One More Chance (Chance, Part 2) Read online

  One More Chance (Part 2)

  Copyright © 2014 by T. Renee Fike.

  All Rights Reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without prior written permission from the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Illustration by: Kari Ayasha/Cover to Cover Design

  Acknowledgements

  I want to take the time to thank my mom again for your help and suggestions! Thank you for supporting me in my goals and adventures. I also want to thank my friends because of your continuous support through this amazing journey.

  To my beta readers, ladies, you are amazing! I enjoyed reading your feedback. I appreciate all the help that you’ve done for me. You are a true blessing, thank you for all that you do!

  ONE MORE CHANCE

  (PART 2)

  T. RENEE FIKE

  One More Chance

  Chapter One

  It’s been three months since Liam walked out on me. That’s 92 days, 2160 hours and 129,600 minutes since I’ve heard his voice, since I’ve seen him. It’s been three months of hell. School is about to start and Quinn and I are living in the house that Liam bought. I’m hoping he will come one day, but it’s not looking so good.

  “School starts in two days, you need to snap out of it,” Quinn bitches. She’s been bitching at me quite a lot lately. Though I can’t blame her, I haven’t been much fun.

  “Why didn’t I just marry him?” I ask as more tears fall.

  “Oh my gosh, seriously, more tears. Hails, you’ve cried more than I thought a person could ever cry. He didn’t die, he’s just ignoring you. You need to move on.”

  “I don’t want to move on,” I say as more tears fall. Just then there’s a knock at the door.

  “I’ll get it,” Quinn says as she heads to the front door. In walks Brody.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asks as he rushes over to me, seeing me cry.

  “She won’t stop crying, she’s been like this since Liam left,” Quinn snaps.

  “Haley, you need to stop. You need to start doing things again, get out there. Let things get back to how they used to be,” Brody states.

  “I was happy.”

  “You will be happy again, even if it’s not with my brother. Now get up, go get showered, the three of us are going to go get dinner,” he orders.

  Brody transferred to Michigan and Kenzie was really pissed off about it, but we all started to ignore her. She wants to be a bitch fine, but we don’t need to associate with her.

  “I agree with him, get up and get showered,” Quinn argues. I do as I’m told and I head into my bathroom. I take a good look in the mirror and I look like hell. I’ve lost weight, my eyes have dark circles under them, and I barely recognize the girl staring back at me.

  I throw on a pair of jeans and a cute kimono top. I look frail and it looks horrible. No wonder my friends are worried about me. After throwing on some make-up to cover the dark circles, I dry my hair and straighten it before heading out to the living room.

  “Holy shit, you are still in there,” Quinn says joyfully.

  “Yeah, I didn’t realize I looked like shit.”

  “You’ve lost way too much weight,” Brody says worriedly.

  “I know. I’ll gain it back, I promise.”

  “Damn right you will,” Quinn says proudly, “Let’s go get you food,” she says as we head towards the door.

  We head to a small bistro and each place our order with the waitress. It’s a cute little restaurant that makes you feel comfortable. I’m grateful, because I know I look horrible. “Do you think you could come to a party tonight?” Quinn asks looking hopeful.

  “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” I say, hating myself for saying no, yet again. I know my best friend misses hanging out with the old me and is tired of staying at home to babysit.

  “Sure it is,” Brody states.

  “Why is it?” I ask confused.

  “Because you need to get out there and back to your life again,” he says like it’s no big deal.

  He’s right, even if I don’t want to admit it, “Fine, I’ll go,” I say giving in. I truly don’t want to go, but if I want to be who I was before, I need to do this for myself. I need to find me again.

  “Yay,” Quinn squeals.

  We eat our meals. I try to eat as much as possible before feeling sick. While we eat, we decide on which party to hit up tonight. Since school starts in a few days, everyone’s pretty much back on campus.

  Quinn leads us to a fraternity party at Tau, which we’ve been to before. We head inside and see swarms of people everywhere. It’s great to see some of the girls and I head over towards Rebecca and Cara.

  “Holy shit, girl,” Rebecca says giving me a hug, “You’re so thin,” she says while looking at me worriedly.

  “I know, I’m gonna work on it,” I answer honestly, feeling embarrassed.

  “I’m so glad that you’re out and about,” Cara says as she gives me a hug.

  “I guess it’s about time huh?” I say with a smile, causing all of us to laugh.

  “Shall we celebrate with a drink?” Brody asks as he looks between the four of us.

  “Sounds good to me,” Quinn says happily. We all head towards the kitchen and each get a beer.

  After looking around at all the couples and people laughing and joking, I can’t help but think of how Liam and I looked when we met at parties together. Thinking about him causes me to drink faster and before I know it I’m feeling tipsy.

  “Are you alright?” Quinn asks with a concerned look.

  “I feel a little drunk,” I admit, looking anywhere, but at the stupid happy couples.

  “Do you want us to take you home?” Brody asks.

  “I think that’s probably for the best. I don’t want to overdo it,” though I know I already have.

  “Okay, let’s go,” Quinn says as she hooks her arm through mine.

  “You don’t have to go, don’t let me ruin your night,” I say to all of them.

  “I’m good to go home, I’m just glad you came out tonight,” Quinn says excitedly.

  “I’ll drop you guys off,” Brody says. We say goodnight to Cara and Rebecca before heading out the door. We walk to Brody’s car so he can drive us home. We don’t live far off campus at all, but since there’s a ride and it’s pretty warm out, I’ll take it.

  “Thanks Brody,” I say as he parks the car.

  “You’re welcome, have a good night,” he says as we get out.

  “See ya Brody,” Quinn says. We head inside and I immediately head to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “How do you feel?”

  “Alright, just a little tipsy,” I say as I plop down on the couch.

  “You look drunk. Wow, you seriously became a light weight overnight,” she says laughing.

  “I’ll build my tolerance back up,” I say in my drunken state.

  “As long as you put some weight back on, that’s fine,” she says with a concerned look.

  “I know, I took a good look in the mirror today. You should have told me how bad I look.”

  “I tried, but you were so depressed you wouldn’t listen,” she says as she sits on the couch beside me.

  “I realize that, but I saw myself today. Something needs to change,” I say before taking a large sip of water.

  “Are you going to try to co
ntact Liam?”

  “What’s the point? He made his decision when I didn’t marry him.”

  “I’m sorry, but maybe he isn’t the one for you,” she states apologetically.

  “I guess not, but neither is Brody,” I say quickly. I wish Liam was the one for me though.

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” she says laughing.

  “He’s been a great friend though.”

  “Yes, he has. I’m glad to see he’s not the douchebag you told me he was. Do you think it’s because he’s not around your sister?”

  “Probably.”

  “Have you heard from her recently?”

  “No, though I’m not surprised, we didn’t leave on good terms. She made her bed and now she has to lie in it.”

  “What do you think she’s going to do?” Quinn asks.

  “I don’t know, what do you think?”

  “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she dyed her hair brown and went chasing after Liam,” Quinn says all serious.

  “Wow, I never thought of that. He knows the difference between the two of us though. He always has.”

  “So, he would never fall for any of her antics?” she asks.

  “No, he wouldn’t.”

  “How are you feeling with him ignoring your texts and calls?” she asks looking concerned.

  “It is what it is. He’s made his choice, now I just need to move on,” I say finally giving up on a life with Liam.

  “I’m sorry Hails, I know you love him,” Quinn says looking solemn.

  “I do and I always will, but I can’t live in the past anymore. I made my choice to take a break; he made his choice to end it completely.”

  “Yeah, I’m still completely shocked by that. He was so in love with you.”

  “I guess not as in love as we both thought,” I say, feeling sad again.

  “I’m sorry sweetie,” Quinn says softly.

  “Don’t be, it’s not your fault. I think I may head to bed,” I say as I stand up.

  “Okay, sweet dreams,” she says as I walk up the stairs.

  The house that Liam purchased is a two-story house with four bedrooms, three baths, plenty of room in the backyard with a deck off the back door. On the front porch there’s a swing that I absolutely love. It’s a house that we decided we could start a family in when the time was right. I guess not anymore.

  Before I know it, Monday comes and that means so do classes. The first day of a new semester sucks. Class after class, professor after professor goes over the guidelines for class and how the semester is going to go. Why I don’t just skip the first day, I don’t know.

  Thankfully, the day ends and I can head home to get a start on all the work this semester is going to bring. As I enter the house, I throw my bag on the floor, “That bad?” Quinn asks.

  “Ugh, you have no idea,” I say as I grab a bottle of water.

  “What happened?”

  “Between the shit ton of work I’m going to do in these classes and the rumors about Liam leaving me at the altar; I’ve had enough.”

  “Really, people said that?” she asks shocked.

  “You haven’t heard anything when you went out?” I ask surprised.

  “No, I haven’t heard a thing, but he didn’t leave you at the altar.”

  “No, but you know how rumors go. Who cares if they are right or wrong, that’s why it’s a rumor.”

  “I’ll set them straight,” she says proudly.

  “Quinn, that would be you telling the entire school, that’s not going to happen.”

  “Well, I will make sure the people that I hear say it, know the truth.”

  “It’s probably easier to just stay quiet. As long as I don’t get hazed, I’ll be fine.”

  “Oh my gosh, if that happens, I will rip his fucking balls off, I swear it,” she says matter of fact. I can’t help but laugh out loud. “You can laugh all you want, but you aren’t going through that hell again, I won’t allow it.”

  “Has anyone ever told you how awesome of a best friend you are?” I say with the biggest smile ever.

  “I know I am,” she says with a smirk.

  “Great, because you are. I don’t know what I would have done without you these last few years.”

  “Well you don’t have to worry, because I’m here and I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

  “Good.”

  “Do you want to order pizza tonight?”

  “That sounds like a plan. Is Mark coming over?”

  “No,” she says quickly.

  “What’s going on there?”

  “We aren’t working out.”

  “Why not?” I ask stunned.

  “He’s getting annoying,” she says with a disgusted look.

  “Annoying?” I ask confused.

  “Yes annoying. He’s getting jealous over every little thing I do and I can’t take it anymore.”

  “Have you talked to him about it?”

  “Over and over again.”

  “So what happens then?”

  “We fight, either I leave or he does. It’s been going on long enough, so I told him today that I can’t do it anymore.”

  “Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, feeling like a horrible friend.

  “I’m telling you now.”

  “I get that, but you could have told me before now that you guys were having problems.”

  “You had plenty of your own shit to worry about. Plus, I handled it.”

  “Good for you.”

  “So, I have a plan for us this first semester back to school,” she says with an evil genius look.

  “What’s that?” I ask dreading to hear her plan.

  “We are going to find new guys.”

  “You just broke up today,” I remind her.

  “Sure did,” she says, like it’s no big deal.

  “Are you sure you’re ready to move on?”

  “No,” I admit, “But I’m willing to try.”

  “How about we stay single this first semester and the second one, we look forward to moving on?”

  “Fine. This semester we are single bitches looking to have fun and live it up,” she says excitedly.

  “Great,” I say feeling good for the first time in a really long time.

  The first month goes by and I’m thankful the rumors have slowed down and even stopped from some people. I’ve put some weight back on and look much like my old self again. Quinn and I are sticking to our decision to remain single for the first semester. It’s much easier for me than it is for Quinn apparently, but she’s having fun doing her thing. We’ve been hanging out with Brody a lot and I’m grateful to have him back in my life.

  “It’s Thursday, are we going out tonight?” Quinn asks as she enters the living room just as there’s a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” she says as she heads towards the door.

  “Hey, I thought I’d bring you ladies some pizza,” Brody says as he comes in.

  “Hi, that sounds great,” I say just as my stomach growls, causing the both of them to laugh at me.

  “So, I was thinking we could hang out here tonight and watch movies, if you ladies don’t have any plans that is,” Brody says as he takes a seat on the chair. Quinn brings in some paper plates and napkins and takes a seat beside me on the couch.

  “I was just asking Hails if we were going out or staying in, I’m fine with staying in and watching movies.”

  “Me too, what did you bring?” I ask eyeing the DVD cases.

  “A scary movie and a comedy,” he says.

  “Comedy,” Quinn and I say in unison causing Brody to laugh.

  “You two are a bunch of chicken shits,” he says as he grabs two slices of pizza and throws them on his plate.

  “So what,” I say as I take a bite of my pizza.

  “Maybe during the day,” Quinn says before grabbing her slice.

  “Have you heard from Kenzie?” I ask Brody.

  “Actually yeah, she texted me today, why, di
d she text you too?”

  “No, I was just curious.”

  “She wants to come visit.”

  “What?” Quinn and I yell in unison.

  “I don’t know, some shit about missing me and wanting to see you.”

  “Do you want to see her?” Quinn asks to no one in particular.

  “Honestly, it makes no difference to me. I’m not getting back with her,” Brody says. “How about you?” he asks as he looks at me.

  “I guess, I mean she is my sister and we used to be close. If she could get her shit together and stop messing shit up then yes, I’d love nothing more than to be like we used to be,” I answer truthfully.

  “Do you see that happening?” Brody asks with a knowing look.

  “Probably not. Wishful thinking I guess.”

  “If she comes and causes any trouble, I’ll send her ass home,” Quinn says not holding back.

  “She’s not staying here,” I say quickly.

  “She’s not staying with me either,” Brody states.

  “Okay then, maybe she won’t come,” Quinn says happily before resuming eating her pizza.

  We spend the rest of the evening watching the comedy that Brody brought over and then we talk until we pass out.

  “Holy shit, I’m glad it’s Friday,” Quinn says as she heads out for class. Brody ended up spending the night last night and slept in one of the spare bedrooms. “Is Brody still here?”

  “No, he left about thirty minutes ago.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Why?”

  “Just curious. I’ll see you later,” she says as she heads out the door.

  I finish getting ready and head out to a busy day of classes. As soon as I hit the grass on campus, I can see people whispering and obviously something’s going on; I just don’t know what. Luckily for me, I’m sure it won’t take too long to find out.

  Thinking I’ll hear what’s going on during my first class, I’m highly disappointed. No one was talking. After class, I head out and have fifteen minutes until I need to be in my next class.

  “Holy shit, there you are,” Rebecca says as she runs towards me.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask as she breathing heavy.

  “Have you heard?” she asks with a worried look.

  “No, but I know something’s going on. What’s up?” I ask as she tries to catch her breath.