The Loss (Heartache series #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

both of the losses I felt. No one ever held me after the accident, except Mom, of course. Jase couldn’t. He wasn’t the same after that. Who would be when they watched the love of their life get killed right in front of them?
    My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out. My eyes soften, and I smile when I read the text. I text back, send, and then look up at Mom. “I’m meeting Hailey in an hour at the mall to shop for the reunion and then we’re going to Danny’s.”
    “Oh! That’s wonderful dear. I thought you already bought a dress for that?” she asks with a smile on her face, warming me up. “I’m sure you’re anxious to see Hailey. You both always had so much fun together.”
    My smile grows when I remember Hailey. “Well, I might just get some new things but yes, I have a dress Bill wants me to wear.” Her smile wavers. “I can’t wait to see Hailey!” We talk about memories of Hailey and me together, and she even brought up Jase. I didn’t cringe this time but just laughed with her and some of the things we used to do. Our house and Jase’s were where we all used to congregate when we weren’t playing outside. It was so comfortable being with them, and our parents, until after the accident. Things were strained, to say the least, but expected. I don’t think any of us were the same after that, especially Jase. That sets my mind in a totally different direction. I wonder how he is now. He seemed okay when we bumped into each other. Is he still having nightmares? Is his life better now? My focus moves back to Mom as she continues talking about childhood memories. We laugh as we talk and drink our coffee until it’s time for me to leave.
    Mom lets me take her car and the whole time I’m driving into town, which isn’t very far, I’m thinking about our neighborhood, how close everyone was, how much fun we used to have and all the alone time with Jase.
    I pull into the mall parking lot and drive until I find a place to park in front of one of the entrances. I immediately see Hailey standing out front, smoking her cigarette. My heart beats faster in anticipation of seeing my best friend. “Hailey! Put that damn thing out!” She looks up and a smile spreads over her face.
    “’Bout freaking time!” She yells.
    She’s always had the most gorgeous long black hair that hangs down to the top of her small butt. I always envied that. Her black eyelashes are longer than mine, and she works out way more than I do. I need to find a gym! I half jog to her as she deposits her cigarette into the tray beside her and we envelope each other into a hug. “Damn, I’ve missed you,” I say in her ear, trying to hold back the tears that are developing quickly. I push back to arm’s length and look at her more closely. There’s slight bags under her eyes that’s she’s trying to conceal with makeup, but I can see them. “I need to hit your gym, girl. You look rockin’! But you look tired. What’s up, chica?”
    She turns, clasping her arm through mine, and we start to walk into the mall. “Oh! So much to tell you, so little time. Let’s get a coffee first and we can chat.” I give her a sad smile as she leads me through the doors and then down the walkway until we hit our favorite coffee place.
    “Man! I haven’t been in here in so long. I’ve missed it.” I frown. She pulls my arm, and we walk up to the counter. After we get our coffees, we find a small table in the back corner and sit down across from each other. I take a sip and smile when I look at her. “Okay. Spill. Why do you look so tired? Should I be worried?”
    She gives me a sad smile, looks down at her cup and then back up at me. “No! I’ve just…. You’ve been gone so long and I’ve missed you. I just broke up with a guy who I dated the last few years but I’ll get over it.” Her eyes turn sad, and she sighs. “He wasn’t, uh, the kind of guy who takes breakups very well. In fact, he isn’t such a nice guy, if you