When We Fall
Holy Oaks Series, Book 1
Madeleine Labitan
Copyright © 2020 Madeleine Laibitan
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The characters in this book are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Edited by: Marlon Emanueal Labitan
Proofread by: J. Lorenzin
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
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
EPILOGUE
SNEAK PEEK: FAKING IT
SAY ANYTHING
TRUTH OR DARE
BOOKS BY MADELEINE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To Mama Mercy and Papa Lito...
CHAPTER 1
Sawyer
Tonight, the party is at Carson Whitfield’s massive beach house. I don't really feel like going, but I made a promise to my friends, who wisely played the guilt card by pointing out that it's been a while since I went to one.
I guess that's true. I can't even remember when or where that party took place. Because let's face it, high school parties are all the same. Dancing, drinking, smoking weed, hooking up—all the things you can expect when teenagers get together. The scene never really varies, and in the end, they simply blur together.
And Carson, like any other rich, privileged kid in the wealthy town of Holy Oaks, loves throwing big and extravagant parties. I'm pretty sure this one isn't any different from the others, so I settle on the cute navy blue dress I bought last weekend when my best friend Peyton dragged me to the mall with her.
Since Liam, my boyfriend of two years, is already downstairs waiting for me, I don't have any time left for a stylish updo to match my outfit. So I simply let my wavy black hair fall free below my shoulders, and keep my makeup light—just a swipe of pink lipgloss and a brush of mascara.
The only piece of jewelry I'm wearing is the silver necklace Mom gave me on my thirteenth birthday. It's the one thing I always wear. One thing I can never leave the house without. A reminder that she's always with me wherever I go.
Stepping into my favorite flats, I slip my phone into my clutch and walk out of my room as Duke, my seventy-pound golden retriever, pads after me.
I hope Dad isn't subjecting my boyfriend to another Jeopardy! episode. Whenever he's watching the show, he enthusiastically yells the questions at the TV. Liam has already complained to me about it a few times. He says all the shouting hurt his ears. I have yet to talk to Dad about it though.
Reaching the living room, I'm surprised to see Avery, my older sister, there instead of our dad. She's a freshman in college and goes to uni just an hour away, so she comes home every other weekend. It's still early though. She's usually out with her friends at this time. But instead, she's lounging on the loveseat, her attention focused on her phone—until she notices my presence, anyway.
Her eyes run over me, giving my outfit a thorough assessment while I try not to squirm.
She does it every time, but I never get used to it. Especially whenever she voices out her critiques. As a fashion design major, she always makes my clothing style her business—even when I'm not asking for her opinion.
Please don’t say anything in front of my boyfriend! I plead with my eyes.
Avery smirks but thankfully keeps her mouth shut. She even gives me an approving nod before turning back to her phone.
Silently letting out a sigh of relief, I turn to face Liam with a ready smile in place. But it slips when I see that his attention isn't even on me.
Like Avery, his focus is on his phone, too. He's even grinning at the screen. Who is he texting? I'm right here. I've been standing here for a full minute, and yet he still hasn’t noticed me.
Impatiently, I clear my throat.
Liam finally looks up, strands of sandy blond hair falling over his brows. He blinks, as if forgetting that he's here for me. “Hey.”
“Hey?”
A smile curves his lips, but it doesn't reach his eyes. “Ready to go?”
That's it? He's not even going to comment on my cute dress?
“Um, yeah. Sure.” I force a smile to hide my disappointment.
Duke whines at my feet, as if to sympathize with me.
“See you later, buddy," I coo, scratching the back of his ear.
He licks my hand before sauntering over to Avery, making himself comfortable below the loveseat.
Dad is likely in his office working on his latest novel, so I just turn to my sister to tell her we're leaving, ignoring the look of pity etched on her face.
Liam is just probably having one of his “off-nights,” as I've come to call them. Didn’t he look happy when he was staring at his phone? But I quickly brush off the mocking thought. We're going to a party to hang out with our friends. We're going to have fun. I can’t be a Negative Nelly right now.
Stepping out into the cold night, I silently berate myself for not thinking of bringing a jacket. The only consolation I have is knowing that Liam will be there to keep me warm. Well, that or he's going to make me wear his jacket like he usually does.
We quietly walk down to his car parked by the curb, and I wait for him to open the front passenger door for me. He does it every time.
But apparently, not this time. Instead, he goes straight to the driver’s side, leaving me dumbly blinking after him. It takes a few seconds before I recover and get inside.
And there he is again, smiling at his phone when I
