Folding Hearts Read online

  Folding Hearts

  By: Jennifer Foor

  Copyright © 2012 Jennifer Foor

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Check out the other books by Jennifer Foor

  Letting Go - A Mitchell Family Series Book One (Contemporary Romance)

  Hope’s Chance (Contemporary Romance)

  The Somnian Series (YA Paranormal)

  Book One Ascension

  Book Two Absum

  Book Three Attero

  Book Four Aduro

  Book Five Abeo

  Coming Soon

  Tommy Ford Zombie Chronicles

  I would like to thank everyone that continues to support me.

  Without you, I would never stay so determined.

  Thanks to all of my new friends on my FB, Twitter and Goodreads pages.

  Thanks to all of my Independent Author Friends. (you know who you are)

  Thank you to all the book bloggers out there spreading the word for me and others who write.

  Special Thanks to:

  Shannon Murphy, Jennifer Lafon, Jennifer Harried, Erica Willis, Karrie Stewart, Kim Eckley, Lesley Ark,

  Robin Harper, Heather Gunter, Angie Cowgill and Heather Collins

  And everyone who has made this series the success that it is. I am forever grateful.

  Thanks to my family and my faith

  With them, all things are possible

  Chapter 1

  Tyler

  Losing my girl to my cousin was bad enough, but sticking around while they tried to figure things out was probably the worst decision I could have made.

  My uncle had just passed away and my cousin Colt wasn’t taking it well. His girlfriend, my ex Van, had come all the way to Kentucky, courtesy of me, to support him in his time of need. Colt wasn’t the type of guy to talk about his feelings. He would rather shut everyone out and drink himself numb. So, besides the fact that I came along with Van to navigate, now I was being her shoulder to cry on while she made the decision to stick by him or not.

  If I could have changed the past, I would have. I lost her because I couldn’t keep my dick in my pants. They were actually the exact words Van had used on the night I found out she was leaving me for Colt.

  Last year I had been in an accident that left me in a coma for seven and a half months. During that time, Savanna had been abused by my ignorant friends and non-understanding parents. She stuck by my side, mostly because they made her feel like my accident was her fault. Unfortunately, my cousin Colt came to town, to help my parents get through a desperate summer of farming, and through the time they spent together, ended up falling in love with each other.

  I probably deserved it, but my own cousin being the reason was pretty fucked up. I knew that she had been involved with someone while I was in the hospital, she had admitted that, but after her being so secretive, I started noticing things. They claimed that they tried to stay away from each other once I woke up, but obviously it didn’t happen. I caught them the night after I asked her to marry me.

  She only said yes because I put her on the spot. It was like a kick in the gut. When I say that I caught them, I really mean it literally. I left them alone at a bar and watched as they pawed all over each other on the dance floor. After a short amount of time, and some skin on skin touching, they took their little private party to my father’s truck outside and fucked.

  I don’t know why I waited and let them finish. Maybe it was because I wanted a good reason to fucking kill Colt. He knew how long she had been mine. He saw her say yes to me the night before. I had just got out of the fucking hospital for Christ sakes. I just stood there leaning against a nearby dumpster as the windows of that truck began to fog up. I saw a hand pressing against the glass and watched as the truck rocked back and forth. I was even close enough that I could hear their panting. Even though I was watching it all unfold, I was in shock. Van wasn’t the cheating kind, in fact neither of them were. I hoped that it was a bad dream? An effect of the pain medication I was taking, mixed with the alcohol? Maybe I deserve this for everyone I had slept with behind her back?

  They were all of the questions that I was asking myself while I watched my heart breaking before my eyes. Sure, I had been a shitty boyfriend, but this was fucked up.

  Five years of being together was over. The truth came out that night. Once she found out about my cheating in our relationship, I knew I didn’t have a chance in getting her back. She had already made her choice. I wasn’t sure about it that night, but she later confessed it to me, after I calmed down of course.

  My cousin Colt was like a brother to me. We spent every summer together when we were kids. He couldn’t help falling in love with Van. Anyone that didn’t would be a fool. She was perfect in every way.

  It hurt like Hell.

  I may not have been faithful, but damn, I didn’t expect my own cousin to take the only girl I ever cared about away from me.

  I made the decision to forgive them, against my better judgment of course. I even went as far as to help Van get to Kentucky. She needed a friend and for some reason I wasn’t ready to just let her go. Maybe I am weird like that, but I needed to be around them. I wasn’t okay leaving things unsettled.

  I spent most of the time that first week with Van. Colt was busy at the hospital and then later making funeral arrangements, so Van and I just hung out a lot. Miranda was with us most of the time, not that I minded. She was fun to be around and it also made Van more comfortable being around me. I had made several attempts at getting kisses and trying to talk her out of being with my cousin. I knew all along it wouldn’t work, but damn I would miss those lips.

  While Van and Colt struggled to work things out on what was in store for their future, I was left to hang out with a very pregnant Miranda more and more. She was Colt’s cousin, but not mine. Their mother’s were sisters, which meant we had no blood relation, although for years we had considered ourselves family. I visited a lot of times in the past when she was around. Her and Conner, her brother, had moved to the ranch when their father passed away around ten years ago. I wasn’t exactly sure what their mother did, but it had something to do with the cattle. The last time I had visited she was on a business trip looking to acquire some new steers.

  When Van and I had originally arrived at Colt’s ranch, I acted like I didn’t know her to get a rise out of Van. She overreacted, even more than I could have imagined, and almost left without an explanation from Colt. For the few minutes it lasted, I had to laugh. Of course, I was the only person there that thought it was a damn bit funny at all.

  A few days later, right before my uncle’s funeral, Miranda went into labor. Van and I got her into the car and rushed to get her to a hospital in time. Regrettably, we didn’t make it. Miranda delivered a little girl in the backseat of Van’s car. I don’t know how Van and I managed it, but we were able to get her through it. Miranda and her little baby girl were later taken to the hospital by ambulance, where it was determined that both were healthy.

  Being there for that birth was the most scary, disgusting, and perfect thing I had ever witnessed. Parts were so fucking gross, I had to close my eyes, but when that little baby belted her first cries, something happened inside of me. It took everything I had not to burst into tears too. My heart started to race and I couldn�
��t take my eyes off of her.

  When the ambulance started to pull away with both Miranda and the baby, that she later named Isabelle, I found myself running after them. I don’t know what made me do it, in fact I think about it all the time. That little girl was so fragile and perfect, it was silly, but I felt like she needed someone there with her.

  I stuck around the hospital that night, at least until the father decided to show his face, then I made a beeline to the outside of the room. His name was Tucker Chase and he was nothing to be proud of. Miranda introduced me as her cousin, which I was totally fine with. I wasn’t there as some kind of love interest, or replacement boyfriend.

  Her boyfriend appeared to be a real piece of shit. His arms were covered in tattoos, and not the kind that look remotely decent. They seemed to be hand done, maybe by himself or a drunk friend. He had one of his ears pierced all the way up his ear with little studs throughout. He had a hoop between the cartilage of his nose that looked like the ones the cattle have and a tear tattooed under his left eye. He was a filthy looking punk. His clothes were dirty and he had made no effort to clean himself up to be around a newborn. When he got there, he paid more attention to his cell phone instead of his new baby girl.

  It made me happy when Conner and my aunt finally showed up to give her the attention that she needed. They crowded in the room and I followed behind them, not really worrying about the creep. One thing I think I will never forget was how unresponsive he was to that baby. He held her for only a second and once the family came in, he made his exit promptly. Not one person from his family even showed up with him.

  I hated the fucker. Miranda may not have been blood, but she was my family.

  Due to the fact that we had to bury my uncle, I was able to stay in Kentucky for another two weeks. While Colt and Savanna swooned over each other more and more, I spent most of my time at the main house, which in turn enabled me to spend time with Izzy. Miranda hated that nickname and decided she was going to call her Bella for short, but that never changed my mind. I think I fell in love with Izzy immediately, but when I finally held her for the first time, I knew how special she really was to me.

  Of course she was tiny. Her fragile little body could fit in one of my hands. I found myself holding her for long periods of time, even taking turns feeding her. I liked how I could put my finger against her hand and she would hold onto it. It was amazing she could respond like that.

  My family kept making fun of me, even asking if I was using the baby to earn brownie points with Van. The funny thing was, when I was with Izzy, I never even thought of Van. Of course, at first, I did remember the times we talked about having kids. I was never really the settle down kind of guy, so it was all to appease her. However, this little girl, well I was pretty much in awe of her.

  Being that I stayed in Kentucky for that extra time, I was able to make peace with Van and Colt. I loved them both and just came to the conclusion that I wanted them to be together. It seemed fucked up to explain, but they were the two people that I never wanted to lose. Their relationship was real and it was solid.

  I didn’t leave with my parents. Instead, I rode home with Van and Colt. They had to drive back to the Carolinas to get Van’s belongings, which included her horse that I bought her. I had to laugh at how I was pretty certain she loved that damn horse more than she ever loved me. Anyway, Colt took one of the ranch trucks and I tagged along with them. They told me I talked entirely too much, but it beat the idea of them talking about each other or what they did when they were alone. To Hell with that shit!

  Saying goodbye to them was hard, but they ended up leaving my parents with part of my uncle’s life insurance money. It was enough to get my parents out of debt, pay my medical bills and still leave them with something saved. My father would be forever grateful, even though I knew he just wanted his big brother back.

  After my uncle’s unexpected death and the birth of Izzy, my family seemed to get closer. I spoke to Van on a day to day basis. Colt never seemed to mind. He would yell smart ass comments through the phone at me at least once a day, but I think he was just jealous that I never wanted to talk to him.

  Chapter 2

  Ty

  The next few months went by pretty fast. Between my physical therapy for the metal pins that were permanently in my leg, and the legal issues impending from my car accident, things were hectic. I ended up getting seventy two hours of community service and a year of probation. It was a lot better than spending time in jail. Of course it took me another six months to get my license back. Because I was under the influence, I lost my license immediately. After my court date, I went through driving classes and even drug and alcohol counseling. The judge wanted to set an example for all of the college kids I associated with.

  Even though I wasn’t attending school, I still spent my weekends on campus at the frat house. It was weird not having to sneak around and the ladies were coming at me even more than before. Heather still had her hooks in me. That girl could give the best head in the whole state of North Carolina, not that it helped me with imagining it was Van giving it to me. When she found out Van and I were over, she assumed we would get serious, but the truth was I didn’t need to commit to her to get a piece. The girl was already ready and willing.

  I remember the day I got my license back. I called Colt and told him I was coming to visit. Surprisingly, he seemed excited about it, telling me that he had something important he wanted to talk to me about. I didn’t want to think about a serious conversation with him, figuring he would be telling me that they were getting married or expecting a baby. I had made peace with them, but that was something that I couldn’t even be prepared to hear.

  Knowing that my visit had the possibility to be upsetting, I called my friends to find something to do. Shortly after leaving a few text messages, I got a call from one of my favorite blonde pieces of ass.

  Heather arrived at the carriage house about an hour later. I never got up from the couch when she came in. Hell, I didn’t even change my clothes. That was the thing about hooking up with her. There was no need to impress her. She just offered it. It was degrading, but hey, it was her own fault, not mine.

  I smelled her perfume even before I glanced away from my Xbox game to greet her. She was wearing some short sleeve zip up jacket and a skirt, like a tennis player would wear. “What the fuck are you wearing? I ain’t in any shape to play tennis.” I joked.

  She bit her lip and climb over me to straddle my body. Immediately, my hands reached around to her ass. “This is my easy access outfit baby.” While explaining, she started unzipping the jacket, revealing her naked breasts. As she threw the jacket to the side of the couch, she lifted up her skirt and smiled with her vixen eyes. “See. Easy access.”

  No panties.

  This girl gave the word booty call its name. I groaned and pulled her over my pants where my dick sat, so she could feel my rapid arousal. Her soft ass cheeks moved with the motion my hands were guiding. Heather grabbed the button to my shorts and loosened them enough to reach her hand down my pants. “I want it in my mouth.” She offered without even a sign of uncertainty.

  For two years she was the one person who was willing to fuck at the drop of a hat, with no strings attached, well on my part. My intentions were always clear. It was just sex for me, but as the time went by, I noticed her striving for a real relationship. When she pushed me about it, I would stop calling her for a few weeks. After she calmed down and realized this was all I was offering, she shut up and enjoyed the ride.

  I watched Heather begin to slide down onto the floor. I couldn’t help but lick my lips as I watched her yank down my pants, just enough to be able to pull out my cock with her hand. She looked up at me while taking her tongue and sliding it up the main vein at the base of my erection. I could feel the force as it pressed firmly and stroked it once again. Her eyes never left mine as she took the base of my shaft into her mouth and started bobbing her pretty little head up and down it. I consid
ered grabbing my Xbox paddle and playing my paused game, but didn’t want to take the chance of her stopping, or biting me.

  Like every time, I closed my eyes and imagined it was Van with her lips wrapped around me. I think since I enjoyed getting head so much, Van purposely hated it. I would beg and beg for it until she became so pissed off and eventually gave in, or in some instances, just went home.

  I tried to shake off my thoughts of Van, to be able to concentrate more on Heather and her lips around my dick, but it was easier said than done. Van haunted my mind every time I got aroused. I couldn’t control it, believe me when I say that I tried.

  After at least ten minutes, Heather climbed up on top of me. “My mouth hurts baby. How about we just fuck?”

  I shrugged and grabbed her by her hair, putting my lips close enough to brush against hers as I spoke. “Let’s see how bad you want me.” I slid two fingers down in between her legs.

  After I had grabbed a condom and slipped it on, I looked over to Heather. I had no respect for her and she knew it. If I hadn’t been so depressed and desperate, I would have just sent her home. I wasn’t trying to be heartless, but this was as good as it got for me. I was miserable, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

  She was already panting for me when I swung her around to lean over the coffee table. I scooted myself off of the couch and positioned my body to be right behind her. My hand pushed down on her back and I slid deep inside of her. Heather was great about not complaining. She knew what this was, even if she couldn’t admit it to herself.

  I pushed up the ruffles to her skirt so I could watch while I smacked her tight little ass. The harder I thrusted, the louder she screamed out for more. Visions of Van filled my closed eyes and I felt myself growing on the verge to finish. Once I had blown my load and collapsed back on the couch, she got up and looked at me. I couldn’t say anything to her that she wanted to hear. She needed to move on and find somebody that cared about her. She would have been a great girlfriend, but I could never respect her.