Shoot Down the Stars: Taking Chances, #7

By Katrina Marie

One glance and it came rushing back.

 

I've given up on finding "the one". I have dreams of doing something with myself. Something more than working at the local hardware store. I might as well face it. There's no chance of leaving this small town or my alcoholic father.

 

Until I see Amelia, my childhood friend and Tonya's cousin, at a wedding. To my surprise, she's moving into Tonya's old room, and sticking around Asheville for a while.

 

Friends. That's all we can be. I'm not looking for love, and neither is she. But, can I live without her when she moves back home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katrina Marie
• Release date: Apr 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393171089

Book preview

prologue

Couples are spinning around the floor, celebrating the marriage of the girl I used to have a crush on in high school. She isn’t the one capturing my attention, though. No, it’s the girl I haven’t seen in years.

Amelia, Tonya’s cousin, used to spend the summers here when we were kids. She was so full of life, and always bouncing around like a damn cartoon princess. She saw the world through rose colored glasses while I saw it for the shit hole it actually is.

Something has changed, though. Her smile is forced when people talk to her. Her gaze barely moving from the floor unless someone is directly in front of her. I’ve wondered about Amelia since seeing her at the New Year’s party at Tonya’s. The weight of the world on her shoulders was evident then, but it’s worse now. As if she’s one straw from breaking into pieces.

I know that feeling all too well. Growing up the way I have, it’s hard not to be cynical. Seeing all of my friends coupling up and living their happily ever after’s pushes me further toward the fringes. Maybe I can befriend Amelia and we can be in our own little world of misery.

Someone slaps me on the shoulder. Dude, you should smile more. Marshall laughs from beside me. He’s always so upbeat about life. I envy him. He’s never had to struggle. At least, not the way I have. The only time I’ve seen him mope is when Bianca wouldn’t answer his calls last year. Now that he has his tattooed vixen by his side, he walks around as if nothing could burst his happy little bubble. I wonder what it’s like to be that excited.

I shoot him a wide grin. Is this better? My lips straighten out as the music changes to one of those line dance songs that are customary at weddings.

That might be the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. Shaking his head, he directs his gaze to the group of girls dragging a protesting Tonya toward middle of the yard where everyone is dancing. It’s a time for celebration. Noticing my scowl, Marshall’s brows pinch in worry. You’re not still harboring a crush on Tonya, are you? I thought you said you were over that when you got in that fight with Jake last summer.

No, I’m not interested in her anymore, I roll my eyes. I haven’t been since before we graduated. Crossing my arms over my chest, I take in the scene. Christmas lights are strung throughout the trees and a couple of floodlights illuminate the yard. We’re all dressed in our Sunday best after a last-minute hitch forced the wedding to be moved here. I just don’t want to be here.

Being here is better than being at home, Marshall gives me a knowing glance. Yep, my home life sucks. This sucks just as much.

He’s not going to leave me alone about this. He’s determined to make everyone as deliriously happy as he is. I’ll try to have a good time. Bianca moving closer to us catches my eye. I think your girl is looking for you.

So she is. He turns until he’s standing directly in front of me. For real, Randall. Have a good time. Be happy for them. He doesn’t wait for a response. Instead, he jogs toward Bianca and wraps his arm around her waist. Lifting her up, he twirls her around until her head falls back in laughter.

Jealousy swirls through my gut. I may be bitter about love and relationships, but I want that. I want someone that gets me on a deeper level than anyone else.

Amelia stands and my eyes focus on her once again. Sadness surrounds her and I want to know who put it there. Not knowing if I’ll ever see her again, I take a step in her direction. Before I make it over to her, Tonya’s hooked her arm around her and sweeping her off to the house.

My shoulders sag, and I turn toward the side gate, ready to leave the party. Passing by the windows, I can’t help but glance at the two women standing there. Amelia’s wrapped in Tonya’s embrace. I want nothing more than to walk inside and comfort her. Something draws me to her, and I can’t explain it.

Fighting the urge to open the door, I continue toward the gate knowing I’ll never get the chance to know the girl who seems just as broken as I am.

ONE

amelia

A soft knock on the door pulls my attention away from the crossword puzzle I'm playing on my phone. It’s kicking my ass, though I’ll never admit it. I've been living with Uncle Jason and Aunt Lucia for almost a month, and they still approach my room with caution. Well, it's actually Tonya's old room made evident by all the Bush posters hanging on the walls. Her obsession runs strong, and I don’t blame Reaf for not wanting her to take the entire collection.

Melly, my uncle’s voice floats through the closed door. Are you awake? I cringe at my childhood nickname. It was my absolute favorite when I was younger. It made me feel special. I was also the only kid with a nickname. But now… Now it feels childish. As if I’m waiting for an adult to scoop me up in their arms and keep me safe. I don’t correct him, though. He has to be missing Tonya now that she’s on her own.

I've never heard my uncle sound as unsure of himself as he does right now. They act as if I'm a caged animal waiting to attack. Maybe I've given them reason to believe that. No, there's no maybe. My attitude hasn't exactly been the best, but I'm still adjusting. To be perfectly honest, I'm still hurting, too. They say not to run away from your problems, except I couldn’t leave home fast enough. I need to reset my frame of mind if only to make things easier on my aunt and uncle.

Yeah, I'm up. Living with morning people is something I don't think I will ever get used to. My feet drag as I walk toward the door causing my socks to get stuck awkwardly between my toes. If any movie needed zombies for extras, I'm certain I would fit right in. Messy hair, smeared mascara, and all.

I pull the door open, and I don’t miss Uncle Jason’s flinch. Or the small smile he’s trying to hide. Are you sure you’re up? Because you could pass for one of the living dead.

And this is where I get my humor from. Even though I was a ray of sunshine when I was younger, I never hid my morbid sense of humor. Funny, I was just thinking the same thing, I say around a yawn.

You even sound like one, he laughs. Get ready, kiddo. Lucia is almost done with breakfast.

What, a smirk forms on my lips. You don’t like having zombies attend breakfast?

He holds his hands up in surrender. Hey, zombies are welcome at my table any time. But… I think she’s dropping you off at Tonya’s when she goes to pick up Layla. She thinks you need to get out of the house more than you do now.

Groaning, I nod. Why couldn’t you be the one related to my mom? I feel like there would be less meddling if that were the case. I’d rather stay in bed and get some sleep. I can visit Tonya anytime. She lives less than ten minutes away.

Not everyone has a cool uncle like me. He peers around the corner, making sure Lucia is nowhere in sight. Look, I know things are rough for you right now. Hiding from the situation isn’t going to make it any better. You need to get out and live your life. What people say about you doesn’t matter. His voice is louder now. Now, get ready before your aunt comes in here. She may be a softie most days, but she has no problems yanking the covers off of you. Just ask Tonya.

I heard that, Lucia’s voice is faint. How in the hell did she hear us from the kitchen? I’ve always said she has freaky super powers. I wonder if Tonya has them, too. Now that she’s a mom and all.

I’ll be in there soon.

You might have fifteen minutes before it’s all ready.

So much for a long shower. Okay, I’ll hurry. And it’s not a lie. I know how much of stickler my aunt is about time. She’s always early to everything, and it just doesn’t work well for me. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been early for something. It’s usually because I’m with Lucia. Otherwise, I’ll get there when I get there.

All of my things are scattered around the room. Clearly, I haven’t taken the time to put things away. If all goes well, I’ll be here for a while. Even if it doesn’t, I can’t go back home. The rumors and mean girls are the reason I left that place. Tonya always complains about everyone here knowing everything. My town is even smaller, and most of the people there didn’t bother coming to the source to find out what really happened. One misunderstanding led to my destruction, and I refuse to allow that to happen again. If that means I need to be a bitch, then so be it. Protecting my heart is more important than making friends any day.

Shuffling through the box on the bathroom counter, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Uncle Jason wasn’t lying. I look like hell. Finally, my hand feels the plastic packaging of my makeup wipes. It takes a solid five minutes to get the mascara off. I’m not even sure why I wore it yesterday since I spent most of the day on the couch watching movies.

Are you almost ready? Lucia yells.

Inhale. Exhale. She’s the most impatient person I know. Well, she is with me at least. I don’t remember her being this hard on Tonya. Then again, my cousin got her shit together after she found out about Layla. Admiration doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel for my cousin. She’s working, going to school, and taking care of a family. And what am I doing? Spending my days binge watching movies and stuffing my face with food. I’m disgusted with myself. Comparing myself to her won’t do me any favors, but I need to do something.

Amelia? My head snaps up at the sound of her voice. Aunt Lucia is leaning against my door, her brows pinched together. Are you okay?

Yep, I pop the p, hoping the extra emphasis will convince her that all is right in my world.

Are you sure? She stretches her hand out, and brings it back to her side at the last second.

Just doing a little life evaluation. My mouth parts in a wide, completely fake, smile. Sniffing the air, I change the subject. Is that bacon I smell?

The corner of her mouth ticks up, but there’s still worry hiding in the depths of her eyes. They shouldn’t have to worry about me, and I feel horrible that it’s come to this. Hopefully the distance between myself and home will help me heal, or at least forget.

Lucia throws her arm around my shoulder. Yep. I made an entire package because I know how much you love it. Let’s eat. Then we can go see the cutest baby to ever exist.

I don’t know about that. Layla’s kind of a hot mess. That child gets into everything. She’s obviously never heard the term, curiosity killed the cat. I hope Tonya’s ready because that girl is going to be a handful as a teenager.

She’s an adorable hot mess, though. The way her eyes light up when she talks about Layla is everything. It reminds me of the way our grandmother, Lala’s, eyes would sparkle when we would go see her. Seeing the love and support my family has for each other is what is going to help me get through this rough patch.

Who’s the cutest little girl? Lucia squeeze’s Layla into her. Her voice is high pitched and on the verge of shrieking. Tonya winces at the sound. She has this thing against baby talk, and I swear my aunt does it on purpose to annoy her.

When the baby talk continues, Tonya’s gaze on her mom darkens and her cheeks are rosy from anger. A laugh escapes my lips, no matter how hard I try to squelch it. Shit, I mutter. Her focus on me is like a laser beam. I’m not the one talking to her kid like that.

Is something funny? She arches one eyebrow. And, damn, I wish I had that magical power. I attempt giving her the same look she’s pinning me down with. I’m pretty sure I’m failing. It’s her turn to laugh. Not some small giggle, but she’s laughing so hard she has to grab her stomach. Oh my gosh, what are you doing? Tonya gasps between breaths.

Uh, I glance around the room, confirming she’s not talking to anyone else. "The same thing you are…obviously."

Another snicker falls from her mouth. You didn’t quite hit the mark. You look like you’re in pain or constipated.

I do not look constipated. Do I? Gah, I hope I don’t. Even though I’m with my family, it’s still embarrassing.

If only I would have pulled out my phone and gotten it on video. She shakes her head as if I’m a lost cause.

I’m glad she didn’t. That would have mortified me to no end. Knowing her crazy ass, she would have sent it to all of her friends, and I would be the laughing stock… once again. That can’t happen here. Especially, since I moved here to avoid that. To no longer be the butt end of jokes and bullies wanting nothing more than to tear me down.

Noticing my slumped shoulders, her laughters comes to an abrupt halt. Is everything okay?

Nodding, I grab a tissue from her coffee table. Nothing is wrong, I just can’t handle people thinking, and talking, smack about me. I thought I’d be okay with the comment, but not so much. I feel ridiculous for getting so emotional over her even suggesting taking video of me being silly. And honestly, six months ago, I wouldn’t have. I would have laughed right along with her. The actions of a few stole that carefree joy away from me, and I hate that I’ve given them the power to do it.

Tonya taps me on the shoulder. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It pisses me off what those girls, and that douchebag, did to you. Pulling me into her arms, she sighs. I wish I could erase everything.

I know. The words come out as a strangled whisper.

Are they still being assholes? She asks, softly.

Tonya, language. You stay on everyone else’s butts about it. You need to also, Lucia scolds while tickling Layla.

Tonya rolls her eyes. I know that, Mom. It’s why I whispered it.

Well, it wasn’t much of a whisper if I heard it, my aunt laughs. Why don’t the two of you go out and do something? I’ll stay here and keep this one occupied.

Layla’s giggles fill the room as she tries to say stop while being tickled.

Are you sure? Tonya never asks for help with Layla unless she has no other choice. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for those that want to keep her for no other reason than to spend time with her.

I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure. She smiles at us. I planned on stealing her away for the day anyway.

Grabbing Tonya’s arm, I start pulling her toward the door. We’ll see you later. Don’t get me wrong,