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

know what I mean.”
    I reach across the table and place my hand on hers. “I’m so sorry, Hail. What can I do to help? Are you okay? Do you need protection?”
    She smiles and gives me her ornery look that always means trouble and avoids my questions. “Well, first. Tell me what made you go off radar? Then after shopping, we’re going to go work out. There’s a new gym since you’ve been here last and I think you’ll really love it.” Why am I suddenly terrified? She nudges my hand. “Come on. You’ve always been able to tell me anything. That hasn’t changed, has it?” She’s right, of course. I’ve always been able to tell her everything growing up, and she would tell me everything too. Then why do I feel so weird about telling her things now? It’s just been so long since I’ve confided in anyone other than Bill, anyone who knew anything about my life here growing up. Maybe she feels the same way.
    “I….” Shit! I don’t know how to start or what all I should tell her. I look down at my coffee, my eyebrows lowering as I contemplate.
    “Hey!” I look up to see her sweet smile. “It’s me, Al. We’ve been through everything together. Is it Jase?”
    Is it Jase? Is it Bill? Is it my life? I take another sip of my coffee and sigh. “I’ll tell you but not here. Maybe we can go to Danny’s for a drink tonight? Eat some of his famous chicken strips that I’ve been dying for as soon as I landed.” Her smile reappears, and I’m feeling a little better.
    “Okay, deal! So, finish up, let’s go shopping and then hit the gym.” She gives me her look again, and I think I’m in a ton of trouble. I get the feeling there’s something she’s not telling me.
    We end up shopping for two hours! Damn, I forgot how she likes to shop. I ended up buying some new shirts, jeans and running shoes, although Bill hates when I wear these types of things. Of course.
    I follow her through town, all the sights of the buildings giving me warm memories and also sadness as I see some new ones. I still can’t believe I haven’t been home for two years. I wonder what all I’ve missed. I see the sign for the gym coming up. ‘Battle Ground Fitness’. Hmmm, interesting name. I pull into the small side street that winds into a parking lot around the back and into a parking space next to Hailey. I grab the bag with my new workout clothes and shoes and get out, noticing she’s already standing there by her car tapping her foot. Impatient as always. We walk around the front on the sidewalk, and she talks a mile a minute. God, I’ve missed her!
    “So, yeah. I’ve been spending a lot of time at your house with your mom. You know I’ve always loved her especially since mine never gives two hoots about me.” Her mom was always indifferent when it came to her. Always throwing it up in her face how she wished she’d had a son. I always felt sorry for her, but we’d just stay at my house or hang out with the gang in the neighborhood. Jase and she were about as close as he and I were, almost. But then, no one could touch the closeness Jase and I had. The three of us used to hang out a lot, when Jase and I weren’t together. “But that’s old and ugly news. You know that.”
    She opens the door, and I walk in and stop. Everything’s so clean and there are tables and chairs away from the front door, like a small lounge area, and a small snack and protein bar in the corner on the right. Then behind the small lounge are the women’s and men’s locker rooms and over to the left looks like some offices. Stairs are on either side of the sitting area where I’m imagining is where all the machines are. “Come on,” Hailey says, putting her arm through mine. “Let’s get you checked in and go change.” She leads me over to the right where a counter is and a pretty but unique looking girl is sitting behind. “Jolie, this is Alena Spencer and she need….”
    Jolie slides off her high stool and walks to the counter, bending