Nothing's Ever Fair: Nothing's Ever, #2

By Amanda Lee Dixon

No one ever gets a fair shot at life, but when others do their best to kick you while you're down, it's hard not to feel helpless.

 

LeAnna Wright wanted to leave Peak Valley but when her dad goes to prison and her mom splits town, she becomes her little sister's only guardian. All the dreams LeAnna had disappear while she does everything she can to give Gigi a good life. After years of struggling life is looking pretty good for the two, until LeAnna's ex-boyfriend Xavier returns to Peak Valley, holding a bitter grunge against her.

 

Dylan Montgomery has been in love with LeAnna since they were kids. Every time he mustered the courage to tell her how he felt fate would intervene. Tired of fate getting in the way Dylan seizes the moment and life starts to look pretty good for the two, until her ex-boyfriend Xavier begins to show up where he isn't wanted.

 

The more Dylan and LeAnna try to avoid Xavier the more buried secrets come to surface. Buried secrets that could cost LeAnna everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Lee Dixon
• Release date: Jun 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201655396

Amanda Lee Dixon

Romance Author | Professional Pen Thief | Coffee Addict | Obsessive Reader I live in the weather crazed Midwest where we experience hot Summers and cold Winters. I’m starting to think Spring and Fall is a beautiful made up fantasy. I share my life with my wonderful husband who despite my begging and pleading won’t grow his beard out. I have three teenagers, two girls and a boy, and two mouthy malamutes, that are always keeping me on my toes, and never stop eating.   My earliest memory of writing was when I was in the second grade and my teacher encouraged us to write a book. I remember my whole world changed that day. I was certain books grew from a library tree. From that moment on I never stopped writing. Writing also feeds my pen addiction. I am always in need of new pens, and when life gives me lemons, I buy pens and write. Outside of writing I can be found reading, looking for new books to add to my every growing TBR, and watching BookTubers. 

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Fifteen Years Ago…

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Friends I’ve spent most of my life attending school with are dancing and laughing around a bonfire, celebrating our graduation. It was only a few hours ago when we walked across the podium accepting our diplomas, but it feels like an eternity. So much has happened since then. The path I was about to venture down took a swift wrong turn. If this is what adulting is like, then I’d give anything to stay a child.

LeAnna, you made it! Xavier yells from across the bonfire, jogging toward me. You brought Gigi. He tickles her side and gives Dylan, my neighbor, a chin lift.

Yeah, sorry. I adjust Gigi on my hip. I couldn’t find a sitter to watch her.

I’ll wait by the car, Dylan whispers close to my ear. I want to ask him to stay. He’s one of my best friends. I never worry when I’m around him, but what I have to do has to be done all on my own.

LeAnna, Dylan, hey! Warren storms over before Dylan can take off. Have either of you seen Lily?

No… she wasn’t at graduation. What happened?

I don’t know. Warren runs a hand through his hair. I can’t get a hold of her, and no one seems to know where she is.

I haven’t seen her, either. Dylan frowns. Have you checked with Rose or her brother?

Yes. They told me she left.

I jerk my head back. Left where?

I don’t know! Warren cries out and Gigi starts fussing, clinging to me. Sorry.

That doesn’t sound like Lily. I don’t like that she missed graduation. I bounce Gigi on my hip, feeling more uneasy about my friend. She and Dylan live in the same trailer park as me, and we spent nearly every day together since we were kids. If she was planning to take off, she would have told us.

Have you talked to your dad? Xavier asks, and Dylan and I share a look.

Not yet. I was hoping one of you had seen her. Warren clenches his jaw and stares into the bonfire. Lily told me once Warren’s father was dangerous, but I never believed her… not until today.

Did you guys have a fight? Xavier wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. His embrace was once a comfort. I felt protected and cherished when his arm was around me, like nothing could touch me. But I was wrong. So wrong.

No. I mean, not that I know of. I’m going to go check the pond. If you talk to her, will you let her know I’m looking for her? Warren pierces me with his eyes.

Yes. Yes, of course. I nod. He gives Dylan a chin lift before disappearing into the crowd.

Want me to take her? Dylan asks, reaching for Gigi.

No, I’ll… no. I look down at my little sister.

Yeah, okay. Dylan tickles Gigi’s chin. I’ll be by the car.

What was that all about? Xavier asks after Dylan is out of ear shot.

Nothing. I lick my lips.

What took you so long to get here? Xavier starts to lead me toward an empty bench by the bonfire.

Do you think we could go somewhere a little more quiet? I switch Gigi to my other hip. She’s over a year old and small for her age, but trekking her across the field has already worn me out.

Yeah sure. He looks around and points to the other side of the party, farthest away from the stereo that is blaring music.

The farther we walk away from the bonfire, the darker it gets, and I stare down at where I’m walking, trying not to trip. I’m shaking like a leaf, and I don’t know how I’m going to get through what I’m about to do.

I look around, seeing no one is around and look up the first boy I ever loved. This is far enough.

You okay? Xavier grabs my shoulder and pulls me into a hug. You seem sad.

I pull back, not wanting to put this off any longer, and let out a deep breath. Xavier, I don’t know how to say this… I quickly wipe at a tear that slides down my cheek. But we need to break up.

What? Xavier stands at his full height.

Our lives are going in different directions—

LeAnna, where is this coming from? he demands. We just picked our fall classes. How are we going in different directions?

Xavier, we can’t do this anymore. I try a different tactic. I tried to come up with a speech, something heartfelt, but there is nothing heartfelt about breaking up with someone you don’t want to break up with.

You told me you loved me just a few hours ago at graduation. We took pictures with my parents, Xavier argues, not making this easy.

I lied… I don’t love you, I choke out the lie over the lump in my throat. Tears slide freely down my cheek, and I hope the darkness makes it impossible for him to see them. Gigi starts to squirm at my side, reading my mood as she whimpers, hiding her face in my hair. I have to go.

Don’t go, Xavier pleads, and I hesitate just before turning my back on him. I pick my way back through the field until I find Dylan leaning against his beat-up Honda. His legs and arms are crossed as he stares done at his feet.

As if he sensed me near, he looks up and I let out the sob I’ve been holding on to since I turned my back on Xavier. Hey, it’s okay. He pulls me into his chest. Everything will be okay. I cry into his chest only for a moment before Gigi begins to cry. Come on. I’ll take you home.

I take one last look at where I left Xavier, but I don’t see him.

You know you could tell him what happened. Dylan wipes his thumb under my eyes.

You know I can’t.

Dylan stares concerned at me before pressing his lips to my forehead. Get in, I’ll put Gigi in her carseat.

Thanks Dylan. I give my little sister to him. I hate myself right now.

Don’t. Dylan commands, piercing me with his gentle brown eyes. You had no choice.

CHAPTER ONE

LEANNA

The smell of bacon and eggs greets me as I enter Connie’s Diner . I’m not surprised it’s bustling with business; Connie, the owner of the diner, has the best comfort food in Peak Valley. People from neighboring towns come just to eat at Connie’s . Aging red booths line the walls next to large picture windows that look out onto Main Street. Retro, round tables and chairs that have been well used fill the middle sections. There is a long counter for those who come alone or just want to spend some time chatting with Connie, hearing the latest gossip. It’s your stereotypical diner, and one of my favorite places in Peak Valley.

I waitressed here when I was in high school and for several years after. Life was tough back then, but I found peace when I was working at Connie’s. At nineteen, I became my little sister Gigi’s guardian. She was only a toddler, and I knew nothing about raising a child, despite mostly raising her while my alcoholic parents slowly destroyed themselves. Connie always gave me shifts that brought in the most tips, and she even let me bring Gigi to work when I struggled to find someone to care for her. Gigi was a sweet child, and the staff loved her. Raising her was easy, but putting food on the table and paying bills felt like a never-ending struggle.

At twenty-five, I was able to get a job as a receptionist at Arnoldson Accounting. I still picked up a few shifts on the weekends at Connie’s and was able to build up some savings. Life somehow got easier after that. I bought a small, three-bedroom home and a dependable car. I have a retirement savings plan and health insurance. It took a long time before I felt like the other shoe wasn’t going to drop, and even now, at thirty-three, I still have my moments.

Gigi is first to spot me at the entrance and makes her way over with a frown. Seriously, LeAnna, you’re being a helicopter sister, Gigi whispers as she grabs a menu before turning her back and heading for my usual booth.

How am I a helicopter sister? I ask when we reach the booth, trying but failing to look innocent. She isn’t wrong; I am a little overprotective with her… okay, a lot overprotective. But stopping by for breakfast has nothing to do with being overprotective and everything to do with me not knowing what to do with myself. Now that she’s in high school, she’s busy with school, work, cheerleading, and hanging out with her friends. I’ve never had so much free time since before I graduated from high school, so I don’t know what to do with myself.

"Sitting in my section on my first weekend shift... that is the definition of hovering." She rolls her eyes and hands me the menu.

Okay, I really didn’t think about it that way. "Well… you, I point a finger at her and give her a cheeky smile, sat me in your section. I only came for breakfast." I mentally pat my back and take the menu before sitting down.

Gigi doesn’t buy it and delivers her go-to move—the eye roll. She has mastered this gesture so well that she’s managed to make it look adorable. Liar. You’re checking in on me.

Placing my hand on my chest, I suck in an astonished breath. I’m no liar.

Gigi snorts and pulls her order pad from her apron, unable to hold back a smile—a smile that is identical to my own. Everything about us is identical. We both have short, curvy bodies with dark brown hair and aqua-blue eyes. The aqua-blue comes from our father, but all our other features comes from our mother.

Strawberry crepes? Gigi asks, tapping her order pad with a pen. She may be playing it cool, but I know she’s secretly relieved I’m here. She is more than capable of being a waitress at Connie’s, but she still gets nervous whenever she tries something new. She fears if she isn’t perfect, those around her will leave. I wish I could take those feelings away and show her that it is okay to be vulnerable—that not everyone will leave us—but that has been hard to do, especially when almost everyone who has been close to us hasn’t really stuck around.

Coffee first, then strawberry crepes please. I hand back the menu.

Coming right up. She turns on her heel and heads for the coffee station behind the counter.

Conversations from other tables buzz around me, and I look around at all the tables. Families and friends sit together, enjoying each other’s company while I sit alone and people-watch. Loneliness settles over my shoulders like a heavy blanket. It isn’t the first time I’ve felt like this. The more active Gigi becomes in school, and now taking on a part-time job, the more time I have on my hands. Maybe I am becoming a helicopter sister… but what do single thirty-something-year-olds do?

Connie grabs a full pot of coffee and hands it to Gigi before waving at me with a wink. I smile and wave back when the bells above the entrance door chime, causing the hair on the back of my neck rise. Glancing over my shoulder, my stomach drops and my heart skips a beat when I lock eyes with Mrs. Alice Duncan. Her face sours, distorting her flawless features, reminding me just how deceiving beauty can be.

I haven’t spoken to Mrs. Duncan in over fifteen years, but our paths have crossed since then. Peak Valley is a small town, and I avoided her for years; I even went so far as ducking and covering when I saw her in public. After I bought my house, I stopped hiding whenever I saw her coming. I might not meet her definition of success, but in my heart,