Accepted Fate Read online

  ACCEPTED FATE

  By: Charisse Reid

  Copyright 2014 Charisse Reid. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means such as electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  I, the author, acknowledge the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following brands named in this work of fiction: Bumble to bumble- Creme de coco, Jeep, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, American Express, UFC, Coach, NFL, Range Rover, Scentsy, BMW, Nike, Mercedes, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren,Puma, Bath and Body works, Giorgio Armani, Magnum, Victoria's Secret, Chevrolet Avalanche Flowmaster, Ugg, BJ's Restaurant and brewhouse, Jansport, GMC, Nissan Maxima, San Diego, Chargers, Duesenberg, Kavu, Wrangler, Forrest paper company, Fudpuckers, Dramamine, Versace, Soffee, Buxom, Gucci, Porsche 911, Subway

  I, the author, acknowledge the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following actors/movies, musicians and/or song titles named in this work of fiction:

  Colbie Caillat, R.K. Lilley- In flight, Big and Rich-Save a horse Ride a cowboy, Jimmy Hendrix, Brittney Spears- Work Bitch, Duck Dynasty, Danielle Bradbery- Heart of Dixie, George Straight, Buckcherry-Crazy Bitch, Jimmy Hendrix, The conjuring, Pacific Rim, We are the Millers, Charlie Hunnam, Kate Hudson, The ring

  CHAPTER 1

  Kinzleigh

  It's Friday, the week following junior year and the start to a perfect summer. I can't wait for two whole months of shopping, parties and lying on the beach. Everything in my life is going just the way I wanted it to. Making squad captain was just the cherry on top. Mom left a couple of hours ago since she's due in court on some big court case, dad is always gone before sun up, and I haven't seen my brother, Konnor, since his graduation last Saturday. I guess I have the house to myself again. I'm starting to sense this is going to become a normal thing.

  I put my arms above my head to stretch. I look over to the clock on my bedside table, eight thirty, perfect time to get up and head to gymnasium and I do mean cheer gym not fitness. I really need to be practicing so I can keep my body limber. We already cut down on squad practice over the summer so it's up to me to make my own schedule. I need to call my coach before someone else books his schedule solid. Sitting up and getting ready to get out of bed, my phone starts ringing. Looking at the screen, I see Presley's name, lighting up and her photo flashes across the screen. Touching the green answer button, I answer. "Hello?" Still somewhat half asleep, a noise comes through the phone. Is that a treadmill? What on earth is she doing?

  "Please tell me you're not still in bed, Kinzleigh Baker. We only have a few short months of fun before we're back to being slaves of high school and you're not going to waste it away sleeping. I will form an intervention if I need to," she says sarcastically with a smile in her tone.

  I smile at myself and roll my eyes because Presley knows me a little too well. She cannot possibly be running while she's talking on the phone, can she? She doesn't even really sound out of breath. "Presley, I get up early ten months of the year, why would I get up early during my summer vacation? How do you expect me to enjoy freedom from school if I can't sleep in? What are you doing anyway? Did you call me while you're exercising?"

  She sighs playfully, "Okay for one, what's with the twenty questions? Two, you're a lost cause, Kinzleigh. How many times do I have to tell you, if Monday through Friday, the hot guys work out early or late at the gym? Most people actually have a life to get to. Don't you want some of that amazing muscle for yourself? Don't you want to watch the sweat bead up on the skin of one hot boy standing mere steps away? You don't want to go with the old and ugly people do you?"

  Presley has always been a little too crazy about the male gender if you ask me, but what do I know? I'm single and intend to stay that way. I have seen the recurring cycle of love and loss. Heart break is something I intend to avoid at all costs. I'd rather take precautions up front and steer clear, than to deal with the consequences after the fact. "No thanks, I'll leave that for you. I'm just fine having my precious sleep time...alone," I say sarcastically.

  My brother, Konnor, is only a year older than me and my only sibling, so we have always been close. He was with the same girl for three years and a month before graduation he walked in on her at a senior party, with his best friend buried between her legs. The bitch didn't even have the decency to act upset. Instead, she blamed it on the fact that they were about to head off to colleges on opposite ends of the state when she should have been a woman and broke things off to fool around. He beat the crap out of his best friend, Logan, putting him in the hospital for almost a week. The month following, Konnor went off the deep end, started experimenting with drugs and stayed drunk. He almost lost his football scholarship to UCLA. My parents freaked out, of course, and made him start talking to a therapist.

  Since my dad is alumni and donates a lot of money to the football program, coach gave him until startup of summer training in July to deal with his issues. He was the best quarterback at our school and was offered scholarships all over the country, but is barely holding on to his dream all because of falling in love. He is just one of so many people that end up hurt. No thank you, I'll take a pass.

  "Oh right, I forgot I'm dealing with a prude," she laughs back at me before becoming serious again. "You need to venture out and meet a guy. It's really unhealthy to completely cut out the male species in your life aside from your family. One of these days, you're going to regret missing out on things like dating. Don't you want to go to prom and homecoming? You cannot miss out on everything in high school just because you're afraid of getting hurt. No one said you have to fall in love, but please, just let me set you up one time."

  "How many times do I have to tell you dating is your thing Presley? This conversation is pointless, you know this. We have had it like a thousand times already," I whine through the phone, falling back down onto my pillow. "I don't have to date to enjoy my life. Besides, I have too much to work on towards my future, without having some guy requiring more of my time than I have to give. A career is more important to me. Now, you know that I love you, but what do you want?"

  She sighs, "Fine, have it your way, but don't think we won't revisit this conversation later. For now, get your skinny butt out of bed and meet me down at the beach in an hour. We have to work on your pale skin before Cabo. You know we leave in a week. Don't make me come get you, Kinzleigh, you know I will."

  She's so bossy when she wants to be, but that's one of the things I love about her. Presley has been my best friend since I can even remember. It's just a typical story from growing up in Laguna Beach, but second generation. Our moms were best friends growing up and still are. They went to law school together and even made partners at the same law firm, not to mention we're the same age. I guess we were just destined to be stuck with each other.

  Presley and I are completely different; although, maybe that's what has kept us together since we were in diapers. We seem to balance each other out. Where she's outgoing, I'm shy. She is tall and slender with long, cascading brown hair and sapphire blue eyes, whereas I'm short and petite with platinum blonde curls and bright green eyes. I twirl my hair around my finger and sit quietly
, just to make her wait a little. She's a very impatient person. I can already tell she is growing impatient by the huffs coming from her mouth. "I was going to call Andy and set up practice. What about after?"

  "Getting my keys ready, babe, what's it going to be?" I laugh, imagining her really driving over here just so she can prove a point.

  "Okay fine, but you owe me a practice and I'm gonna work you hard so you better get those muscles ready. I'll see you in an hour." I disconnect the call and head for the shower.

  I'm standing in the shower washing my hair with my favorite shampoo, Bumble and Bumble's Creme De Coco, when I start thinking about our trip to Cabo San Lucas next week. There is no telling what Presley is going to try to drag me into. I'm not sure if I should be excited or scared. My parents take us and one friend each, on a week-long vacation every summer. Usually, Presley and Logan tag along. I'm not sure who Konnor is bringing now that Logan is out. That is one thing which makes me nervous: the unknown. Presley has always had a thing for my brother, but she can't seem to get him to look past the little sister's best friend issue. Plus, he has always had the Sophia blinders on until now so I'm not sure what she will try now that he's a single man. That probably means a shopping trip this week, knowing Presley. Not that I will complain. Retail therapy is a girl's best friend.

  Twenty minutes later, washed and shaved, I'm running around my room in a towel, throwing various items in my pink, Dolce & Gabbana beach bag, now sitting on my bed. Digging through my drawer, I finally find what I'm looking for. My new, turquoise and peach swirled, bandeau top bikini and matching bottoms. I fell in love with it the moment I laid eyes on it last week and had to have it. Since my parents work long hours, dad gave me my own Amex when I got my license. As long as I stay out of trouble and keep my grades at A's, I'm able to spend as I please. I pull on my swimsuit and black lace cover-up, then walk to my closet in search of my flip flops.

  I comb my fingers through my wet hair, then throw my head forward and tousle my blonde curls that should be dry by the time I reach the beach. Standing back up, I dab on my gloss and throw it in my small makeup bag, along with my hair tie. Finally, I perform my routine mental checklist before I go: towel, check, sunscreen, check, tanning oil, check, shades, check. I grab my Coach purse from my desk and slide it on my shoulder. I pick up my bag from the bed and head for my bedroom door.

  Having almost everything I need for a day in the sun, I turn off my light and close the door. I run downstairs into the large kitchen to finish stocking my bag. I take a few granola bars from the food pantry and a couple bottles of water from the refrigerator, tossing them in my tote with the rest of my stuff. I walk through the house making sure everything is off before I leave for the day. After everything is done, I set the alarm, and close the front door. Digging my keys from my purse, I turn to my beautiful, black Range Rover sitting in the drive and unlock the doors with the remote. I normally keep it in the garage, but the detailer came by and cleaned it this morning and I haven't put it back yet.

  Mom and dad surprised me with it on the morning of my sixteenth birthday. Mom kept telling me I wouldn't be getting a car until later, since Konnor and I were so close in age; however, I was depressed because Grams had died earlier that year. Grams was my dad's mom and was as close to me as mom. My parents were gone a lot with work; therefore, I was with Grams almost daily for fifteen years. She fought a three year battle with cancer before she lost.

  I felt shattered and lost, losing all hope for happiness. I stayed in my room for months after she died, with the exception of being at school. Right then, I learned, never allow yourself to love anyone other than family. No exceptions. The pain of losing someone you love hurts too much to risk it when it's avoidable. The day I felt that kind of pain, I knew then I would never allow myself to feel it again if I could control it. Loving a man is controllable, family is not. Friends became a distant memory that year. Needless to say, I guess mom and dad felt bad for me.

  The morning of my sixteenth birthday, I stepped out of the front door ready for school, headed for Konnor's silver BMW parked out front. That's when I saw it, sitting in the driveway, glistening with a big red bow. That car is my baby. It marked a turning point for me. One chapter closed and on to new beginnings. I shake off my thoughts and pull down my aviator shades, walking towards my car. Time to hit the beach...

  ***

  Pulling into the beach, I recognize Presley's White Mercedes almost instantly. It takes me a while to find a place to park because apparently, everyone else had the same idea today. The beach is packed and I consider turning around and going home.

  Contemplating what I'm going to do, I glance over and see Presley making her way toward my car. How does she even know I'm here? The girl has to have ESP; so much for making a run for it. I grab my cell phone from my purse with one hand and stow my purse beneath my seat with the other. As she moves in closer, I remove my keys from the ignition. Grabbing my bag, I toss inside my cell and keys. I open the door and step outside.

  "I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to come and pick you up," she says. A smile begins taking place, along with a mischievous look in her eyes that tells me she's up to something. Nothing good ever follows that look. I place my bag on my shoulder and hold on to my door, in case I need to make a dash for it.

  "What are you up to Presley," I ask nervously, fidgeting with my cover up. She begins to move faster, as if I'm about to take off running, then grabs my hand and shuts the door.

  "What makes you think I'm up to something?" She loops her arm through mine and continues, "Don't you trust me?" The tone in her voice alone says it all. No, I shouldn't and I should get back in my car right now before I go any further. She must see the hesitation on my face because she begins to pull me along the sidewalk, towards the beach.

  As the water comes into view, I begin to understand that look on Presley's face. Some of the girls from the cheerleading squad have plastered themselves right in front of a group of guys, playing volleyball. I recognize some of them from the football team at school, but the rest of the boys don't look familiar. Great, this is going to be awkward.

  I've never been one of the flirty girls at school, because I really just don't see the point. I get a front row seat to Presley's show every day and that is enough for both of us. Flirting was discovered with the intention that you're looking for love or trying to get laid and I do not want either. Love stands in the way of dreams and aspirations, cripples you, and makes you dependent on someone else. It sets you up for failure because you're always going to get hurt. If you don't get cheated on, you get left behind. I have worked too hard for my dreams to get shattered over something completely preventable. Since you can't control who you fall for, I just avoid it altogether.

  Look at my brother, wallowing in pity because he let someone else take priority over everything else in his life. He gave away his heart freely, mapped his whole life out according to the wants of another, with the expectation it would last forever. Now, here he is, broken hearted and settling for his second choice school, as well as the possibility of losing his dream of a pro football career if he doesn't get his crap together before season. What did he do all that for, absolutely nothing?

  I look over and see Presley standing behind her towel, adjusting her perky C-cups, as if her breasts aren't hanging out enough already. Shaking my head, I pull my towel from my bag and spread it flat beside hers. In a sense, Presley doesn't date either, at least not one person. After her breakup with Corey last fall, she swore off men, in the emotional sense anyway. Her heart will and always be made of ice because of him, or so she says; I think it is because secretly she's keeping her options open in hopes of attaining Konnor. Their relationship was similar to throwing gasoline to flame, so for now she enjoys being an upper class slut.

  "Do you have to do that? Adjust that top anymore and they're going to fall out." Taking a seat on my towel, I pull my hair back in a loose bun on top of my head and grab for my bag. Digging
through its contents, I pull out my iPhone and earphones, along with my water and tanning essentials. Pulling off my cover-up and flip flops, I toss them in the bag and set it to the side. Finally, I begin spreading the sunscreen on my face and shoulders before applying the tanning oil to the remainder of my body.

  Presley sits beside me on her towel and begins coating her legs with tanning oil as well. "Hey, just because you're celibate and hate male attention doesn't mean the rest of us do. Maybe you should try something new, you're becoming a bit of a grump these days. All of that built up sexual frustration is starting to show," she laughs swirling her finger in front of my face. "You never know, you might like having the girls played with," she winks as her eyes trail down to my chest.

  Rolling my eyes, I turn to acknowledge some of the other girls from the squad. "Hey you guys. What's up? It's nice out today, right?" Lexi and Madison are sitting, sprawled out in their beach loungers on rental. I still haven't figured out what they have against the sand. What's the point in coming to the beach if you aren't going to enjoy it to its fullest? They always were the prissy two of the group.

  I'm starting to think they can't hear me, when finally Lexi pulls her eyes from the volleyball game and slides her shades down her nose, lifting a brow. "You really have to ask with all of that man candy right in front of your face?" She smirks as if I have just asked her what two plus two is.

  I scrunch my nose causing my eyebrows to wrinkle, "You too? All of you are hopeless," I say and lay down to work on my tan. At least one of us is going to leave with some dignity left intact. It looks like that person is going to be me, since I am the only one that's not practically drooling over the shirtless guys before us.

  I plug my earphones into my iPhone and start my music. I was just about to drift off to sleep, listening to the sweet voice of Colbie Caillat, when something smacks me right in the face. Startled, I scream, more like a squeak, and jump to my feet. "What the heck!" I look down at the sand and see a volleyball lying beside my towel. I bend over and reach down to pick it up, so I can toss it back to the guys playing. "You could be a little more careful," I yell picking up the ball in my hands, then stand up.