Mistaken Identity Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2013 Shyla Colt

  ISBN: 978-1-77130-412-2

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  MISTAKEN IDENTITY

  Shyla Colt

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  Six Months Earlier, Eaton, Texas

  “I can’t do this anymore, Jett.”

  He set his script down on the round, maple wood, kitchen table, and peered up at his distraught fiancée. Her soulful, pale-blue eyes were red-rimmed and full of pain, in her slim face. The petite, slightly up-turned nose he loved to tweak was blotchy. She sniffed and swiped away the moisture running from the corner of her eyes. It pained him to see her once glowing peaches-and-cream skin tone so washed out and wan. The radiant chestnut-colored hair she’d always been proud of was thin and dull. Pulled back from her face in a high pony tail it accentuated her gauntness. This last bout with anorexia had taken a toll on her. Still, to him she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Every time she tore herself down it was like a kick to the chest. In his mind, her five-foot seven, one-hundred and twenty-five pound frame had been perfect. But she could never see that.

  “Sure you can, Lis.” He pushed away from the table and stood. Wrapping an arm around her too-slim waist, he pulled her to his side, willing his body warmth into her cool form. “You’re one of the strongest women I know. Remember what Dr. Talons said? We take it one day at time.” Leaning down he placed a kiss on her head. Right now she needs support and reassurance. I can give her that in spades. Hell, if I could take on this disease for her and fight it I would. It was difficult watching someone fight against a mental disorder, because the problem lived in their head. It was impossible to slay an invisible dragon.

  She shoved her fist against lips that quivered and shook her head. The droplets of sadness began to flow like a river. “No, not that.” Her muted words were strained.

  “Then what? Just tell me, and we’ll fix it.” He ran his hand up her arm, used to the mood swings. When you starved your body, everything was affected.

  “You can’t, Jett. I tried. Lord knows I’ve tried. I’ve given everything I have in me to our relationship.”

  “And I haven’t?” He took a deep breath to still the words dangling on the tip of his tongue. She was lashing out, and he was the nearest target. Soon she’d calm down, apologize, and they’d talk about what was truly bothering her. “We’re getting married in six months, so cold feet are normal.”

  “It’s not cold feet.” Her irritated huff confused him.

  What do you want me to say here? “Okay, so what is it?” He shook his head, unable to track where she was going.

  Inhaling deeply, she then exhaled. “I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s this life or me.”

  “This life? What does that even mean? Where is this coming from?” He removed his hands from her waist and rubbed his lips with his fingers. Agitation bubbled up to the surface. They’d pushed back and put off this wedding for the past five years due to scheduling and her battles with her demons. When she’d taken a turn for the worse he’d told her he wouldn’t marry her until she could share a piece of cake with him at the wedding. This intimate ceremony in their hometown was the silver lining that carried them both through hell and back. Giving it up now wasn’t an option.

  “Being in the public eye is destroying me from the inside out. I can’t take it! The harsh criticism, hate websites! The inability to step outside and simply be Melissa Munn, it’s too much.” Her chest rose and fell like she’d been in a marathon.

  Worry unfurled in his gut. “W-what are you saying, Lis?” Fame was exhausting. It was understood. There were times even he wanted to walk away. But this…

  “I can’t be the woman you need.” She bowed her head. “I’m not strong enough.”

  Desperation detonated like a land mine. He cupped her face and tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “Please don’t do this, Melissa.”

  “I have to.” Her voice cracked. Sobs wracked her tiny frame. “Walking away is going to save my life.”

  His heart sank to the bottom of his belly like giant stones.

  “I packed a bag to get me through the first week or so with my parents. I’ll be back for the rest.”

  He released her, stepped away to run his hands through his hair. “How long have you had this planned?”Anxiety turned to anger. How could she keep thoughts like this to herself?

  “Since this morning, I woke up, and I just knew I couldn’t do it anymore.” She shook her head, placed a hand on her neck. “I know it’s hard to see now, but it’s better this way. I love you enough to walk away, Jett.”

  “That’s a fucking cop-out.”

  “Doctor Talons told me to get away from my trigger. Do you know that is? You, Jett, it’s everything that comes with you.”

  Sucker punched and blindsided he grabbed his shirt as his heart cracked and shattered. This was different from the fights before. Finality that he’d never heard before existed in her tone and her gaze. He swallowed down air to keep from losing his lunch. Closing his eyes he fought the urge to drop to his knees, beg her not to leave. But nothing was worth her life.

  “Just go,” he growled.

  “I’m sorry.” She spun on her heel and ran from the room. Time slowed as the happiness he’d anticipated imploded.

  ****

  Present Day

  Seated at the bar, on what should’ve been his wedding day, Jett finished off his fourth Hole in One. The drink dulled the pain to a level he could tolerate. He felt like a zombie, trudging through daily life, smiling, shaking hands, and signing autographs while he bled out from the crippling mental wound he couldn’t seem to heal. It was near impossible to move forward when everyone wanted to know why he and Lis split with the wedding so close. The obvious assumption for most tended to be infidelity, on his end of course. He snorted. If only it was that simple. Envy burned in his belly as he thought of his co-workers. They all enjoyed connecting with their audience, so conventions like this were usually a good time. It pissed him off that it was ruined this time. Especially since Somerville was the town the show was based in. Unable to keep up the happy Jett Walker façade he slunk off the minute their mandatory karaoke session ended. Here he could celebrate his unwanted freedom alone.

  I used to think I was lucky, a small town boy from Texas who made it big on a popular t.v. show. He scowled. How fucking naïve was I? The show had brought a lot of trouble. Family members coming out of the wood work asking for money, rabid fans that made it impossible to have any inkling of normalcy, and the loss of his high school sweetheart. Even now he only blended in because they thought he was a Cosplayer. Surely squeaky clean Jett Walker would never get piss drunk in a dive bar alone. Unlike his television persona, Dex Kimber. Wow, you know shit’s bad when you envy a fictional character.

  Cornerstone could only be described as petite. The tiny establishment didn’t fit more than fifty people. Done in dark wood walls with gray tile flooring, it had a down home feel that fit the town. The bar in front of him was lit from beneath with an amber lighting. Artist pieces made from tiny, white lights arranged in interesting shapes, added ambiance every four feet or
so. Behind him, round, two-seater tables lined the wall. He looked to the right where the room opened. Despite the late hour on a Friday night, there couldn’t be more than twenty people here. It was a nice change of pace from the insanity Paranormal Investigation conventions offered up by the pound.

  The legs of a chair scraped across the floor beside him, and he turned his head to the left. A pretty, brown-skinned woman with almond-shaped, hazel-colored eyes sat down on the stool a few inches away. Her round face and high cheek bones were a knock-out combination. Dressed in form-fitting dark denim jeans and a red tank top beneath a red, navy, and white, plaid shirt, the mystery woman stirred his desire for the first time since Lis left. The alcohol is doing the trick. Full, dusky-pink, lips formed a shy smile. Her eyes widened with recognition. Son of a bitch!

  “Wow, you do a really good Dex Kimber.”

  “Thanks. I, uh, heard that before. You a Paranormal fan?” he asked, using the show’s shortened nickname.

  She nodded. “I lust after the writers pretty much. Their story lines are brilliant.”

  “You a writer?” Refreshed by her admiration of the show and its production versus the looks he and his co-workers possessed, he wanted to know more.

  “Journalist. I work for the local paper, but I admire creative writing, and I may, or may not, be working on a book of my own.” Her slow, southern, drawl coaxed a smile. No small feat, considering.

  “You here for the convention?”

  “Yeah, my best friend, Mya, purchased passes for the weekend, sort of congratulations for making Lead Editor, and a happy birthday present rolled into one.”

  “Well happy birthday and congrats.” He raised his half-empty glass toward her.

  “Thank you.” She beamed.

  “How old are you?” He narrowed his eyes, unable to gauge an age range on her youthful façade.

  “For the record, that’s not a question most women like to be asked. I’m thirty. Mark the occasion on your calendar because next year I start counting backward.” She winked, and he chuckled. I like this one. She’s got spunk and substance.

  “Noted. Can I buy the birthday girl a drink?”

  “Sure, but only if you hurry.” She peered down at her watch. “Only thirty more minutes to go.”

  Eager to lose himself in anything other than his memories he glanced down the bar, caught the bartender’s gaze, and nodded. The brunette returned the head gesture and settled the tab with her current customer.

  “What can I get you this time, sweetheart?” Leaning over the bar the woman offered up a view of her spectacular cleavage in the skimpy, black tank top.

  Keeping his tone neutral, he ignored her signals. “Whatever the lady likes.”

  The bartender wrinkled her nose, and he frowned. Her assumptions and shitty attitude made him clench his glass tight. It was bitches like this who had driven Lis away in the first place.

  With a roll of her eyes she focused her attention on his newly acquired acquaintance. “What’s your poison, Hon?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm and disdain.

  “Whiskey and cola, Dear.” The “fuck you” tone the brown-skinned beauty added to her voice made him chuckle. She could hold her own just fine.

  “Coming up.” Chastised, the bartended changed her expression to a fake friendly. “How about you, cutie?” She winked at him.

  “I’m good.” His tone was flat and even. He felt almost protective of the cordial southern belle with an easy smile and light conversation. Saved from an embarrassing night worshipping the porcelain god and shedding tears he should’ve run out of long ago, he knew it was the end of the line. The crippling grief lost its steam. It was time to move on and work through the mourning.

  “Thank you,” the woman beside him whispered.

  “You’re welcome, mysterious woman whose name I don’t know.”

  “Oh my God, I forgot my manners. I’m Kansas.” She held out her hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Kansas, I’m Jay.” They shook. Her hand was soft, but her grip was firm. The scent of something floral and sweet wafted off her. His belly tightened, and his cock came to life in his pants, pressing against the fly of his jeans. I wonder if her beautiful skin is this soft all over her body. He cleared his throat. “Rocking name, I love the band.”

  “So did my parents. If I’d had a brother they were going to name him Boston.”

  “Hey, they sound like good people to me.”

  She rolled her eyes, but the deep dimple that appeared in her left cheek told him she agreed.

  “Why are you ringing in the big three-o-solo? Is your friend joining you … Mya?”

  “Nah. She got swept away in the Paranormal hysteria. Good recall by the way.”

  He inclined his head to say thank you.

  “I like the show, but the screaming and fawning sort of made my skin crawl.”

  He snorted. “Tell me about it.”

  “I bet you get it a lot, too, being confused for Jett so much and all.”

  He nodded. “Has to be a hard way to live, being constantly placed inside a fishbowl for the world to see.”

  “Right?” She shook her head. “I don’t get it. They’re just people, same as you and I. Admire their craft, and give them space.”

  She gets it. He opened his mouth to reveal his true identity. The bartender reappeared, and the words died on his tongue as she dropped of Kansas’s drink and retreated.

  “Why are you here alone?” Kansas took a sip from her glass.

  “Same as you, needed a break from the crazy, and my friends wanted to stay back at the hotel.”

  “Aren’t we a pair of introverts? Slinking off to the bar while they live it up?”

  “Aah. I like it better here with you any way.” Kansa ducked her head, and he grinned. He liked complimenting her and the pretty way she blushed in response. Modesty looked good on her. In his time of darkness she was a light, and he planned on gripping onto it with both hands.

  ****

  There must be some truth to birthday magic, because there’s no way this guy would ever give a girl like me a second glance. As far as I’m concerned my size-fourteen figure is fabulous, and my nerdy quirkiness is essential to my personality. I mean, intelligence and class are sexy and timeless, right? Unfortunately, these days those qualities didn’t usually endear her to men. Being caught up in the friend zone worked well with her no marriage policy. Casual dating with the occasional and very discreet itch scratching did her well.

  Personal rules aside, Jay was a catch she couldn’t pass up. A dead ringer for Jett Walker, the southern man had wit, kindness, and a voice made for sin and satin sheets. The gruff tone melded with a twang must melt every woman he came across. I’ll just ride this out and see where it goes. It is my birthday after all, and he’s one hell of a present.

  “Last Call!” Her mood crashed and splintered into a million pieces like a fallen glass.

  They’d been drinking together for the past hour and half, and she was sad to see their night coming to an end.

  “Time really does fly when you’re having fun.” Jay frowned.

  “Always.” She paused. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” He scrunched his face up. A look of confusion filled his dark green eyes.

  “Making my birthday so awesome.” She shrugged.

  A brilliant flash of white gleamed as he delivered a toothpaste perfect smile. She pressed her thighs together. Heat radiated from her core.

  “You know … I should be thanking you.” He countered her.

  “Me? What did I do?”

  “You were yourself. Tonight uh, it holds bad memories for me. You allowed me to forget for a while.”

  The pain in his eyes twisted her stomach into knots. He had such an expressive face. Whatever happened must be devastation worthy. She placed her hand on top of his. “I’m glad.”

  “Can I walk you back to the hotel? It’ll make me feel better.” He tilted his head as if waiting for permission.

  “
Sure.”

  The bartender returned and slid them their cards, wrapped up in receipts, and Kansas removed her hand.

  “I left something special for you.” The bartender winked at Jay and sashayed off.

  Kansas signed her name and watched out of the corner of her eyes as he grimaced.

  Writing his name onto a copy, he balled up the other. “Nope.” He tossed the wadded paper ball onto the tray.

  “You’re not interested? She’s really pretty.”

  “Not my type.” The heated look he sent her way made her heart race. “You ready?” He rose from the bar-stool.

  “Yes.”

  Together they left the bar. The night held a slight chill, and the darkened streets were alive with activity. A strange sight in the small town. The show was based here, so the convention they held was always a big deal. It amused her, people being so excited about their tiny slice of paradise. She’d visited other places, even copped an internship at a place in Chicago, fresh out of college. It was enough for her to decide this would always be home. Country living suited her just fine, thank you very much. Her town was full of laid back, honest people who believed in hard work and old-fashioned values. Jay understood. He came from a small town in Texas, which explained the sexy drawl. Figures. The one man I’m interested in is just passing through. There was an intriguing chemistry between him she longed to explore. It’s probably for the best anyways. A man like this could break your heart. I barley know him, and he’s all ready under my skin, twisting my guts up like pretzels and inspiring lust.

  Their arms brushed as they walked. Jolts of electrical energy ran up her arm, puckered her nipples, and made her wish she was a woman who took more risks. He took her hand. Excitement rippled through her body.

  “Is this okay?” The uncertainty in his voice endeared him even more. Their gazes locked, and the connection between them sizzled.