Shatter: Sierra Cove Series, #1

By Lyssa Cole

Shatter features Tyler & Chloe's story, a second chance romance!

A free prequel is available, Fragile, that tells the beginning of their story

 

A part of me still loves him.
But he's in the past- a past I want to forget.
I came to California to make new friends, figure myself out, and set myself on a career path. Start a new life.
Love will only get in the way.
But when he shows up unannounced on my doorstep, all of my carefully laid out plans get swept up in a tornado of emotions. Pushing him away seems like the only viable option.
Except he's not having it.
With harsh words and broken hearts, we part ways.
But it's not over yet.
I don't think it ever was.
Because a connection like the one between Tyler and I?
It can't be ignored.

 

All books will be standalones, and while the series will be more enjoyable if read in order, the books can be read as complete standalone stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyssa Cole Books
• Release date: Sep 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201685225

Lyssa Cole

Lyssa Cole has been in love with books for as long as she can remember. Escaping into a story is her favorite pastime. Wanting to be a writer for a couple years, she is now crafting her own stories. She loves to write angsty & sexy romance with lots of heat and some suspense to keep you guessing and wanting to turn that page! She lives in Southeastern Mass with her boyfriend, two children, three cats, and two dogs. Lover of coffee, all things chocolate, & always the avid reader, you can keep up with Lyssa Cole by subscribing to her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/NLsignuplyssacole. You can also find her at www.lyssacolebooks.com or www.facebook.com/lyssacolebooks.

Book preview

Prologue

Tyler

---

My hand shakes as I lift it and bring it back down.

This is a bad idea.

What are you even doing here?

I didn’t travel thousands of miles only to chicken out.

She doesn’t want to see you.

Why torture yourself?

I swear my heart is going to burst through my chest and land on the concrete floor in front of me. Resting a hand on the door, I lean forward and hang my head.

Giggles erupt behind me, and I look up to see a group of girls running past me down the hallway.

Fuck, I must look so pathetic.

I rip my hand away from the door and clench my fingers into a fist.

This is fucking dumb. Just do it already.

With a deep breath, I knock on the door twice and take a step back.

I hear voices and a chair scraping against the floor.

The warm air causes my shaggy overgrown hair to stick to my forehead. It’s October and feels like summer. Does Chloe like it?

Does she like living here?

Does she miss me?

The door swings open, and my knees almost buckle on the spot when her familiar scent hits me. My eyes roam over her, greedy from withdrawal, and it’s like I get my fix and crave more all at the same time.

My arms ache to hold her, my hands burn to touch her, and damn, do I want to kiss her.

Just a taste.

One small taste.

I know I won’t be able to hold myself back if I give in, so instead, I don’t move, frozen by her presence.

Tyler! What are you doing here? Chloe says, and I can’t tell how she feels. My mind is too busy racing, my heart too busy feeling way too many things.

Making sure you’re alive. You know, since you never return my texts or calls.

Chloe scoffs like she can’t believe what I’m saying. C’mon, I’m not dumb. It takes two seconds to answer a text. That’s not true. Besides, I told you I’m busy, and midterms are coming up.

Yeah, you look super busy.

Chloe looks behind her shoulder and then back at me. Let’s go somewhere to talk.

Whatever, I snap. Fuck, I need to stop being a dick, but I can’t. The shit comes out of me, evil and vile.

She steps into the hall and shuts the door behind her before sliding her small bag across her chest.

She’s more beautiful in person than anything my mind could possibly remember. Her hair, her eyes, her face. Her skin is glowing, a slight gloss to her lips I want to taste.

Fuck, I’ve missed her.

I follow her as she leads me out of the dorm building and into the warm sun. It’s late afternoon, and my stomach rumbles, but I ignore it. Like I have been all day.

Chloe stops under a tree a few feet from the building, and when she spins around to face me, I see the anger in her eyes. How dare you, Tyler?

How dare I what? I explode back immediately on the defense despite how her beauty mesmerizes me.

Just show up here out of the blue and be a rude jerk. You have no idea what it’s like to keep up with my classes and do my work-study job.

I throw my hands up in the air. Right, I have no clue because I don’t attend college.

That’s not what I meant.

Sure sounds like it.

If you came here just to fight, then you can leave.

I didn’t travel across the fucking country to fight with you, Goody. I fucking miss you. I needed to see you.

Well, a heads-up would’ve been nice. Chloe crosses her arms, and damn, she looks even sexier when she’s mad.

Um, hello, did you forget the part where you don’t return my messages or calls? I growl back, and she rolls her eyes at me.

I fight every urge to grab her and kiss her.

It pisses me off that this is where we’re at.

She doesn’t owe me a damn thing.

But fuck, every part of me screams to throw her over my shoulder and take her with me.

Except I can’t.

She has a different life now.

One that doesn’t include me.

I’m leaving tomorrow anyway, so it’s whatever, I say even though it’s far from the truth. I hope it hurts, considering she doesn’t seem to give two shits I’m here.

In fact, she seems almost annoyed. Like I’m bothering her.

How did we have such an amazing summer together, and now it’s like I’m looking at a stranger?

Chloe’s eyes darken, and for a second, they flicker with hurt, but she blinks, and it's gone. She spins on her heel and walks away without another word.

I watch her leave with my heart in my throat, her blond hair blowing behind her.

Fuck this perfect place with its perfect wind and perfect sun and perfect whatever the fuck else is perfect.

As Chloe gets farther away, a guy approaches her.

Chloe waves, and he joins her. They walk off around the building, out of view.

Who the fuck is that?

Is that why she’s so busy?

I swallow past the pounding of my heart and get the hell off campus.

I wish I never came.

Chapter One

Tyler

---

A few days later…

---

I follow the same dude I’ve thought about nonstop.

And no, not the sexy kind of thinking.

Like the I wanna hurt this guy and the sooner the fucking better.

He slips inside a classroom. I know I shouldn’t go in but giving a fuck? Definitely not my specialty.

The professor is already yapping when I slide in, trying to remain unnoticed. He glances at me and rolls his eyes, his mouth still flapping away.

I grab an empty seat in the back and pretend to listen.

Instead, I’m too busy staring at the guy who wants my girl.

Being all friendly and shit, hoping he can shoot his shot. Fuck no. There is no shot with Chloe.

She’s still mine.

A part of me feels fucking crazy.

I’m pretending to be a student and chasing down every guy who looks in Lo’s direction. Okay, maybe not every guy. But still. How pathetic am I?

Time drags as the professor’s lecture drones on and on. The classroom is stuffy with the windows closed. It reminds me of being back in high school.

I really thought college would be different. Better rooms, seats, tables. But no, it's just like high school all over again with a bit of an upgrade.

Why bother?

The guy I haven’t taken my eyes off raises his hand. Oh, a star student, how fucking nice. Of course he is.

Mason? the professor calls.

He answers the question, but I’m too busy focusing on his name. Mason. All right, at least I got a little bit of info.

Should I let Mason know just who he’s messing with? Or will that only piss Chloe off even more?

I debate the answer, my anger growing as the class goes on and on. When people start leaving, I realize the class is over.

I’m saying something to this bozo. Fuck this.

But when I look up, he’s already walking out the door.

Shit.

Mason, I will find you. And give you just one warning to back off my girl, I think as I walk out the door.

Every part of me screams to find Chloe, but I can’t right now. If she finds out I’m sneaking in classes, she’ll flip.

I should get out of here before she sees me on campus. That definitely wouldn’t go over well, and I’m not about to find out.

Fuck. I drag my feet and wish I could stomp them. Like a fucking kid, I want to throw a tantrum, yell and cry.

But I don’t. I bottle that shit inside and shove it deep down where it’s now only a dull ache, not a scorching inferno. But it burns underneath the surface just the same.

How could she just forget about me? It fucking hurts. More than I’d like to admit.

I catch an Uber back to Levi’s place. He invited me out here for a few weeks while our dad is in rehab. Last week, our lovely alcoholic of a dad ran out of luck. Driving home drunk is not new for him, but he ended up slamming into a tree and totaling his car this time. Now he’s required to do at least thirty days in rehab.

I didn’t want to come here at first. I’m still looking for a job and trying to figure my shit out. I don’t know what the hell I want to do with my life. It feels like it gets harder every day trying to figure it out.

Keeping myself busy isn’t easy with Chloe no longer around and my other friends out of town, pursuing their own college aspirations. I’m left feeling like a floundering fish in waters I’ve known my entire life. A mind fuck, I tell ya.

So instead of sitting home alone, I took Levi up on his offer. It had nothing to do with the fact that Chloe’s new school was only a half hour from where he’s staying. I mean, how would I know unless I looked it up? At least that’s what I tell myself.

But of course my love-sick ass looked it up and hopped on the next flight, desperate to see her. Even if only for a second. Even if only from a distance.

I should’ve stayed away. But I couldn’t, and now a huge part of me wishes I had. Because now my pathetic ass is pretending to be a student.

What is wrong with me?

I don’t know who this Mason guy is, but I’m determined to find out. If that means being a student, then so fucking be it.

You were out of the house early today, Levi says when I walk into the living room and plop my ass on the opposite end of the couch from him.

I sink lower into the plush cushions, hoping he gets the hint I’m not in the mood for small talk. Crossing my arms, I stare at the TV, watching some mindless reality show.

Ty? Where were you all day? It’s not like you know the area, Levi asks as he mutes the TV.

Out. What’s the big deal? I snap.

Whoa. No need for the attitude.

I don’t respond and continue staring blankly ahead.

You don’t have to tell me shit. But it’s a new area for both of us. I just want to make sure you’re safe.

I roll my eyes. Since when do you care about my safety? I don’t understand this act he’s put on since I got here, but he needs to quit. The sudden concern for my safety, the wanting to know my whereabouts. He never cared before, so why does he suddenly care now? Just because our dad can’t keep himself sober? The same way Levi barely can. What a fucking joke.

Hey, I didn’t ask you out here to fight. I’ve always cared, Tyler. Unfortunately, I was stuck in my own shit for a long time. But I’m here now. I want to support you however I can, which is the main reason I invited you here.

His words do nothing to soothe me even though they should. I want to believe him, but it’s hard. My life so far has been nothing but disappointments since Mom died. Except for one thing.

And now she doesn’t even want me. Which fucking sucks. It hurts.

Whatever you say, I mumble.

Do you want to talk about it?

About what?

Whatever you want.

No. If I sit here, he’ll continue trying to make conversation, and I’m not in the mood. I only become more of a dick.

So I see myself out, stopping in the kitchen before hiding in the guest bedroom. He leaves me alone for the rest of the night.

The next morning, I’m back on campus. I questioned myself the entire ride here, but I came anyway. Why am I going?

If someone knows the answer, then hopefully, they can let a guy know. Because I haven’t got a clue. Besides my addiction to a certain someone.

I sigh loudly to myself and stare out the window. I really wish I had my car because these fucking Ubers are getting expensive.

The campus isn’t big, which surprised me. The way Chloe talked about this school, I thought it was a huge school with an even bigger campus. Maybe I built it up in my head, from her words and my own imagination, jealous she was leaving. Jealous I wasn’t going with her.

But I like how small it is. It’s less overwhelming and more welcoming. At least it seems anyway. And being minutes from California’s coast and the mountains is incredible. This place really is gorgeous. No wonder she chose it.

With my hat tucked low, I try to blend into the steady stream of students walking around. I wonder what it would be like to be a student here. Would I rush around from class to class like a good student, or would I waste my money and fuck around, not giving two shits?

I still don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I can’t figure out a clear direction. It appears so easy to everyone else, but to me, it seems impossible.

My life feels like one empty void stretched infinitely in front of me. Chloe made it better. She made each moment bearable, someone to be happy about, someone to maybe share a life with. Something I had never really considered before.

Now I’m back to floating aimlessly with no direction.

And that shit only leads to trouble for me.

After walking around for a while, another rush of classes comes out, and more students stream in and out of buildings.

I’m tired of walking, so I stand off to the side and lean against a tree, busying myself with my phone.

Lots of people pass by, but what pulls me away from my phone is the loud, boisterous laughing.

I look up and spot a large group of guys standing around. It makes me miss my guy friends from back home, all of them taking off in various directions.

One guy moves a little to his right, and another one comes into view.

I know that face. Couldn’t forget it if I tried.

Mason.

He jokes and laughs with the group. I eavesdrop and actually laugh a few times at their jokes. One of them makes a joke in reference to the show Family Guy, and that’s just like something Carter would say. It brings me back to all our car rides after school, reciting lines from movies and shows. Suddenly, I wish I were a part of their group. Maybe then I’d forget all the other shit.

Except Mason.

He’d have to leave. I can easily take his place.

I amuse myself with the scenario in my head when a flash of blond hair catches my eye.

Goody.

My heart pounds like I was just injected with a steroid. My breath catches in my throat.

And pain sears through my chest.

Because Chloe’s now in that circle, laughing and joking with the guys, and standing right next to the one guy I want out.

That should be me standing next to her. Not him.

She looks so pretty. Her skin glows in the warm Californiasun, and I picture how her freckles must look, shining brightly.

Does she have any idea how hard it has been on me with her leaving?

Does she even miss me?

More guys and girls join, and it looks like one big happy family. The laughs cut me like a knife, and the happiness literally knocks the breath out of my lungs.

I can’t stomach it anymore. I can’t take the pain, the hurt. It’s as if I’m a love-sick puppy whose heart just broke, and it makes my fucking skin crawl.

Who am I? Who the fuck am I right now?

I walk away before she sees me, and I have an even worse problem on my hands. Minutes later, I’m in an Uber and stopping at the first liquor store I can find.

If