My Absolution Read online

  My Absolution

  Joz Maxel

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © Joz Maxel 2017

  My Absolution

  Editing: Rebel Edit & Design

  Formatting: Kylie Sharp

  Cover Art by: Pavan Kaur and Dawn Doyle

  Cover Photo: Shutterstock

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher or author constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author's intellectual property. If you would like to use the material from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author's rights.

  FBI Anti-Piracy Warning:

  The unauthorized or reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  To those that think they can't or shouldn't...

  Here's proof you can and should.

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. Corey

  2. Nova

  3. Corey

  4. Nova

  5. Dane

  6. Corey

  7. Corey

  8. Nova

  9. Corey

  10. Corey

  11. Nova

  12. Nova

  13. Dane

  14. Corey

  15. Dane

  16. Corey

  17. Nova

  18. Nova

  19. Corey

  20. Dane

  21. Corey

  22. Dane

  23. Nova

  24. Corey

  25. Nova

  26. Corey

  27. Corey

  28. Dane

  29. Nova

  30. Corey

  31. Dane

  32. Corey

  33. Corey

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Corey

  The constant hum of the machines in the room are slowly causing my sanity to slip away. The chair I'm sitting in is designed for quick comfort while visiting loved ones for short periods of time, not as a tether to the new reality I'm being faced with. I can't get comfortable no matter how many ways I contort my body. Giving up hope for one second of relaxation, I stand in front of the single window in the room and look out to the world that still goes by like everything is right in it. Nothing is right in my world, not a god damn thing. I slide my hands in my pockets and lean against the window frame, watching a couple leaving the main entrance of the hospital with a new baby in tow. They look happy and content, sharing one of many new moments in their lives.

  I look away from the window and over my shoulder to see her chest rise and fall with each breath she takes. Her eyes are closed, not in a dream-filled sleep, but because of the swelling and bruising around them. Her succulent lips, marred by cuts and bruises, paint a dark picture of this beautiful creature, all at the hands of her husband and my best friend, Dane.

  I rub my brows, trying to come up with any reason as to why the man who claims to love her would do this to her, when a reflection appears in the window. His stature is a menacing one, even more so now that his daughter is the one lying in the bed not moving, not making a sound. I turn around to see him nod his head in my direction, then disappear from the doorway. I give Nova one last look and walk out of the room to find Randall waiting for me. I lean against the wall across from Nova's hospital room, waiting for Randall to speak.

  "He got picked up a few hours ago. Sounds like they're charging him with attempted murder."

  "I was gone one month, Randall. One fucking month! What the fuck happened?"

  He leans against the wall right beside me. "Dane's gotten in way over his head. Him and Crash have been running their own shit for a while."

  I rub my hands down my face as I walk to Nova's open door.

  "Where's Rourke?"

  Randall removes the toothpick he's always got hanging from his mouth. "He's with Angela." He looks down both ends of the hallway, making sure no one's within earshot of his request. "I want you to do something for me."

  I lean up against the wall, right by her door. That's when I notice how tired he looks. He looks at his boots, worn from years on the road.

  "You still in love with my daughter, Corey?"

  "Yes." He already knows this. I have for as long as I can remember.

  "Take my girl and my grandson. Leave this place. Dane's going away for a while, but I'm not so sure about Crash. That kid is a live fucking wire." When he raises his head to look at me, I see the unshed tears desperate for release. "I can't lose them."

  Swallowing the lump in my throat at the sight of this burley biker on the verge of losing his shit in front of another man, I tell him, "I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe."

  He wipes his nose with the back of his hand and stands up straight. He stands a few inches in front of me to make sure no one else can hear what he has to say.

  "My dad has a house a few hours north of here. Nobody knows about it. You take Rourke and Novalee when she's ready. I'll make sure you leave unnoticed."

  "What are you gonna do?"

  "Keep my eye on that little fuck. Can't touch him when he's incarcerated. Outside is a different story." Throwing his beloved toothpick back in his mouth, he steps inside her room. I take a deep breath, letting his request sink in. It's an easy decision.

  Two nights later, Nova, against doctor's orders, signs herself out of the hospital and we head north under the dark veil of night.

  Days later...

  I look down at Rourke while he drinks the last remnants of his bottle. He seems content with his new room, new toys, new life.

  "Okay, little dude," I say as I place the bottle on the night stand by the rocker. "Sleep well, my man, and we'll go shop for that skateboard tomorrow." I place him in his crib and make sure that his elephant is snuggled close to him under his blanket.

  The memory of Dane buying him that elephant comes rushing back to me. He was so excited he was having a boy, he grabbed Nova in-between her bouts of morning sickness and dragged her to the nearest toy store and proceeded to fill the shopping cart full of boy toys. When he started heading toward the scooters and skateboards, she told him they didn't have the money for all the shit he was planning on getting, and instead, she picked up the grey coloured elephant and told him it was all his boy needed. It took a little convincing, but Dane finally relented and settled on the elephant. As he told me about the good news and the shopping trip, he confided in me that he also bought a black, banana shaped skateboard while Nova was in the store bathroom, no doubt losing what little she had for breakfast.

  That skateboard was left behind as I grabbed what Rourke absolutely needed, but the elephant made the cut. He screams bloody murder when he doesn't have his elephant at bed time.

  After I make sure Rourke is down for the night, I grab two bottles of Somersby cider from the fridge and go on the hunt for Nova. I find her sitting on the porch swing at the front of the house, her knees brought up to her chest, the oversized navy knit sweater pulled around her legs for warmth. Her head rests on the top of her knees while she stares out at nothing in particular. The creak of the door shutting brings her attention to me as I hold out the bottle of cider for her to take. I take up residence beside her and place my arm
on the back of the swing behind her.

  "He finally asleep?" she asks before taking a swig from her bottle. Her busted top lip is still swollen so she brings her hand to her mouth to make sure she doesn't reopen her wound by taking a drink.

  "Yeah. It took a little bribery, but he's down," I reply with a smile. "Have to take him skateboard shopping tomorrow, though. Don't know how I'll handle it."

  She narrows her bruised eyes as much as the swelling will let her. "I'm sure you'll manage," she says as tears start to fall down her cheeks. I place my hand on the back of her neck as a show of comfort. "Why did he do it, Corey? What did I do to deserve this shit?"

  I haven't had time to process what the fuck Dane was thinking, beating the woman he claimed to love to a bloody pulp. This isn't the first time in the last few days she's asked me this.

  "I wish I knew."

  "I never should have married him." She turns to look at me." I always thought it was going to be you."

  This, too, is not the first time she's said this to me. With our dads belonging to the same motorcycle club and our moms being best friends, Dane, Nova, and I grew up thick as thieves. Dane always told Nova she was his girl, but her smiles were always for me. I never made a play for her because it was clear my best friend had his heart set on her, so I was the noble, yet foolish one, and let it be. "You did what you thought was the right thing to do for your son. How could I stand in the way of that?"

  Wiping her nose with the tissue in her hand, she states what I've always known to be true in my heart. "It was you I wanted most." She puts her hand in mine and gives it a squeeze. "Life has a funny way of working out."

  I kiss the back of her hand as she gets up to go inside. Before she reaches the door, I say, "I'll always be here for you, no matter what. This won't happen again, I promise you that."

  She nods her head and goes inside.

  Corey

  "Oh my God, Jenny, that looks fucking wicked! You're so talented, Corey." Leena beams at her friend, who I'm currently tattooing a tramp stamp on. It's a butterfly. How fucking original. Paying customers get what they want but seriously, make it your own. Is that so hard? But I've got to say, it fits her personality perfectly. Barely in her twenties with a rich daddy. This will definitely get her the attention she's craving.

  Straddled across the back of the chair, Jenny turns her head to look at me. "You're really good with your hands," she says with a slight curve of her lips.

  "Looks like we're done here. I'll clean you up so you can take a look."

  "Hey, you wanna grab a drink with me and Leena tonight?"

  After cleaning her up with a damp paper towel, I give her the hand held mirror to check out her new tattoo. She takes it and walks over to the full length mirror on the wall behind me, her friend following.

  "It really is amazing, Corey." She hands me the mirror back and sticks her ass out a little more than necessary when she goes to sit back down in front of me. "You're my guy, Corey. I'll make sure all my friends come to see you."

  Leena is now standing in front of Jenny, her left leg turned out, resting on the ball of her foot. Her left hand starts caressing up the inside of her thigh to lift her already short as fuck skirt. I can now see the hot pink lace that adorns her money shot. Is this chick for real? "I was thinking maybe a rose right here would look nice." She tilts her head to the side and bites her bottom lip. "Do you think it would look nice, Corey?"

  I put the last of the medical tape on Jenny's bandage. "You're good to go." I stand up and walk over to my work bench in search of my care instruction cards. I rip off my gloves, grab said card and turn around to find Jenny and Leena standing side by side, looking at me seductively, but only one woman can look at me like that and get a reaction. These two look like they're auditioning for PornHub. Using my left hand, I hand the card to Jenny. "Just in case you forget."

  She hesitates, then grabs the card when she notices my black wedding band. She looks up at me and smiles. "Lucky girl."

  "I'll walk you ladies to the front." Smiling, I gesture to the door.

  Walking down the hall, I can hear Lola yelling, "Matt! You have to stand like this so I can show you!"

  "No way! I fell for that a few times already."

  I turn the corner and see Matt protecting his balls with his hands, while my girl is in her Tae Kwon Do stance, ready to strike.

  "Oh my God, how cute are you!" Jenny shrieks when she sees my daughter in a gold crown, pink body suit, pink tights, and pink tutu.

  Laughing, I say, "Matt, can you help Jenny with her payment?"

  "Gladly," he replies, with a look of relief.

  Looking down at my pink ballerina fighter, I pick her up and set her on the counter. "We talked about beating up Matt. He bruises like a peach, remember?"

  She turns to look at him, just as my wife walks through the door and says, "I thought you said he was a pussy?"

  "What!" Matt turns to look at my now giggling girl. I look up at my wife, who doesn't find this as funny as I do.

  "That's great, Corey. You and Rourke are officially done sparring with Lola." She places the bag on the counter beside Lola and comes to the side of the counter I'm standing on.

  Jenny grabs the keys out of her purse on her way to the door. She stops and turns to face us. "Thanks again, Corey. Always a pleasure." She smirks and gives a little wave before she's gone.

  "Another admirer, I see." Nova tilts her head to the side, and I give her the only response she deserves. I place my hands on both sides of her face and give her a slow, playful kiss she'll feel down to her toes.

  "Ewww! Innocent eyes here, people!" Matt grabs Lola off the counter and places her on her feet. "C'mon, Lo. I need help stocking your dad's station again."

  Keeping a strong hold on my wife, I smile and turn to look at Matt walking away from us with Lola. "She sees us all the time, dude".

  From the back, he yells, "I was talking about me!"

  Nova starts to pull away when my hold moves to her hips. Her smile lights up the entire room. I love that smile.

  "Where do you think you're going?" I step forward as she takes a step back.

  She grabs her bag off the counter and swings it over her shoulder. "Rourke will pick up Leni when she's done with volleyball practice. Lola's dancing is at five."

  "Wanna go in my office? My next client isn't due for a few more minutes." My hands climb up her back, pulling her closer to me, if that's even possible. "I'll be quick, I promise." My tongue snakes out to lick her bottom lip. Just as I feel her body melt a bit into me, Lola comes running toward us with black disposable gloves adorning her way smaller hands.

  Sighing in a frustration we both feel, I get that smile again. "Babe, what I want to do to you will take longer than a few minutes." She gives me a quick kiss on the lips and backs away from me, again. I hang my head and shudder. I love my daughter, I truly do, but some days, the word cock-block comes to mind.

  "You be good for Daddy, and I'll see you in the morning, okay?" Running her hand over top of our daughter's brown curls, she leans down for a kiss, then heads to the front door.

  "Daddy, are you cooking again?" As Lola says this, she holds her hands in prayer formation under her chin, waiting for my response.

  Looking down at her, I put on my stern face. "Maybe."

  Lola throws her hands in the air. "Yes! We get pizza again!"

  Almost out the door Nova looks back to see me holding a giggling Lola upside down by her legs, and blowing zerberts on her pink body- suited stomach. Shaking her head, Nova turns and she's out the door.

  Nova

  It has to be a full moon. That's the only explanation for all the assholes tonight. Two gunshot wounds, one knife wound to the arm, and a questionable sex toy stuck up some guy's ass, and my shift is only half- way through.

  Right now, I'm tending to a fifty-seven-year old biker who thought he was still young enough to be racing his Harley Davidson Road Glide down Hwy 6. He lost control of the bike and hit the gu
ard-rail at lightning speed, but by the grace of God, he walked away with only a deep gash on his head, requiring a few stitches. Lucky me, I get stuck with a tatted up, old-school biker who's afraid of needles.

  "Wh—what are you doing with that?" he asks as he tries sitting up to escape. His feet are just about over the edge of the bed when he gets dizzy and puts his hand over his mouth. "I think I'm gonna puke."

  "Mr. Price, if you don't lay back down, I'll call security and have them strap you down. You have a head wound, you won't get far," I say in my most saccharine voice. He lays back down, putting his mud covered boots back on the bed with a thud. "Now, are you going to be a good boy and let me stitch you up?" I address him like I'm addressing my four-year-old, raised eyebrows and all.

  He squints his eyes, trying to focus on my name tag. "Nova? What kind of fucked up name is Nova?"

  I wheel my prepped tray closer to him and rip open the packets of sutures when Lisa walks in, and not a moment too soon. "Hey girl, you got someone waiting for you at the bay. Go ahead, I'll take over here."

  I peel the gloves off and throw them in the garbage. "Thanks, Lisa. He's squeamish, so make it good." I smirk as I walk out of the room.

  I'm tapping the latest song I heard on the radio on my lap while walking to the bay. Gloria, our ER unit clerk, is leaning across the desk, trying to flirt with our Head of Security, Manny. She's been relentless in her pursuit of his six foot , two hundred fifty-pound frame, but swears she's only playing around. Her husband of thirty-six years died a couple years ago fighting a house fire. He was the love of her life, and she has no desire to find another.