My Anchor (Trio Series Book 1) Read online

  Contents

  Dedication

  Front Matter

  Copyright

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty One

  Twenty Two

  Twenty Three

  Twenty Four

  Epilogue

  Shana

  More From Joy

  From The Author

  This book is for anyone who has a dream. Go out and get it!

  My dream was to write a book and you made it come true

  just by taking the time to read it. Thank You!

  Trio series, Book One

  Joy Blood

  Copyright © 2016 Joy Blood

  All rights reserved.

  “Linn, are you ready?” Shana yells to me, always in a hurry.

  “Yes, just a sec. You know how long it takes to put my face on! Stop rushing me woman!” I call back from the bathroom. I make the ‘mascara face’ and apply the last of the mask. Yes, my mask.

  “You look hot girl.” She says rounding the corner leaning on the door jam. She is wearing her typical outfit, something black. Today she has on dark wash jeans, a black t-shirt that says ‘not today’, her favorite worn out black leather jacket and her scuffed black boots. All more than likely from a second-hand store, she refuses to get her clothes from anywhere other than thrift shops and yard sales.

  “Thanks,” I tell her smacking my lips together with one last swipe of my hot rod red lipstick. Looking in the mirror I appraise myself one last time before walking our the door. My dark brown hair is down just past my shoulders with just the right amount of curl at the ends. My eyes pop with the dark eyeshadow I got yesterday and the red lipstick gives my lips just the right amount of pucker. Yes maybe I look a little slutty but we are going out tonight, our first time out since getting here. Here being college.

  Shana, Cristal, and I have finally moved to Missoula like we had always planned to. I met Shana first when we were in sixth grade and Cristal when we were in eighth grade we have been through it all puberty, boys, heartbreak, and also death. We don't talk too much about the last one.

  “Where’s Chris?” I ask her referring to our third counterpart.

  “Who knows? Said she will meet us there. She better not flake or I’ll beat her ass.” That makes me laugh. They are always at each other's throats. Shana, I think does it more to get a rise out of Cristal. She has always been the instigator in everything. My junior year, their senior, she got us all suspended from school for protesting the prom queen candidates. She was pissed that I hadn't gotten nominated for prom queen, well if we are being honest I was a little pissed too. The class president Heidie McBride was mad at me for sleeping with her ex-boyfriend so she got me blackballed from the candidate list. They were broke up so really who was I hurting? Well, long story short Shana being Shana got followers, made signs, and we paraded through the cafeteria. We probably would have only gotten detention if our signs hadn't said ‘Heidie is a bitch baby’ not very clever but it got the point across. Our parents weren’t too impressed. Well, I think mine was more pissed that I was going to be in his presence for a week and not away at school. Luckily we still were able to go to prom, in hindsight I wish we would have been banned from the stupid dance.

  We walk to Shana’s car. An Audi A4 and yes it’s black. She is the only one out of the three of us that owns a car thanks to her rich daddy, who is also fronting the bill for our apartment. He is some fancy lawyer that lives in California. She really wants for nothing and could probably get him to buy us all a car if she wanted to. I guess it is his way of trying to make up for being an absent dad but that is her story to tell. It is really a joint car anyway, she lends it out to us whenever we need it. Well a little reluctantly to Cristal, she has a little problem with depth perception. Though she would argue otherwise.

  “How did it go today?” I ask her referring to brunch with the family, her mom, Rita, stepdad, John, and her three stepbrothers. Jack and James, the twins and Kyle, the oldest. I’ve only seen the twins and they are hot. Just saying, and she really hates it when I ‘just say’.

  “Oh, you know mom. You have another piercing? Why don't you let your hair go back to its true color?” She says in a prissy tone reserved only for imitating her mother. “Or my all time favorite. ‘If you stop wearing so much black maybe you could attract a decent man.’ Same ole’ nagging mother. Not much has changed.” She shrugs. “Oh but I do have news, Jack is getting married, met the lucky bitch today. She looks like Malibu Barbie. Not even kidding Linnie she had the whitest teeth I have ever seen.” I laugh at her.

  “Sounds like someone who your mother would approve of,” I say and she rolls her eyes.

  “You have no idea, she was so far up her ass Barbie could probably taste mom’s expensive ass hair spray.”

  We laugh and make fun of Barbie the rest of the way to Unchained, a popular bar that has a live band every Saturday night. We have been here a week getting settled in and heard around campus that this was the place to go. So after some scavenging we acquired a fake ID for myself since I'm the only one not yet twenty-one. Cristal and Shana turned 21 a month ago. Lucky me I have to wait a whole year, Well eight months to be exact.

  When they graduated Cristal stayed behind and Shana came here since her mom had already been living in Missoula the year before that. When I did graduate I still wasn't able to get to Missoula due to missing the registration date, long shitty story. I moved in with Cristal and her mom Brinn when I was able to get away from my dad. He wouldn't let me leave until I was no longer a minor, not wanting to give up his maid service. Maid service being me.

  “Oh, there she is,” Shana says as we drive by Cristal to find a parking space. “See we should have left earlier there is no place close to park.” She wines at me.

  “We can walk quit complaining. Look there is one right there.” I point one out and she grumbles about having to walk so far and parks the car. A quick look in the mirror to give myself one quick assessment and I get out of the car.

  “What took you guys so long? I’ve been waiting for you for forever!” Cristal’s says in her ‘yelling’ voice which really isn't much of a yelling voice the girl probably hasn't raised her voice to a thing. She is very soft spoken and really kind of a pushover. She is wearing a light blue summer dress paired with a white cardigan, her white blond waist length hair is in her regular bun and her makeup is minimal if she even has any on. She really doesn't need to wear any she has that classic beautiful face.

  “Oh, you know her,” Shana says while pointing at me with her thumb over her shoulder. “She can’t go anywhere without a gallon of makeup on.” I roll my eyes at her.

  “Whatever, a girl has her vices. Makeup just happens to be one of mine. Takes a lot of work to look this good.” I say waving my hand in front of my face and popping my hip to the side with a smile.

  “You are beautiful just the way you are.” This coming from Cristal.

  “Thank you Cris, but not all of us have that ‘gorgeous with no makeup’ gene,” I say to her.

  “Alright you two we don't have time for this shit, we are all fucking knockouts, now let's go get drunk while ogling hot guys playing guitars and shit. Sound good to you?” Laughing at Shana we both nod and head toward the front to get into the bar. Hopefully, my fak
e ID holds up tonight I really could use a drink.

  I must have been showing enough cleavage because the bouncer barely glanced at my ID. Now three shots later we are jamming out to a rock band called Slasher or something. I really didn't catch their name but I did see that their drummer is extremely hot. We are in front of the stage and I have been making eyes at the guy all night. I know he sees me cause he winked at me right before their break. I could use a little bit of him tonight. Yes, I maybe sleep around a little but I'm young and I like to have fun.

  “Would you two be pissed if I caught up with you later?” I ask them.

  “Seriously Linnie? You have to hook up already? We have only been here a week!” Shana scolds me.

  “You saw the guy, didn't you? Don't tell me you wouldn't jump on that.” Shana always gives me shit for hooking up.

  “So, I don't care how hot he is you don't need to ditch us already.”

  “Glad you understand.” I smile and kiss her cheek then kiss Cristal’s. “Love you bitches wish me luck and don't wait up.” I wink and start toward the sexy drummer who has taken a seat at the bar. I faintly hear Shana drop a few F-bombs in my favor but I keep going. Not like this hasn't happened before, they understand but usually don't approve. They will get over it. They always do.

  “Shot of Seven please,” I say to the bartender as I take a surprisingly vacant seat right next to hot drummer boy.

  “Put it on my tab Glenn.” Drummer boy says. Hook. “Thank you.” I smile and give him a sideways look through my lashes. Guys always eat that shit up, the shy yet sexy thing. Gotta have their sweet girl with a little vixen mixed in.

  “I'm Clay.” He says taking a sip of his beer. My shot is placed in front of me and I salute him then toss it back feeling the burn down my throat. I am just the right amount of buzzed and this just might take me to that carefree place. “Linn,” I say while swiping my thumb under my bottom lip. His eyes zero in on the action. Line. “You from around here Linn?”

  “Nope.” He nods his head and continues to sip his beer. I run my hand through my hair and pull it to one side so his eyes are drawn to my neck, then turn to him slightly, giving him a good view of my boobs from above. My red shirt shows them off just enough and my black lace bra pushes them up giving me cleavage worthy of a Victoria’s Secret model. “Well, you want to get out of here Linn? My place is only a block away.” And Sinker.

  A little more flirting and playing hard to get, Clay buys me one more drink. After I finish we are off to his place. I don't see Shana or Cristal when we leave, I guess they already left.

  His place really isn't too far from the bar, a nice apartment complex with a private entrance.

  “Nice place,” I say as we get through the door.

  “Thanks. You want a drink?” He asks grabbing himself a beer from the fridge. “Nope, I'm good,” I say and walk up to him taking his beer and setting it down on the counter. He smiles, damn that smile, yep definitely a good choice for the night. Putting his hands in my hair he tilts my head back and kisses me. I moan into his mouth causing him to kiss me harder then his hands drift downward. He grabs the back of my thighs and lifts me onto the counter top, wrapping my legs around his waist I grind myself into his erection. “Damn girl.” He says between kisses. “Let's go to my room. Don’t want my roommate to come out and see us.” I nod and follow him to his room.

  In the morning when I wake up Clay is nowhere to be seen. Good, no awkward goodbye. I get out of bed and start the search for my clothes. I have that nasty taste in my mouth and I'm sure I have some serious raccoon eyes. Oh, the magical walk of shame. I grab my purse, find my mirror and check out my face. Not too bad. I try and rub away the mascara flakes from under my eyes and the lipstick smears off my mouth. There that’s a little better. I take the hairband I always have wrapped around my wrist and throw my hair up into a messy bun, now it doesn't look I slept in a batch of pine cones. Taking a deep breath I open the door and walk out of his room.

  “So you are alive.” A deep voice startles me. I look around and my eyes land on someone in the kitchen, someone not being Clay. This must be the roommate. He has his back to me and is drinking a bottle of water. His gray tee shirt is wet and I can see his muscles flexing under it. Then I zero in on his ass, shit don't get me started on that.

  “Is Clay…”

  “Sorry babe Clay is gone already, hope you weren’t expecting to see him again. Really isn't his style.” He turns around and damn the front looks as good as the back. He has dark hair buzzed short on the sides and a little longer on the top. Just the right amount of facial hair. Maybe a couple days growth neatly trimmed. Sexy. Green eyes and soft kissable lips. This guy is probably hands down the hottest guy I have seen in the flesh.

  “Nope, I'm good, just making sure I don't have to do the awkward morning after thing.”

  “Lucky for you then. Coffee?” He gestures toward a coffee pot.

  “Sure. Thank you.” He grabs me a cup and I sit down on a barstool facing him.

  “Cream? Sugar?”

  “No just black.” I wrap my hands around the warm mug that says I love Washington on it and take in the apartment. It looks like a typical bachelor pad pizza boxes, beer cans, dirty clothes everywhere. Yep men live here. Bringing the mug to my mouth I blow slightly then take the tiniest sip as to judge how hot it is. Then an even bigger one when it turns out to be just the right amount of hot.

  “You sure are a screamer.”

  I choke on my sip. “Excuse me?” I ask after a slight coughing fit.

  “I’ve heard Clay’s girls coming before, none of them have been as loud as you.” He smirks. “Or as sexy.” He adds. “Thought he was killing you in there, almost went into check. How did he manage to snag you?” I'm speechless, who the hell is this guy? I abandon my coffee and get up to head out the door.

  “Thanks for the coffee. I’ve gotta go. Nice meeting… you.”

  “Lee.” He holds out his hand, I take it ignoring the tingles I get from touching him. When I take my hand back a little too quickly he smirks at me again.

  “Linn.”

  With that, I turn and rush out the door. Digging through my purse I find my phone and cringe at the missed calls and texts. I call Shana holding the phone from my ear at first knowing it’s going to be loud.

  “Well, she is still alive! Thanks for calling by the way. Not! Jesus Linnie, you could have sent a text, smoke signal maybe. Shit send a raven or something we have been worried about you!” Just then Lee comes walking out of the door fresh shirt on now, a pair of jeans and a green ball cap. I turn my back to the man, must not look directly at him, I tell myself. Why has he gotten me so flustered? Guys don't do this to me.

  “I'm sorry Shane I'm on my way home now just going to call a cab no worries.”

  “Fine, but you are grounded. No more ditching us.” Then she hangs up. Yeah, I do believe she is mad at me. Oh well not like it hasn't happened before. It never lasts long, she loves me.

  “You need a ride?” Lee asks for behind me.

  “Um no I'm fine I will just call a cab,” I answer and start walking further down the sidewalk.

  “You’re sure stubborn aren't you? Come on I will give you a ride.” I walk a few more steps and decide that a ride would be better than standing here on the corner like a freaking idiot.

  “Fine, a ride would be nice thank you,” I say in a polite voice that really sounds like something Cristal would say. I turn around and walk in his direction when I get to him he holds his hand out in the direction of the parking lot. “This way.” He says and we walk the rest of the way to a yellow jeep that is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen. He actually opens the door for me to get in, smiling at me before making his way around to the driver’s side.

  “Breakfast? I could use some waffles.” He asks while sliding his seat belt into place.

  “I'm really not dressed for breakfast, but thank you for the offer.” This makes him laugh.

  “Not dressed for
breakfast. Haven't heard that one before.” We ride in silence after I tell him where to drop me off. The town is still fairly quiet, it being 6:30 on a Sunday morning I really don't expect to see too many people out. Our apartment complex really isn't too far from his and it takes no time to get to my place.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I tell him hopping out of the jeep. I'm halfway to our building when he calls out my name. I turn around to find him right in front of me. Shit he is fast.

  “Give me your number.” Not a question, a demand I really don't do alpha well.

  “Bossy aren't we? Why do you want my number?” Obvious I know, I'm just being a shit.

  “Call you. Maybe find out if I can get you to scream even louder.” Fuck.

  “I… I… n…no.” And he has me stuttering. Walk away, must walk away I mentally tell myself turning to get away from him.

  “Shit, I'm sorry.” He lightly grabs my arm to stop me. “I'm just fucking with you. Look I know I'm an ass. I don't normally ask out my roommate’s chicks. You're just… Can I take you out sometime?” He really is too damn pretty to say no to. So I give him my number.

  “I’ll pick you up around noon today wear a swimming suit.”

  “Today? You don't waste any time do you?”

  “Not when I see something I like I don't. I’ll be back in a few be ready.” He says then takes off to his Jeep. What a weird morning.

  “Well, there she is,” Shana says when I walk through the door. “So how was it? Did he rock your world?” she asks in a mocking voice.

  “No complaints. I’ve had better, though. Got a date tonight so don't wait up.” I yell out and duck off to the bathroom to avoid their response. We don't have anything planned so really there shouldn't be a problem. Well, shouldn't be. I strip off my clothes and get into the shower scrubbing off the night before only to put it back on right after I get out. Maybe I don't cake on the mask too much today but it’s there none the less. Making my way back to my room I run into Cristal. “Date? With the guy you were with last night?” Here come the questions.