Redemption (Forgiven Series)

by Brooke, Rebecca

  “I’ll be right there,” she yelled back, which normally meant another ten minutes.

  It was Caleb and Angie’s wedding day. I’d moved into my own apartment about a month after graduation because I’d known they would need their space as newlyweds, plus I wanted to move Lauren in with me. She still had a year left of school so I got an apartment near campus. Since I’d gotten a marketing job with a local firm it made it easy. We got to see each other every night and on the weekends, except when she had a game.

  Lauren had done it. She’d worked hard on her therapy and was able to get back on the mound this past season. She had more strengthening exercises than before, but she was doing it. Many people called the fact that she hadn’t lost any of the speed behind her pitches a miracle.

  Overall, things were going really well. Lauren still had hard days every once in a while when she thought about her dad, but I did my best to help her through those times by showing her the love she had surrounding her, especially from me. Not once in any of those times had Lauren looked for an easy escape. Instead, she sought comfort in my arms. At first I wasn’t sure how good at helping her I would be, but as it turned out, I did a pretty good job.

  It was a good thing we’d gotten our own place because sometimes things between us got out of control. We still fought hard… but made up harder. Watching the screwed up relationship between my parents, I’d been afraid of what would happen when I did find “The One.” But I was facing my fears, and it was worth every second with her.

  Hearing Lauren coming down the hall, I stood up to meet her halfway so that we could get the hell out of there. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

  “Holy shit,” I breathed, frozen to my spot. She looked sexy as hell, and I immediately had to adjust the pants of my tux. How was I going to look at her all day and keep my hands to myself. The pink sundress had a halter-top that accentuated all of her curves, while the back was completely open, leaving the golden skin of her shoulders open to view. She looked absolutely beautiful, and I just wanted suck and lick every inch of visible skin on her body.

  Angie had said she wanted her bridesmaids to wear something simple but damn, I never expected Lauren to look so sexy in a bridesmaid dress.

  “I know I look hot,” she smirked, clearly enjoying my appreciative gaze. She took my hand. “Now let’s go before we’re late,” she said, snapping me out of my daze.

  We needed to get to the church early because we were both in the wedding. I was shocked when Caleb asked me to be his best man. I always thought he would choose his brother, but he maintained that without me, this day would never have been possible.

  I was honored at the thought of standing beside my best friend while he married the woman of his dreams—a woman whom I also happened to love like a sister. Personally, I wasn’t ready to take that step yet, but Lauren and I had talked about it and she’d agreed things were good the way they were. She wanted to give herself more time dealing with things that were out of her control.

  She was perfect for me and I was absolutely certain we would get to that point someday, when we were both ready. For now it was just nice to be together without interference from assholes like Ryan. The day after Lauren had come back I’d paid a visit to the bastard, making promises I fully intended to keep if he came anywhere near her again.

  We arrived at the church to find that everyone else was already there. Checking that I had the rings and my speech in my pocket, I bent down and kissed Lauren on the lips, trying to keep my focus as my eyes slid to the V-neck of her dress. There I was, at my best friend’s wedding, trying to think of a way to get Lauren alone. She must have seen the look in my eye because she shook her head and moved in the direction of Angie’s room. “I’ll see you in a bit,” she called over her shoulder. When she stepped out of sight I made my way to where Caleb was waiting.

  “Hey, man,” I said, walking through the door.

  Caleb looked at his watch. “Late again?” he asked sarcastically.

  I threw my hands up. “Hey, don’t blame me. I’ve been ready for a half an hour.”

  He chuckled. “I figured as much.”

  “Are you ready for this?” I said, taking the seat next to him.

  “Definitely,” he grinned.

  “Not even a small amount of nerves?” I joked.

  He punched me in the arm. “Don’t be an ass.”

  “Aww, things wouldn’t be the same if I tried to be serious,” I told him.

  “Very true.”

  A little while later, there was a knock at the door to tell us they were ready. Caleb and I stood up, and headed to join the rest of the groomsmen who were already at the altar. I pulled Caleb into a hug. “Congratulations, man. I’m so happy for the two of you.”

  “Thanks Josh,” he said patting me on the back. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”

  Stepping back, I nodded and gestured for him to go ahead of me out to the front of the church. It looked beautiful, but I had eyes for only one thing. Lauren would be the first bridesmaid to come out. And even though I wanted to see how beautiful Angie looked, the only thing on my mind at the moment was seeing Lauren in her dress again. I took my place beside Caleb and waited as the music began. The girls slowly made their way up the aisle. Once Lauren stepped out, my eyes locked with hers and I watched each step she took. The soft glow of her cheeks made it impossible to look away until she turned to watch the bride come down the aisle. Angie looked beautiful as she made her way to Caleb’s side.

  The ceremony passed with my gaze locked on Lauren and before I knew it, the priest had pronounced Caleb and Angie, man and wife. The cheers went up in the church as they kissed. I looped my arm through Emily’s and made our way down the aisle behind Angie and Caleb. Ironically, Lauren was paired up with Andrew, behind Caleb’s brother and sister. We stayed a little while for pictures and then made our way to the reception. In keeping with Jacobs tradition, the reception was being held at the Statler hotel—a place that would always hold the most amazing memories for me.

  We made it through all of the required dances and I was finally able to dance with Lauren. Pulling her into my arms, I whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “You’re looking pretty good yourself,” she smiled.

  “Don’t you two look happy,” Emily said as she and Andrew came over to dance next to us.

  “Why wouldn’t I be happy? My best friend just got married and now I get to dance with the hottest girl here,” I said with a smile.

  “I’ll have to disagree with that. No offense, Lauren,” Andrew corrected.

  “None taken,” she laughed.

  Andrew pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Damn, this is the third time he’s called. I’ll be right back,” he said kissing Emily on the cheek.

  “Okay,” she smiled and smacked him on the ass as he walked away.

  I shook my head. “And you talk about me,” I laughed as she walked off the dance floor. My laughter died the minute I looked down and saw the desire in Lauren’s eyes.

  “So… the hottest girl here, hey?” she asked, biting her bottom lip.

  “Jersey,” I warned.

  “I know, I’m just messing with you. We have plenty of time when we get home,” she hinted.

  Holding her tighter to me I said, “I love you, Jersey, for better or worse”

  She smiled. “I love you, too.”

  I bent down to place the softest kiss on her lips, knowing that someday we’d be the couple reciting those vows but for once that thought didn’t scare me. Instead, I recognized how lucky I was that Lauren had walked into my life and loved me as much as I loved her.

  Andrew and Emily’s story continues in

  Healed

  Summer 2014

  Look for

  Letters Home

  Spring 2014

  Thank you to Regina Wamba, the cover shoot was an amazing experience and the love I have for the cover you created cannot be e
xpressed in words. It is absolutely gorgeous. No one out there comes close to the beautiful work you create. I can’t wait to work with you on future projects.

  To Josh and Allison, the cover for this book would never have been possible without the two of you. Josh, you truly represent everything ‘Josh’ is to me. Allison, you’ve brought a face to ‘Lauren’ and I’m so glad it gave us the opportunity to work together. I couldn’t have asked for two more wonderful people to grace the cover of this book. This year is going to be amazing!

  Thank you Angela McLaurin for the beautiful fonts and scripts that brings Redemption to life. It seems small, but those pieces represent a part of who the characters are.

  To Ryn and Ashley, thank you for all of the fun and insanity that has kept me laughing especially when my mood needed a lift. Thank you for pushing me when I was afraid I didn’t have it in me to finish.

  To Stacy, what can I say, but you’re a wonderful person, and I’m glad to call you friend. You’ve pulled me back from the ledge and it was worth all of the work I put in. Thank you for the confidence that I could do this. Also, thank you for helping me find Josh and introducing me to AS 101. All of the ladies of this group remind me every day why we do what we do and even if it is hard some days we can still push through.

  Miranda, you’ve kept me organized and sane. I’m so glad that Christine introduced us and we can share our love of reading, books, and guys with tats! I’m excited for the next year and a friendship for many years to come.

  To Heather Davenport and the ladies of Naughty and Nice Book Blog, thank you for always being so supportive of this series, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of women to run the cover reveal and blog tour for this book.

  To Amy Davies and Kellie Montgomery and the rest of the ladies of the Eye Candy Bookstore, you are an amazing group of women. You’ve supportive me from day one, giving me so many opportunities to introduce myself to your fans and I can’t thank you enough.

  To Lisa and Mia thank you for beta reading Redemption. Your comments and suggestions have helped make this book what it is. To Chrissy Fletcher, I’m so glad I to have met you in this wonderful world of reading. You’ve supported me in so many ways and I can’t thank you enough. I’m glad I can call you friend.

  To Sherry, spending your time to proofread for me means the world to me. Plus, you’ve been my walking, talking medical dictionary. Thank you for always answering my crazy questions and texts. I was always a little nervous about my family reading book one, but I should’ve known that you guys would always be my rocks.

  And finally, to my family. Eric, where do I even begin… from late nights to advice on ‘what would a guy do’ you’ve been nothing but supportive of me in this endeavor and I love you so much for it. Even letting me get away for everything this crazy life has brought me. Josh and Danielle, you are my life and watching you grow up is everything to me. One day, you’re both going to set the world on fire and I couldn’t be more proud than to be your Mommy.

  Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and watch episodes of Shameless and True Blood.

  Facebook

  www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Brooke-Author/

  Twitter

  @RebeccaBrooke6

  Website

  rebeccabrookeauthor.blogspot.com