Come Back To Me (The Me Series Book 1) Read online

  Past

  Reese

  “Reese Madelynn Radford, I will not tell you again to get out of that truck and come in this house. It’s nearly two in the morning. The neighbors are going to see you.” I looked down. Sure, from the outside it probably didn’t look good for a seventeen year old girl to be in her boyfriend’s truck this late at night, but I was taking all the time I could. I turned my gaze to Adam, who winked at me and let his full lips curl up into the sexy half smile he gets when he is about to charm the hell out of someone. This time, the target was my mother, despite his incredible looks, he didn’t stand a chance. He leaned his head out the rolled down window, “Hey Pam, I hear it’s technically your birthday, being that it’s after midnight and all.” Mom crossed her arms and arched her brow at him waiting to see what else he had to say. “So how old are you this year, 35?” He let his half smile shine full now. Mom uncrossed her arms and placed a hand over her heart as if she had just heard someone tell her she won a million dollars. “Adam, I knew I liked you. Reese, thirty more minutes, I’m not kidding. Do not make me come out here again.” She turned on her heel and went into the house. “I can’t believe that worked, your charm is ridiculous.” I laughed and turned into Adam, placing my right arm on the driver’s side door and my legs up into the bench seat of his ’95 Chevy Cheyenne. Face to face, he reached up and brushed my mid-length blonde hair out of my eyes, sending heat through my body, just like he did every time our skin connected. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He said chuckling, depositing his hand in my hair above my neck. His other hand comes up to frame my face and he kisses me. I open my eyes I just want to look at him forever. He stands only a few inches taller than my 5’7. Gorgeous golden-brown eyes sitting above his nearly perfect slightly up-turned nose with a breath-taking smile. Taking second place to his almost black hair that hangs low and straight, almost touching his broad shoulders. Which is by far my favorite feature of his. I was painfully in love with Adam. I say painfully, because I knew it was coming to an end. How could it not?

  Past

  Adam

  “I have to go, you know I do or my mom will kill me.” Reese was laughing as she leaned away from me, leaving entirely too much space between us. “I know you do, I just hate it. How can 30 minutes go by so fast?” “How can six weeks go by so fast, that’s how long we have been together and that’s how long we have left.” A tear threatened to slide down her cheek and I couldn’t fucking bear it. “Hey, hey come here.” I slid her back to me taking her face in my hands. “Just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean my heart is going anywhere.” Reese tried to give me a smile but failed and rested her head on my chest. It was true though. Six weeks was all it took for her to fucking ruin me. Hell, it really only took one day.

  Reese and I had always went to the same school, ever since the 4th grade. But the first day I really looked at her, I was done. She was sitting in the one class we shared, theater tech. We had a guess speaker that day. The guy was great, that was until he took it upon himself to draw attention to the bandage on Reese’s left arm during his bit. “Hey kid, what’s up with your arm?” The idiots face fell right after hers did. Like all the tumblers fell into place after the words already left his mouth. My Reese, my beautiful broken Reese met his gaze, stood up and walked out. As the door closed behind her it took everything in me in that moment to not do two things. The first, was to bolt after her, the second, to not punch that dumbass in the face in front of God and everybody. I had no idea what was under the bandage, but I knew in that exact moment I had to know this girl. I was drawn to her. I needed her. Reese snapped me back to reality when she took her head off my chest to go in her house. She got out of the truck, came around to the driver’s side window and stuck her head in. God she was beautiful. Her eyes were so blue that I often had to draw a breath when they were looking at me the way she was now. I took her face in my hands and kissed her softly. “I love you, Reese Radford. Forever.” “I love you, Adam Taylor, Always.” I knew we both meant it. She turned and walked in the house, pausing only to turn and give me a small wave and blow a kiss, then disappeared into her house. Fuck. How the hell was I going to leave her?

  Present

  Reese

  My eyelids were like two ten pound weights over my eyes. I finally peeled one open enough to see what the hell Mallory was doing banging on my door. “Ree, get the hell up, you’re going to be late for work!” I was up at that. The time on my cell read 6:55. Fuck! How was I going to get across town by 8AM? “Shit!” I yelled, “I’m coming Mal, let me get ready as quick as a can.” “You are so lucky I look out for you, you know that right!” Mallory laugh yelled as she walked away. I knew she was one hundred percent right. Mallory had been looking out for me since we were 14 and her family moved in across the street from mine. Her mom and 2 brothers became a second family to me almost overnight. In the last ten years Mallory and I had been through just about everything. Our high school graduation, moving away from our families to California, my father’s untimely death, our big move to New York, college graduation, and now we are in our first big girl apartment with our first big girl jobs, still in NY. Mal and I were damn proud of each other and ourselves. It took us a lot to get here, and I know I wouldn’t be here without her. Mallory had been putting all of our plans into action for the last five year, she knew she had to.

  Mallory pulled me from the dark trenches of my first heartbreak. Adam. Adam goddamn Taylor. It was Mal’s idea for us to move to California right after we graduated. Her Aunt and Uncle lived in northern CA and we could live there rent free as long as we put thirty hours every week at their family business. Street sweeping. It was a hilarious notion, two barely one hundred and ten pound girls driving giant street sweepers at night. But we did it. Mal knew I had to be closer to Adam. Our year apart was killing me, and even though I’d still be five hours from him, it was a hell of a lot closer than our home town of East Creek, Indiana. God, what the fuck was I doing thinking about Adam? But I knew why. His first film was about to be released. “In theaters everywhere!” I wanted to puke. I saw his face plastered everywhere, haunting me every time I traveled through Time Square for the last three weeks. It was enough to bring back all the pain. “Reese, we have to go, NOW!” Mallory was banging on my door again, as if she knew exactly what I was doing in here. “I’m ready Mal, keep your panties on!” I knew she hated it when I said that. “Jesus Christ, Ree, come on!” With that, I left my thoughts of Adam standing in my bedroom, I would deal with that ghost later.

  Mallory and I rushed into Duchane Publishing with five minutes to spare. “Seriously Ree, please have your shit together tomorrow morning. We cannot call it this close again. See you at lunch?” Mallory waved as she was already turning down the hall to go to her office in the IT department. She knew I’d meet her back here at noon so we could go down the street for sushi, just like we did every Wednesday. I headed for the elevator. “Seventeen please.” I asked as I got in with a few other employees. Duchane Publishing was one of the leading publishing companies not only in New York, but in the country. I felt like the luckiest pee-on on the planet to work here. I worked under Eleanor Fitz, the Editor in Chief, as her assistant. Known as one of the industry’s biggest, hardest, bitches, but for some reason she loved me. She even called me Ree, just like all of my family and Mallory’s did. She was the queen around here, earning her position at the age of thirty-three, she was my ultimate goal. I wanted to be Eleanor Fitz when I grew up. I reached floor seventeen with the familiar elevator ding, then subtle office buzz. I made my way to my small open office outside of Eleanor’s, when I heard her commanding voice calling for me. “Reese, is that
you? Come into my office when you get a chance.” Reese? Damn it. I must have done something to warrant the use of my full name. I set down my coat and purse and made my way into her office. “Reese, you hold the position you do, to not only do menial tasks, but to sift through the shit I don’t want to wind up on my desk. So, what the hell is this?” She asked as she threw down a manuscript I went through last week. “Seriously Ree, this is complete waste. Did you actually read this?” I took it from her desk and eyed a few pages. I barely remember looking at it. How could I have read it? “I’m so sorry, El. I don’t know how you ended up with this one. I won’t let it happen again.” Eleanor sighed, “Don’t you ‘El’ me right now Reese. What has gotten into you? You haven’t been yourself for weeks. Is there something I need to know?” What I want to say is ‘You mean I haven’t been able to concentrate? Or sleep? Or eat? Because my first loves stupid fucking face is literally everywhere I try to fucking go in this town because he’s a successful fucking movie star?’ Instead, I force out “I haven’t been sleeping well, I am working on it. Swear.” Eleanor eyes me. She knows I’m full of shit. “You’re full of shit, Ree.” She huffs. “You care to really tell me what’s going on?” If it was anyone other than Eleanor, I would have told them to mind their fucking business. But this woman handpicked me for this job. She loved me. She has been like family for the last year. For some reason, with no hesitation, I blurt out “Adam Taylor is my ex-boyfriend from high school.” She sets her coffee down slowly, tilting her head and slanting her eyes as she does so. “Adam Taylor?” she asked skeptically. When I didn’t look up after a moment, her eyes widen and her mouth drops. “Holy shit. You aren’t kidding, are you?” “I really wish I was.” I slump into a chair in front of her desk and drop my head in my hands. “We got together six weeks before his senior end of school ended. Right before Vaughn picked him up. He left six weeks later to work under Vaughn and attend UCLA. I lived in California for three months after my senior year before it ended.” Tears threatening, I lifted my head to meet Eleanor’s twisted face. “My God kid, he really did a number on you.” With that, a tear fell from my face. “Yeah,” I choked out. “He really did.” But that was only half-truth. The full truth was he still was.

  Present

  Adam

  “I can’t believe this is really happening. I am so proud of you honey.” My mom was beaming. We were both standing on the balcony of my modest three bedroom looking out at The Hills, this may be my first feature film, but I had been doing enough work under Jason Vaughn to afford a modest place in a quiet neighborhood. Which was nice, since my name was getting out there more so was my face. The opposite sex was taking notes. I started to see women everywhere I went. It was not what I wanted. What I really wanted was what I was doing. Acting. Making movies. I was just now tasting the fruits of my labor. In two days, my first feature film “Come Back to Me” would be released in theaters nationwide. It was a romance, and truthfully not my first choice, but Jason asked me to go to the audition. The director seemed to think I had the perfect face for the part. Lo and behold, cast, shoot, wrap up and here we are. I use the end of my current cigarette to light my next one. My mother looks at me disapprovingly. “Those are going to kill you, you know.” “Yeah Mom, I know. Better than heroin though. Right?” I smirk at her. She tries not to smile but does anyway. “Right, better than heroin. Don’t you dare do that. “I laugh and wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her into a hug. “I won’t mom, don’t you worry about that.” I release her and step to the side. She looks at me warily, “So, are you seeing anyone honey? I’m sure there are plenty of nice girls here who would love you to take them out.” I inwardly cringe. “No Mom, I’m not currently part of the dating scene. I’m trying to stay focused on my work.” Which was true. She was not about to let the subject go, although I desperately wanted her to. “Adam, it’s been five years.” I bristle. She eyes me, looking sad and irritated at the same time. This is the last fucking thing I want to talk about right now. “I am well aware how long it’s been, mom. I don’t need a reminder.” She waits, then lets out a heavy sigh. “I know you don’t Adam, but I’m your mom. It’s my job to worry about you.” I know she’s worried, I relax a bit, but give her a stern look letting her know this is no longer a topic for discussion. “I know Mom, I’m not asking you to not worry about me. I am asking you, to not bring her up.” She nods, defeated. “Okay honey, I don’t want to spoil our time together. I am so excited to be here with you. What are you going to show me today?” I laugh. “Today Mom, I will show you any part of Los Angeles you want to see. Visibly excited, she goes into the guest room to get ready. As soon as she’s out of sight I put my head down with my hands bracing the balcony railing. Why did she have to bring her up? I tale another drag off my smoke. Marlboro Red, the same brand I smoked with Reese. I never changed on that. I never changed on her. What I couldn’t figure out is why the fuck she ended us.

  My mom rushes out of her room, cell phone in hand, and I know she’s about to start talking a mile a minute. “So today, I was thinking we could go to the Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park since I figured they must be close. Then I want to see the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame! Then you just have to take me to get some classic Los Angles food. What is there besides In’N’Out Burger? Do you think we can fit all that in today? Do I need to choose something else? Is there something else you’d rather do?” After my mom catches her breath, I let out a laugh. “How about we split the activities in half. Today I’ll take you for In’N’Out, and to see the Walk of Fame and then out to the Hollywood Sign. Tomorrow we can do the park and observatory. Keep in mind I will have to work a little to prep for the premier.” She squeals “That sounds perfect Adam! I am just so excited to see you and be there for you.” I smiled. “I’m glad you’re here too Mom. There’s no one else I’d rather do this with.” That was a lie though. There was one person I wanted to share my everything with, but she didn’t want the same.

  Past

  Adam

  “Come on Nick, the guys are waiting. Let’s get this stupid movie and get out of here.” Nick of course was dragging his ass and acting like a fool. We all loved him but the guy couldn’t be serious for half a second. “Relax man, the rest of the guys are all at your house. I’m sure they can keep themselves entertained for the next thirty minutes.” Nick stated nonchalantly. “Yeah well let’s not keep them waiting man, what about this one?” I was pointing to the latest Paul Rudd movie ‘I Love You, Man.’ when I heard Nick too excitedly, “Hey Ladies! What are you doing here this time of night?” What a fucking tool, it was like eight o’clock at night. As I looked up my breath hitched, and without warning “Oh, shit.” Comes right out of my mouth. It was Reese, her best friend Mallory in tow. To my surprise “Oh shut the fuck up.” Comes flying out of her lips. What? Did she really just say that? Before I could respond she was completely ignoring me and talking to Nick. I didn’t even know they were friends, not enough to stand in the middle of this godforsaken video store and make us even later getting back to the guys. It had only been a couple days since the incident in theater tech, the bandages were still on her left arm. What was she hiding? With Reese and Mallory on either side of Nick, I take my chances and stand right next to Reese, getting into their conversation. Mallory had picked out the latest horror/thriller film. Both girls were excited to see it. Nick being Nick, was clearly going between Reese and Mallory, sizing them both up to see who he had the best chance with. The answer was neither. Reese is laughing easily at whatever Nick and I are saying. I don’t capture her full attention until I make a joke about how we are in a ‘Family Video’ but it’s the only store with an X-rated section. Reese enjoys that one, and turns her body to me, leaving Mallory to talk to Nick. Poor girl. We go on about this and that, small shit that doesn’t matter, but I couldn’t care less because I do not want to leave this spot where I have her attention. That is until I get a call from one of the guys. “Hey man you guys have been getting the movie
for the past fucking hour. Where the hell are you?” I exhale. “I’m sorry man, it’s crazy in here. We are about to check out now.” Without waiting for more complaints, I hang up the phone. Just as I’m trying to figure out how I can see Reese again, she sticks her hand out. “Give me your phone.” I stare for a second too long apparently, again with more force this time and wiggling her fingers she says “Give me your phone, Adam.” Without hesitation I hand it over and watch her program her number in. I don’t even know what to say. This girl was reading my mind. She obviously wanted to see me again too. My mouth was dry, I couldn’t find the words to say and she could tell. She looked me over and giggled. “Text me if you want to.” She said it with the cutest fucking shy smile on her face. One minute she exudes confidence, the next she questions herself. Who is this girl? Before I can say goodbye, she saves Mallory from Nick and they both wave to us as they go check out their movie. My feet still stuck in once place, Nick nudges me and he gestures to the girls. “You think I have a shot with Mallory?” He asks hopeful. I smile widely, still looking at Reese, “Not a fucking chance, bro.”

  Past

  Reese

  Mallory and I get in her car. As soon as I shut my door I turn to her “Mal oh my GOD. That boy is going to be my next boyfriend.” Mallory laughs and pulls out of our parking spot. “Okay Reese, whatever you say. Thanks for leaving me stranded with Nick by the way.” I can tell she’s irritated. “I know I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help myself. I really wanted to talk to Adam.” She shot me a side eye from the driver’s side but didn’t say anything. How the hell did I just do that? I just programed my number into his phone like I was the best thing he’s ever seen. I don’t know anything about Adam Taylor. Oh my GOD what if he didn’t even want my number?! I was in full freak out when my phone vibrated. My stomach jumped when I read the text: