That Summer: Part Two

That Summer #2

by Lauren Crossley

WARNING: This novel deals with an extremely controversial subject matter and I would like to take this moment to ask you to read part one of this series before deciding whether or not you would like to purchase its sequel. Thank you.

"Are you ready to continue, Serena?" My therapist asks me, leaning forward in her seat with a compassionate and understanding expression on her face.
"I suppose so." I reply brusquely, close to hating her for making me carry on with this when she knows how much pain it is causing me.
"Is it alright with you if we pick up where we left off yesterday?" She asks me gently.
"I guess." I answer curtly, folding my arms across my chest in a defensive manner.
"Now we've already covered how you came to meet Cole and how the two of you first started your relationship. You have also discussed with me what happened when you both found out that you share the same father as well as the circumstances which lead you to run away with him." She exhales slowly, pausing for a moment so I can have the opportunity to respond to her statement.
“I remember.” I reply coldly, staring at her intently.
"What I want us to talk about today is the reason that you're here and the reason it's no longer safe for you to approach Cole."
"He despises me.” I state firmly. “And I can't say that I blame him."
"Serena, all of us say and do things we don't mean sometimes..."
"Oh, he meant it." I assure her with certainty. "He looked me in the eyes when he told me that he despises me. He told me he won’t rest until he's made my life as miserable as I've made his. He said I ruined him and he intends to destroy me like I destroyed him."
"When did he say this to you?" She inquires gently.
"About six months ago.” I answer truthfully.
“Serena, before we talk about what happened, we need to discuss the events which took place when you first ran away with him. I need to know what happened between you both when you left everything behind so you could be with him. Where did you go? What did you do? And how long were you together before the two of you were found?"
“You mean before I called the police?" I demand angrily.
"Yes." She replies patiently.
"Five days.” I whisper softly, my anger decreasing when I remember those final days I spent with Cole. “We spent five days together before they caught up with us and before they took him away from me."
"And how long was it before you saw him again after that?"
"Three years.” I murmur quietly. “That's how long it took for him to find me."
"And now he's searching for you again?" She prompts me.
"He's always searching and I know he’s never going to stop." I remind myself, lowering my gaze towards the plush carpet beneath my feet.
"And how do you know that?" She enquires softly.
"Because he swore to me that he wouldn't and I believe him. He won't rest until I'm found and he won't find peace until he captures me again."
"But what about you?” She asks, emphasising the importance of my own self and what I need. “What about your peace?"
"Cole is my soul mate.” I state coldly, narrowing my eyes at her as I do so. “He's the other half of myself and I know it will be impossible for me to find completion until we're together again."
"Even though the consequences of a life with him may be catastrophic?” She asks me incredulously, struggling to conceal the look of astonishment on her face.
I take a moment to process what my therapist has just asked me. I close my eyes and try to picture the next few decades of my life alongside Cole. I then try to imagine the rest of my life without him and realise right away that there is no contest between the two.
"Despite the misery I face with him, I still want him.” I say, speaking clearly and without fear. "I don't need a happy ending… all I need is Cole."

*** This novel contains mature themes, scenes of violence, strong language and sexual citations. Recommended readers 18+***

Genres: Kidnapping

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2015

About the author

Hi there, I'm 26 years old, I live in the UK and published my first book 'Always & Forever.' In 2014. I spent two years working on my first book and can't begin to count the hours I put in trying to figure out how to publish my first novel! 'Forever & Always' is the second and final instalment in the series.

'Wrong Girl' was originally supposed to be a standalone novel but I decided to make it part of a series and wrote 'Now It's Just Us' which is a short novella as well as 'Right Girl' which is the third and final instalment in the series.
(Due to high demand, I am currently working on an alternate ending to 'Right Girl' which will be released at some point in 2017)

'That Summer' (Part One & Two) are also available and deal with the highly controversial subject matter of two half-siblings who meet as young adults and fall in love.

Part One of 'The Secret' is available to download and part two will soon follow.

I've uploaded my darkest romance 'Monstrous Love' on Wattpad but have also published the complete novel on Amazon.

Part One of 'In Love with Lies' is also available on Amazon and you can read the first ten chapters on Wattpad. Part Two will soon follow and you will be able to buy the complete novel once part two has also been completed.

I am a hopeless romantic and love reading books within the New Adult genre. My own books tend to focus on the darker side of love, the side that comes along with crazy, obsessive, jealous and possessive heroes.

I really hope that you will enjoy reading my stories and will continue to check back here now and then to keep up to date with my progress.

My Wattpad username is: MissLauren26 or you can click the direct link below:

https://www.wattpad.com/user/MissLaur...

I have an email address which is laurencrossleyauthor@gmail.com

My readers can contact me on this if they wish to do so and I look forward to hearing back from you!

You can also find my author page on Amazon where I have each of my books listed:

https://www.amazon.com/Lauren-Crossle...

Thanks for reading, Lauren xx

Reviews

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloody hell! How am I supposed to cope with that.

No No No.

I'll beg if that's what it takes to get more. I WILL GET ON MY KNEES AND BEG !

[Rasha Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg

One of the best books have read this year. The story had me captivated, entranced and heart broken at the same time. Please please please write a third story. You can't leave these two broken hearts without a happy ending even if they're not together. I hurt for both these characters but hopefully the author will listen to my plea. This is a must read.

[Laquana Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling conflicted

Wow I am left speechless at the end of this. My heart broke for them and I wish we could get a glimpse into the future to see if they truly find peace. I was hoping they found out they weren't truly related or they moved to the states or something I don't know. I'm conflicted on how I feel about this story, on the one hand I truly believe with continued help and support Cole can be a stable, caring person and I don't doubt his love of serena. On the other hand Serena strikes me as a person who runs whenever he shows all of himself and that is just as bad as him losing it every time he gets upset. The nature of their relationship is extremely difficult to love or hate, is it wrong depends on how you see it. Is is dysfunctional and crazy? Yes but it's also calm and deep and real. Who would they really be hurting? No on but themselves cause in the end she would be with in a heartbeat if they weren't related regardless of what anyone says and if she didn't rumble most likely would chill out again with constant support from his doctor and taking taking his meds. It's gonna take me some days to stop thinking about this story hmmm. Well written, I was definitely interested in what came next. I hope to see a novella about these two one day and it would be interesting to read his side of the story. 5 ***** all the way even though I didn't get ending I hoped for. Can't wait for the next book of your Lauren

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a heartbreaking love story. I can`t imagine what it would be like to find your soulmate and not to be able to be with them. I was hoping for a happy ending and was a little disappointed that it didn`t happen. I hate that Cole is going to spend his life searching for Serena and that Serena is just going to settle for someone else both hoping for their someday to happen. I`m crying now just thinking about it. Would really love to see a part three where these two can get their happy ending and find out they aren`t related. Such a tragic waste, reminds me a lot of Romeo and Juliet.

[100sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I just finished this I have to say this story was not what I was expecting. It was great and I was completely enthralled. My life basically stopped while I was reading part one and two. Whenever I stopped bc I didn't want to finish it too quickly, the characters stayed on my mind. I just had to know what happened next. Cole was seriously messed up, I suspected it in part 1 and it is confirmed in this book. When he tells Serena why he behaves so erratically, it finally made sense. I loved that Serena always stood up to Cole but didn't understand why she was so passive at school. She allowed the bullies to treat her like dirt and terrorize her. This made me so mad. She showed such strength when she called the police that first time but then she returns to her old school, things don't change. One of my biggest turnoffs is baby-mama drama. I hate that and it is one of the reasons I didn't read the Wrong Girl series. Unfortunately, there was baby-mama drama in this story. I was really disappointed in the way Cole behaved. He used other women like objects and often times just to hurt the h. The ending made me sad. In part one you have hope that somehow this couple will get a HEA but at the end of the story it doesn't happen. Neither of them are happy and both are basically going through the motions of living. I didn't feel the same hope in part two. By the end I realized things were pretty hopeless. I really want to read the Always and Forever series but am going to wait until it is complete. I hope that one will be free of the baby-mama drama and have a HEA. As for Lauren Crossley, BRAVO; you are a great talent and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future.

[Parminder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just had to keep reading in one sitting, just captures your attention throughout. I loved Cole's possessive ways (mind you Lauren knows how to write real attractive alpha male). Serena did annoy me due to the fact she kept hiding her feelings and she thought too much about what other people would think. I was on Cole's side of fuck the world and just be happy. Gosh the ending broke my heart :( A terrific book but with a sad ending which breaks your heart.

[EJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

😭 Oh My GOD. What a heart wrenching & throbbing story... they can’t never be together, Oh Cole what a pitiful soul..

[Janie Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I'm not one for no happy ending but this story was amazing .I loved the twists and turns I want more!!!!!

[Amara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had SERIOUS continuity errors.

[Eva · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like the story but wroten really bad. And the ending was so borring. I am so disapointed.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

where is this book at ?

[Daisha]

Waited forever for this. The ending disappointed me a lot. Hoping for a part 3.