Romance: The Second Chance - Contemporary Romance (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance Book 1) by Abraham Falls Read Free Book Online Page A

Tomorrow....
                  Then, nothing.

INTERLUDE 2
Six months ago.
     
                  As Abby rushed to lay down the hot casserole burning through the worn out mitten, she heard the front door open. Loud footsteps echoed throughout the hallow walls.
                  “Hey sweetie! How was your day?” Abby called out.
                  No answer.
                  “Tucker?”
                  Still nothing.
                  Something's wrong.
                  Abby carefully made her way out of the kitchen towards the front door. As she approached, she saw it had been left wide open, and that there was no sign of her boyfriend. She closed the door, turning toward the hallway—but he was already there. All six feet of him, thin and lanky but far stronger than Abby. And he reeked of booze and body odor.
    But one of his hands was twitching; his nose was pink, and his eyes were restless. Alcohol was an afterthought to whatever was really coursing through his veins. She didn’t smell any marijuana, though—his usual drug of choice—which meant it was something else. Something worse.
                  Suddenly, Abby was afraid.
                  “ Hey,” she managed. “Are you okay?”
                  He smiled, but not joyfully. More like he had something bad planned, and was excited for it.
                  “Fine, baby,” he said, wiping his nose. “Why don't you come here? I had a long day and I need you.”
                  She'd never seen him like this before. When he and Abby first met, he’d been so loving and tender towards her. Being there for her when her parents weren't. He was her rock, and she needed him.
                  He'd previously admitted to her that he'd used drugs recreationally in the past. Which eventually lead to experimentation with harder and harder stuff. Anything he could do to replicate that perfect high. However, after ODing and nearly dying, he’d vowed to quit forever, and assured Abby he had been sober for over two years. Abby hadn’t told her parents, but they’d disliked him regardless and, feeling they’d betrayed her, began spending more and more time with Tucker. Not three months after she moved to Texas, Abby found out he was using again. She pleaded with him to stop, but he wouldn't. He said it was only for recreational use. That he could handle it. Saying he only needed it after really tough days, working construction in the hot Texas sun. Abby continued to encourage him, tell him that he didn't need drugs, but after a heated confrontation, with him screaming and cussing in her face, she stopped her efforts completely. Out of fear. That should have been her first warning. A sign to run while she still had the chance. But she didn't.
                  Abby knew something was wrong in their relationship, that she needed to leave. But she couldn't. She’d defied her parents; she’d left without so much as a goodbye. Instead, she began to lie to herself. It was just the drugs. If she could manage to keep Tucker sober, they could live their lives together, get married, have kids, the way they were supposed to. Everything she ever wanted. But it was all just wishful thinking, and Abby knew now that her suspended reality was about to come crashing down to earth.
                  She didn't move.
                  “Come here , I said!” Trying to control his rapid breathing. “Abby, baby, I’m sorry, just—I don't want to  yell at you, but please just... come here. I need you. I need all of you.”
                  Was he implying what it sounded like he was?
                  “It's alright sweetie” she said. “But, don't you want to eat first? I just made us a lovely dinner. Fresh out of the oven, even.” She forced a pleasant