Free Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets #2) by Silla Webb

that.”
    “Luke, I’m so sorry. I can’t belie ve he attacked you like that.”
    “ It’s not your fault, Carly. I was more worried about you than I was me. The bike is replaceable and the truck just has some dents in the back. I’m just glad that you aren’t too shook up. He didn’t hurt you did he?” Luke asks, wrapping his hand around mine. I look away as his baby blues pierce mine. Luke always has a way of seeing beyond the exterior. I can’t hide much from him, but I at least try.
    “Physically, no. He scared me shitless and ripped my heart from my chest…nothing I ain’t used to. ” I shrug, acting like my lifeless heart is no big deal. “I know I hurt him, but I never intended too. I expected him to be upset, but I didn’t expect him to react the way he did.”
    He cups my face in his hand, rubbing the pad of his t humb across my cheek, saying, “He’ll get over it, Carly. He just needs to cool off and get his head on straight. I’m here though, you know that right?”
    I offer him a slight smile, standing up to throw away the used first aid supplies. “I know, Luke…and I am so thankful for your friendship. I’ll give Colton some time to cool off, but for now I’m too exhausted to breathe, let alone think about all of this mess.” I swirl my finger in the air at the shit storm. “Thanks for coming by to check up on me.” Luke stands to leave, but not before pulling me into a bear hug.
    “Don’t beat yourself up over all this shit. Just think of it all as Karma bitin’ him in the ass. He’ll come to his senses. Call me if you need anything.”
    After Luke leaves, I try to call Colton one last time before going to bed. When the call goes to voicemail, I don’t even bother with leaving a message. There is no changing the past. He of all people should understand that. But like Luke suggested, he will come around eventually; if he doesn’t leave me all alone, just like he did eight years ago.

Chapter 6

    I’ve never felt so torn apart in my life. Betrayal rushes through me as she mumbles the words across her lips. Words I never dreamed that I would hear her mutter, crush me to dust.
    Over the last eight years I’ve suffered an insurmountable deal of heartache. I nearly lost myself to addiction, but I bounced back and regained hope that one day I’d hold my precious darlin’ in my arms again. But this time I’d hold her forever. Somehow I managed to let her slip through my fingers and into the arms of another man.
    Hearin’ Carly Jo’s gut wrenchin’ confession, pressure builds in my head, causin’ me to sway lightly on my feet. I shake my head to clear the cloudy fog that’s blanketin’ me and realize I’ve been holdin’ my breath. It’s in there, somewhere; lodged between my heart and my lungs. I blow the air out hard and a husky grumble comes right along with it. I yell at Carly Jo, words I can’t even remember sayin’, then storm out the front door.
    My truck rips from her driveway, leavin’ thick smoke in my wake. I punch the steerin’ wheel as I speed down the windin’ road. I knew when I saw her with him today that something was off. All of the warnin’ signs pointed to him, but I let her deceive me playin’ me for the fool I am.
    It takes me a minute to realize where I’m headed, until I cross the tracks at Millers Branch. Redneck Crazy by Tyler Farr booms from the speakers and I know just what the hell I’m gonna do. You ain’t seen redneck crazy ‘til you’ve seen Colton frickin’ Weston completely unhinged.
    Approachin’ Luke’s house the fury inside me builds. I speed my truck f orward, twist into his driveway crushin’ his Harley beneath my Silverado. Reverse. Repeat. Reverse. Repeat. I throw the truck in reverse one final time, then speed forward crashin’ into the side of his charcoal grey Silverado. Damn I hate the thought of damaging a beautiful Chevrolet, but when you mess with my woman, I’m gonna tear your shit apart, and turn your world