Her name was Jenny. She was Gavin's assistant. When he'd laid eyes on her at Becky's baby shower, Gavin made it clear that he was not to go anywhere near her. Kyle walked away after telling Gavin he had no intention of talking to her. Who the fuck did Gavin think he was anyway, Kyle wondered? He was one of John's best friends, that's who. There was no way he wanted to do anything to upset John or any of his friends. They had all been so good to him.
Still looking down at his phone, he knew he needed to call his mom back. She was probably upset with him. John was probably still pestering Ethan about having him call her. He hit the call button on his mom's number and walked into his living room to sit in comfort. He was sure it was going to be a lengthy conversation. Sandy answered on the second ring.
"It's about time," she said. "I was worried about you."
"I had some work to get done and planned on calling you once I was home. I'm working more now, mom," he said.
What did it matter that he wasn't in a relationship when his mom wouldn't get off his back, he thought? He might as well have perks to go along with the nagging.
"I know you've been very busy, but I wanted to talk to you about something. We're all taking a vacation, and we want you to come," he said.
"Who's we all and where are you going?" he asked.
"Me, John, Kelly, Eric, the kids, and all the guys' families," she said.
"All of them?" he asked.
"All of them," she said. "The guys haven't gone on a vacation together in at least seven years, probably longer. It was the cruise they went on where Becky met Gavin. We're going to Hawaii together. Josh finally got a house, and we all want to celebrate. It's only for a week."
"A week," he said. "I'm not sure about that."
"Ethan said there's no reason you can't go. We didn't want to ask you if he wasn't going to be happy. He's going and said he'd help with any work you had to do while we're there. Sarah's asked me four times if you're coming. The kids miss you. We really want you there, Kyle."
"Do you know how many kids that is?" he asked.
"You'll stay with us. You know we have enough room for you to have privacy while you're there. You can go down the beach and have fun. There'll be so many young ladies there for you to hang out with. It's a popular time to go."
"Do you think that's making me want to go more? Hang out with the ladies with my mom, stepdad, and sister's family right there. Come on, mom," he replied.
"I don't ask much of you, Kyle," she began. "This is very important to me. Your sister has her family and you have your big time life now. I want my kids together. It's only for one week."
Kyle didn't feel like being around everyone but knew his mom would be upset if he turned her down. He made a mental note to thank Ethan the next time he saw him. When his mom got her mind on something, there was no changing it. Especially when everyone else was involved as well. They would all take turns calling him until he finally caved in. He knew he would save himself so much time by giving in right away.
"Fine," he said. "I'll go."
His mom was super excited and kept going on and on about how happy she was. It had been too long since he'd spent time with his niece and nephew, and he barely ever saw his newest nephew.
Once he was finally able to get his mom off the phone, he turned on his television to try and unwind from the day.
He was tired from working so much, but his mind still found time to wander to Jenny. After seeing her five years earlier at the shower, he'd seen her many times since. She was funny, sweet, caring, and absolutely beautiful. Ethan took him to Gavin's office more times than he would've liked to have gone. He hadn't realized they worked that closely to one another. The fight to get him to work for them made more sense than it had before. He'd see Jenny sitting at her desk outside of Gavin's office each time he was there. She'd jump right up and offer them coffee or soda. She was very polite and never took the smile off her face. He'd catch her watching him and even busted her looking him up and down, but he never said a word. He knew there was a smile on his face just for her, but that was it. Gavin would glare at him or call him out once they were in the office where she couldn't hear. Kyle rarely had the opportunity to have a real conversation with her. She appeared to be his age. He figured she had started working with Gavin shortly out of high school. Kyle wondered if she'd gone to college and a million other things about her. He'd catch himself watching her as Gavin and Ethan talked. Over the years, Gavin went into the office less and less, which meant Kyle didn't have to spend as much time there. He looked forward to each time just so he could see her. He knew it was ridiculous, but he couldn't help it. Just seeing her made his day brighter.
There were women around a bit when he was out with the guys from work. He'd noticed way more women since he became half owner of the company. His stock rose big time when that happened. It was actually pretty sad to see how many women couldn't be bothered with him when they thought he was just one of Ethan's workers but wanted to be right there once they discovered that he was half owner. He'd go home with one here and there but never more than once or twice. They'd start pushing for more or asking for things, and he'd cut his connection with them.
No matter how many times he tried to get Jenny out of his mind, she always came right back. It made him laugh when he thought about it. She had no idea that she was taking up so much space in his brain. He never figured out what it was about her that stuck with him. He'd never admit that it happened the first moment he'd seen her. Every time he was around her, he felt like a damn kid with his first crush. He'd made his life into something pretty amazing, and that was what he had always wanted. He could have his pick of women. Why was it her he wanted? What if they got together and it didn't work out? That would mean he'd spent all those years thinking about her for nothing. Why was Gavin so strict when it came to her?
When Kyle first came into the group, Heath was the only single one left. He was so damn determined to stay single. No woman was ever going to get him to settle down. He talked more shit than anyone Kyle knew. It only took one woman to knock him on his ass. Tara and her two boys stole his heart right away. They'd ended up married with two more kids. Kyle was pretty sure they were done adding on. In total they had Jordan who was nine, Jason who was eight, a little guy who was two, and Heath's precious little girl that had just turned one. She was a total daddy's girl. Every one of the guys gave him shit over the way he acted when his wife was pregnant after he'd teased all of them. It was adorable seeing him with his kids though. He was one proud dad.
Kyle never had the same attitude as Heath when it came to women. He wanted to wait to get married and have kids until he could provide a good life for them, but he definitely wanted to find the right woman. There was no way he wanted his kids to have the life he did. His dad was a jerk to his mom and she ended up leaving once Kyle was off at school. The stuff that came out later about his dad was awful. They were never a happy family, and his dad always held money over his mom's head. He'd never be that guy. He knew when he found a wife and had kids, he'd protect them and give them everything they could ever want. Not once did he think he would never get married. He just wanted to wait until he was the man she would be proud of. Then he would find her.
Kyle turned off his television and went up to his office. It was the only place he'd be able to get her out of his head for a little while. Maybe getting away with his family and their friends would help clear his mind and get him back on track, he thought.
Chapter 3
Kyle
Kyle leaned his head back against the seat on the plane to relax just for a few minutes. He left for Hawaii a day later than the rest of the group. There was a meeting scheduled that he wasn't about to miss. It was a huge deal for the company, and Ethan wasn't involved at all. Kyle had gotten rid of his tie and suit jacket on his way through security. His sleeves were unbuttoned and rolled up as he typed away on his laptop. He'd gotten some work finished but needed a break. With his head back and his eye
s closed, he tried to get a little rest before landing. He knew the minute he walked through the front door his family was going to be all over his ass.
He grabbed his bags and walked over to the man holding the sign with his name on it. They headed out into the warm, sunny world he was going to be spending an entire week in. He took in a long breath of fresh air before getting into the car that would take him to the beach and his family.
Kyle looked out the car window at the beauty surrounding him and was happy he'd let his mom talk him into going. A week away from the office and everything that brought Jenny into his mind was just what he needed. He planned on resting by the beach and seeing his family during the day and enjoying some time alone in the bar at night. It was going to be amazing to be around people who knew nothing about him. He was already growing tired of the women back home.
He stepped out of the car and looked up at the house John and his mother had purchased. The entire strip of beach was owned by John's friends. Kyle thought about everything he had already accomplished and wondered if one of those homes would belong to him and his own family one day. He grabbed his bags from the driver and headed for the door.
As soon as he pulled it open, Sarah, Eric, and little John crashed into him causing him to stumble back. He shook his head, put his bags just inside, and leaned down for six arms to wrap around his neck. Kyle couldn't help but notice how much they had grown since he had last seen them.
"Give your uncle a few minutes to take his stuff to his room," Kelly said, as she walked around the corner to where they were piled on top of him. "Let the man breathe."
She pulled little John into her arms and laughed.
"I guess they've missed you," she joked.
"I guess so," he said. "I can't believe how big they are."
He promised the kids he would be back as soon as he put his bags away. Kyle's room was on the opposite side of the house. John was the one that made sure he had privacy while he was there. He wouldn't be able to hear the kids from his room. Kyle thought about how good John always treated him. He wasn't sure how it was all going to work when he originally found out that Kelly had a different father than him. There was never any reason to worry. John treated him so much better than his real father ever had. Kyle never once felt that he wasn't good enough or that he wasn't living up to what John would expect of him. It was nice to be able to feel like he was actually making John proud to call him son, which John did often.
Kyle unpacked his bags and made sure his laptop was set up before changing into swimming trunks and a t-shirt. He grabbed a towel and was on his way toward the sliding doors that would release him out onto the beach in the warm sun. When he came around the corner, he couldn't help but let out a loud laugh. All three kids were standing there, ready and waiting to go with him. He shook his head and looked over at his sister.
"You don't have to take them. They can wait for me," she said.
So much for alone time, he thought to himself. There was no way he could turn down those three smiles that were looking up at him.
"Help me grab some toys to take with us," he said.
Those three bodies moved quicker than he thought possible. They were laughing away as they filled their arms full of things to mess with on the beach. Kyle was happy the older two could put their electronics away long enough to spend a little time with him.
"Hold on," John yelled out. "I'll come out with you."
John took off in the opposite direction so he could go and change.
They all walked out the door and down to the beach. Kyle put towels out and set little John up with toys. He pulled up a lounger and let his body fall down onto it. The early meeting and long flight had kicked his ass. He was ready for some relaxation. John handed him an ice-cold beer and pulled up a seat next to him. Eric and Sarah played with John while the two guys talked. Kyle loved hearing the happiness flow through the air. Of course he wanted some privacy during the week, but he was also looking forward to time with the gang and all of their kids.
The youngest of the three had already found his way into his grandpa's lap and was chatting away. John had a special relationship with the little guy, and it wasn't just because he was named after him. He was the only one John had been with since the day he was born. John had never had kids, at least not until they were grown adults. His other two grandchildren were already in school by the time John had met them. Little John was the first one John met the minute he was born. The two of them definitely had an indescribable bond.
Kyle had his eyes closed and was just letting himself begin to relax when he heard a laugh that had all of his muscles clenching. He felt his body jerk, as he opened his eyes.
"You okay?" John asked from beside him.
What the hell, Kyle thought. Hours and hours away and she was still getting to him.
"What's wrong with me?" Kyle mumbled.
"What?" John asked.
"Nothing," Kyle said, as he shook his head and closed his eyes again.
"We're all getting together for dinner later," John said.
"Everyone," Kyle said.
"Everyone," John said. "You ready?"
"That's going to be a lot of kids," Kyle laughed.
"You're not kidding," John replied.
When Kyle heard the laugh again, his eyes clenched tight. He knew he needed to get her out of his mind. As soon as dinner was over, he was heading out for some adult time at the bar.
He thought about how upset he had been when Gavin mentioned Jenny was getting married. Was she even with the guy long enough? What did she see in him? Kyle remembered all of the questions that had gone through his mind. He'd met the asshole once, and had no urge to see him again. When Ethan asked if he was going to the wedding, Kyle came up with an excuse to miss it as quickly as he could.
Each time Kyle saw her after the wedding, he noticed small changes in her. Her smile had faded and she wasn't as happy. It wasn't easy for him to see her like that, and he tried his best to avoid going to see Gavin. Ethan never asked him about it, but Kyle noticed Ethan watching him when they were around her.
After only six months, Gavin mentioned at one of the group gatherings that Jenny was getting a divorce. Kyle wondered what happened to end it so quickly, but he knew not ask Gavin. He was still a prick anytime he even saw Kyle look in her direction. Kyle couldn't help the slight relief he felt at the news. He knew he shouldn't feel that way. She should be happy. He should want that for her. The selfish part of him that wondered if they could have ever had a relationship didn't want to see her with anyone else.
Her divorce had been final for almost three months. Gavin had helped her out so much during the entire thing. Becky was always there for her as well and had insisted that she move in with them until it was over. Kyle had seen her at a few parties Becky and Gavin had thrown. It took all he had to stay on the other side of the room and not go to her, but he knew Gavin was watching him.
Kyle couldn't figure out what it was about her he found so attractive. It felt like there were strings attached to him pulling him toward her. He also could never figure what it was about him that had Gavin up his ass when it came to her.
He felt his body relax. The warm sun on his skin had him drifting off. Just as he was about to fall asleep, a voice jerked him right back to reality.
"Get back here, Jessie. Stop hitting your brother with that toy."
Kyle's eyes snapped open, and his body shot up in the chair. John looked over at him with a confused look.
"You okay?" he asked.
Kyle looked over to the right. He watched her turn to watch Jessie running in his direction. She was so damn beautiful. Would have been nice if his mom had mentioned Jenny was going to be there, he thought. Her long, silky hair blew in the breeze as she chased the little one. He felt his eyes widen as her body came into view. Her pink bikini fit her body perfectly. She wasn't flat and plastic like the women that were trying to get his attention at home. Jenny was curvy in all the right places,
and seeing her in that bikini had his cock twitching in his shorts.
"Still?" John questioned.
"Not a word," Kyle snapped.
"It's been five damn years, and you've still got it bad for her. Why don't you do something and stop being a pussy?" John whispered.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kyle said.
"Yes you do," John said.
"Gavin would kick my ass. I have to work with him," Kyle mumbled.
"Screw Gavin," John said. "Do you think he would have listened to anyone who told him to stay away from Becky? Look at Ethan and Julie. He found a way to get over that," John said.
Jessie ran through the yards and straight for Sarah.
"You can't just run off like that, Jessie," Jenny said, as she leaned down to catch her breath.
She looked up and her eyes widened.
"Kyle," she said.
"Jenny," he said.
"I didn't know you were coming since Ethan was here," she said.
"You didn't think he would let me?" Kyle asked.
"That's not what I meant," she whispered. "Come on, Jessie. We need to get back. It was a good thing your dad was outside when you ran off."
"I want to stay and play," Jessie said.
"I'll bring her back," John said.
"Thank you," she whispered before turning and walking back toward Gavin and Becky's.
"What was that?" John snapped.
"What?" Kyle asked, as he leaned back and closed his eyes.
It was going to be a long week, he thought. There was no way he would have gone if he knew she was going to be there.
"You didn't have to be a jerk about it," John said.
"I'm sick of people acting like I need permission from Ethan to breathe. It's either one extreme or the next. Is there no happy medium?"
The Future of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #6) Page 2