Finding Trust (Centre Games)

by Natalie Gayle

And that brought her back to the here and now. She cast her eyes around the manicured gardens, the trimmed hedges, the fairy lights in the trees awaiting darkness to sparkle. The grounds looked amazing. Not that they didn’t always but somehow today they were even more special.

  When they’d decided to get married quickly before she’d got too huge, he’d asked her where she wanted to get married. It was a no-brainer. She wanted to get married at home. At their home.

  Brayden had called his gardening service and they worked overtime to plant cheerful perennials in white, apricot, and pinks. Flowers lined every paved pathway. The arbour their marriage service would be performed under had been placed beneath the Frangipani tree bordering the pool area. The tree was in full bloom and the fragrance was incredible.

  She couldn’t wait.

  They were to be married at sunset. The hours couldn’t go quickly enough.

  ***

  Her father met her in the master bedroom of the house. It looked more like a bridal studio than their bedroom. She’d chosen a simple flowing ivory gown that really showed off her tall willowy frame but skimmed over her slightly rounded belly. The bodice was tastefully beaded in sprays of crystals and sequins, providing the prerequisite “bling” for a wedding. Her breasts had already exploded and filled out the dipping neckline to perfection. No doubt Brayden would enjoy that!!!

  He took her arm, drawing her to him. “You’re breathtaking, sweetheart. Your mother would be so proud,” he said as he dropped a kiss on her cheek.

  She hugged him tightly. “Thanks, Dad. Just remember—pregnant, Dad. Prone to tears, no more of that emotional stuff or I’ll need to have my make-up fixed.”

  He chuckled softly. “So I shouldn’t tell you now that I love you more than anything.”

  She laughed right with him, desperately trying to stop the tears from falling. “No, Dad, definitely not a good idea.”

  “Okay,” he agreed.

  Jazz walked into the room then, looking stunning in a soft mint green dress. It was simple, on shoestring straps and floated to mid-calf. It accentuated her red hair and porcelain skin.

  “Okay, you two, let’s get this show on the road,” Jazz announced, casting her eyes over them critically. A huge smile spread across her face. “Wow, you two look amazing. Maybe we should have a wedding every day, this is so much fun.”

  Rheeba joined them then, in a matching dress to the one Jazz wore. “Well, if you’re ready, the stud’s getting impatient.”

  They all laughed.

  “Can’t have that,” Peter supported. He offered her his arm. “It would be my honour and privilege to deliver you to your future.”

  “Dad, I said no more.”

  Peter merely chuckled.

  They walked through the house and down the wide stairs of the veranda, through the pool area, down the path to the Frangipani tree. White chairs had been set up on either side of the path and she recognised about fifty of their closest friends and a few of her more distant family. All the team were there to show their support. And if she wasn’t mistaken, Tom was sitting front and centre on the groom’s side. He’d come around.

  She looked up and there he was. Her man, her lover, her future husband, the father of her children. His smile welcomed her to him—drawing her to him like a moth to a flame or maybe it was a butterfly today.

  He took her breath away. He was so handsome. Tall, broad, gorgeous, and oh so sexy. Rory and Quade flanked him and she had a feeling this was the way things would always be. All the guys wore very dark charcoal lounge suits with open shirts. Brayden’s shirt was ivory to match her dress and the ones Rory and Quade wore were the same mint green as the girls. They made a stunning trio.

  The steps towards him seemed to take forever. Some sort of music was playing but if you asked her what it was, she wouldn’t have been able to tell you. Her focus was on Brayden. Him—only him. Everything else softened to almost a haze. Brayden stood out sharp and clear.

  She took the last step and Brayden reached for her hands. Her father placed her hand in Brayden’s. Before he turned to take his spot behind them, he leant over and placed a kiss on her cheek and he very quietly said, “Be happy, baby girl.”

  He then whispered something to Brayden before sitting. She would have sworn it was something about him carrying out his part of the plan, but now it was all up to Brayden. Brayden had flashed him a grin. Didn’t make any sense but she didn’t care. This is what she wanted.

  The ceremony was short and very personal. They’d written their own vows. And not surprisingly they were all about finding love, trust, and forever.

  Then the best part happened. The celebrant pronounced them man and wife and invited Brayden to kiss his bride. This part he did with all the finesse and expertise of somebody with special abilities.

  Rihanna’s knees buckled and she swore she nearly hyperventilated. Good thing Brayden had no problem holding her up because she wasn’t doing much to help the situation.

  The celebrant pronounced them husband and wife and their future really started.

  They had forever to fill in the pages of their life with colour, love, fun, family. It was going to be an exceptional life, just like Brayden and Rihanna were exceptional people.

  ***

  The night was going great, Rory thought. Everything had been perfect. Brayden and Rihanna were currently out dancing on the makeshift dance floor, which was really the large deck beside the pool.

  They were having a great time, totally engrossed in each other. There were more than a few very heated kisses being shared and he had the feeling the bride and groom really needed to say their goodbyes sometime soon. That’s the way it was supposed to be—two people totally in love with each other.

  He was leaning against the railing of the veranda, sipping a beer. Quade was beside him, doing the same. Jazz chose that moment to walk up and thread her arm through his and leaned her head against his shoulder. He heard a low growl from Quade on his right. He turned his head slightly and raised his eyebrows. Quade was doing a good job of looking away but the growl had given him away. Interesting.

  “They look so sweet together,” she sighed.

  “Yeah, they do,” he agreed.

  “Oh well, this will change the dynamics around the team,” she stated.

  “Yeah, for the best, I think. It was time for some changes.”

  The boss walked up to join them. He held a glass of iced water.

  “Hope you three aren’t drinking too much. We’ve got an assignment I need you on tomorrow.”

  “Great,” Quade muttered sarcastically.

  Jazz just laughed. “Guess that means more champagne for me.” And as if to emphasise the point, she took a long swallow of the golden bubbles from the flute she was holding.

  “That includes you, Miss Carter.”

  At that Jazz turned and looked at Tom like he’d lost his mind. “I think you must be mistaken, Tom. I don’t work for you. I didn’t take the job, as you recall.”

  He just smiled. “Yes, I vividly recall the conversation we had. It’s also come to my attention that you resigned this week from the position you had accepted. Obviously it wasn’t a good fit.” Then something rare happened. Tom’s tight smile shifted to resemble something closer to a Cheshire cat’s. “Guess that means you’re mine now.”

  Jazz had unfortunately chosen that moment to take another swallow of champagne. Tom’s words caused her to gasp and the champagne went down the wrong way, causing her to half cough, half choke. Rory immediately patted her on the back and took her glass.

  Tom went on, unperturbed by the coughing and spluttering. “I’ll expect to see you at the briefing tomorrow morning. Ten hundred on account of all this.” He swept his arm around, indicating the wedding. “Don’t make me find you.” He raised his eyebrows, spun on his heel and left.

  “Well, fuck me. Things changing are one thing. This is just insane,” Quade cursed, clearly upset at her appointment. Or was it an indenture?

&
nbsp; Rory turned to Quade, his arm still wrapped around Jazz’s shoulders, giving her some support as she got herself back together. “You got any idea what it’s about?”

  “I heard Rheeba mentioning something about a trucking company; apparently they’re moving some bad shit, not sure what.”

  “Trucking company?” Rory muttered half to himself. His mind was immediately flooded with images of a crazy blonde pixie in a prime mover. He never did get to the bottom of that one…

  I hope you enjoyed reading the first Centre Games novel, Finding Trust. Brayden and Rihanna will be back with all the gang for the next installment, Finding Judgement.

  Acknowledgements

  Writing “Finding Trust” has been a work that has played out over the course of five years. Only a couple of people originally knew I’d even started the book. Last year I finally had the “emotional bandwidth” and the drive to finish it (140,432 words later). I started to tell a few people when I actually convinced myself I was going to finish it.

  When I booked the editor with about 60,000 words to go, it became very real. I always work better under pressure and this provided just the incentive I needed. Thanks to Faith Williams from the Atwater Group, you did an awesome job of whipping “Finding Trust” into shape. And to Kim Killion from The Killion Group and all her team – love my cover, website and branding.

  To Jillian, you got me back on track and writing again with the motivation to finish it. You’ve got so much going on in your life at the moment but you still had time to lend an ear to my crazy dreams and characters. I expect to read your book, real soon!

  A huge thank you to Kim, my aunt but really more like my big sister. You have been my number one fan and cheer squad throughout this. We both share an insatiable love of all things romance books and you’ve been an integral party of the journey, not just for the book but in creating Natalie Gayle, author. It’s awesome to be able to share it with you. On to the next one!

  To one of my oldest school friends, Virginia. We lost touch for a few years but found each other through FaceBook and have rekindled our friendship through “Finding Trust”. Thanks for your support, feedback and suggestions. I can’t wait to start writing “your story”.

  To my other crazy “Brookwater Beauties”, you’re always good for a laugh, a glass of vino and some fun times and plenty of literary inspiration!!!!!!!! Thanks girls………. Okay who’s lining up to beta read, “Finding Judgement?”

  To my IT guys (day job). Thanks for not ragging on me too much about becoming a romance author. Yeah I know it’s a far cry from how you usually see me. God help me if you actually read the book. Then you’ll have far too much of an insight into the boss’s mind. Just remember, I can now bury you in print as well!

  Finally to my family, thanks for putting up with me through all this. I’m sure there were times you didn’t think I’d ever finish it. From about 75,000 words my husband kept saying to me. “Just write – The End”. Good thing Brayden and Rihanna weren’t as “on-board with that idea”. Not sure when the movie’s coming out! (he’ll know what I mean!). There’s a little bit of you in all my male heroes. Now you know what you’re in for as I write the rest of the series.

  “Frog” and “Super Duper”, one day mummy might let you read it! Until then keep up the good work reading about fairies and dinosaurs. And to my mum and dad, you’re always there to help and support through my very crazy, busy life – I know I always take on far too much. Wonder where I got that from?

  A huge thanks to you all.

  Nat

  About the Author

  I recently discovered those school vocational assessments are really interesting and probably correct! Who would have thought, hey? You see, I clearly remember taking one of those in Year 11 (for my US friends, I think that equates to junior year in high school). Anyway, semantics. Well, the results came back indicating that I should pursue a career in writing and something else. What that something else was I can’t remember but the writing thing stuck in my mind.

  Sure, I’d always liked English and had already developed a ravenous appetite for romance novels by the age of sixteen—but who becomes a writer straight out of school? So to cut a long story short, I went to Uni and studied Business and ended up managing large-scale IT projects shortly after.

  I can’t complain: it’s been a great career. I’ve done some awesome projects and met some incredible people and I won’t be giving it up anytime soon. Anyway, I’ve messed around with a couple of “secret” novels over the years and I finally decided to get serious and finish one. Hence “Finding Trust” came about. And about twenty years later, I’ve finally proved a vocational assessment correct, because I love writing!

  As to some other stuff about me: I live on the Gold Coast, Australia. I love spending time with my family and friends. When I’m not sitting behind a screen playing with IT or writing, you might find me down the beach playing in the waves on a Jet Ski or a bogey board (both are uber cool). When the weather turns a bit cooler (doesn’t really happen on the Gold Coast), we like to head for the snow. I’ve discovered I have two kids who are kamikaze skiers—they must take after their father. He’s always at me to “release the handbrake.” Apparently I’d ski so much better. I call it a healthy understanding of self-preservation and gravity!

  I like to think I can fit in a few workouts and martial arts classes each week. This tends to be a figment of my imagination more than reality, unfortunately. I am trying to remedy this, but those damn characters just keep demanding to have their stories told and, well, there’s always another good book to read!

  I hope you enjoy mine.

  Please drop me a line. You can find me at my website, www.nataliegayle.com. I’m active on Facebook, Twitter, and via email Natalie@nataliegayle.com.au. I’d love to know what you think of my books and well, let’s be truthful—I love talking about books, whether they’re mine or someone else’s. Fiction is just so much more fun than reality!!!

  Happy Reading

  Natalie Gayle