All The Wasted Time (A Southern Heroes Novel Book 4) Read online

  Copyright © 2015 by M.A. Heard.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical reviews and various other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  The resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Designer: Sybil Wilson, PopKitty Design

  Cover Model: Thom Panto

  Photographer Credit: Wander Book Club Photography

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  WARNING

  DEDICATION

  SONGLIST

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  EPILOGUE

  SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  WARNING

  Please note All The Wasted Time was previously published as Wyatt. It has been edited and rewritten, so it’s basically a new book.

  Please note: This book contains sensitive scenes which may be upsetting to some readers.

  DEDICATION

  To old friends.

  People come and go,

  but we never forget how they made us feel.

  SONGLIST

  Hero – The Family Of The Year

  Head Above Water – Avril Lavigne

  Fighting Gravity – Caleb Johnson

  Carry You – Ruelle ft. Fleurie

  ‘Let me go.

  I don’t want to be your hero.’

  PROLOGUE

  Hank Jensen

  “Are you warm enough, sweetheart?” I ask as I glance at my wife. After being married to her for twenty years, she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world to me.

  “Yeah.” Bonnie leans back against the car seat, and turning her head, she smiles at me.

  Reaching across the console, I pick up her hand and press a kiss to the back of it.

  “Thank you for puttin’ up with me for so long,” I say, winking at her.

  “Twenty years since we said I do,” she sighs happily. “It feels like yesterday.”

  We share a moment where our eyes lock, and I take in Bonnie’s vibrant green eyes, the lines from years of laughing, and her loving smile which has the power to brighten my darkest days.

  “I love you, Bon,” I whisper.

  I focus my attention on the road and when I think about getting home and cuddling with Bonnie while watching a movie, a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

  “Is there still some of that pie left you baked?” I ask.

  “Ye –” Bonnie’s reply is cut off with a sharp scream as bright lights fill the cabin of the car. Shocked, I jerk the steering wheel to the right…

  Wyatt

  “Just because Aiden and Laurie went and got it in their heads to marry young, it sure as hell doesn’t mean I’m fallin’ for that same trap,” I answer as I let out a burst of laughter.

  “You don’t know what you’re missin’,” Aiden says.

  “I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let some girl tie me down with that ball and chain of hers.” I shake my head while taking a sip of coffee.

  This has been happening a lot lately. We’ll all have dinner at my folks' place, and then the questions will start.

  ‘When are you gonna settle down?’

  ‘Are you seein’ someone?’

  Hell no. That ain’t happening anytime soon.

  “This bird’s meant to soar the skies, spread ‘em wings wide. Y’all can stop worryin’. I’m happy not being in a relationship.”

  “Just think how nice it would be if you were to have kids. Then the cousins could grow up together,” Mamma argues.

  I finish my coffee, and while getting up, I say, “I’m headin’ home. Y’all are tirin’ me out.”

  “We’re just havin’ some fun,” Dad lets out a deep chuckle, clearly getting a kick out my reaction. “Watchin’ you squirm is really entertainin’.”

  I place a hand over my heart, acting all wounded. “And here I thought you loved me. I was adopted, right? That’s gotta be it.”

  Chuckling, Mamma gathers the cups onto a tray, then walks over to me. “I love you. Drive safely.” She presses a kiss to my cheek before heading to the kitchen to clean up.

  I shake Dad’s hand before Aiden walks me to the door. Opening it, we both stare out at the clear night.

  “Drive slowly, and text me when you get home,” Aiden says while shooting a look at my bike. He was more upset than Mom and Dad when I bought it. I love my older brother but since Laurie, our sister, passed away, he’s been way too overprotective when it comes to me.

  “I’m going to a tattoo place out of town.”

  “You gettin’ another tattoo?”

  “No, just re-inking the one I have.” I pat him on the shoulder. “Give Emma a hug from me.”

  Walking over to my bike, I pull the helmet on and tighten the strap under my chin. Straddling the seat, I start the engine and steer the nose toward the street.

  After having my tattoo touched up, I head back home. A smile spreads across my face as I pick up speed. I love riding at night. It makes me feel free, and when the roads are quiet, I can almost imagine I’m flying. I’ve been riding for fifteen minutes when I’m jarred out of my deep thoughts as a bright light fills the street ahead. A truck comes toward me from the right side and seeing that it’s picking up speed instead of slowing, I instinctively yank my bike to the left. The sound of screeching tires and crushing metal fills the air.

  For a moment I’m thrown into the air, but then I slam into the ground with one hell of a force.

  Feeling disorientated, I push myself up on my right arm. Shaking my head to rid myself of the dizziness, I slowly climb to my feet, while checking if I got hurt from the fall. Feeling relieved that I only have a couple of scrapes and bruises, I pull off my helmet. Glancing around me, I see the tail lights of the truck I missed as it speeds away from the accident.

  I walk over to where my bike is lying on its side, and my first thought is that Aiden’s going to shit himself and give me an earful.

  As the last of the haziness lifts, I lift my head, and it’s only then I see the other car which I must’ve collided with. It's overturned on its right side, and dropping the helmet, I begin to jog closer to it. Fumes of burning gasoline and oil sting my eyes as I climb onto the side of the car. Looking through the window on the drivers’ side, I try to assess how bad things are.

  Quickly taking out
my phone, I dial 911. While rambling out our location, I crawl to the side and try to open the door, but it’s of no use.

  Leaping off the car, I quickly search for anything I can use to break the window with. The increasing smell of gasoline makes my heart beat faster because I know time is of the essence right now. I find a rock and rush back to the wreck, and climbing onto the vehicle, I begin to slam it against the window. After what feels like an eternity, the glass shatters, making a brief moment of relief wash over me.

  Looking down into the cabin, I see a couple. The woman is struggling with her safety belt whereas the man is unconscious. It’s going to be almost impossible to get her out without getting the man out first.

  “My husband. Help my husband,” the woman sobs, her voice high-pitched with shock and worry.

  “I’ll get you both to safety,” I say, hoping to ease her worry. “Are you hurt badly?”

  While talking to the woman, I lower myself onto my stomach and slide forward so I can reach into the cabin. I manage to unclip the husband’s safety belt before I push myself up to glance at the deserted street.

  Where the hell are the paramedics?

  “I’m fine, just get my husband out first,” the woman cries as panic begins to overwhelm her.

  Laying back down, I reach in and hook my hands under the man’s arms. He’s not small, and it takes most of my strength just to pull him up toward the opening.

  I’m out of breath when I finally manage to pull the man out of the cabin, and glancing back down to the woman, I see that she’s managed to unclip her own safety belt.

  We all need to hightail it out of here. The air is drenched with fumes which can catch alight at any second.

  “Will you be okay to climb out?” I ask, hating to leave her behind while I move the man to safety before the car goes up in flames.

  “Yes, I’m right behind you.”

  She begins to move so she can climb to her feet and taking one last look at her, I grab hold of the man and haul him off the car. As soon as we’re on the ground, I take hold of his arm and pulling it over my shoulders, I drag him away from the wreckage.

  We make it to where my bike is when heat flares up behind me, followed by a loud explosion. I lose my balance and fall forward with the man.

  Shocked, I turn onto my butt, and the sight of the burning car rips the air from my lungs.

  The heat from the flames scorches the very air, and a sickeningly sweet smell fills my nostrils.

  It’s only then I hear her screams.

  CHAPTER 1

  Wyatt

  (Five months after the accident.)

  Summer means only one thing. Hot girls in bikinis.

  The family’s vacation cottage at Ocean’s Isle is all mine, and the beach is my hunting ground.

  “Wyatt’s comin’ a huntin’ ladies.” I grin like a dumbass as I drive into town, and I see the stretch of beach scattered with the prey.

  Damn, I need this break after all the shit that’s happened over the last couple of months. The recent case I worked on hit too close to home. I knew Clay Roberts was up to no good, but it was still a shock when I found out just how deep his meth business ran. I grew up with Clay. Hell, I actually considered him a friend. I think what got to me most was seeing how he turned out. He could’ve done so much with his life instead of flushing it down the toilet.

  Not wanting to think about my suspension or the case, I glance at the stretch of beach. Damn, it’s like Christmas, only I don’t have to unwrap anything, the two pieces of fabric girls call a bikini nowadays sure ain’t leaving much to the imagination.

  I pull up the drive and switch off the engine before climbing off the bike and removing my helmet so I can take a deep breath of fresh ocean air.

  I need this time by myself so I can sort out all the shit in my head before I have to report back at the precinct again. Everyone I know is finding their place in life – everyone but me. I need to figure out what I’m doing with my life.

  I joined the police force so my parents would be proud of me, but it’s hard walking in Aiden’s shadow. It sucks being the baby in the family. Hell, it was especially hard with Aiden and Laurie being twins and having their own special bond. I’m not saying I grew up in a bad home, not at all. My folks are loving and kind. Aiden’s the best big brother, even though it’s hard living up to his perfect image.

  And it doesn’t help that I’m no Saint. Fuck, I’m anything but. People see me as the joker, the playboy – the down to earth Southern boy, where Aiden’s good at everything. It’s a damn miracle stuff doesn’t go and turn to gold when he touches it. Then there’s my sister-in-law, Emma, and my niece, Laurie, who was named after our late sister. Aiden got the gorgeous girl and kid. Hell, he even went to South Africa for Emma. Only Aiden can pull off something like that.

  I shake my head as I unlock the front door. Dropping my bag in the middle of the living room, I walk to the glass doors which lead to the deck out back and slide them open. Stepping outside, I go to lean against the banister and stare at the peaceful ocean.

  Yeah, I need this break from everyone. I’m twenty-nine, and I have nothing to show for my life. Nothing but mistakes which can’t be undone.

  Relaxing with a beer in my hand, I scan the stretch of beach in front of the cottage. There are a few hot bodies out, soaking up the sun.

  Yeah, this is more like it. Girls come looking for a good ol’ summer romance and who am I to deny ‘em that.

  My eyes drift to a woman jogging up the beach in my direction. She’s dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, nothing skimpy. Her brown hair is caught in a low ponytail, pulled through the back of a baseball cap.

  She shouldn’t be out in the sun, not with her white skin. She’s got skin like Emma. I remember when Emma fell asleep in the sun once. She burned lobster red and gave Aiden a damn near heart attack. She didn’t get a tan though but instead went back to the pale, creamy coloring.

  My body has a mind of its own because I get up and walk over to the railing so I can get a better view of the jogger. Oblivious to the world around her, she slows and starts up the pier toward me, taking a sip from a water bottle. She begins to do stretches and damn, I must admit with the view I have of her ass, she’s not the only thing stretching.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” I mumble to myself as she gets closer and heads in the direction of the neighboring cottage.

  I haven’t seen anyone at the cottage next to ours for years. Thinking back, I can only remember an elderly couple who used to come here every other summer. I recall seeing their daughters once when I was around ten-years-old.

  “They were what?” I sift through my memories. “I think they were sixteen the last time I saw them.”

  My eyes roam over the tight body and sexy-as-hell ass.

  “Well, she sure ain’t little anymore,” I say before taking a sip of my beer.

  When she gets to her deck, she bends over and touches her toes, which has me almost choking on the sip I just took. I wipe the liquid from my chin and chuckle at myself.

  Yeah, the next two weeks might just turn out to be a whole lot of fun with a view like that.

  CHAPTER 2

  Wyatt

  The sun has long gone down, and I’m still sitting out on the deck, staring at the silver line the moon casts across the ocean.

  All this thinking of hunting, scouting, and picking up girls – it’s all just crap.

  “Damn, life sucks like a broke whore,” I mutter to myself.

  Why do some people have all the luck in the world while others have to take all the punches?

  Look at my brother-in-law, Zac. The minute he thought he found love, Laurie died. I can’t blame the guy for not wanting to date again.

  Letting my head fall back I glance up at the sky as the stillness of the night settles around me.

  My phone starts to vibrate, and reaching into my pocket, I pull it out. I stare at the name flashing on the screen which instantly fills me with a crushing feeling o
f guilt.

  I accept the call knowing I can’t ignore Hank Jensen. Putting the phone to my ear, I wait for him to speak.

  His breathing is harsh and filled with anger, and for a while, it’s all I hear.

  I shut my eyes and lean forward, letting my elbows rest on my thighs as my shoulders sag from the weight of the guilt bearing down on me.

  “She died because of you.” Hearing the raw pain in his voice feels like a physical blow to my gut.

  “I’m sorry.” I struggle to get the useless words over my lips.

  “You should’ve pulled her from the wreck first.”

  I nod, knowing what he’s saying is the truth. Bonnie Jensen was conscious where Hank wasn’t.

  “I’m sorry.” It’s the only words I can manage.

  Hank has been calling me since Bonnie’s funeral, and I’ve let him rant at me, hoping it will give him some sense of comfort. It’s the least I can do after I let his wife die such a horrible death.

  I’ll never forget the heat I felt from the flames and the nauseatingly sweet smell of burning flesh.

  I’ll never forget her screams.

  I fall asleep with the sound in my ears, and it’s the first thing I hear when I wake up.

  Bonnie Jensen’s agonizing screams will haunt me until the day I die.

  After the call from Hank, I feel restless as fuck.

  Needing something stronger than a beer, I get up and take the steps down to the beach. As I walk in the direction of the Blue Sands Grill where everyone hangs out, I pull out my phone and bring up my contacts list.

  Talking to Hank makes me feel guilty for not checking in to see whether they’ve tracked down the truck which left the accident scene.

  I press on Alec’s name and wait for the call to go through.

  “I’ve been worried,” Alec answers in his usual brusque way which I’ve gotten used to after working the Clay Roberts case with him.