Path of Destruction (Broken Heartland, #2)(17)

I look incredible?

Her mother was of course referring to the ten pounds she’d lost while she was in the hospital. In a coma. Why did she have to keep reminding people that she’d almost died?

“I just don’t want to do it,” Cami finally admitted. “Is it really that big of a deal?”

As of late, her mother had been over the top in the smothering, give-you-whatever-you-want-because-I’ve-been-a-horrible-mother category, but she could tell from the look on her face that this subject didn’t fall within the realm of giving in.

“No, it’s not okay. Pageants are your thing, honey. You’re good at them, and the doctors said it’s best for your recovery if you get back to your normal routine.”

She hated her normal routine. She knew that her mother was probably going to blame the next outburst on her swollen brain or PTSD or whatever else the doctors said were her parting gifts from surviving her near death experience, but she didn’t care.

“I’m not doing it. No matter how much you beg or plead, Mom. You can’t force me down the runway. Quit asking.” She dropped the remote control on the couch as she stood up and proceeded to stomp up to her room, making her disdain for the subject perfectly clear. And just in case her mother hadn’t got the memo, she slammed her bedroom door shut behind her.

She fell onto the bed in the center of her room and held her cell phone up in front of her face. After sliding her finger across the screen, the photograph Kyle had taken of them sitting poolside in a lounge chair popped up. His lips were pressed to her cheek and for a moment she could feel the sensation on her skin. She could hear him saying, “Smile,” just before the click of the camera.

Without thinking, she flipped through her contacts list and dialed his number. She was living in the fantasy of his memory, hearing his voice on his voicemail greeting was all she needed to be completely surrounded by him. She waited as it rang. Four rings. She knew how many it took. She probably called his phone at least a dozen times since that day in the hallway when she saw his picture in the trophy case. Hoping each time that he’d answer and tell her it was just a sick and twisted joke. Each time, she waited for a different outcome. Today was the day.

“Hello?”





For a solid week, Cooper circled Ella Jane everywhere she went. She didn’t come back to first period, so he suspected she had her schedule changed to avoid him. The only way he was going to get to speak with her was either to throw down with Cooper at school and risk a three-day suspension or go to her house.

He’d gotten his cast off, but as much as his fists itched to give Brantley Cooper a little insight to what a pretty boy he wasn’t, he knew hurting Cooper in any way would upset her. What he also knew was that she’d lowered her guard when he’d kissed her. The memory of her lips moving hungrily against his was enough to have him driving to her house after lacrosse team workouts that Friday.

All week, he’d had to babysit his grandma to ensure that she didn’t do anything that would give his parents a reason to cart her off to the local old folks’ home. The few lucid moments she had, she’d cried, remembering that his granddad was gone. Then she’d slipped blessedly back into her childlike state of eternal confusion.

School had become a kind of reprieve from his house. Then Cami had attached herself to his ass, meeting him before and after every class to detail every moment they were apart. She wasn’t attacking his mouth as much anymore, but she was still hanging on to him like a life preserver, which was so unlike her that he was starting to seriously worry.

So much for a carefree senior year. He was beginning to feel old before his time with all the constant worrying about everyone. Thank God he’d taken most of his graduation requirements already and didn’t have to work as hard as the previous years to maintain his GPA. That was about all he was thankful for at the moment.

That morning, he’d taken Atticus outside to do his business and then made his grandma breakfast—pancakes that weren’t nearly as good as the ones she used to make when he was kid—and made sure she ate before he’d left for school. Then he’d nodded along at Cami’s detailed daily agenda between classes while Cooper shot him death glares before deciding that he wasn’t going straight home after workouts.

Sweaty and sore, Hayden aimed his Jeep toward Hope’s Grove.

He hadn’t been since they’d retrieved a few of his grandma’s salvageable things from his grandparents’ house. The path of destruction was still clearly evident, as not many building or homes had been repaired beyond throwing blue tarps over the roofs. His grandfather’s voice detailing the landmarks of town played in his head as he passed the damaged structures. The pride he could still hear in it made his chest tighten.

Pops had been proud of this place, and after a life-changing summer in it, Hayden could see why. He made a mental note to get in touch with the pastor at the church his grandma attended and find out how to help with the cleanup. He was already going to be in Hope’s Grove helping work on his grandparents’ destroyed roof—might as well help out with the rest of town while he was there.

Pulling up in the Masons’ driveway, passing the faded white sign with Mason Lawn Care & Landscaping written in dark-blue chipped paint across it, he recalled the many mornings his granddad had dropped him off at the ass crack of dawn—something he’d initially hated. Until her.