Trust Me
Copyright © 2013 by Kristin Mayer
All rights reserved.
Cover Designer: Chris Chandler
Editor and Interior Designer: Jovana Shirley,
Unforeseen Editing
Cover Photo: Leanna Sevak, Joiful Photography
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Visit my website at
http://kristinmayerauthor.blogspot.com/
This book is dedicated to my husband, Paul, my daughter, Makaela, and my best friend, Sarah. I love you all dearly.
I’m rushing around my apartment, trying to do some last-minute packing before my trip, when my phone rings. It’s my best friend, Sam. We’ve been best friends since we were in diapers, and our parents had been friends since they were in school. Neither of us has any siblings, so Sam and I have basically been sisters all these years.
We live in Waleska, Georgia. It has that wonderful Mayberry aura about it. I think the population sign says around six-hundred people reside here. Sam and I will both be seniors this fall at Reinhardt University. My true love is photography, but I’ve always been scared that I wouldn’t succeed at it.
Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I answer, “Hey, Sam. Are you on your way?”
“Yes. Are you sure you want to do this? Alone? For a week? I’m just not sure if that’s the best idea.”
Since my parents died, Sam’s been my rock. She’s afraid I’m using this trip to withdraw from life again.
I zip up my bag. With as much sincerity in my voice as possible, I respond, “I need to do this. I have to do this. It’s long overdue. It’s been planned since spring break. I know you don’t want me to go off the radar for an entire week, but it will be fine.”
“I know. It’s just that I worry about you. If I didn’t have my presentation this week for the sorority, I’d insist on going with you. Just promise me that you will call if it gets to be too much for you to handle. I’m here for you. I know you’re strong, but this is going to be a tough week.”
Smiling to myself, I can picture her animatedly talking with one of her hands while she’s driving. “I know, and I appreciate it. You just have to trust me on this. Everything will be okay.”
“Okay, Allison. I don’t like it, but I support you.”
“You’re the best. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out. I’ll be there in five, girl.”
And that’s why she will be my best friend for life.
“Okay, honk when you pull up, and I’ll be right down.”
I dash over to the kitchen island to make sure all my camera gear is safe and secure in my bag. I breathe out a calming sigh as I prepare myself for this journey. Over this last year since my parents’ accident, my small two-bedroom apartment has been my sanctuary. Just like at my parents’ place, it has that cozy-home feeling that makes me want to curl underneath a blanket while drinking hot chocolate.
Before I can think too much about the past, I go through my mental checklist again to ensure I have everything for my weeklong hiatus from the real world. Nothing but room service, sandy beaches, pools, and sleep are in my near future.
A honk sounds from outside, and I dart down the stairs. A beautiful May day welcomes me as I walk out of my building to Sam’s black Toyota Camry.
Sam is one of those people who just instantly attracts friends. Her personality makes anyone she meets want to adopt her and take her everywhere they go. She is a sports fan through and through, which is the exact opposite of me. She’s that person who screams at the TV, encouraging the players or telling them how to play. She’s naturally gorgeous with green eyes, a curvy figure, and long nearly black hair that has a natural sheen to it.
S
am is currently single, and it is not for the lack of trying from the opposite sex. She just doesn’t do relationships.
“Hey, Sam. Got a hot date after you drop me off at the airport?”
She’s wearing cutoffs and a cute little green halter top that sets off her emerald eyes surrounded by smoky makeup, and her hair is flowing freely around her face.
“Um, yeah, Carmen asked me to lunch. Since I’m going to be in Atlanta, I figured, why the hell not?” Her voice goes a tad tense.
“Whoa. You mean Greg’s sister, Carmen? That Carmen? Doesn’t Greg play football for the University of Georgia now?”
Sam and Greg had been secretly hot and heavy at the beginning of her senior year in high school, but it abruptly ended after New Year’s Eve of the same year. Sam gave some stupid excuse and refused to talk about it to anyone. She just kept saying it was time to move on. After several attempts, I stopped asking for the full story, knowing she would tell me when she was ready.
I’ve never been the type of person to force information out of someone. Sam has to be ready to tell me, regardless of what it is, and she just isn’t there yet.
My Carmen inquiry has earned me one of those don’t-go-there looks. Giving her a moment to calm down, I focus on watching the cars pass by on our way to the Atlanta Airport.
“Yes, she wants to catch up. And, no, there’s no chance that Greg and I will end up together. There’s nothing between us anymore. Please drop it.”
Whatever happened between them hurt Sam deeply. The tone in her voice tells me I might receive bodily harm if I continue down this road.
“Okay. I’m just surprised is all.”
It’s definitely time for a subject change.
“How’s living in the house with the girls going? I haven’t heard about the latest fiasco.”
Sam and a few other juniors are trying to start the first sorority at our college. I think she’s crazy for taking this on, but Sam loves a challenge.
“Allison, I swear that if I wasn’t so involved with this project, I just don’t know if I would keep forging ahead. I hope we were never this incorrigible to live with when we were back home. We have fifteen girls living in a house right off campus, and sharing the space seems to be a foreign concept. Last night, we discussed labeling food for the refrigerator and the amount of time each person should be allotted in the bathroom. I mean, come on, give me a break. Can’t we just be a little more grown-up? Why did I ever think it would be a good idea to move out of your cozy apartment?”
The fake irritation in her voice says otherwise. Deep down, she loves those girls.
I laugh. “Oh, Sam, you know you love it. Hopefully, your charter gets approved, so you guys can become the first official sorority of the university.”
We pull up to the terminal, and Sam puts the car in park.
“Damn straight. It better happen before the end of our senior year.” She’s recovered from the earlier mention of Greg.
After grabbing my luggage from the back, Sam meets me at the curb to give me a hug.
“I promise to email you the moment I get checked in at the hotel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I reassure her.
“You better.”
I can tell she’s still not pleased with the idea. She worries about me too much.
As I am heading inside the airport, Sam yells, “Hey, Allison!”
I turn back to face her.
“Don’t forget to find some cute-ass guy while you are there.”
I smile wryly and shake my head at her as she winks and blows a kiss. I watch as she hops into her car and drives away.
