Family Bonds- Drew and Amanda (Amore Island Book 2)

by Natalie Ann

  “No one brings a guy here? Not even Hunter came over?” he asked.

  She stood up and stretched her legs. It was fun to sit on the floor, but now she wanted to go be an adult and have some coffee and dessert even though it wasn’t yet dinnertime. “He stopped over now and again, but they always went to his place.”

  “What about Bri?”

  “We’ve met enough of her guys when they pick her up but not any have spent the night. Most don’t like all the women in the house and it’s just as well with us too. Not that we would care if the guy was respectful of the fact there were others in the house, but it’s better to not deal with it.”

  She walked up the stairs and knocked on Sidney’s door. “Hey. Do you want to join us for dessert?”

  “If you’re sure. I don’t want to intrude on your Christmas.”

  “Please,” she said. “Turn the TV off and come down. Drew got you a gift.”

  “Really? That was sweet of him but totally unnecessary.”

  “I know. He’s a sweet guy. He got something for all three of you. He said you can open it now or wait until the four of us are together tomorrow.”

  “I can wait, but if he wants me to open it I will. I feel kind of bad though since I don’t have anything for him.”

  “Trust me, he doesn’t expect anything in return.”

  “You have it really bad for him, don’t you?” Sidney asked quietly.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  29

  Chasing Ghosts

  “This house is huge,” Amanda said when Drew parked his car in the driveway. They were early yet, but there’d be over fifty people here for Bode’s New Year’s Eve Party. He’d never had a party this big before, but he was itching to show the house off.

  “It’s over a hundred years old and needed a ton of work. Bode likes to still build and do things but doesn’t get the opportunity to do as much of that now.”

  Just like Drew didn’t get to sell as much either. Part of taking over the family business meant the day-to-day things they loved so much went into the hands of others.

  “I can’t wait to see the inside of it. Is it cut up into smaller rooms like my place?”

  “Not anymore,” he said. “Bode put an addition on the back, but you’d never know since he tried to keep the integrity of the original structure.”

  “I bet this house has been in the family for generations, right?”

  “I’m sure it started out that way but it’d been sold a lot over the years. I think Bode had his eye on this place for a long time. When it went up for sale two years ago he snatched it up fast. It wasn’t even listed. The owners came to us and Bode just made an offer. They were thrilled because we treated it like a private sale and they didn’t have to pay any fees.”

  “I hope he got a good deal,” she said.

  He laughed. “He was happy in the long run.”

  They made their way in. “I really wish I could have brought more than some cookies,” she said. She was carrying one tray, him the other.

  “Bode is having it catered, but I’m sure he wouldn’t have thought of cookies so he was thrilled when the Cookie Lady offered to bring some.”

  “Is he ever going to call me by my name?”

  “He does to your face, just not behind your back.”

  He found it funny but knew it was said in jest by his family.

  “Welcome,” Bode said, opening the door. “Damn, look at those things. I don’t have to sneak into Drew’s office to get any either.” His brother bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I wonder if I can hide one of these trays in my room so no one touches them.”

  “I’ll make you a tray of cookies the next time I bake,” Amanda said. “I know you’ve got a sweet tooth even though you’re Oscar the Grouch.”

  “Your cookies are enough to make any man smile.”

  “Save that little bit of charm you’ve got for a single lady that might show up tonight,” Drew said, moving Amanda to the kitchen. Bode followed along. “Where is everyone?”

  “Coy is on his way along with Ethan and Egan. Eli is working at the casino, which I figured. Hunter and Kayla will be here for a short period of time, but he had some things to do before they left. Hailey is on the island and will stop over. Grace is working, but Skyler, Emma, and Roark will be here.”

  “Who are they?” Amanda said. “Family?”

  “Skyler is Grace’s brother. Emma and Roark French are their first cousins. So Hunter’s father has two sisters, which are Grace and Skyler’s mother and Emma and Roark’s mother.”

  “Okay. I’m lost but shouldn’t be. I mean I guess most get lost pretty fast.”

  “They do,” Bode said. “There will be a lot of other cousins here tonight too. No use saying their names, but I figured you might have known the ones I said through Kayla though I guess not.”

  “Sorry,” she said. “I’ll do better.”

  Drew laughed. “You do well enough. Bode is only busting on you. Even I have a hard time remembering who is who half the time.”

  “I’ve met Mac. I know he’s related,” she said.

  “Of course. That’s easy since his last name is Bond. Mac is from William’s side.” And since he was the Chief of Police it was a given he was known.

  “Does he have any siblings?” she asked.

  “He has a brother that is a fireman and one that is in the state police but stationed on the island. The north end.”

  “Will they be here? What are their names?”

  “Alex is the fireman, Jarrett state police. I’m not sure if they will be here, but if they are, I’ll introduce you. Let me show you around the house.”

  By the time they’d gotten back to the main level, several other people had shown up. Coy came over and handed him a beer and he needed it.

  He wasn’t someone to drink much and didn’t really plan on it tonight, but he was starting to feel frustrated over his relationship with Amanda.

  The more he was with her, the more he wanted to be and wondered if he was alone in that.

  He didn’t get to spend the time with her at Christmas that he wanted. Then she worked the next day and spent time with her friends that night. Sunday they at least had a relaxing day at his place, but he was back to work for the rest of the week. She had a lot of appointments scheduled for today and worked late herself, so even though he snuck out early he was by himself at home.

  At least he knew they were going home together tonight and could spend tomorrow with each other.

  No family. No friends. Nothing.

  The two of them starting the year off right.

  But it wasn’t ending off that well when a few hours later he’d seen someone hitting on her. Not a family member. No, no one would do that.

  This was a friend of Bode’s. Someone on one of his crews. Amanda was smiling and laughing, being polite he could see. But he also saw fire engine red when Billy put his hand on Amanda’s thigh.

  She’d moved away and said she wasn’t interested. That she was in a relationship, but Billy had been drinking and moved in closer.

  “I believe the lady said she was taken,” Drew said.

  “By who?” Billy said. “She didn’t say a name. You’re just making it up, sweetie, aren’t you?”

  “I didn’t say a name because you didn’t ask or give me an opportunity,” Amanda said back.

  “She’s taken by me,” Drew said.

  Billy laughed. “Really? She’s not your type. You like the wild ones. This one is too tame. He’s making it up, isn’t he? Drew likes to come riding in on his white horse at times.”

  The few drinks he had went right to his head and had him pulling Billy up by the shirtfront and shoving him toward the wall. His fist came back but was caught by his cousin Jarrett Bond. “Don’t even think of it. If Bode catches you putting a hole in his wall, you’re toast.”

  “The asshole wouldn’t take no for an answer and is hitting on Amanda.”

  “I can handle myself,
Drew,” she said. “You’re making a scene. Stop it right now.”

  He shook off Jarrett’s arm and walked away to get another drink.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Bode asked, pulling him into his office.

  “Billy was hitting on her,” he said.

  “So what. It’s not like she was accepting what he was offering. She isn’t Cassandra. She isn’t playing games with you or messing with your head.”

  “Stop bringing her up,” he said. He’d heard the name one too many times lately.

  “It’s hard not to. Cassandra liked the attention and she liked to make you jealous. She wanted you to fight for her and she didn’t always care who she was with to get that rise out of you.”

  “And I didn’t. That pissed her off. Until she crossed the line. Then I walked.”

  He knew looking back Cassandra was just playing with him. She wanted the attention along with his name. He should have seen everything in front of him before it was too late.

  “Don’t compare Amanda to Cassandra. They aren’t the same and you know it. That relationship was bound to end in disaster and you are going to ruin a good thing with Amanda if you try to put them on the same level.”

  His normal calm mind knew that. But the alcohol-hazed one was rattling like earthquake aftershocks. “I feel like I’m chasing ghosts lately and it has me all twisted around.”

  “Because Amanda isn’t fawning all over you? She isn’t twenty. She’s older and more mature. She’s calm and she’s settled. That’s a good thing. You’ve never wanted to move fast before and yet for some reason you’re like a sprinter in the blocks just itching for the gun to go off. Keep it up and you’re going to be disqualified.”

  “Whatever,” he said. “I need a drink.”

  “That’s your problem. You’re drinking more than you should be and acting like an ass.”

  He knew that but wasn’t going to admit it to his older brother. “I can deal with my own love life.”

  “Sure you can,” Bode said. “Remember, this started out as a way for you to get out of being set up by Mom. You’re lucky that things are falling your way, but if you keep this shit up they’re going to fall the other. Don’t force it.”

  “Why would I listen to you? It’s not like you’ve had the best of luck with women in your life. None of us have.”

  Bode shook his head. “You’re completely fucked up in the head for no reason at all. It’s been less than two months and you are acting like you’ve been with Amanda for years. I repeat. She isn’t Cassandra. You aren’t twenty-two. You’re thirty-two.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Ten years later and I’m still single like you. Will we be like this ten years from now?”

  “If we are, we are. It’s better than being stuck with the wrong person. I’ve got a party to host and no time to play Dr. Phil with you. Sit in here and cool off. I worked too hard on this house for you to mess it up.”

  “I need to go check on Amanda.”

  “I’d stay away from her for a bit. She was livid. Anyone could see it. You not only embarrassed yourself, but her. I’m sure she’s with Hailey and Kayla right now. She’s in good hands.”

  30

  Felt Justified

  Amanda couldn’t believe that just happened.

  She’d never had a man fight over her in her life and didn’t want it to begin with.

  She wasn’t a teen. She wasn’t a weak-willed woman.

  She didn’t need the attention. She didn’t want a man like that.

  Had she wished Randall would have fought for her all those years ago? She had at the time. It didn’t happen and she learned a valuable lesson.

  She learned to stand up for herself. To fight for herself only.

  Not for who she wanted. It wasn’t worth it.

  If someone didn’t want her enough she wasn’t going to force them. But she didn’t want a man acting like an ass either.

  Right now what she really wanted was a drink, but since Drew was drinking more than normal that wasn’t happening. She had to get home some way.

  It was chilly out on the deck, but she needed air. Hailey had come over and talked to her, trying to make a joke out of it, but it didn’t make Amanda feel any better, so Hailey went back in.

  “Drew never could handle his liquor.”

  She turned to see the woman standing there. She hadn’t met her yet. She was a little on the short side, curvy, brown hair pulled back with more makeup than she needed.

  Whoever the woman was, she was trying way too hard. “I’m sorry. Have we met?”

  “Lisa Wayland. I’m related to the Bonds.”

  Not a name she’d heard yet and Drew had been pointing out a lot of them. “Sorry. Amanda Moore,” she said, reaching her hand out. “What branch are you from? I’m kind of trying to keep up.”

  “William’s,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

  “So you’re closer to Mac and his brothers?” she asked, figuring it might be like a first cousin to them.

  “I’m their third cousin,” Lisa said. “But it doesn’t matter, we all have the same blood in us somewhere.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said and turned to look out to sea. For some reason she had a feeling Lisa wasn’t liked all that much by some of the family and wasn’t in the mood to socialize with a stranger at the moment.

  “Anyway, Drew is probably thinking of Cassandra tonight and that is why he acted that way.”

  “Cassandra?” she asked. What was she missing here?

  “His ex from college. It’s not talked about that much. I mean we all have people that want us for our names.”

  Amanda snorted and knew Lisa was definitely trying to cause trouble. It was the tone of her voice and the look in her eye.

  “I’ve heard that is common with the Bonds.”

  She wasn’t one to poke the tiger but tonight she was in the mood to get some information even if it might be exaggerated. Saying what she did was bound to set Lisa off to spread the gossip like a toddler smeared frosting on their face for their first birthday.

  “Not just the Bonds,” Lisa said frowning. “We all have dealt with it.”

  “It must be hard,” she said, wondering why she was bothering. Anything this woman said would probably be garbage.

  “It is. But Drew was so in love with Cassandra in college. Everyone thought for sure he was going to propose. Helena had been trying to introduce those boys to women for years but Drew has always been all about picking his own women.”

  “As he should,” she said. “And how do you know all of this?” It seemed those closest to Drew weren’t talking about this. Not even Hunter or Hailey, so why was Lisa? Or was it a hush hush topic that most honored?

  “I went to the same college as Drew. I was a few years behind but of course I talked to him and knew what was going on. Probably more than most did because we were there and not here.”

  She doubted Lisa knew more than others unless it’s because she was friends with the ex. “So Drew confided in you?”

  “No. Cassandra did. She was playing with Drew. She wanted more of his attention than she got. She’d flirt when they were out in public wanting him to stand up for her. He never did and it pissed her off.”

  “And you kept that to yourself?” she asked. “You never said a word to your cousin about it?”

  Lisa narrowed her eyes. “Why would I? He’s a big boy and could figure it out on his own.”

  “I think it’s more you wanted to see him fail, but that is just my guess. Since you are enjoying the telling of this story, why don’t you continue.”

  “If you want the truth, then you’ll get it from me. Everyone else covers things up.”

  She didn’t like the sound of that. “So inform me then.”

  “Cassandra loved Drew but she loved the idea of being a Bond more. She hadn’t kept it quiet either. Everyone thought Drew was ready to propose to her but one night Cassandra’s friend started to come onto Drew. He didn’t want any part of he
r, said he was in love with Cassandra.”

  “Sounds like Drew,” she said.

  “Well, this friend had no problem telling Drew what was really going on with Cassandra. That there’d been a bet made and Cassandra didn’t want him to know. Drew had gotten drunk that night and trashed his college room. He has a bit of a temper when he’s drinking which is why he doesn’t drink often.”

  Since Drew just showed that side of himself, there was no way Amanda could argue it. “I think he probably felt justified if he was in love.”

  “He confronted Cassandra who swore up and down it was all a lie. She managed to convince him of that.”

  “So they stayed together?” she asked.

  “For a few more months. They’d graduated from college and he moved here to start working. She was trying to find a job on the island. He went to surprise her one weekend in her hometown. When he showed up at her apartment she wasn’t alone.”

  “Let me guess,” she said. “She had a guy there.”

  “No. She had a woman there. Her girlfriend,” Lisa said smirking.

  “What?”

  “That’s right. Cassandra was bisexual. She was exploring things, or so she said. In her eyes it wasn’t cheating because it wasn’t a guy. Drew flipped out and ended things. And now you know why things have been so hush hush.”

  Lisa laughed and turned to leave.

  Amanda wasn’t sure what to believe. It could all have been Lisa making things up to get a rise out of her. Or not.

  It was in Drew’s past, so what was the big deal? Amanda had her own secrets so she wouldn’t judge.

  And didn’t Drew say women had been after him for his name his whole life? No secret there either.

  Hailey came out a minute later again and stood by her. “Drew is looking for you.”

  “I’m sure,” she said.

  “I saw Lisa just come in. Was she out here talking to you? She was probably spewing her jealousy around like a weak-stomached person getting off a roller coaster.”