Young Adult Author Laura Elliott has a new release!
An excerpt from THE STORYTELLERS by
Laura A. H. Elliott:
THE STORYTELLER: Professor Alex
Abernathy
THE STORY: Turn Around
Annabelle choked back her tears and sipped her cosmopolitan with a
smile, trying not to give away the fact she was certain her marriage was over,
even as her husband charmed her best friend, Melissa, by regaling another of his
adventure stories—something about the last mountain Blake had climbed.
All she could think
about was the number of years they’d spent together and the fact that they’d
gotten married so young no one ever thought it would work out. No one but
Annabelle. She was in love with Blake once. Deeply in love. She couldn’t put her
finger on when it faded. When love seemed to go from tolerance to distancing
and now abandonment. When she’d have to fight back tears in public. Always
being sure to tuck a Kleenex away, just in case. She never knew what would
trigger her tears. Most of the time, it was the sound in his voice when he’d
contradict what she’d say and add his two cents in a tone that let her know he
was always right. She had no idea when he started to see her the way he did. He
did what he could to make sure Annabelle wasn’t certain of anything. But
Annabelle was certain of one thing––Blake didn’t see the real her. And sadder
still, maybe he never had.
“You’ve got to be one
of the best storytellers I know. The best. How’d you get to be so good?”
Melissa said, standing a little too close to Blake, not that Annabelle cared
anymore.
Annabelle knew
something was wrong but hadn’t put all the pieces together yet. She’d been on
the receiving end of one of his most uncharming qualities, manipulation. She
never knew when he’d attack. It wasn’t physical. The attacks were always about
her sensibilities, and for the past year, they grew more and more personal.
“Annabelle?” Blake
said like a parent scolding a child.
“Yes?” Annabelle said
soft and low, knowing he’d be on to entertaining the next beautiful girl as
soon as he knew he had her attention.
“Melissa just asked you a question.
Honestly, you live in your own little world.” He patted Melissa on the back and
made his way across the room to where the men had gathered by one of the large
circular tables. Charity events were where he really shined. He liked to shine.
It was one of the things Annabelle had loved most about him.
“Want something from the bar?” Melissa
said.
Annabelle shook her head. Melissa knew what
every woman knew. It was hard to let go of Blake once he had you in his sights.
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