Fate (Fate Unexpected, #1) Read online

  Fate

  Whitney Cannavina

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  FATE

  First edition. October 21, 2016.

  Copyright © 2016 Whitney Cannavina.

  Written by Whitney Cannavina.

  Copyright

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

  Copyright of Whitney Cannavina

  Warning

  * This book also depicts some scenes of a sexual nature and other adult content and is recommended for those who are 18+.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading Fate. If you would like to ask questions about the story or find out about more information on future books, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or by email. Thank you again for taking the time to read about these wonderful fictional characters.

  Twitter: @ashtonsmom2012

  Facebook: Whitney Cannavina or my group page Author

  Whitney Cannavina

  Instagram: wlcannavina

  Email: [email protected]

  Whitney Cannavina

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Disclaimer

  Fate (Fate Unexpected, #1)

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

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  'Fate controls who walks into your life

  but you decide who you let walk out,

  who you let stay, and

  who you refuse to let go'

  -Unknown

  Prologue

  My life has never been easy. Growing up without parents has taught me life just is not fair. Life doesn't choose who it wants to screw over. There is no amount of good deeds to change your fate. No matter how innocent you may be, sometimes you lose everything too young and before you are ever ready.

  When I was just eight years old my parents died. It was my fault. I wanted so badly to have my favorite ice cream from the local ice cream shop. My parents promised me that we could go after dinner and I wasn't going to let them back out just because of a little rain. It was not just raining though, it was pouring down in a waterfall, and my parents didn't want to drive in it. I begged and pleaded for them to take me. I think I may have even stomped my foot to get my way. It worked though.

  We piled into our tiny bronze car, buckled up and headed out into the storm. I could not see past the hood of the car from the back seat and I couldn't imagine just how hard it was for my parents to see. The light from the oncoming cars was blinding and reflected off the flooded streets making it near impossible to see as they drove by. The water would crash onto our windshield from oncoming cars as the wipers moved furiously back and forth to brush it out of the way but there was so much that they couldn't keep up.

  We made it to the ice cream shop unscathed. I ordered my favorite, cotton candy flavored ice cream in a bowl topped with whipped cream and colored sprinkles while my parents ordered just a simple cone and a scoop of their favorite flavor that at this point, I really wish I could remember. We decided to stay and finish our dessert at the shop as we chatted happily about our day. They asked me about school and what I had learned in class. My mom divulged about her day at the hospital and all of her patients and how adorable their babies were.

  My mother worked in the maternity ward and helped deliver an abundance of babies daily. I loved her job and I would always ask about the babies that were born. She would light up as she would retell stories of the parents crying after having their baby, or when the baby would be the cutest she had ever seen. Although she said that about every baby, it was as if no matter what the baby looked like, they were always the cutest.

  My dad worked as a history teacher at the high school, which may seem boring but my dad was fun and always got really into his lessons which excited his students to get into it as well. Whenever we would talk about our days, he would tell us stories about the kids and their crazy antics during class and it seems that it was a lot of fun to learn. It always sounded so fun to be a high school student that I couldn't wait to be in high school.

  After we finished our dessert and headed home, we sat at a red light waiting for it to turn green when there was a flash of bright lights spinning and heading straight towards us. It happened so fast, there was nothing my parents could do but take the impact of the car spinning out of control towards us. I will never forget the sound of the screeching tires and crunch of metal as the vehicle collided into us. The screams, which I couldn't decipher if they were coming from me or my mother in the front seat, forever echo in my mind. The jolt of being hit causing me to be thrown forward then back before hitting my head on the window had me crying out in pain. It was too much and I passed out to wake again, who knows how long after with a raging headache and silent as if the sound had been muted. It was eerie but soon the sounds from the rain seeped in as my dizziness and the fog lifted from my eyes and ears.

  There was no other sound coming from the front seats but I can remember distinctly the pelting rain as it hit the asphalt and the shell of our broken car. The sirens were distant at first but quickly became louder as the seconds ticked by before they were screeching in my ears painfully loud. I tried to call out to my parents but it hurt too much to move or speak. I was severely disoriented, but I remember trying to tell them I was ok only to be met with utter silence. I cried out to them to let me know if they were ok but nobody answered me.

  When the firefighters opened the passenger door on the opposite side of me, I tried to tell them to check my parents first. I knew they were the ones hurt. I couldn't tell how badly they were injured but not waking to the sirens or me calling them couldn't be a good sign. They didn't listen to me though. The firefighters kept telling me to stay calm, they would get me out of the car soon, and that everything was going to be ok.

  Somehow, deep down I knew they were wrong. I knew nothing would be ok and everything would change after that night.

  Fate doesn't ask you

  what you want.

  Fate knows what's best

  even if you don't

  -Unknown

  Chapter 1

  Fifteen Years Later

  "Lainey, are you ready?" Sean asked me as I finished getting ready for our engagement party.

  "Ready. Are you?" Sean grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into him with a smirk. I knew that smirk. It meant he wasn't ready to go to the party, just ready to get under my skirt.

  "Oh yeah. I am definitely ready." Sean's hands start to travel down my sides to the hem of my white sequins dress but I brush him off. We don't have time for a quickie. We were already late as it was. The party has already started and we haven't even left the house.

  "We don't have time." I chuckle. He pouts and continues to slide his hands under my dress. "I promise I'll make it up to you." I complained, while pushing his hands away.

  He sighs in disappointment. "Fine, I'll see you there. I love you." I lean on my tiptoes and kiss him sweetly, missing his hands on my body but knowing I can rectify that later.

  "Lo
ve you too, baby." We are driving separate cars to the restaurant because he has a guy's trip planned for the weekend and has his stuff already packed up in the back to take with him later. Instead of the usual bachelor party with strippers and bad decisions, they are going camping. I don't get the appeal but then again, I'm not a guy.

  While they are on their trip, the girls and I plan to just relax and be pampered. With the wedding two weeks away, there is going to be a lot of last minute planning. We decided to marry straight away with a small and intimate wedding instead of having a huge and elaborate one that would normally take months to plan. Neither of us wanted to wait and with me not having any family, a big wedding just did not feel special to me.

  When I reach the restaurant, everyone is already waiting in the private room we booked. There is about twenty-five people here and that is just how I wanted it. Only our closest friends and Sean's family had been invited to celebrate tonight with us and every person is seated at the long table with their drinks in hand and laughing merrily. Having all of their support is the most precious gift they could give us.

  I notice Sean hasn't arrived yet but I figured he probably had a stop or two to make. Knowing him, he needed to get gas and buy a few snacks for the trip this weekend so he will probably be about another twenty minutes.

  "There is the beautiful bride to be." My best friend Deb clinks her glass gaining everyone's attention. "There is a seat for you and Sean right over here at the end of the table so get your cute butt over here and have a drink with us." She laughs joyously, most likely due to all the wine she's consumed. I'm sure this isn't the first glass she's had tonight and I have a feeling she will be going home with me to sleep it off.

  "Thank you everyone for coming. I am so glad you all could make it and are here to celebrate our engagement. Your support means so much to us. Sean is running late, as usual," everyone laughs at how accurate my pronouncement is, "but he's on his way. Let's order and by the time the food arrives he should be here."

  "Oh, I am so happy for you, Lain." Deb rushes up to me enveloping me in a tight hug. "You are one lucky girl. He's so hot and so sweet."

  "I am lucky aren't I?" I muse. With all the tragedy in my life, it feels almost too good to be true. After losing my parents, I lived with my grandmother on my mom's side but she died my senior year. Old age had taken her from me before I was ready but somehow I made it out ok.

  Sean was my high school sweetheart so when my grandmother died, his parents took me in and treated me like a daughter. I feel grateful that they cared so much for me as to consider me family.

  Sean and I decided to wait until after we both finished school to get married realizing it would be easier than planning a wedding during college and knowing that waiting wouldn‘t make a difference in our love for each other. After graduating from college a few months back, we finally decided to take the leap and start our life together as husband and wife and I couldn‘t be happier. But that niggling feeling in the back of my mind keeps reminding me that everything is just a little too perfect.

  "I need a man like Sean. Do you think his brother would be a good fit?" She laughs and I just shake my head at her.

  "Don't even go there. Brad is trouble with a capital T."

  "He is sex on a stick is what he is. Haven't you ever just wanted to test him out? Give him a spin around the block?" At one time, he was definitely on my radar but for some reason he backed off and became nearly a complete stranger with no warning or reason. Since then, I have put him in the back of my mind and focused instead on school and Sean.

  When we were in high school, Brad had befriended me. At the time, Sean was a jerk and was always picking on other kids, while also fucking, and dumping girls left and right. Sean never gave me the time of day but his friends made sure to harass me often. That is until Brad stepped in. It wasn't until a few months later that Sean took notice of me and started to pursue me.

  At the time, I was waiting for Brad to ask me out or make a move but he never did. Sean was kind to me but I knew he wanted what I couldn't give him. His persistence paid off though, and I finally conceded to a date with him. Soon, we became inseparable and Brad had disappeared from my life. I think he couldn't handle sharing me with Sean and even when I tried to assure him with my friendship, it wasn't enough.

  He was a year older and graduated before us and when that day came, he left and didn't look back. I haven't seen him except for on holidays or family gatherings but it's as if we were never friends. It hurt but I chose to rise above and ignore that feeling. Eventually, it would have to go away completely, right?

  "I thought at one time we could be but he never wanted me in that way. He is nothing like Sean, though. Brad has a hard edge to him. Something dark and rugged and all too bad for you. What you need a is man who is sweet and fun and can deal with your crazy antics."

  "You're probably right. But damn would that be a fun ride." Deb sighs dreamily.

  "Oh my god!" Someone exclaims gaining our attention.

  "What happened?" I gasp. My soon to be mother in law, Cathy has shock and despair written all over her face as she stares at her phone.

  "There was an armed robbery at the gas station over here just around the corner and two people were shot and killed. It was a customer and the clerk." Cathy is a retired dispatcher and whenever something happens close to us, one of the other dispatchers she is friends with will let her know. I don't think it's allowed but they try to keep us safe by informing us about what is happening.

  "How sad." I murmured. I hope Sean is safe. I should call him and see where he is.

  What is the world coming to? It seems like every day there is some sort of tragedy happening all around us. The poor families who have to hear from a complete stranger that someone they love has been taken from this world have my sympathies. I know what loss feels like and it never gets any easier.

  Once you make a decision,

  the universe conspires

  to make it happen.

  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

  Chapter 2

  After fifteen minutes of calling Sean's cell phone nonstop with no answer, I start to lose it. Sean's dad already left to go to the gas station where the robbery had taken place to see if they need any assistance and to reassure us that it wasn't Sean. He has yet to contact us about what is going on and as the seconds tick by, I become more nervous. Deb comforts me in the corner of the room when I notice the group of our friend's part for a tall, dark figure to stride through heading straight towards us.

  Before I know it, he has pulled me up and into his strong and comforting embrace. His comfort is more than I can bear and I break. The damn of tears I have been holding back stream down my face with no end in sight. Something has happened, I just know it, and Brad is here to be the strength I need to get through this.

  I pull back and just before I get the chance to ask about Sean, I see the regret on Brads face and hear the piercing cries of his mother. It's then that I know Sean was the customer shot in the robbery. I knew deep down yet I didn't want to believe it. It's just too much. I can't believe I lost him. Knowing he has been taken from me, another person I love is too much to accept. How could this happen? What have I done to deserve this?

  There are just too many emotions running rampant inside of me that I fall into Brad's arms and scream into his chest. How could this happen? Everything was perfect. We were going to be married in two weeks. We were going to have a life together and start a family. Why do I always lose everyone in my life? Why is fate so cruel to take another person I love from me? It is not just I who is losing someone they love. All of our friends and his family lost someone tonight to the callousness of some thug who probably only got away with a few hundred dollars. My fiancé's life was taken and once again, I am left to mourn over another loved one.

  Brad holds me tight to his chest as he rubs a hand reassuringly up and down my back while holding my head close. I take his comfort needing it in this moment.

  My c
hest aches, my head hurts, and the happiness I had felt only a mere hour ago has turned into despair. Life has a way of just ripping the rug right out from under me showing me that she is in control and that I obviously do not deserve to be happy.

  The rest of the night becomes a blur. I run out of tears while my body and head ache from my sobs. My heart feels as if it had been ripped from my chest. Maybe I should just give up on love and happiness. Maybe the life I have always wanted, always dreamed of, isn't in the cards for me. Maybe I am destined to forever be alone.

  As I stay cuddled up in Brad's arms, the ache in my chest lessens. Just his presence has a calming and comforting effect on me. Even Sean's presence couldn't give me the sort of relief that Brad's does. Maybe it's because I always knew he would keep me safe. Or maybe it is something more. I just don't have the energy to dig deeper to find out the truth.

  At some point Brad has managed to slip me into his car, buckle me, and then take me back to his place. The ride is just a big blur and it doesn't take long to reach the parking space in front of his apartment building.

  Being here with Brad in his apartment should make me feel as though I am dishonoring Sean somehow. And maybe in some ways I am but there is nothing sexual going on between Brad and me. Even though I have always felt something for Brad, he could never feel the same for me and that is ok. But when I needed him most, like right now, he has always been there for me. I need this. I need someone who is emotionally strong to help me through this.

  I have no idea how it happened, but at some point, while in Brad's arms, he let me cry myself to sleep and for some reason, I felt safe and protected and as if nothing could hurt me.

  "Lainey." A faint deep voice pulls me from my sleep. I slowly start to wake, feeling groggy and hung-over. Bawling for hours apparently can have that effect. Brad keeps shaking me but I don'tt want to get up. I just want to sleep forever so I won't feel the pain in my heart.