“We were in it together,” I said. “He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. We were having a child together. There wasn't anything to think about. We bought the furniture and decorated the baby's room together. I didn't work, he didn't want me to. He worked a lot, and I stayed home. It was a new area, and I didn't know anybody. We got married at the courthouse. Then Noah was born. His dad was great. He was right there for me and for the baby.”
“How did you lose him?” he asked.
“After about a year, he starting feeling sick. When he went to the doctor, he thought they were going to give him something and send him on his way, but they didn't. We found out he had cancer. It was bad, and they honestly didn't think he was going to make it a year. He gave me an out, told me he wanted me to leave with Noah, but I couldn't. I had grown to love him just as he had me. He'd been with me from the start. There was no way I was going to bail on him. He was going to be with his son and his wife until his final moment. We were lucky. He made it almost four years before he lost his fight. It wasn't easy, not a single part of it was. When we lost him, it was so damn hard.”
“I'm sorry you had to do that alone,” he said.
“His parents were great,” I said.
“Why'd you leave?” he asked.
“It was just too hard,” I answered. “I was busy with the baby. Then I took care of him and the baby. We had so many appointments. He wanted to work, so I drove him and picked him up. We spent all of our time together. Then he was gone. His parents were still there, but it wasn't the same. They were different with me. I'd let them take over his funeral. I honestly thought it would help them. I let them see Noah. I'd go to the cemetery to find that his mother had gotten rid of the flowers I'd planted to put her own in. There were little things that began to bother me. It didn't matter what flowers he had. I just didn't like that she wanted to control everything. I knew where the doctors, hospitals, grocery stores, and his work were, but that was about it. I was still in a strange place with no friends. When I asked her to watch Noah, she'd ask me so many questions about where I was going and what I was doing. I honestly began to feel like I couldn't breathe. He'd never tried to control me, so it wasn't something I was used to. After six months, I packed Noah's and my things and a few of his dad's that I wanted him to have. I let them know that I was leaving. We'd never switched the apartment out of his dad's name. Things had been so busy, we just hadn't gotten around to it. His mom made it clear that she wanted some of his things, so I let her know she could do whatever she wanted with what was left, which was almost everything. I'd only taken a few personal things that were important to me.”
I looked back over my shoulder at Sawyer.
“I came back here because I actually knew where things were,” I said. “I was also hoping my parents would see that I wasn't such a disappointment after all and that they'd want to see their grandchild. I'd gotten pregnant, but I'd been responsible.”
“How's that going?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“Okay,” I answered. “We've seen them a few times. They were nice to Noah. That's all that matters to me, but I'm hoping it gets better.”
“When I saw that you were pregnant and with someone, I knew I had to leave you alone. The hardest thing I've ever done, and I've done some hard shit, was to stop watching out for you. As far as I knew, you were living wherever and married with a baby.”
“You said you were injured,” I said, those words suddenly in my mind. “You're okay, right?”
“I was injured almost a year before I came back here,” he said. “I'm fine, just not as quick as I used to be.”
“What happened?” I asked.
He pointed to a spot in the center of one of his tattoos, and I saw a scar.
“I got shot,” he said.
“What?” my eyes went wide.
“Yep,” he said. “It's fine. I'm still here. Others aren't. It's a daily reminder of that. I also broke my leg, so I have a plate and a few screws in it.”
“Shit!” I let out.
“I'm fine,” he said.
I turned back toward the water, and I felt him sit up. He scooted in behind me, and his arms came around my waist. I leaned my head back against his shoulder.
“Were you really coming back for me?” I asked.
“I was,” he said. “I couldn't wait.”
“Is it bad that I feel so damn guilty for what we just did?” I asked, as I looked up at him.
“What?” he asked, sounding confused.
“I'd dreamt about being with you so many times, and not once did it compare to reality. I've honestly never felt anything like it. He hasn't even been gone two years. You're the first man I've been with since him, but I feel like I've wronged him. Do you think he would have been better off with someone else?”
“Do you think he would have wanted you to be alone?” he asked.
“No,” I answered. “He said he didn't. His only request was that when I did find someone else, I make sure they treat Noah and me the way he would have.”
“Were you there for him?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Did you take care of him?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Did you tell him you loved him and make him feel like you did?” he asked, and I didn't miss the shake in his tone.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Then you were perfect,” he said. “As much as I can't stand that you were with another man, I know he was damn lucky to have you.”
I felt his hand tighten on my stomach, and it hit me. I was naked. We were still naked. I reached for my pants, but his hand came out and stopped me.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Getting dressed,” I answered.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I just realized I'm naked,” I whispered. “I don't look like I did in high school. I've had a baby, and I haven't walked into a gym in years. You look like you haven't missed a day since you left. Just looking at you turns me on. You look amazing, and those tattoos only make it worse. Shit! I can't believe you'd even want to be sitting here with me.”
“Are you fucking kidding me,” he snapped out from behind me. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Do not ever say you're not. There is no other woman out there that I'd rather be with than you. This body is because of you. Every time I got pissed or felt regret for letting you go, I worked out. When it got really bad, I got ink.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I'm sure it's all because of me. How many women have had their hands.”
“Grace,” he barked out, stopping me from finishing my sentence.
I heard my phone alarm go off from a few feet away on the ground.
“Shit!” I yelled out, as I scrambled out of his arms and to my feet.
I got my pants and pulled them up my legs. Then I hurried over to my bra and shirt and began fumbling around to get them on.
“Get ready,” I shouted.
“What's wrong?” he asked.
“Hurry up,” I shouted, as I motioned around us. “I have to go. I have to be at the school in thirty minutes.”
He got up and moved quick.
“Damn! How could I let this happen?” I cried out, as I shoved my feet into my shoes.
I grabbed the blanket and folded it while Sawyer was getting dressed. If I hadn't been such a mess, I would have taken the time to ogle his ass, as he bent over to get his clothes.
“I'm so sorry,” he said, as he got dressed. “It feels like we just got here.”
“I have to get there, Sawyer,” I said, as I felt my whole body begin to shake. “I've never been late. He'll think I left him. That's a huge fear of his. He'll be afraid.”
“It's okay,” he said, as he pulled his boots on and grabbed the blanket from me.
The next thing I knew, he was shoving the helmet onto my head and fixing the strap.
“I'll get you there,” he said, as he put his own
helmet on. “I promise. You'll be there. I won't let him be afraid.”
He got on the bike and reached for my hand.
“Hurry up, Woman,” he said, as he pretty much pulled me up and onto the bike. “Hold on.”
He rode fast but safe and got me home just as he'd promised he would. I hurried off the bike, took the helmet off, and handed it to him.
“Go out with me tonight,” he said.
“You don't want kids, and Noah's my everything,” I said. “He's the only one that matters. He's been through more than a little boy should go through, Sawyer. I have to concentrate on him. I need you to let me.”
I turned away from him and walked toward my car. Then I leaned down close to my mirror and tried to fix the mess on top of my head. Just as I stood back up, his hand grabbed hold of my arm, and he turned me to him. His lips came down on mine, and he kissed me so hard that I was gasping for air when he pulled away. My fingers went right to my lips to rub the soreness away.
“You're mine,” he said, before taking a step back toward his bike. “I lost you once, I won't let it happen again. Better get used to me. I'm not going anywhere.”
Then he pulled his helmet back on, got on, and started his bike. He walked it back a few steps. Then he looked over at me.
“Happy Valentine's Day, Gracie,” he said with a smile.
Then he was gone, and I was left standing there, with my fingers still rubbing my lips and butterflies in my stomach, feeling happier than I'd felt in a long time.
The End.
Would you like to read more about Grace and Sawyer? It will definitely be coming in the future.
Pre-order my next book “Out of My League, Part 3” here. Out of My League, Part 3
Please continue on for the Prologue and Chapter 1 of “Working on My Brother's Best Friend” and Part 1 of “Showing Him Who's Boss”.
Other Stories by Sharon Cummin
Romance Series
Romance and a... Series: The Complete Collection
Billionaire Romance Series
Finding Love, Keeping Love, and Saving Love
Bachelor Billionaire Series
Bachelor Billionaire: Complete Box Set (6 Novels)
All six novels together in one set. Sea of Love, Hot for Love, Battle for Love, Rescue of Love, Built for Love, and The Future of Love.
Bachelor Billionaire Kids
Saved by Love (Bachelor Billionaire Kids #1)
The Game of Love Series
The Game of Love Boxed Set
His Assistant Serials
His Assistant Serials: Complete Box Set
His Assistant: The Final Story
His Assistant Ultimate Box Set (including The Final Story)
Unexpected Love Serials
Unexpected Love Box Set (It Happened in Vegas and What Happened After Vegas?)
A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance)
A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance)
The Dark Night
The Dark Night: Complete Box Set
In Love with My Brother's Best Friend
In Love with My Brother's Best Friend: Complete Box Set
A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother
A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother: Complete Box Set
Showing Him Who's Boss
Showing Him Who's Boss: Complete Box Set
Playing Hardball
Playing Hardball: Complete Box Set
Falling for My Best Friend
Falling for My Best Friend: Complete Box Set
Hacked by Love
Hacked by Love: Complete Box Set
Out of My League
Out of My League, Part 1
Out of My League, Part 2
Out of My League, Part 3
Working on My Brother's Best Friend
Working on My Brother's Best Friend
Hunter PI & Security
Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1)
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Working on My Brother's Best Friend
Prologue
Gabby
I was twenty five when I threw the going away party for my brother Gabe. There were so many things going through my mind. I looked around at all of his friends and then at the one that was leaving with him. That was where my emotions mixed.
I was going to miss my brother more than anything. We were twins and had been close our whole lives. My name was Gabriella, but he called me Gabby. His name was Gabriel, but I called him Gabe. It was the only thing we'd gotten from our parents before they took off. We were raised by my mother's parents. Ours were too young and not ready for two kids. That was what my grandma told me anyway. Gabe and I had been inseparable growing up. He was the life of the party. The man always had a joke for everything. He always found a way to bring a smile to my face no matter what was going on around us. He had my back anytime I needed it, and I would have done anything for him.
Gabe finished college and had decided to move from Michigan to California to start his own business. I was so happy that he was going to be doing what he loved without having to answer to anyone. He'd loved web development and graphics ever since he'd first gotten onto a computer. It was something he was very passionate about. I was more into the financial aspects of business than anything else. He'd offered me a job at his company. I thought about going so I could be close to him. There were only two reasons I declined his offer.
The first reason being our grandparents. They were both having health issues and I was afraid to leave them alone. My grandma begged me to go. She didn't want me to pass up the opportunity of being with Gabe as he started his company. She didn't know they weren't the only reason I'd said no.
The second and biggest reason I stayed behind was named Doug. He was Gabe's best friend and had been our entire lives. Growing up, Doug was it for me. He was my first and only crush. He was the man I thought in my heart I would end up spending my life with. He was the first boy to kiss me. We were sixteen and he left for the summer to stay with his father. I couldn't wait for him to come back. I counted down the days. Something changed in him while he was gone. When he came back, he was different. He was distant with me, and nothing was ever the same again. It didn't change how much I liked him. He was still Doug, and I still knew we were destined to be together. There was nothing the boy could do to make him less than perfect in my eyes. That was what I thought anyway. By the time we graduated high school, he'd proven me wrong. My crush was gone and was replaced with more disgust than I'd felt for anyone else in my life. He'd hurt me, and there was nothing he could have done to take that hurt away.
I'd been able to avoid Doug all through college. I stayed at school even during the summers. It was awesome. Gabe had gone to college close to home, so he'd been with my grandparents. Doug had gone to school with him. We'd all graduated, and I'd come back home. Being around Doug was awful. I'd seen him move from woman to woman those three years. Just seeing his face made my stomach sick.
When Gabe announced that he was starting a company in California, I didn't know what to think. It was going to be hard to be away from him. I'd done it in college, but that wasn't a five hour plane flight away. I was going to miss him so much. It wasn't easy knowing he was leaving. The one thing saving me was knowing Doug was going with him. I knew he'd have someone right there all the way. Doug would always have his back. Gabe was the one person he'd never screw over. That I was sure of. It was me he didn't mind hurting. I knew with Doug across the country, I could move on with my life. I wouldn't have to see women hanging on his every word or hear his disgusting mouth. That was my decision maker. I wanted a life, and wit
h him gone it would be easier. If I never saw him again, it would be perfect. I'd never let anyone make me feel the way he did, not ever again.
Chapter 1
Gabby
I sat in the quiet, cold funeral home looking down at my hands in my lap. Five years had gone by since my brother Gabe had moved to California. If I knew where I'd be just five short years later, I never would have turned down his offer. I would have gone with him. I would have watched him move to success from right by his side. I wouldn't have let anything hold me back. The tears were sliding down my cheeks. I could feel them, but I never moved to dry them. All I had to do was get through one day. Then I'd go back to my apartment and lock myself away from the rest of the world.
Gabe was all I had. He was my twin. He was my family. Both of my grandparents had passed away in the five years he'd been gone. I'd been married and divorced in that time as well. My life was a mess as it was, and I had no idea how I was going to make it without the only person that mattered to me. How could he have done it, I thought? How could he have left me? Didn't he know how much I needed him? He probably didn't. I hadn't told him enough. Even though we talked every couple of days, I hadn't let him know how important he was to me. I'd never gone to visit him either. He'd come to see me every few months. Those were the times that really mattered. He was my brother, and I loved him more than he ever knew.
When I received the call that he'd passed away, I felt the last little piece of life inside of me die with him. I couldn't believe it was true. He was so young and successful. He had his whole life ahead of him. How could a thirty year old lose control of his car? Why wasn't he paying attention? I was so angry and hurt. He knew he was all I had. How could he leave me too? I knew all of my thoughts were selfish, but that didn't stop them from moving through my mind. They said it was an accident, it wasn't his fault. All I knew was that everything that mattered was gone. It should have been me, I thought. I would have given anything to take his place.
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