Little did I know what I perceived as a small intangible ripple of something new and exciting, was actually foreboding of what was to come. Fate had set in motion events that would almost cost me my future.
I’d heard more times than I could remember how your life can change in a split second, but I never gave it any thought. I was an eighteen-year-old boy. I lived for the here and now and didn’t deal with what ifs or worry about consequences. I submerged myself in a sea of narcissism and I contentedly floated there. The world revolved around me alone and I never had any plans for that to change.
Until I met her.
In a single moment, my whole world was thrown off its axis and I fell hard—head over fucking heels.
One glance in her clear, green eyes set me on a path I’d never intended to travel.
There was no way I could’ve known all the heartache that would stem from our gazes connecting for the first time.
I wish I would’ve realized the simple act of our palms meeting in an innocent handshake would be the catalyst for so much devastation.
Now, I have to live with the fallout our actions set in motion.
Lives were ruined from one innocent touch.
Part I
Chapter One
Emmett
The scratching and scuffing of the rake dragging across the ground is a familiar sound at my house this time of year. Massachusetts winters are cold and, for the most part, snowy. We might luck out every few years with a milder one, but this winter, that wasn’t the case.
We’d been buried under blankets of white for months, and now that it’s Memorial Day weekend, it’s my job to do a spring cleanup on our yard. It’s usually done the first week of May, but I had finals to study for and senior activities to attend. My parents cut me some slack, but now that I just graduated, I can’t put it off any longer—no matter how much I wish I could. I’ve only been out here for two hours and I’m already sick of yard work.
Why can’t my parents hire someone to do this shit like all the other people in our neighborhood do?
Tugging the ball cap down, sheltering my eyes from the blazing sun, I continue working to clear away any leaves leftover from fall. I’m almost finished with the section along the side of our property when a moving truck reverses into the driveway next to ours. The high-pitched beeping of the backup warning breaks through the silence of the afternoon.
Keeping my focus on the task at hand, I work to knock the rest of this out as soon as possible. I need to get online with my friends. We have a big match planned tonight on one of our favorite gaming sites and it’s against some other kids who went to school with us. The winning team only gets bragging rights, but it doesn’t take much to make us happy.
Hearing the sharp slam of a truck door, I notice a guy who looks like he’s in his early twenties—possibly a college student. His dark blond hair is long, falling just shy of his broad shoulders. He’s tall and lanky like a basketball player. Looking over, he catches me staring. Shoving his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, he raises his chin in acknowledgement. I do the same, pausing to take a break and check out the happenings going on.
The house next to ours is a cape style with dark blue shutters and a two-car garage. It recently sold, and there’s been a lot of speculation about who might be moving into this close-knit neighborhood. A shiny silver sedan pulls in beside the truck, and I wait to see who our new neighbor might be.
The driver-side door opens and a woman steps out. The first thing I notice is how long and lean her legs look wrapped in tight-fitting jeans with brown ankle boots. When she faces the car and bends at the waist to reach inside, I’m pleasantly surprised by the sight of her generously curved ass. Damn. It’s the definition of heart-shaped.
She straightens up, slings a purse over her shoulder, and shuts the car door.
Returning to the job at hand, I resume raking the lawn, but like any teenage boy, I’m still picturing her ass.
“Hi there.” A husky voice breaks into my lust-filled thoughts and clears my head of the inappropriate older woman fantasy I’m currently indulging in. My stomach muscles clench in reaction to her sexy tone. Tentatively flicking my eyes in her direction, all conscious thought of anything else flees when they meet her curious gaze. I lose my ability to speak for a moment. The rest of the world disappears around me while I’m submerged in a tropical sea of green that I’d happily drown in. She’s beautiful beyond belief with her shoulder-length sandy brown hair and deep pink, kissable lips.
“Hi, I’m Emmett,” I break the silence, my eyes remaining on hers. I couldn’t move them if I tried. I’m locked in place, held captive by this energy buzzing between us.
“I’m Juliet Thatcher. It’s nice to meet you.” She extends her graceful hand for me to shake. Holding my left arm around the rake, I extend my right hand. Our palms meet, my large one swallows the cool, pale delicacy of hers. My ears ring when our skin touches for the first time—or maybe I’m imagining the high-pitched whine. Her hand in mine feels right, like I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life.
Her thickly lashed eyes flicker with surprise. She feels it too.
“It’s nice meeting you, Mrs. Thatcher.” My voice is a hoarse croak. Releasing her hand, I grip the rake’s handle like a lifeline. I’m not comfortable with what just happened. She’s our new neighbor and a grown woman. I have enough to deal with already. I tick items off my fast growing mental checklist of why I need to stay away from Mrs. Thatcher. I’m sure I can come up with many more when she’s not within sight and I’m able to think clearly once again.
Why am I so attracted to her?
Because she’s gorgeous.
I shouldn’t be.
When have I ever done things the easy way?
“Please, call me Juliet.” I give her a stiff nod, knowing I won’t be calling her anything other than her full name. It can serve as a reminder of the vast differences between us.
Turning back to the task at hand, I ignore her presence while she remains quiet, observing my every move. There are leaves trapped between some shrubs that I focus on clearing out. Thick and wet from the rainy weather we’ve been having, it’s not as easy as it normally is. Add in the fact that Juliet—I mean, Mrs. Thatcher—is watching, and I’m all thumbs. My tired muscles tingle from her heavy gaze.
“It was nice meeting you.” Juliet’s words break through the sound of my harsh breathing that’s caused by a combination of physical exertion and her nearness.
“Yeah, you too.” My eyes stay focused on the ground. Do not glance at her.
“I look forward to getting to know you better, Emmett.” Mrs. Thatcher's soft voice is as sexy as she is. I squeeze my eyes shut and tell my dick to relax. It’s only a voice and one I won’t be hearing very often if I can help it.
“Bye,” I mumble. Staying focused on clearing the yard for the next hour or so is my priority. Using every bit of restraint I can muster, I never once allow myself to look over at the house next door. Instead, I think about the future I’ve got planned out. I’ll be at Ohio State for the next four years on a full athletic scholarship and then I’ll be drafted to the NFL. I find myself grinning as I think about what’s to come. The future sure looks bright.