An Inevitable Love

by Alayna Scott

  AN INEVITABLE LOVE

  Alayna Scott

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  This eBook is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and situations are complete creative works of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

  Resemblance to actual events or persons is entirely coincidental.

  Any unauthorized reprint or use of this book or any portion thereof is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

  Copyright © 2019 Alayna Scott

  All Rights Reserved

  Editing:

  Tina Young

  Cover Design:

  Darleen Dixon

  Wicked Smart Designs

  Contact Me:

  alaynascottromance@gmail.com

  ISBN-13:

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  CHAPTER 1 - LAURYN

  CHAPTER 2 - OAKLEY

  CHAPTER 3 - LAURYN

  CHAPTER 4 - OAKLEY

  CHAPTER 5 - LAURYN

  CHAPTER 6 - OAKLEY

  CHAPTER 7 - LAURYN

  CHAPTER 8 - OAKLEY

  CHAPTER 9 - LAURYN

  CHAPTER 10 – LAURYN (Three Weeks Later)

  CHAPTER 11 - OAKLEY

  CHAPTER 12 – LAURYN (3 & 1/2 Years Later)

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  CHAPTER 1 - LAURYN

  Inhaling the crisp, fresh fall air, Lauryn’s heart swelled inside of her chest. The wind carried with it a slight mist from the lake, that kissed her cheeks, causing her to laugh. It had been ten years since she had last returned home, and being back reminded her of the beauty and love she had missed out on for an entire decade.

  She smiled as she received her first greeting back to her hometown, from the burnished golds, bold reds, enchanting oranges, and regal purple leaves. They fluttered politely in the breeze as if welcoming a long-lost daughter home.

  “Miss, are you sure you don’t need help with your luggage?” the taxi driver asked.

  He had just driven her forty-five minutes from the airport to her parents’ home in Lake Cresthaven, Virginia.

  “No, thank you. I’ll be just fine,” Lauryn replied, bending down to pick up her two bags.

  She would be here today, tomorrow, and Saturday. Her flight would leave on Sunday, and then she would return to her reality.

  Lauryn slowly climbed the mahogany stained steps to the wide porch. She was pleased to see that her parents still used their rockers, that looked recently abandoned if her father’s copy of Time magazine was any indicator. Her mother’s knitting rested in the rocker beside her father’s, and Lauryn could make out the beginnings of a sweater.

  The columns, railings, and rockers had recently received a fresh coat of white paint, and she could tell the black shutters had been updated, too. Her father always did his painting in the early fall when the temperatures were lower than the hot, muggy Virginia summers.

  Lauryn rested one of her bags at her feet, as she reached out with her other hand to pull the front screen door open. The large inner door was closed, and she knew that was only because the day was so cold.

  Her father would leave the door open year-round if he could have it his way, with only the screen door forming a barrier between the indoors and outdoors. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  “Mom! Dad!”

  “Lauryn!” her mother shouted, running from the kitchen, wearing a battered smeared smock. This was her mother’s second love besides her family, baking cakes and pies from scratch. Lauryn missed being home to lick the bowl like she had since she was a little kid, all the way through college.

  She dropped her bags at her feet, ignoring the fresh smears her mother rubbed off on Lauryn’s Derek Lam, printed silk blouse. She had splurged on it after receiving a bonus earlier this year, and today was the first time she wore it.

  “I missed you so much, sweetheart!” her mother exclaimed, holding Lauryn out to take in her appearance. She reached a finger out and wiped her mother’s tears from her eyes.

  “Mom, don’t cry,” she said in a soft tone. Guilt was eating her alive about staying away for so long. Despite the fact, her parents and brother had come out to the west coast to visit her, she had not returned the favor.

  “Is that Lauryn Belle!” her father’s voice boomed as he made his way up the stairs from the basement.

  “Daddy!” she squealed, pulling from her mother’s grasp and turning to throw her arms around her father, the same as she had since she was four.

  Her father squeezed her against his big, barrel chest, and lifted her feet off the ground, swinging her in circles. She inhaled the scent of his cherry tobacco that he used in his pipe, along with the spicy, clean scent of his cologne.

  “Glad you could make it, Laur,” her third favorite person called out.

  She opened her eyes, just as her father was setting her on her feet. Her eyes met her brother, Chase’s, and as she prepared to give him a hug, they landed on the reason for her ten-year absence.

  His best friend, Oakley.

  He stood right behind Chase, staring at her with a wide-eyed expression. All the fond memories were doused in an instant like water from a hydrant onto a fire.

  “Me, too, Chase,” she replied mechanically as she hugged her brother and struggled to break Oakley’s riveting gaze.

  “Hi, Lauryn,” Oakley stated, his eyes slowly caressing her from head to toe when she stepped from her brother’s embrace.

  “Oakley, it’s good to see you again,” she greeted in a composed voice.

  “And you, as well,” he replied in a cool tone.

  She felt ashamed, but she was thankful she had chosen to wear the black leather cigarette pants that showed off her sleek curves. What had once been considered baby fat, turned chubby teen, had erupted into defined curves and muscle tone, melting away anything that looked like fat. Lauryn thanked her personal trainer and good eating habits for that.

  She briefly wondered where his wife was and swallowed a deep-seated hope that she had not been able to make it.

  “Well, now that you’ve all come upstairs to greet Lauryn, I’ve got a few minor things I need assistance with here in the kitchen,” her mother proclaimed, waving the entire crew into the kitchen with her.

  There were groans all around, as Lauryn giggled.

  “Some things never change,” she said to her mother.

  “You’re right about that,” her mother, Elaine, replied. “Now, boys, this is what I need,” she said.

  Lauryn half-listened as her mother patiently rattled off orders to her father, brother, and Chase before turning back to her.

  “Honey, I know you’ve had a long flight from San Diego, and then the ride from the airport. Would you like to go settle in and take a rest before dinner this evening?”

  Lauryn smiled and said, “I’d love to, Mom.” She was tired, but more than that, she needed to escape the proverbial heat of the kitchen. She had not been prepared to see Oakley, and his presence was overwhelming and unexpected.

  “Okay, well, your room is ready, and I’ve already instructed Oakley to take your bags upstairs to your room for you. So go up, make yourself comfortable, and get some rest. Dinner will be served in four hours, sweetie,” her mother said, pressing a warm kiss on her cheek as her eyes lit up once more.

  “Mom, are you sure you don’t need any help in the kitchen? I can spare half an hour before I go up,” she offered, realizing she needed to avoid Oakley’s presence.

  “Oh, nonsense! Get upstairs an
d get some rest,” her mother ordered, waving her off. She knew not to argue with her mother. No one argued with that woman, not even her father.

  “Okay,” she murmured, turning to head up to her old bedroom. Her steps were slow and heavy, as though she was heading towards doomsday.

  CHAPTER 2 - OAKLEY

  Ten years. That’s how long it had been since he last saw her, and boy had she changed! The only other person he had been as close to as he had Chase, had disappeared from his life without notice.

  Lauryn had been more than just Chase’s kid sister, she had been a close friend to Oakley as well. And over the years, he had begun to see her as the sister he never had. Now she was back and different than he recalled. He wondered if she was still afraid of the dark, refusing to turn off the television when it was time to go to bed. He smiled when he recalled her parents purchasing her a night light when she was seven, so she would turn off the television. That had not worked.

  He had convinced them to allow her to leave the TV on, as long as she turned the volume down. She had thanked Oakley for a week after that. He recalled how she had enjoyed going fishing with him and Chase and often caught a fish faster than they did.

  Oakley set her bags onto the floor and turned around to leave her room. He had missed her over the last decade. Especially when the hard times had come. The difference between Lauryn and Chase was that Lauryn was a great listener. He had often confided in her when she had reached high school, only one year behind them despite the two-year age gap.

  Lauryn had always been bright and loved to learn. Unlike Chase, who had constantly been reminded to focus on his studies and had barely been accepted into college. As they grew older, Chase’s fascination with the girls grew, and he had been around less often when Oakley simply needed a friend.

  Oakley backed out of her room, a place he had no business being other than to do what her mother asked. He had spent too much time here reminiscing about a young girl who clearly was not the same person anymore. What was worse, he felt like a creep. He had stared at her, almost uncontrollably when he spotted her.

  Lauryn was always a beautiful girl, with that dark, olive complexioned skin, and those almond-shaped, grey hypnotic eyes. There was something mystifying about her, and he wondered what the adult Lauryn’s personality was like.

  Shaking his head, he knew he needed to chase those thoughts away. They had nothing to do with the here and now. Turning around quickly as though to escape memories of the past hot on his heels, he bumped into Lauryn, who had just arrived outside of her door.

  “Oakley!”

  “Lauryn, I’m sorry about that,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders to keep her from teetering over.

  The way her eyes darkened at his touch, as though she were singed, caused Oakley to pull his fingers back quickly. Stuffing them in his front pockets, he searched for something to say.

  “So, what...”

  “How have..”

  They both chuckled when they found themselves responding at the same time.

  “You first,” he suggested.

  “I was just going to ask what have you been up to?” she said, leaning against the wall opposite her room as he stood in the doorway.

  “I’ve just started my own sports therapy practice, and I work at the Cresthaven Medical Center two days each week. Business is doing pretty well, I’ve got a lot of clients traveling over from Portsmouth. What about you? I see that you’ve been hosting Wake Up, West Coast! I always knew you would be a big name someday.”

  She laughed shyly. “Stop that, Oakley. It’s not that big.”

  He frowned. “Don’t sell yourself short, kiddo. You’ve come a long way, and your name is well-known. I mean, people on the east coast are familiar with you.”

  He noticed her expression clouded slightly before she looked away. The tight, pinched expression on her face made him realize he had said something wrong. But he had no idea what he had said that might have been offensive.

  “Yeah, well. I’ve worked hard enough, but at the end of the day, that’s all it is. Just another accomplishment to hang on the wall.”

  Was that sorrow he detected in her voice? Oakley had never known Lauryn to be depressed about anything. She had always been the one to cheer others up.

  “Well, I’m sure it’s much more than just another accomplishment. And if no one has told you lately, we’re all proud of you, Lauryn. Even Chase, who can never get enough of bragging on you.”

  Her lips lifted at the corner, and the smile finally reached her eyes. “Thanks, Oakley.”

  Realizing he was blocking her doorway, he stepped out of the way. “Oh, uh, sorry about that. I guess I’d better let you get into your room. I’m sure you want to rest up after that long trip.”

  “Yeah, I think I’d better,” she said, switching places with him, her hands pressed against the doorframe.

  Her scent tickled his nose and reminded him of wild honeysuckle. She ran her hands through her long, brunette hair that hung over one shoulder. When had she grown into such a woman? So mature. So beautiful. So sensual.

  She had him standing there breathless. He only hoped no one noticed his instant attraction to her when he first spotted her in the kitchen. Chase would kill him, and Mr. Alexander would ban him from their house forever. Not to mention, he might lose the respect of Mrs. Alexander.

  Oakley bit down on his bottom lip and began backing away. He had to rid himself of those thoughts. Nothing good could come of that. After all, Lauryn was like a sister to him. His best friend’s sister at that.

  “I’ll see you around, Oakley,” she said, stepping further into the room and closing the door.

  “Yeah, see you,” he muttered, walking down the hallway.

  CHAPTER 3 - LAURYN

  Stretching in her bed, a feline-like smile turned up her lips. It had been a long time since she had slept in this bed, but it was just as comfortable as it had been when she was younger. Lauryn sat up and picked up her phone, checking for missed calls or texts.

  There were several from her friends on the west coast, but none from Harry, her boyfriend. That figures. He had not been able to return home with her because he was spending time with his own family. They had often spent time with his family for every major holiday because they lived in Fresno, just a five-hour drive from Lauryn’s beach rental and Harry’s townhouse in San Diego.

  It broke her heart that the one time she really wanted him to return home with her, he could not be bothered to do so. How often was one’s father recognized by the town and given the key to the town? Her father had been mayor of Lake Cresthaven for the last fifteen years, and he was finally retiring. There would be an official ceremony recognizing him for all the hard work he had done through the years at the fall festival this weekend. It was important to Lauryn and her family that his only daughter attend along with the rest of the family.

  She returned a few text messages and phone calls, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of her belly about Harry not calling her.

  The smell of chicken frying and sweet potatoes wafted up the stairs to tickle her nose, like a finger beckoning her forth.

  Lauryn set the phone on the bedside table and hopped up to freshen up in her adjacent bathroom before heading down.

  The sound of laughter and music greeted her at the bottom of the stairwell. Her parents were already playing Scrabble, as had been their habit for the last three decades on a Thursday night. She knew tomorrow a plethora of food would be laid out on the table, and they would receive visits from some of their longtime neighbors.

  They would all go into town tomorrow to see the parade welcoming the official Lake Cresthaven fall festival into town. Then they would return home to unwind and prepare for Saturday’s festivities.

  But tonight, there would be singing, dancing, games played, and reminiscing about favorite memories. These were the things Lauryn had longed for through the years and missed dearly. This was what “home” had meant for her
all those years ago. Something she had hoped to replicate in her own life with the man of her dreams. But the last five years spent in a relationship with Harry, and they seemed to be no closer to crossing that line than when they first met. Lauryn wasn’t sure if it was her or Harry, but neither of them appeared to be in a rush. Complacent with where things had grown to between them, they continued on with their “convenient arrangement.”

  Her days were often filled with work. Research for stories, preparing reports and co-hosting the number one morning show on the west coast kept her busy. In the little free time she had, she would perform volunteer work, and then she and Harry would attend special functions and events to make sure they were seen. That was the extent of her life. The friends she had cultivated, were friends for the sake of “networking,” and exchanging favors. In her private life, it was just her and Harry.

  This was the first time she realized that all these years she had been lonely. Not for lack of companionship, but for something that resembled home.

  Lauryn was determined she would enjoy her short time here. Maybe the memories she created this weekend, might be enough to get her through until her next visit.

  “Isn’t that your favorite song?”

  Lauryn heard her mother’s voice over the others as the music selection changed, and Matchbox Twenty’s, If You’re Gone, began to play. Her heart dropped into her stomach as she realized who her mother must have been talking to. It was confirmed the moment she stepped into the kitchen and looked out into the open living space that led to the living room.

  Oakley had just stood up and begun performing his rendition of the song, playing an air guitar, while his body swayed from side to side. She bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud at his antics. That was the thing she had forgotten. Oakley was a character. He didn’t mind behaving foolishly to make others laugh, and he could dance and sing. Very well.

  When he spun around, his gaze lifted to meet hers. As he sang the lyrics, “if you’re gone, baby, you need to come home,” his stare turned her way. She felt his gaze penetrate her. As much as Lauryn wanted to, she was unable to rip her gaze away from him, and he seemed to be singing to her. The song felt personal at that moment, between just the two of them, as though her family and the neighbors had disappeared.