Sanctuary: Seeking Asylum Book 1 Read online

  Emery had helped him with that conquest. Ashlynn was going to be a junior this year. She was also a popular cheerleader. Emery had just come home from cheer camp last week, and she and Ashlynn were like best friends now. Of course, Corbin had capitalized on their friendship, since he wanted to get in Ashlynn’s pants.

  I was just surprised that Emery was helping them out, since I knew she'd had a crush on Corbin for the last two years. Emery was a little more boy crazy then I was and had been all googly-eyed with guys for years now. I never really paid them much attention.

  Especially after my experience, and I was too busy being a tomboy and playing with the boys. Boys my age had zero maturity level. They had belching contests. Laughed when they farted. Don’t get me wrong, I laughed, but they were gross. Thus the reason why I hadn’t looked at many boys or cared to get to know them.

  “Shut up, Cor,” Trevor mumbled as he stood up and placed his arms around my waist.

  That was new. Sure, we had hugged and wrestled around before, and he comforted me a lot when I had cried over the loss of my mother and through those dark nights. However, there hadn’t been this tension, this awareness before. I kind of liked it.

  Wyatt and Corbin looked at each other and started to laugh. Corbin and Wyatt were the oldest out of the Young “grandchildren.” They always had a penchant for mischief and always teased us younger kids when they were together.

  Up until we had moved in with them, Corbin had teased us mercilessly. Things had changed after we lost Mom, though. There were weeks after she passed that Corbin would hang around Emery and me, but he hadn’t teased us. I think he didn’t want to tease the girls that had just lost their mother and wanted to be there for us silently.

  It wasn’t until a few months ago that things changed between us. It was like Emery, Trevor, and I didn’t exist to Corbin. He seemed too busy living up his senior year of high school. At the beginning of the summer, Emery had started Operation Get Corbin Cavalier. They became friends, but I don’t think Corbin was aware of her flirting.

  “Aren’t you guys cousins?” Ashlynn asked with a disgusted look. “Isn’t that what you told me and Cara, Em?”

  “That’s really gross,” Cara added. I remembered now. It was Cara.

  My embarrassment was soon replaced by indignation. How dare they make fun of us? I knew the only reason they were out here was because of Wyatt and Corbin, who must’ve wanted to take a swim. We had just arrived yesterday, and Ashlynn, Cara, and our other cousin Katie were still in the stage where their beauty outweighed their comfort. They didn’t want to get wet and ruin their hair and makeup.

  Emery was now permitted to wear makeup and was a follower when it came to the older girls, so she had decided to emulate them, refusing to swim, too, saying the water was gross, and she didn’t want to ruin her hair and makeup. She had no such compunction last year. What had changed?

  They had spent all day yesterday laying out on the shoreline in their bikinis, getting tan, and hoping to get the boys’ attention. BJ and Mitch Junior, MJ, had been the only ones to join us. Dad, Uncle Mitch, and Uncle Scott had promised to take them fishing in the other lake today, so they weren’t around.

  Aunt Pam had excused me from cooking duty, so Trevor and I had rushed down here to get cooled off. When I had left the cabin, the girls had been getting ready. When I asked them if they were swimming today, they had laughed at me—well, Katie and Emery hadn’t, but they hadn’t stopped the other two from teasing me either.

  I was just trying to be kind, and I still didn’t understand the concept of wearing a bikini if you had no plans on swimming. It was so oppressively hot. There was no way I was trading in my comfort for makeup and perfectly straightened or curled hair.

  “We’re not blood cousins,” I scoffed out crossly. “And I hate to break it to you, but you look like raccoons with your make up running. Also, you wasted over two hours this morning getting ready for no reason, since your precious hair is all jacked up now.”

  I think I heard Wyatt and Corbin snort behind their hands, but I wasn’t confident, since my eyes were glaring at the girls.

  I looked over at Katie and Emery. Why weren’t they defending us? I knew for a fact that they both had a crush on Corbin. I heard them talk about him while Ashlynn and Cara had been up to breakfast in the “big” cabin, AKA Nana and Pop-pop’s house.

  Corbin shrugged again and laughed. “Hey, Wy?” He gave Wyatt a wicked glance. “Wanna show this young pup how a girl should be handled?”

  “I feel it’s our duty,” Wyatt said with an answering grin.

  As if they had rehearsed it, they turned and grabbed Cara and Ashlynn, who tilted their head backs to accept their passionate kisses. When the guys started caressing the girls from hips to breasts, I reluctantly had to admit the girls looked thoroughly pleased. The guys had a…delicate touch. I turned my head, embarrassed for watching with rapt attention.

  “See how I did that?” Corbin said with a smug smile. “I wasn’t pawing Ashlynn like I was trying to wrestle her. I was softly caressing her body. I didn’t stuff my tongue into her mouth. It’s all a dance, bro.”

  “Whatever,” Trevor muttered.

  Trevor would never admit to Corbin or his parents that he had always envied his brother. Corbin was outgoing, charismatic, athletic, and intelligent. Trevor was more reserved, had just started wrestling, and although he was smart, he just had to work harder at getting good grades.

  He confided in me all the time about stuff like that. He felt inferior to his brother. He also told me he missed him. They had once been close, but a few years ago, Corbin discovered girls and didn’t have as much time for him anymore. Corbin still hung out with him from time to time but not as much as Trevor wished he would.

  “Look, Trev.” Corbin sighed as if he realized he had thoroughly embarrassed his brother. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. Just thought I’d give you a few pointers.”

  I could see the mortification in Trevor’s gaze, especially when the girls giggled at him. I turned in his arms. “He doesn’t need your pointers, Cor,” I seethed as I put my hands on my hips. “Did you tell Ashlynn that she’s just the flavor of the week? Come next week, you’ll have another girl on your couch or maybe even in your bed. I’ve already lost count how many girls I’ve witnessed you ‘practicing’ on.” I did air quotes before I turned to grab Trevor’s hand. “Trevor and I can figure out what makes us happy without your pointers, thank you very much.” I tugged on Trevor’s hand. He gave me a thankful smile. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

  Corbin was looking at me with narrowed eyes by the time I finished my little speech. Wyatt was laughing. Cara looked bored. Katie looked stunned. Emery looked mortified. And Ashlynn… Ashlynn was glaring at me.

  I was about to dive into the water when Ashlynn snorted. “Sweetheart, maybe that’s all I want, a good lay. Maybe I don’t care if I’m just the flavor of the week,” she mocked.

  “Good for you.” I clapped mockingly. “I’m sure your mom and dad are proud that you have zero self-respect.”

  “Lighten up, Ave,” Emery huffed as if I had just embarrassed her.

  “Don’t talk about my parents,” Ashlynn sneered. “Maybe your daddy shouldn’t be running away from you guys all the time, and maybe your mommy should teach you to be as cool as your sister.”

  I felt like she had physically hit me as tears entered my eyes. The pain was still too new. Didn’t Emery tell her about Mom? How did she explain her absence?

  “Ashlynn!” Corbin barked out with a fierce look, all laughter gone from his features.

  “My mother’s dead, you whore,” I said hollowly before I dove into the lake, not caring if Trevor followed me into the water or not.

  He had.

  Later on, Trevor and I spent most of the day avoiding everyone. No one tried to seek us out, which was fine with me. Trevor and I just had more time to make out without anyone bothering us while I licked my wounds.

  Chapter 1
r />   Present Day…

  “Earth to Avery!” Sylvia crowed in my ear. “Why do you look like someone just ran over your dog, ate the last ice cream sandwich, told you the Monster factory blew up, or you just realized you were ragging after Danny Scully wanted to hook up with you? You just placed first! First!” she squealed.

  I didn’t have a dog. I preferred those strawberry shortcake popsicles over ice cream sandwiches. I lived off coffee, while she lived off Monsters. And I never had a crush on Danny, she had. She’d had crushed on Danny for years and knew he had a thing for me since freshman year.

  “I am stoked,” I said as I looked out of the fifteen-passenger van window, thankful when the driver started the engine. The sooner I got home to my bed, the sooner I could find a new band-aid. The old one just ripped off.

  Sylvia had placed second in poomsaes, and still it hadn’t fazed her. She frowned dramatically, then gave me a broad, creepy smile. She continued to make these freaky faces for several minutes. I knew she was just trying to cheer me up.

  I attempted a smile, but I was struggling with it. Sylvia was usually really good at pulling me from my pity parties, especially when she was in this type of mood. She was the proverbial optimist.

  Even when her life wasn’t going the greatest, she always found the positive: If she got a flat tire, at least she still had a car. She was late for class? Maybe fate wanted her to be late. She had a pop quiz she wasn’t prepared for. Who cares? At least she passed another one.

  Her optimism could be contagious sometimes.

  “Beast!” my coach exulted as he hopped into the passenger seat. He turned in his chair and beamed at me, holding out his fist for a fist bump. “I think that sealed it. The Olympics are in the bag for you.”

  To most females in their early twenties, the nickname Beast would be an insult. To me, it was a well-earned nickname. Especially since Coach was one of the harshest critics to please. He was demanding, overbearing, insufferable, and I loved him for it. I didn’t think I would have gotten as far in martial arts if it wasn’t for him.

  Without his coaching, I wouldn’t be where I was today athletically. He had faith in me since he saw me compete six years ago. He nearly got me to the Olympics four years ago, and with his pushing and critiques, I was in better shape and faster than I was back then.

  “Thanks, Coach.” I tried to smile once more, but I had never been a great actor. I tapped my fist with his.

  Dad and Mom used to say I wore my heart on my sleeves, while Emery was destined for Hollywood. She could convince you the sky was green, all with a straight face, or turn on the waterworks on cue. I had never learned the art of deception. As a child, it had amused me. As a teen, it had exasperated me. As an adult, it sickened me.

  Coach Rich frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I muttered. I looked out the window, urging my team to hurry.

  Most of them had friends and family to kiss and hug goodbye. Even though the majority of the team had driven themselves or had friends attending, Coach insisted that we ride together on qualifying days.

  In the reflection of my window, I saw Coach exchange a look with Sylvia. Her answer was a look of befuddlement and a shrug.

  Sylvia and I met when I moved to Maryland eight years ago. She became one of my best friends almost immediately. There weren’t any reputable gymnastic gyms locally, and our nanny Bernadette hadn’t been willing to drive me to the closest gym over an hour away, so she had introduced me to her nephew. who was an amazing artist and I was enthralled enough to give it a try. Overnight,omehow, I’d gone from being a gymnast to a martial artist..

  I had met Sylvia a week after I joined her Tae Kwon Do school. We clicked almost immediately. I was ecstatic to find out she went to my school, too, and more than happy to let her take me under her wing.

  It was the first time Emery thought we needed to make new friends, not share our circle like we had done since kindergarten. She wanted to have her own identity. I understood, but still. I had felt isolated for nearly a week until Sylvia changed that.

  Emery had become popular almost immediately. That was her. She loved being the center of attention. I liked having a small group of loyal friends. Always had, always would. I wasn’t comfortable with getting recognition for the sake of getting attention. I thrived on the sparring floor, but I barely noticed the audience. I was there for the sport.

  The last guy on our team, Simon, boarded the van with a broad smile and slid in next to Sylvia. “Killin’ it like always, Avery.” He smiled at me before leaning over Sylvia with both of his fists out.

  “You too, Simon.” I feigned another smile and tapped my fist against his.

  Simon had been added to our team about three years ago. He went to the same college Sylvia and I did and was someone else I would credit my success to. He ate, slept, breathed training. He pushed me to become a better fighter.

  When he sparred with me, he never held back. Unlike many men that I have fought against, he wasn’t afraid to push me. I appreciated that. He beat me eight times out of ten, but I was okay with that. There was a reason they separated females from males in these tournaments.

  “Drinks, tonight,” he whispered loudly.

  “Yes!” Sylvia squealed. “We need to check that new club out on tenth.”

  “Don’t drink too much,” Coach warned us.

  I swear that man had supersonic hearing.

  I shrugged. “Maybe. I still got to study for finals on Monday.”

  I was only using it as an excuse. I was never a big drinker. I would drink on occasion, but in my vulnerable state, I was afraid I would use it as a crutch again.

  I knew what had happened last time I felt this… heartbreak. I went wild. I drank. I hooked up with random guys. Granted, it was only three guys, but it was three too many, in my opinion, since I never even established a friendship with those randos before sleeping with them.

  Sylvia groaned. “No, just no! You’ve been too hard on yourself lately. You’ve done nothing but work, do clinicals, go to school, and train. We need tonight, Ave!” she whined.

  It was true, I had been really focused lately, but I had a reason. The finish line was in sight. Today clenched plan A. Next week was plan B. If I passed all my finals, it was going to be official—I’d be an RN.

  I had the luxury of not rushing my career thanks to my previous profession at modeling and my inheritance. Plan A was making it to the Olympics, since money wasn’t a huge factor for me. The degree I was going to receive in nursing was my plan B. After I reached my first dream, I could pursue my other goals in life.

  Right now, I needed to focus on Nationals which were right around the corner. After that, we would start competing internationally. God willing, in the next month or so I would be officially on team USA or working in a hospital several hundred miles away.

  There were too many memories here in this state. Even a lot of good ones, but the bad had made all the good ones obsolete. I couldn’t even go to the local coffee shop without remembering the last time Trevor had come to visit me and we’d snuggled up on the couch, making our summer plans.

  Uncle Scott had eventually gotten orders to Andrews Air Force base. Trevor had moved near me by our sophomore year in high school, and finally we were reunited with our family and friends once more. They got a house near us, and Trevor attended our school. After a few months, Trevor and I had picked up where we’d left off the summer before. We became official.

  When our college acceptance letters began coming in, we had to make some decisions. Did we make our relationship work, despite our different college choices, or did we break up? We decided to try and make our relationship work long-distance. We had been together for three years by that point.

  We both received scholarships for two different schools. They were two hours apart, so it wasn’t too bad to make the commute on the weekends.

  We had made it work for almost three years, then in a blink of an eye, it had all went up in smoke
. Or should I say, it went up in flames because I’d been burned.

  “Are you going to answer that?” Sylvia asked me.

  “Huh?” I looked over at her in confusion.

  “Your phone,” Sylvia stated, looking at me with more concern.

  In order to get to my phone, I had to bypass that stupid, dreadful cardstock that had been cleverly concealed in a beautifully embossed envelope addressed to me. Earlier, on the way out the door of the three-bedroom apartment I shared with Sylvia and our roommate Lucy, I had spotted my mail in my basket and foolishly grabbed it, stuffing it in my bag in a hurry to get going.

  I had been so busy lately and was never able to read my mail. So before the tournament, I headed straight to the van without stopping to talk to anyone as my teammates had. I had no one waiting for me and had come to terms with that fact long ago.

  While I had waited in the van, I scrolled through social media, knowing Sylvia and my teammates had recorded my last match. It had been a tough one, and the other woman had made me work for the win. My hands had brushed my mail, so I thought I would get that out of the way first. I wish I hadn’t.

  If ignorance was bliss, I desired to remain ignorant. I would have been perfectly happy staying that way.

  “Oh…” I startled, realizing my phone was in my duffel bag tucked under the seat. I tried to conceal the shaking in my hands, tried to swallow the tears that threatened to fall.

  I didn’t want to think about that stupid piece of mail or what it had included.

  ֍

  I took out my phone and released a breath as I checked the first message.

  Papa Bear: Just saw the video and pictures Sylv posted. You are a rock star! So proud of you!!! :-*

  A real smile crossed my face. Dad was ecstatic when I told him I wanted to join Tae Kwon Do. He always embraced my “tomboy” side. It had been no secret that I had been a daddy’s girl since I could first walk. When he was home, I was always following him around.