Page 1 of Skye's Fall
Prologue
Skye
Little girls dream of their wedding day. We plan it out at the age of five, build scrapbooks and watch every Disney movie ever made, hoping the guy turns out to be Prince Charming or Prince Eric.
“You look beautiful,” my mom says as I turn around for her, making my dress spin. I should feel like a princess. But I don’t. I feel like a fraud.
“Thank you, Mom,” I reply as she starts to pin my veil in place and fluff out my dress.
Today should be the happiest day of my life. I have a man who others would kill for. Ladies have tried to grab his attention since he came into puberty. Shit, even teachers wanted in his pants. And he chose me. I should be thrilled. But I’m not. Granted, I don’t really love him— I love what he can do for me. I’m going places, away from this shit hole of a town. But I’m leaving things broken, so to speak.
I stole Memphis away from someone who could love him for who he is and not what he does. I’m a bitch, have been for a while, and I hate myself for the person I’ve become. I should tell Memphis I can’t go through with it. I should let him be with the woman he really loves, but I can’t. Also, he’s doing this because he almost killed the woman he loves. He’s marrying me to keep me quiet. And I know the right thing to do is tell the truth, and yet I still can’t. I hate myself right now. It’s why I hide behind the bitch persona I’ve created. I don’t have friends, only followers. Since I’m going places, they are as well. Once it’s gone, the fame, the money, they will move on. I’m not stupid. Girls crave friends, not fakes. I probably could have that, but I’ve fallen so far down the rabbit hole, I don’t know how to pull myself out.
“Can I come in?” I hear Linc’s voice on the other side of the door. He’s who I really love, who I want to be with. But I can’t— I will ruin him, destroy him.
“I’ll give you a minute,” my mom says as she pops out the other door. I sigh and collect myself before having to face the man I have loved since I was a teenager.
“Yeah,” I reply softly, and he opens the door to the dressing room.
He closes the door and leans against it, a scowl on his face.
“Why?” We’ve been over this many times.
“I told you why. I’m with Memphis. He’s who I love,” I lie through my teeth. I know he can see through it as he stalks over to me, taking my face in his hands and crashing his lips to mine. I come undone, needing more. I need him. I should leave with him.
There aren’t any words spoken as he undoes his belt and unzips his pants, pushing them down far enough to free his magnificent cock. He lifts my dress, practically throwing it over my head as he slides my panties down and thrusts inside. This isn’t nice or romantic, this is goodbye. This is hate. He hates me for leaving him. I loathe myself.
“Leave with me,” he says softly as my orgasm approaches.
“I can’t.” I shake my head.
“So this is it?”
I nod as I cry out with my release. I feel him follow me. I smooth my skirts down and lift my eyes to him.
“We can’t be together,” I tell him.
“Guess it was just about good fucking, then?”
“You liked every bit of it,” I bite back. I’m trying to hurt him.
“That’s all I need you for.” And boy, do those words hurt. I know mine hurt him as well. This is the way for us to get through this.
I start to say something, but he’s gone, not even a goodbye. I should run to him, but I won’t.
If I told him my secret, he would never forgive me. I hope he never finds out. He wouldn’t understand.
* * *
Lincoln
I’m at my wits’ end. What did I think would happen? I mean, in a way, I was hoping she would leave with me. I could see she was hiding something from me. I know my words hurt her— that was the plan since my heart broke into a million pieces. There was love there, but I guess it wasn’t enough, I’m not enough. She was enough for me. Maybe I should go back and try again.
Or no, I should let her go. She’s made her decision. I sigh as I start the truck and head for home, knowing I’m all alone.
I mean, my family is there, but I don’t have the girl. The girl I’ve loved since date one.
What’s worse is I was invited to the wedding, but I can’t do it. I can’t watch her marry Memphis when I want her to be mine. That just adds insult to injury. Her saying “I do” would be like a slap to the face. I already hurt too much.
