Forsaken: A Brother's Best Friend Romance (Gritt Family Book 2)

by Gabrielle G.

  Forsaken

  Gritt Family Series 2

  Gabrielle G.

  Forsaken, Copyright ©2020 by Gabrielle G. All rights reserved.

  Cover Design: Cleo Moran - Devoted Pages Designs

  Editor: Pam Gonzales - Love 2 Read Romance

  Proofreading: Darlene Palma & Athena D. Lexis - Sisters Get Lit(erary) Author Services

  Paperback Formatting : Devoted Pages Designs

  No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written consent of the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, band names, incidents are the product of the author imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or publisher.

  Disclaimer: This book contains explicit mature content and language and is intended for adults ages 18+. For more details on the issues in this book, please consult a healthcare professional or talk to someone.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Introduction

  Playlist

  1. Salomé

  2. Chris

  3. Salomé

  4. Salomé

  5. Chris

  6. Salomé

  7. Chris

  8. Salomé

  9. Chris

  10. Salomé

  11. Chris

  12. Chris

  13. Salomé

  14. Chris

  15. Salomé

  16. Chris

  17. Salomé

  18. Salomé

  19. Chris

  20. Salomé

  21. Chris

  22. Salomé

  23. Chris

  24. Salomé

  25. Chris

  26. Salomé

  27. Salomé

  28. Chris

  29. Salomé

  30. Chris

  31. Salomé

  32. Chris

  Epilogue

  Merci Etc.

  Also by Gabrielle G.

  About the Author

  Introduction

  Each book in the Gritt Family series can be read as a standalone. Nevertheless, to plainly enjoy this book, I recommend you read Heartbroken—Alane and Aaron’s story—beforehand.

  To know more about Dex Crawford and Luke Gritt, you can read Often & Suddenly—Angels and Sunshine Series 3

  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with Chris.

  I was never old enough or brave enough to act on it.

  He never saw me like anything more than his best friend’s little sister.

  So when he falls in love with my best friend, I smile and try to move on.

  Only I never thought I would lose them both.

  One tragic night.

  One day leaving me wondering what my future holds.

  One event that has me seeing Salomé under a different light.

  She’s the only one who can understand what I’m going through.

  She’s also the only one who can soothe my pain.

  I need her to survive. But, I certainly shouldn’t take advantage of it.

  A brother’s best friend novel like no other.

  This book contains explicit mature content and language and is intended for adults ages 18+. For more details on the issues in this book, please consult a healthcare professional or talk to someone.

  Forsaken Soundtrack

  Troublemaker (feat. Flo Rida) – OLLY MURS

  Just The Way You Are – BRUNO MARS

  Dancing On My Own – CALUM SCOTT

  Girls and Boys – BLUR

  Bitter Sweet Symphony – THE VERVE

  Total Eclipse Of The Heart – JILL ANDREWS

  How To Save A Life – nilu

  See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth) – WIZ KHALIFA

  Should I Stay Or Should I Go – THE CLASH

  Say What You Want – TEXAS

  Fix You – COLDPLAY

  Shallow – LADY GAGA’ BRADLEY COOPER

  Say Something – A GREAT BIG WORLD, CHRISTINA AGUILERA

  Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.

  True Colors – ANNA KENDRICK, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

  I Want It All – QUEEN

  Please Don’t Say You Love Me – GABRIELLE APLIN

  Somewhere Only We Know – LILY ALLEN

  You Are My Sunshine – JASMINE THOMPSON

  Dedication:

  To those who need to be two to heal.

  And to my brother who left us too young.

  If you need to talk to someone, please follow this link. Wherever you are in the world, someone can help you.

  “What happens when people open their hearts?—They get better.”

  Haruki Murakami

  1

  Salomé

  Perennial Bridesmaid and Wedding Planner.

  That’s what should be engraved on my tombstone.

  As happy as I am for my older brother and his second chance love story, his wedding is the thirtieth I’ve organized this season, and the eleventh time I’ve been a bridesmaid.

  I feel like that Jane girl in the Katherine Heigl movie about being an eternal bridesmaid. Except, she found her Happily Ever After, and I’m still waiting for mine.

  “Great work, Salomé. It’s beautiful,” my father compliments before kissing me on my temple. “Are you ready to enjoy the night now? I’m sure your assistant can take care of the rest.”

  I’m the wedding planner for every wedding at our family estate.

  Since my younger brother, Barnabas, decided to convert the farm into a retreat and adventure resort, the weddings have boomed. We’re booked for the next two years. It’s only because my sister-in-law, Alane, didn’t mind having a wedding that wasn’t one hundred percent designed for her that I could squish them into the schedule—the bride of today's ceremony decided to cancel her commitment to her groom in a scandalous way that I still haven’t wrapped my head around.

  The only problem is, the caterer is less than thrilled having to feed Aaron Gritt, local celebrity in the restaurant world. But, a little stress sweat will make any supper better.

  “Can I ask the family to come for a picture?” Melissa, my good friend and my go-to photographer for events, shouts, trying to gather the whole Gritt clan. My parents, Ridge and Bella, had four children. Aaron, who’s ten years older than I am, Luke is eight years older than myself, and then there’s Barn. Aaron is marrying Alane. He has two children, Hailey and Lawson, from a previous marriage, and Adam, who’s the son he had with Alane when they were teenagers. Luke is committed to Dex, a grumpy asshole we all learned to love, and Barnabas and I are single.

  We have dates for the wedding, but my mother made it clear that Barnabas’ pussy of the week isn’t invited to be part of the family picture.

  I’m not asking mine either.

  The eleven of us gather in front of the farm we grew up at.

  Everybody followed the color themed attire I imposed for close family and the bridal party to ensure the pictures would be perfect.

  It’s a sea of navy and dusty blue surrounding the beautiful white bustier and light blue tulle wedding dress Alane found on Etsy.

  “Where is Chris?” Aaron asks, looking for his best friend. “He needs to be in the family picture.”

  I hold my breath and smile.

  Chris has been a fixture in our family since Aaron started high school, which was thirty years ago or so.

  “Chris!”
Luke whistles for the best man to make his appearance. Strolling toward us in his perfectly fitted navy suit, he sends us the smile that has made me blush since I was six. Thankfully, over the years, I’ve learned to control my reactions to him.

  His ever-changing color eyes find mine, and he winks at me, before sliding behind me.

  “Snot,” he addresses me with the ridiculous nickname he gave me when I was kid, “do you mind?” I don’t have time to answer before he slips his hand on my waist and drags me closer to him. “The grey of your dress will help pop the color of my eyes,” he whispers in my ear.

  If I wasn’t aware of who Chris is, I could see his action as flirtatious, but I know better than to think this is anything more than him using me to look good.

  Over the years, I’ve hoped something might happen between us, but it never has.

  So I kept my too-obvious-of-a-crush to myself and never tried anything.

  At first, it was because we were ten years apart, then it was because I saw the number of men or women Chris was dating. Later, I learned that his first male hook up was my brother, Luke, and it felt all too incestuous, too close to home to pursue.

  Nevertheless, I still feel hot and bothered when he talks to me.

  I still feel stupid and giddy.

  I still wished he was mine.

  “You know I didn’t bring a date because I thought you would be mine,” he continues, his hot breath caressing my ear. “Are you cheating on me, Snot?”

  “No.” I grit my teeth to be able to smile for the photographer. “I came with my best friend.”

  “Hmm,” his voice sends the most erotic vibration into my body, “I was afraid I would have to challenge a jerk to a duel for your attention.”

  I laugh heartily, knowing too well Chris would never fight for me.

  “There aren’t many ladies at this wedding,” Barnabas pipes in next to me. “You’re lucky, man, that you’re playing for both teams.”

  Chris’ hand tightens on my waist. He hates when people refer to his bisexuality as “playing both fields.” Barnabas should know better, but after the numerous glasses of champagne he’s had, I’m not sure he’s in the mood to be politically correct or to remember he shouldn’t be on the prowl because he came with someone.

  “Barn,” I chastise my brother.

  “It’s okay, Snot, don’t worry about it,” Chris tells me, not wanting me to start a fight on Aaron’s day.

  Barnabas and I are known to set the house on fire with our conflicts. More than once, Aaron separated us, or Luke provoked us. Chris always tried to be the peacemaker. Aaron was—well still is—my favorite brother. He spent hours baking with me, having tea parties and letting me paint his nails. I love him more than anything.

  When he left for Seattle to go to college, and Chris became our babysitter—as Luke was a shitty one.

  Chris spent so much time at the farm that he’s a Gritt through and through.

  “Just the four siblings,” Melissa asks now, positioning me in the middle of my three brothers. Chris and everybody else walks to the side while we take a rare picture of the four of us.

  “Be careful what you say, Barn,” I discipline my brother, not liking his remark about the bisexuality of our friend.

  “Don’t start,” Luke intervenes, always having Aaron’s or Barnabas’ back. I roll my eyes and sigh, knowing nothing will ever change. Aaron covers my shoulders with his arms and squeezes me into a hug.

  “You organized a beautiful day, Sal, and I know Alane appreciates you being her bridesmaid. Thank you.” I beam at my big brother, who kisses me on my forehead.

  “You’re welcome, Aar. You know I’ll do anything for you.”

  “I know,” he says, his blue-grey eyes falling into my brown ones. Luke, Barn, and Aar look like each other, except for their hair and eye colors, but the Gritt family admirable traits are still predominant. I look like my maternal grandmother with my square jaw, plump lips, and small stature.

  We continue taking pictures until my smile cramps on my face. I realize how important this day is for Aaron and Alane after having been apart for twenty-seven years, but they might not need fifteen hundred pictures of frozen smiles.

  Once we’re done, I step aside to peruse the crowd and check to see if everything is alright. Even if I’m not supposed to be working, I can’t quite let it go.

  “Sal,” Andrew, Melissa’s brother and assistant for the day, comes closer, “can I talk to you?”

  “Sorry, dude,” Chris drags me by the elbow before I can answer, “she owes me this dance.”

  As we walk away, I shake my head at his behavior toward me. Ever since he saved me from my stupid horny boyfriend when I was fifteen, Chris doesn’t like me hanging around men.

  “What was the problem with Andrew now?” I ask him, knowing he always finds something to criticize the guys who take an interest in me.

  “He was eye fucking you during the pictures,” he answers, bringing me close to him to dance but still not too close that it would be inappropriate.

  “And that’s bad because… What? I shouldn’t have sex?” I quirk a brow expecting a better explanation.

  “That’s bad because I’m sure he has a STI. His face screams syphilis,” he growls.

  “You don’t need to protect me, Chris. In case you hadn’t realized, I’m thirty-six now. I know how to deal with men.”

  The only answer he gives me is a shrug of his shoulders. We’ve had this conversation numerous times, but he doesn’t care. He’s the most protective of all. We continue dancing to Bruno Mars in silence, without looking at each other, until finally, my father cuts in and dances with me.

  After a couple of dances with Luke, and then Dex, I finally join Jordan at the bar. Not much of a dancer, my best friend decided to stay close to the booze for most of the night.

  “How is it going, girl?”

  “Not bad, you?”

  “I’ll be better when you tell me who that handsome man you were dancing with before is,” Jordan says pointing in the direction of the object of my affection.

  “Chris.” I take a sip of champagne trying to bury the emotion I feel speaking about him with my friend.

  “Chris? Like The Chris? The one you loved when you were a kid?”

  Jordan and I became friends after I parted ways with my associate and my boyfriend in New York City a few years ago. As a customer, J gave me great advice when it was time for me to walk away and let them run the bakery I had poured my heart into. We discussed my family and my childhood, and I might have spoken about Chris as my first crush. But, I never admitted to anyone he was still the one I was trying to forget every time another man was touching me.

  “That’s the one.” I signal the bartender for another glass. He rushes over right away and winks at me, handing me my drink.

  “There you go, beautiful Sal,”

  “Thanks, Reed. I appreciate you being here tonight. You’re my favorite bartender to work with. Just don’t tell your brother.”

  I smile, and our eyes promise each other we’ll continue what we started last month when he was bartending at a wedding I organized. Biting his lips and shaking his head, he holds my gaze under his eyelashes until someone summons him away.

  “Fuck, he’s beautiful,” Jordan breathes next to me.

  “He is,” I say as I watch Reed’s ass walk away from me.

  “Not the bartender, you hussy! Chris! Look at his square jaw, those sharp eyes, that beautiful nose… Oh shit, he’s looking our way.” Jordan blushes.

  “He’s checking you out, honey,” I tell him, failing to keep my focus on handsome Reed.

  “Is he straight?” Jordan starts blatantly flirting.

  “He’s bi.” I sigh, knowing what’s going to happen next as Chris is eye fucking my best friend from across the room.

  “Would you hate me if I took a shot?”

  “Not at all,” I say in a too high pitch voice, plastering the smile I worked hard to master for crazy brides.<
br />
  “Really?” Jordan’s face lights up, and I swallow my champagne in one gulp, trying to be happy for my bestie.

  “Seriously. Go ahead. Just beware, Chris likes to get around. Don’t let him break your heart.” Like he breaks mine every time he chooses someone other than me.

  “I’d much prefer him to break something else,” Jordan says, walking away toward Chris.

  I spend the next two hours seeing the train wreck of my love life derail in front of my eyes.

  The person I share everything with is on the prowl with my dirtiest fantasy, the untouchable friend of my brother, the one I wished would have given me my first kiss, my first orgasm, my first I do. I see them touch, I hear Jordan laugh and imagine Chris grunting with desire.

  Jordan is a good-looking man. He’s less muscular than Chris but still pretty ripped, maybe a little more effeminate, but still very masculine. He has beautiful blue eyes and dark hair that he leaves longer on the top. Chris has greenish grey-blue eyes, looks very masculine and keeps his hair pretty short, so it doesn’t curl. If I’m honest, they’ll make a beautiful couple.

  I try to peel my eyes off them and look around me. Luke and Dex are hanging out with Alane and Aaron—as usual.