Wrecked (Stories of Serendipity #8): #8 Read Online Free PDF

driving accident where he was the drunk driver. She just never had found the words to say. She preferred for Kelly to think of her father as someone who she could love and respect, not the asshole he really was. Renae hadn’t found out until two days after the accident there had been another woman in the car when he’d died. Somehow, in the fog of grief, she had missed that detail. Kelly was two when her dad died, and Renae didn’t see the need to share all that with her. She would someday.
    Alyssa was right, though. She was living for herself now. She didn’t need to play the part of the grieving widow anymore. She was learning to live by herself, so she needed to take off the ring.
    Slowly, she slipped the slim band of gold off her finger, a white indentation on the finger marking the spot.
    “It feels funny.” She rubbed where the band went.
    “You’ll get used to it. I’m sure everything feels funny to you right now. When’s the last time you got dressed up and went out for a night of fun?”
    “I can’t remember?” Probably her senior prom, but she wasn’t going to admit that. She’d been out with the girls a time or two when they had girls’ night out, but she’d never really gotten dressed up for it.
    “Well, tonight will definitely be a night to remember, Renae Stanford. You look hot!”
    Renae looked at herself in the mirror. She did look hot. The thought that she’d taken off her wedding ring was leaving a funny taste in her mouth. She’d worn it for more than half her life, even if continuing to wear it after Cody’s death had felt farcical at times.
    “Thanks guys. I do look good. What are y’all going to wear?” They looked at each other and smiled.
    “We’re dressed!” Claire’s eyes gleamed with mischief. Renae looked at their jeans with disapproval.
    “No. I’ll look so overdressed next to you guys in this. Y’all have to change!”
    “Nope. We’re picking up Dalton and Max. They get all freaky jealous if we get too dressed up in public. Maybe Jessie dressed up for you, but probably not. You’re going to shine tonight. We don’t want to eclipse you with our awesomeness.” Claire was teasing, and Renae hugged her friend.
    “You guys’ awesomeness could never be eclipsed. Thanks. I’m feeling better.”
    “Just remember that when you’re holding my hair later. Come on, I’m ready to get my drink on,” Alyssa declared before leading the women out the door to Renae’s minivan, the only vehicle that would fit everybody.

Chapter 6

    J ason couldn’t remember being so nervous before a performance. It was probably because it had been forever since he’d actually been in front of an audience, even if it was busking for quarters on street corners in college.
    There was something different about tonight though, and he didn’t know what it was. Anticipation jangled his nerves like never before. It might have been because he could see this being his foreseeable future if his dad didn’t improve, and he hoped to God this wasn’t a bust.
    He’d paid special attention to his appearance, not really knowing what the crowd here was like. When he’d arrived, though, he’d immediately gone to the bathroom to loosen up a little. Next to Les’ worn jeans, and the drummer’s t-shirt, his sport coat and buttoned up shirt looked ridiculous. He’d unbuttoned the top two buttons and lost the blazer, then rumpled up his hair a little, going for sexy business casual. He hoped he could pull it off.
    When he pulled out his horn, though, the pearls under his fingers felt so natural that he relaxed immediately. He had no idea if jazz was this crowd’s thing, but he loved to play it, and they would hear it whether they liked it or not. He climbed on stage next to Les and Brandon, the drummer, and watched as a wiry woman pulled the mic off the stand in front of Les.
    “Ladies and Gentlemen. I hope you’re ready for a treat tonight. If not, I don’t owe Les anything. We’ll be even. So