hours and I’ve already pissed someone off. I think that’s a new record.

Jess sticks by my side after lunch. I didn’t plan on making friends, but it’s hard not to fall into an easy conversation with her. She ends up being in all my afternoon classes.

Gym class is my favorite. We are allowed to do whatever we want. Some play basketball, some girls huddle in a corner and practice cheers, others just relax on the bleachers. Jess plays basketball with some of the other girls, and I run laps. Running is like therapy to me. Whenever I’m feeling down or pissed, I run. Putting my headphones in, I crank up the music on my old mp3 player and take off. Since the gym is kind of small, I have to be careful I don’t run into anyone.

I have no idea what time my parents got home last night. It’s pretty sad a teenager is more mature than they are. Who keeps the house clean? Me. Who cooks dinner half the time? Me. Who is the only one with a sane mind? Me.

As my thoughts scramble, a heavy force plows into me. My head thumps against the concrete of the wall, shooting pain throughout my skull. The last thing I remember before blacking out is a deep voice calling my name.

THROUGH THE THROBBING in my head, I hear low murmurs. What the heck happened? Why does my head feel like someone hit me with a baseball bat?

What a good way to welcome the new girl, Bo, a voice with a southern drawl says. I hear a grunt, so I can only assume the guy punched whomever is next to him.

It’s not like I meant to do it. I didn’t see her, a deep voice replies.

Both of you quit bickering and focus on the fact that she is still unconscious! Jess?

Groaning, I force my eyes open, almost screaming when I notice two guys hovering over me. The guy on my right has light brown hair that falls over his honey-colored eyes. His facial expression almost seems broody. The guy on my left has short, sandy blond hair with blue eyes. His chiseled jaw has a light stubble that runs across his jawline. His stare isn’t as intense as the guy’s on the right. They seem . . . concerned?

Am I in Heaven?

Slowly, I try to sit up, but give up when the throbbing in my head worsens.

Easy there, darlin,’ the guy on the left says, gently pushing me back down.

I groan. What happened? I feel like I’ve been plowed over by a truck. My remark makes the guy on the right and Jess, who is standing at my feet, laugh.

The other guy cracks a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Uh . . . Sorry about that. I kind of ran into you, he murmurs, rubbing the back of his neck. My gaze drops from his face to his chest. His shirt fits snugly around his biceps and his chest. No wonder I was knocked out. He looks like a truck.

Can you go get some ice, please? the guy to my right asks Jess. She nods and hurries off.

I’m fine. Just give me a minute and I’ll get up. I wave my hand, dismissing them.

I think we should take her to the nurse, the guy on the left says to the other one.

Yeah, she did hit her head pretty hard, he replies.

No, I’m fine, I insist.

They ignore me and continue to talk like I’m not even here. As soon as Jess gets back with the ice, we’ll take her, the guy on the left says.

Hey . . .

You don’t think she has a concussion, do you?

Hey, I say a little louder.

Probably. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t have a big ol’ knot on the side of her head.

Hey! I shout, then wince. They both snap their heads in my direction. If you two don’t mind, I’d like to get up so I can go get ready to go home.

They glance at one another. You aren’t going anywhere yet, darlin.’

"Excuse me? First off, I’m perfectly fine. Secondly, don’t call me darlin’ because I don’t even know you and, quite frankly, it’s kind of creepy. And finally, do not tell me what I can and can’t do."

Guy on the right snickers, while the other one’s jaw drops. She’s feisty. I like her, Bo.

So I finally have the name of one of them. Bo . . . What a weird name.

The guy on the right falls over laughing. What the hell? I happen to like my name, thank you very much, Bo replies, clearly amused.

Holy crap. Did I just say that out loud?

Before I can embarrass myself even more, I slowly sit up, standing after a minute. Finally, Jess returns with the ice. Smiling, I take it from her and press it against the knot I’m sure is forming. Bo hands me my mp3 player with a smile.

Thank you, I mutter and walk off.

I don’t get very far before my feet are swept out from under me, causing me to shriek. Looking, I see Bo smiling at me. Put me down! I demand, but he just laughs. There is a part of me, a rather insane part, that likes being in his arms. Yeah, I’m just going to use the I-just-hit-my-head-so-I’m-kind-of-out-of-it excuse.

Cass, he’s not going to, so you might as well give up, the guy whose name I still don’t know states.

Wait . . . How did he know my name?

Everyone knows your name, darlin.’ Either I spoke my thoughts out loud again or he just read my mind.

So much for being invisible, I mutter to myself.

What was that? Bo questions.

Nothing, I quickly reply. He just shakes his head and keeps walking.

"I am capable of walking you know," I huff.

I didn’t say you weren’t.

Then why are you carrying me?

Because I can.

What kind of reason is that? I furrow my brows.

A good one, he simply states.

I like her accent. I wonder where she’s from. Now the other guy is talking to Bo again like I’m not even here.

I don’t know, J. She definitely ain’t from around here, so she has to be from the city. Well, I finally know the other guy’s name now.

She’s from Indiana. Indianapolis, actually, Jess speaks up. I want to shoot her a glare, but I can’t see around Bo’s massive chest.

God, that has to suck, J grumbles, like it is the worst thing in the world.

Do you two always do that? I ask, interrupting them.

Do what, darlin’? Bo asks, looking down at me.

You’ve got to be kidding me! Stop calling me, darlin.’ You are creeping me out. I glare at him. Do you two always talk about people like they aren’t even here?

He smirks. No. We just do that to you.

Ugh! This is going nowhere!

Do you always think out loud, darlin’?

Now he is just pissing me off. If you call me darlin’ one more time, I will punch you in your throat! His body shakes with laughter.

Did she really just threaten you, Bo? J asks, laughing.

Apparently. They both laugh as he carries me into the office.

J

THANK THE LORD above this is our last year of high school, Bo, my step-brother, grumbles. I think I’d rather be out on the ranch all day, every day, instead of listening to our teachers try to shove knowledge down our throats.

I hold up my fist. I second that, brother. We bump knuckles, uttering a prayer that we make it through our senior year without wanting to blow our brains out. The only reason I survive school is football.

Yeah, well, the only reason I survive is because of the girls. Bo wiggles his eyebrows up and down, while I try to come up with a reason I shouldn’t punch him. He isn’t blood, but he is family. I think that’s the only thing saving him from being on the other end of my fist at times. Bo likes to test my patience . . . a lot.

Bo and I have known each other since we ran around in diapers. Technically, he’s my step-brother, yet I consider him my real brother. We always have each other’s backs.

In terms of girls? They tend to annoy me with how they flock to us . . . well, mainly Bo. I don’t fall to my knees and claim my attraction to them, but Bo is a sucker. I, on the other hand, am waiting for that one girl to bring me to my knees. I only have two requirements. One, she would have to be one hell of a girl, and two, she can’t be from this school. Unfortunately, I know every girl in this school and their . . . extracurricular activities.

For example, take Ellen, who is currently feeling up Bo. She is a bitch, she’s fake, and she flashes her daddy’s money all the freakin’ time. She likes to let everyone know her father is the mayor of this small town and she can get away with anything. I can’t stand her. It doesn’t matter to me if she is popular. It doesn’t matter that she is only beautiful on the outside. On the inside, she is as cold-hearted as they come, liking to make other people’s lives hell. Ellen is a five-foot, five-inch bully with bleach blond hair and blue eyes.

She turns her attention to me and my mouth forms a thin line. I gave into her one time when I was drunk, so she thinks I’ll slip up again. She bats her long, fake eyelashes at me and I gag . . . not hiding it. Her eyes narrow into slits and she turns back to Bo, who is like putty in her hands. I shake my head and look away from her, only to be stunned into silence.

Who is that? The force the unknown girl gives off hits me square in the chest, making me stumble back. I grab Bo’s arm for support as I watch her walk in our direction. She doesn’t look like any of the girls at our school. She has a look all her own, and seems like she’d keep to herself. Then I notice how gorgeous she is, and I bet she has no clue. Her shoulder-length golden brown hair is draped around one shoulder, my fingers itching to tuck it behind her ear. Her bright blue eyes remind me of a beautiful sunny day. She is at least five foot three . . . maybe five foot four, which is about a good four inches shorter than I am. She doesn’t look like she is from the country, but she doesn’t look like she is some rich girl, either. She looks perfect. Never looking my way, she stops at her locker to put some binders away.

In my daze, I didn’t even think to walk over and talk to her. It’s too late now because by the time I think about it, I can’t speak as my eyes are glued to her backside, watching her sway her hips as she walks away.

Bo hits my shoulder. Hey, are you all right?

A smile breaks out on my face as I rub my hands together. Yeah . . . I think I’m gonna be just fine.

As usual, the clock ticks by slowly until the bell rings and it’s time to suit up for gym. Bo and I head for the locker room to dress.

I haven’t seen the new girl since this morning. Had I imagined her? Then I overhear some of the guys on the football team talking about her. Heck no. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let one of them get to her first. However, the odds aren’t looking good for me since she isn’t in any of my classes.

I walk up to them, pretending not to know what they are discussing. What are you crazy asses goin’ on about?

The new girl is fine as hell, Colt informs me. He has a grin on his face I’d like to wipe off.

What’s her name? I at least need to know that bit of information before I go talk to her.

Cassie? He looks to the other guys for confirmation and they all nod.

Cassie . . . I test her name on my lips. Darn. Now I really need to meet the girl who has my world spinning on its axis.

When I hear my name being yelled, I turn around to see Bo across the gym, motioning for me to throw him the ball. I walk over and pick up the football lying in the middle of the gym, pulling my arm back, fixing to let it loose. And that’s when I see her. She has her headphones in, jogging around the gym. Cassie looks incredible in baggy mesh shorts and a t-shirt.

J, throw the ball!

I let it fly in Bo’s direction . . . Well, I thought it was heading in his direction. Bo had to sprint a few steps to his left to catch it, heading straight for Cassie. When I notice the collision about to happen, I run towards her, thinking I could stop Bo from colliding with her.

Bo hits her with so much force, it knocks her back several steps, making her hit the concrete wall. I feel sick when I hear her head smack against it.

Cassie! I yell, as she falls to the floor. I punch Bo in the shoulder. What the heck, bro? I growl, pressing my fingers to her throat, making sure she still has a heartbeat. Thank God, I mutter when I feel the steady beat beneath my fingertips.

Jessie, one the girls from our class, crouches down beside us. I like her because she isn’t one of the girls who drools over us all the time. Oh, my god! Is she okay?

I hope so, I mutter.

When she finally moans, my heart starts beating faster. Her sea-blue eyes flutter open, sucking me in. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, but I’ve always been a sucker for the love at first sight stuff. I’m a goner before she even utters a word.

I try to keep my jealousy at bay when Bo starts flirting with her, silently laughing when she responds to his charm with a threat. This girl can hold her own. Heck, that just draws me in further.

I am like a cow she is roping in, and I’m loving every second of it.

Cassie

BO DOESN’T PUT me down until we are in the nurse’s office. J stands in front of the door with his arms crossed like he thinks I’m going to make a run for it. I just might . . .

Taking a good look at J, I notice he is as muscular as Bo. What are they on? Steroids?

Bo stands next to me, explaining what happened to the nurse. After she asks me question after question, she checks out my head, then proceeds to shine a light in my eyes.

Nodding, she gives me some more ice for the knot on the side of my head, then instructs me to go home and lie down. I don’t mention that I don’t have a car because I’d hate to know what Bo and J would do then. And I’m not riding the bus home. I’d rather walk. I haven’t ridden the