Piece by Piece Read online

  Piece by Piece

  RH Tucker

  Copyright © 2019 by RH Tucker

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Edited by Melissa Ringsted of There For You Editing

  Cover design by James at GoOnWrite.com

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. Sasha

  2. Taylor

  3. Sasha

  4. Taylor

  5. Sasha

  6. Taylor

  7. Sasha

  8. Taylor

  9. Sasha

  10. Taylor

  11. Sasha

  12. Taylor

  13. Sasha

  14. Taylor

  15. Sasha

  16. Taylor

  17. Sasha

  18. Taylor

  19. Sasha

  20. Taylor

  21. Sasha

  22. Taylor

  23. Sasha

  24. Taylor

  25. Sasha

  26. Taylor

  27. Sasha

  28. Taylor

  29. Sasha

  30. Taylor

  31. Sasha

  32. Taylor

  33. Sasha

  34. Taylor

  Epilogue

  From the desk of RH Tucker

  About the Author

  Also by RH Tucker

  Piece by Piece

  Prologue

  It’s a quiet morning. I’m smiling. She’s smiling. She wasn’t a few days ago, but now she is. This is what we needed, just her and me. As long as we’re together, it’ll be okay.

  I turn through the winding road along the coast, thankful again that my uncle helped me out. He could’ve told me I was crazy, or even worse, told my parents. What sixteen-year-old asks his uncle to reserve him a hotel room for the weekend for him and his girlfriend. But that’s what he did. Probably because he knows, just like everyone else, that she’s the one. She’s always been the one.

  “Thank you, Taylor.” Reese smiles at me, and I reach over and grab her hand, keeping one hand on the steering wheel. “You were right, this was perfect. And I know it’ll be okay.”

  “Of course it will,” I answer, kissing her hand. “Reese, there’s nothing to worry about. We got this. And no matter what happens, even though I know nothing will,” I release a grin that makes her giggle, “I love you. Forever. We’ll be fine.”

  As I look at her, I can’t help but think of how gorgeous she is. I’ve always known she was beautiful, even before I knew what beautiful was. Even before I thought of girls as gorgeous. She was it. Always has been.

  The sun hangs over the midday, and that sparkle shines over her, just like it always does, and I can’t help but smile again.

  She reaches over and holds my face for a moment, before looking ahead.

  “Taylor, look out!”

  Chapter 1

  Sasha

  Again.

  How is this happening again?

  Look, I get it. People get hung up on exes, unrequited loves, or even become stalkers. How do you think people end up murdered with fingers replaced with broccoli stems, or their skin covered in gravy? Grotesque, I know. I think I saw it on one of those unsolved murder-mystery shows.

  I’m digressing because I’m sitting in front of Alex. Alex, who I thought was interested in me. Who knows, maybe he actually was in the beginning, but for the last ten minutes—wait, has it been ten minutes? I glance at my phone, sitting at a very nice little Italian restaurant in the middle of the day, and check the time.

  Nope. Twenty minutes.

  He’s been going on and on about his ex for twenty-freaking-minutes. So much so, that he hasn’t seen me looking around the café, calling the waiter over—first to refill my glass of water, then for the check—and now to check my phone for the umpteenth time today. He just continues saying how he’s still in love with her. Rebecca.

  Sorry, girl, you’ve got a whiner on your hands. Come to think of it, Becca … do you go by Becca? I’ll never meet you, so I don’t care, I’m calling you Becca. Come to think of it, Becca, you’re doing me a favor.

  “Sasha, I’m so sorry,” Alex continues to apologize. “I never wanted to do this. Seriously, we were over.”

  “It’s okay, Alex.” I gently tap his hand, trying to sound as understanding as I can, when all I want to do is throw water in my face. Yes, my face, not his. Because I can’t believe this is happening. Again.

  “It’s not though,” he responds, finally making some semblance of an action that shows he wasn’t still in love with his ex all along. “I really did like you.”

  “I know.” I nod, waiting for the waiter to bring the check. Where the hell is he?

  “It’s just, we ended on such a weird term, you know?” he says like I should know.

  Why would I know, Alex? Why would I have any idea about how your relationship ended with your ex-girlfriend?

  “She wanted this job, but it’s in Bakersfield, which is a few hours away. Regardless, I still want to go to grad school.”

  “Alex, it’s okay.” I offer a strained smile. Waiter, I asked for the check an hour ago. Maybe not, but it feels like it.

  “Sasha, you’re so incredible. Seriously, I was thinking about introducing you to my parents.”

  “Seriously, I get it. You know, sometimes, you just can’t move on from some people. Believe me, I know about it. Sometimes the heart just wants what it wants.”

  “Yeah.” He nods, giving me a genuine smile like everything is right in the world.

  “Here you go,” the waiter says, dropping the check off. Thank God.

  Alex reaches for it. “Let me get that.”

  “No, it’s okay.”

  “Please.” He moves his hand over mine, giving me another smile. It’s the smile that I liked to begin with. I give in. It’s the least he can do.

  “Okay.”

  He scans over the check then reaches for his wallet. I see the bill and notice he leaves the waiter a thirty percent tip. Damn, he’s a good tipper. That’s always a plus.

  No. Sasha, you’re not going to think about him anymore.

  As a matter of fact, I’m not going to think about any guy anymore. Why bother, when the guys I want to get serious with end up still pining over some other girl?

  “Will you be okay?” Alex asks, getting up from his chair.

  I plaster on the biggest smile I can. “Absolutely. This sucks, sure, but I’m glad you guys reconnected.”

  “Seriously, Sasha, I didn’t mean to do this to you.”

  “I know, Alex. You’re a nice guy.”

  He nods, giving me one more smile before he turns and leaves.

  Nice guys. What the hell is my problem with nice guys? And why the hell are they the ones dumping me? Isn’t the saying ‘nice guys finish last’?

  It started senior year in high school. I know, almost two years ago, but still. I dated a couple of guys, but Charlie was the one. At least, I thought he was. When we went out, he’d just broken up with his girlfriend. I knew him for a while, so I helped him through that. He seemed really torn up about it.

  After a few weeks, one thing led to another, and we dated for a couple of months. We had less than a month to go before we graduated. My first time was going to be with him. Then he told me he and his ex-girl
friend got back together.

  Just like that, too. No big scene. No explanation. Well, no, there was an explanation.

  “Sorry, Sasha, but me and Lisa are getting back together. We decided to work things out. I do want to thank you for helping me when we broke up though.”

  Helping him? Seriously? Did he think I was just lending him my lips to make out with? As much as it hurt and as much as I wanted to be mad at him, I couldn’t. I knew Lisa, too. They were both really nice. And I knew they both liked each other, they were just freaking out because of the long-distance relationship thing that was coming up since they were going to go to different colleges. They were both my friends. She wasn’t even mad at me for hooking up with him. Now that I’m thinking about it, it is kind of weird.

  I thought, okay, fine. High school, right? Guys and girls do stupid stuff in high school. I knew a guy that broke up with his girlfriend via Snapchat in high school. But high school ended. Guys should’ve been a little better now, right?

  Nope.

  Enter Lucas. God, Lucas was insanely hot. At first, I thought he didn’t like me. That should’ve been my first clue. I mean, I’m not saying every guy has to like me, but when the guy ignores you after you make out with him, and you have to practically beg him for a date, that should be a clue, right?

  It was the summer before I started university, and we finally went out. Then there was a hot make-out session in his bed. For about twenty seconds, it was bliss. Until he called me another girl’s name. Yeah, if that’s not a mood killer, I don’t know what is.

  But again, I couldn’t be mad at him. We’d had exactly one date. And it was at a dance club, not some romantic one-on-one dinner by candlelight. As soon as he told me he was hung up on someone else, I thought of Charlie. Maybe that’s the reason I tried to be understanding. Charlie wasn’t a bad guy. He was a good guy. A nice guy. And so was Lucas. Instead of berating him, I told him I understood. And in a way I did. I knew Charlie, so I kind of understood Lucas not being able to get over someone.

  But that was it. Since then, I’ve gone out on dates, and I’ve had fun. But getting serious with someone? Forget it. Some of the guys I’ve gone out with have seemed like decent guys, too. They acted as if they wanted something serious, but I wasn’t taking that chance. We’d go out, have our fun, and I’d end it. I was happy with that. After all, I’m young … I’ve got time for a serious relationship later.

  That’s when Alex popped up. We had English together. When our first year was over, we went out a couple of times over the summer. I decided to take up a job at a friend’s restaurant instead of going back to school, so that cut out time when the next semester started up again, but it really seemed like things were going good.

  Alex was the first guy in a year and a half I thought would be different. Someone who could be long-term, boyfriend material. He’s hardworking, but he likes to hang out. We went to a play one weekend, and then the following weekend, we went to see the Dodgers play the Angels. Totally well rounded. He’s such a nice guy. Damn it, there’s that word again.

  My phone goes off.

  Tara: Hey, want to catch a movie tonight?

  Me: Sure, my plans just completely freed up

  Tara: ???

  Me: Tell you later

  That’s it. I’m so over nice guys. And trying to be in a relationship with guys hung up on exes or possible exes, or long lost loves they never knew they had until I came into their lives.

  I’m cursed. It’s the only logical explanation. I’m cursed.

  Chapter 2

  Taylor

  “Read it and weep, bitches!” I slam my midterm down on the counter at work.

  Micah rolls his eyes because he knows exactly what I’m talking about since he’s my roommate. But the other two guys, Calvin and Ethan, both lean over the counter, inspecting my work.

  “Bullshit,” Calvin argues. “You slept with the teacher or something.”

  “Hey, I got nothing against cougars, but I don’t get down with sixty-three-year-old biology professors.”

  “You’re missing out, man,” Ethan quips, making us all laugh.

  “Yeah, well, I’ll let you keep the baby-mama-drama, E. We going out tonight to celebrate?” I ask.

  “Yeah, I can swing that,” he answers.

  “I’m down,” Calvin says.

  Micah shakes his head, smiling. “Can’t tonight, me and Veronica are hitting up the movies.”

  If it were anyone else, I’d make a stupid comment, but Micah’s like a brother. And I really like Veronica. They’re great together. “It’s all good, it’ll be a CTE night then.”

  The CTE Effect. It’s a thing, and I’m not talking about the NFL. When Calvin started a few weeks ago, Ethan and I hung out with him. He’s a cool dude, who goes on and on about opening his own gym soon. Apparently, he’s stayed living at home and is saving up. He likes to brag that he’s thirty-two and his mom still makes his dinner and does his laundry for him. I don’t get it, but maybe that’s because I couldn’t wait to get away from my family. From everyone.

  Ethan’s cool though. He started working at the gym about six months ago and is a single dad.

  We went out to Chevy’s, a local hang-out spot, after Calvin’s first day. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I can’t help it, it was like bees to honey. I’d never tell Micah this because he’s my best friend, but Calvin and Ethan are on my wavelengths. We all workout, and are single and ready to mingle. Do people still say that? Whatever.

  “I still call bullshit,” Calvin says, inspecting my paper closer. “How in the hell could you have not only passed this midterm, but you aced it?” He holds the paper up to my face. “How’d you study for it? The personal trainer exam isn’t a joke.”

  It’s really not. I studied my ass off, making sure I passed my personal trainer exam. I was initially going to wait until I received my associate degree, but I decided I didn’t want to. In addition to opening his gym, Calvin keeps telling me that if I get my certification, he’ll hook me up with a job where I can have my own clients. So I said screw it, doubled down on signing up for the exam and studying for it, while I’m still in class.

  When midterms rolled around, Calvin, Ethan, and even Micah told me I was crazy. That I should wait to take my personal trainer certification and just focus on school. Blowing them off, I studied my ass off while trying to take diligent notes during class so I could focus solely on the certification. And I passed my certification over the weekend.

  “Because I’m the shit, that’s why!” I yell out, causing a couple of gym members to turn around. Becky, one of our regulars, peaks an eyebrow, and I give her a coy nod. I’ll have to get her number again before she leaves. I never keep a girl’s number in my phone, even if we’ve slept together. Which we have.

  “All right, take it easy, guys,” Micah says, heading off to the locker room. “Nice work, T.”

  “Yeah, thanks, man.”

  “Things going good with his girl?” Ethan whispers over to me.

  “Yeah, they’re good.”

  “His loss tonight then,” Calvin chuckles.

  “Don’t.” I throw Calvin a stern look, Ethan taking notice.

  Ethan is a couple years older than me, a single dad of a four-year-old girl. He knows how close Micah and I am. I’m not close with many people, but the few I am, I’ll protect fiercely. I know they could leave at any time. And Micah’s been there for me.

  Calvin raises his hands in apology.

  “Anyway,” I brush off the comment, pulling out my phone, “as much as I love Chevy’s, I’m a little burnt out on the place. How about somewhere new tonight?”

  “Got a place in mind?” Ethan asks.

  “What about Vibe?”

  “Ah.” Calvin nods in acceptance. “Want to club it up, huh? I’m down for a club. Haven’t been in a while.”

  “Ethan?” I look over at him.

  “Sure, why not. I don’t have Ashley tonight, so I don’t have to worry about a bab
ysitter,” Ethan answers, before bumping his elbow against mine, bringing my attention over to Becky, who’s starting to leave.

  “’Sup, Becks?” I match her stride, walking her over to the door.

  “Hey, Taylor. So, what was all of the celebrating about?”

  “I passed my personal trainer certification over the weekend, and I aced a midterm.”

  “Oh.” She leans into me, delivering a flirty smile. “Someone’s got a brain.”

  I wave to my face. “Yeah, well, this ain’t just a pretty face.” She giggles. “So we’re going out tonight to do a little celebrating. What do you say?” Leaning a little closer, I slide my arm around her waist. “We’re hitting up Vibe tonight? Down for a little fun?” I wiggle my eyebrows, eliciting another giggle from her.

  “Aw, man, I wish I could. I’m busy tonight.” She presses a finger into my chest. “Raincheck?”

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  I don’t bother to get her number because I’ll see her around the gym. It’s always casual with her anyway. It’s casual with anyone I hook up with. No strings is the only way I roll.

  She gives me a sly smile before leaving the gym, and I head back to the counter. Ethan raises his eyebrows in question. I shake my head no, and he shrugs.

  “It’s all good.” I smile. “Just means someone else gets to enjoy me tonight.”