Beyond the Wreckage: Wrecked Love, #1

By Ember-Raine Winters

Jaxon Montgomery got everything he ever wanted. His racing career hit an all-time high. He was breaking records and getting invited to the big show.

When he literally runs into Shayla one night. He wonders if things have changed. Shayla's dark past threatens their happily ever after in a way he never could've believed.

Will Jaxon be able to save her, or will they end in heartbreak?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ember-Raine Winters
• Release date: Jan 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393747420

Book preview

Chapter 1

Now

I wake to a pounding on my door and one in my head. I hate those assholes sometimes. They always plan shit way earlier than I want. I’m not a morning person, at all. Go the fuck away it’s too early for this shit, I yell, but it doesn’t seem to deter the giant dickheads.

C’mon, we need to get on the road before traffic gets too bad, Davis yells through the front door.

Don’t make me use my key, shithead. I cannot be held responsible for my actions if I am forced. Carter laughs. Grudgingly, I get up because I know if I don’t, he will make good on his threat. He’d done it before. After what happened with Shayla, I’d been in a dark place and the guys had tried to get me out of my funk. Carter, when I didn’t answer the door for him used his damn key and drew a dick on my face with a sharpie. I seriously considered changing the locks but at the time it would’ve taken too much energy. I’m starting to reconsider that decision.

I’m coming, assholes, I grumble as I make my way to the door.

Dude. Put some damn clothes on. Davis shakes his head. We gotta go.

I just woke up give me a minute. I roll my eyes and leave them at the front door for a quick shower. I know anything else would cause the giant babies to throw a fit.

I rush through my shower and I’m halfway dressed when my phone rings. Looking down at the caller ID I sigh and send it to voicemail. I can’t deal with that shit right now. Jax! C’mon, man we gotta go.

What are you doing in there? Primping? Carter laughs.

Fuck you. Maybe you should have called first and you wouldn’t be waiting on me, I yell back.

Davis cracks up laughing because he knows that is an outright lie. I would have either ignored the call or told him I was getting up and we would have been in the exact same situation. I grab my duffle bag and head out the door kicking an empty vodka bottle on my way out. Shit. I need an aspirin if I’m going to deal with these dicks for an entire week. Maybe an industrial sized bottle.

I stop in the kitchen and grab the bottle of aspirin and a water before coming into the living room. You finally ready princess? Carter chuckles at his own dumb joke.

You’re an idiot. Let’s go, I throw over my shoulder as I walk out the door. The guys chuckle as they follow me out the door. Where’s your truck? I turn to Davis with a raised brow. A little economy car is sitting in my driveway. There is no way the three of us are going to fit in that tiny car.

I rented it. It will be cheaper on gas. Davis shrugs.

Dude, I’ll pay for gas. That thing is ridiculous. I shake my head. We can take my truck. Leave the little clown car here and I’ll go with you to return it when we get back. Davis shrugs and he and Carter go to grab their bags from the small car and I huff out a laugh. Davis was always doing dumb shit to save a bit of money, even if it was completely impractical.

Are we finally ready to go? Carter’s getting impatient. Who am I kidding? He’d been impatient since the moment he knocked on my door.

Yes, mother. I grin. My phone rings in my pocket and both guys look at me in horror. What?

No phones remember? Carter takes it from me and powers it off.

That’s ridiculous dude. What if something happens and we need emergency services? I raise an eyebrow at the idiots.

We have them, they’re just turned off. Completely unplugged guys week, remember? We all agreed to this. I don’t remember agreeing to Carter keeping my phone, but I shrug and hop in the cab of the truck. I’m not about to argue with an already amped up Carter. There is no point in that.

All right guys, you ready for the best week of our lives? Carter rubs his hands together. I grin but I highly doubt it will be the best week of my life, I’d already had that. Even though things didn’t work out the way I’d thought they would, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Chapter 2

Then

Five years ago…

What the hell is your problem, dude? I looked over at my best friend Davis. He was staring off into space like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. I knew something had been bothering him for the last couple days, but he looked completely hopeless as he sat with his beer in his hand.

What? Nothing, I’m fine. He grinned like everything was perfect. I knew better. Ever since my little sister Maggie had announced her engagement Davis had been moody.

Are you hung up on Maggie? I asked because it was the only thing that made sense. He looked at me with horror in his eyes.

What the fuck? No. She’s a friend. I just don’t think that guy is good for her. He shrugged. I wasn’t buying it.

I don’t think he’s any good for her either, but she’s happy. The second she isn’t, I’ll beat his fucking ass, I growled. The guy was a pretentious asshole. Davis nodded as he watched Maggie laugh at something Nick said. I’m going to get another round. I smacked my hands on the table as I stood. I think you need a shot buddy.

I think you’re right. He nodded. He seemed a little better. If I had known his funk was because of Maggie, I would have taken him somewhere else.

Walking up to the bar, I placed our order. Carter was on his way, so I grabbed a drink for him too. My hands were full as I turned and bumped into the most beautiful girl I’d ever set eyes on. She had hair like honey and the brightest blue eyes. One of the shots spilled down the front of her tiny pink tank top as we collided, and she yelped. Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.

Obviously, she giggled. It’s fine. At least it was clear, so it won’t stain. I didn’t like this shirt anyway. She giggled again.

Let me get you a drink as an apology for my clumsiness. I found myself saying, laying on the charm.

Oh, you don’t have to do that. She blushed bright red and it was the cutest damn thing.

I know, but I want to. Follow me back to the table so I can set this down and we can find a quiet spot to get to know each other. I winked.

That sounds great, I’m Shayla.

Nice to meet you Shayla. My name’s Jaxon but my friends call me Jax. Shayla grabbed a couple of the drinks from my hand and helped me carry them to the table. Carter had finally shown up and he and Davis were looking at me strangely. Guys this is Shayla, I said as I set the drinks down.

Will you be joining us, Shayla? Carter asked flirtatiously and for some unknown reason I wanted to slap him upside his head.

No. I shook my head. I’m gonna buy her a drink and stay as far away from you dickheads as possible. I chuckled.

No can do, bro. You promised us a guy’s night. We never see each other anymore now that we all have real jobs. Park your ass. Don’t make me embarrass you in front of the girl. Carter boomed. He always was a needy bastard.

Do you mind? I asked Shayla. She shook her head.

I would love to hang out with you and your friends. I’m new in town and don’t really know anybody yet. She was almost shy. It was fucking adorable. She set the glasses down and I pulled a chair out for her. She smiled and I swear I saw stars; her smile was breathtaking.

Umm, what would you like to drink? I stumbled over my words. Carter and Davis snickered under their breath. They’d never seen me tongue tied like that before. They were probably going to call me a giant pussy later. I didn’t care.

I’ll have whatever you all are having. She shrugged. I nodded and started off to the bar. I needed to breathe. What happened to me back there? I totally choked. I was always the most confident one in the room. I had to be, but something about this girl made me lose all my composure.

When I got to the bar, I ordered an extra shot for myself and downed it before grabbing the rest of the drinks and heading back to the table. Shayla was laughing along with the guys. I stood there for a second just watching her. It may have been creepy, but I was struck dumb by how gorgeous she was.

Why are you just standing there like a loser? Carter laughed. I shook my head and took my seat next to Shayla.

What did these idiots say about me? I joked.

Remember that time in college when we got plastered and played truth or dare? Carter almost couldn’t control his laughter.

Did you really stand on top of the frat house naked for an hour in the freezing cold? Shayla giggled. I hung my head.

You’re a bastard you know that? I asked Carter but he was too busy trying to breathe. His face had turned red with the attempts at holding in his loud guffaws. Fucking prick.

Yup, I sure did. I smiled and waved at every person that walked by too. I was lucky no one called the cops. I took a swig of my beer. Davis was quiet but at least he was smiling. We needed to get his mind off the impending doom that was my sister’s wedding which was coming up in a few months.

So, Shayla where did you move from? I asked trying to change the subject.

I used to live back east. I came out here for a new job. She seemed a little nervous and I wondered what that could have been about, but I shrugged it off.

What kind of work do you do, Shayla? Davis asked.

I went to business school and one of my professors had a friend who owns the restaurant down the street. He needed a new general manager and my professor put in a good word for me.

That’s great. I smiled at her.

Oh, the pool table is free. Davis you wanna kick their asses at a game of pool? Carter nudged him. I couldn’t help but laugh. I could beat them at pool by myself. One against two.

Riiiight, I chuckled. Have you guys ever beat me at pool? I raised an eyebrow at him.

There’s a first time for everything. He clapped his hands down on the table.

All right, but when I win don’t cry because I embarrassed you in front of Shayla. I grinned at his pitiful look.

Whatever let’s just go play before someone gets to the table before us. Carter grumbled. We all got up and walked over to the pool table.

Maybe I should just watch, Shayla looked uncomfortable.

What? No, you’re on my team. I grinned at her.

I don’t want to be the reason we lose. I’ve never played before. She chewed her lip and it took everything I had in me not to reach out and pull her lip free.

Nah, I’ll show you how. I winked at her. Shayla rolled her eyes.

You’ve never played before? Carter grinned. Newbie breaks. I shook my head at the asshole. That was fucked up putting her on the spot.

Asshole, Davis muttered. I nodded glaring at him.

I’ll break, I told her squeezing her arm.

No way, man, Carter grumbled.