Say Nothing…
T.A. Roth
(Speak #2)
Publication date: November 26th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
After years spent harboring a shameful secret, I finally felt…alive, reawakened and brave. Willing to break down my walls and let love in. Let him in.
We had conquered our pasts. The truth had set us free, and we were looking toward our future. Until a crazy twist of fate brought my worst nightmare back into my life.
The voice and soundtrack to every one of my haunting dreams now had a face. One he won’t easily let me forget.
The hits Ben endured on the football field will be nothing compared to the devastating blow his heart will take if he finds out the whole truth. He knows the story, but he doesn’t know the monster. Not like I do.
Just as the wounds of my past had begun to heal, he’s come back to rip them wide open.
Maybe some things are better kept from those we love.
Maybe some secrets are never meant to be told.
Maybe it’s better to Say Nothing…
EXCERPT:
“IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?” I slur out to no one in particular as I crack open my second bottle of sangria. I know I’ll hate myself in the morning or maybe in a few hours when I’m praying to the porcelain gods, but for now, this is the only thing making me feel better.
Grabbing a roll of Ritz crackers, I stagger my sad butt back to the couch. I raise my glass in a toast. “Here’s to needing one day . . . okay, maybe two. Here’s to two days.” The red liquid sloshes around a bit as I bring it in for another gulp. I have no idea who I am right now. I mean, come on, I’m not this girl. This sad, whiny, pathetic shell of a person who pines for her boyfriend. I take another swig of my wine; my lips are starting to numb, and I feel completely hopeless.
My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I promised Ben I would eat.
Opening the plastic tube of Ritz crackers, I snack on a few hoping to soak up some of this alcohol. I’m half a bottle past drunk now and I realize that if I don’t slow down, I won’t be coherent enough to hear Ben’s call. That thought sobers me a little, and I shove down another two crackers. Advil. A bottle of water and some Advil. That’ll help.
My legs feel like I’m walking through quicksand as I attempt to make my way to the kitchen. The room is spinning, and I’m forced to take a break midway and sit on one of the dining room chairs. I’ll just rest for a minute.
***
THE DARK ROAD STRETCHES IN front of me and thick patches of fog settle over the riverbed that runs alongside it. I know this road; it connects the adjoining city, and it’s nowhere you want to be left alone, especially at night. Patting the pockets of my jeans, I quickly realize I have nothing—no cell phone, no keys, and I’m just that . . . completely alone. My heart is racing and the urgency to be anywhere but here has my feet moving quickly.
I don’t hear anything but the sound of my heavy breathing and the crackle of the gravel beneath my feet. How did I get here? The confusion of why or who invades my thoughts. “Ari . . .” My name comes as a whisper, and my body immediately freezes with fear. My heavy breathing has now turned into a pant. The fog is becoming denser, making me lose my sense of direction. Waving my arms in an attempt to clear my path, I continue forward. There’s nothing but me, the fog, and the moonlight. Hope fills me as two bright lights cut through the darkness. “Ari . . .” The whisper is now a shout, and I recognize the voice. “Ben,” I shout back, taking off at a sprint. “Ari.” I run toward the sound of his voice like my life depends on it. The lights are brighter now and the faint outline of his body comes into view. He waits for me with open arms as I slam into his chest. “Shh . . . I got you.” My body shakes violently, and he runs his hands through my hair to calm me. “Shh . . . you’re safe, sweet girl.”
Book trailer:
Author Bio:
T.A. Roth is a wife and mother of two funny and crazy kids. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she couldn't imagine living anywhere else. When she's not beautifying clients as a stylist/make-up artist at her day job you can find her reading, fangirling her favorite authors, or singing along to the radio. After getting the opportunity to read the debut novel of a then client now friend something clicked. Her "what the hell" attitude kicked in and a year later, here we are.
Say Something... A new adult romance is her debut novel.
I wonder what her shameful secret is!
ReplyDeleteCurious what the past secret is that makes her so afraid.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI like the excerpt! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt, I can't wait to read more!
ReplyDelete