My mom was an amazing woman. She was a single mom at only twenty. I have no idea how she raised me alone. My father passed away in a car accident before she even had the chance to tell him she was pregnant. She admitted that I was a product of a one night stand but still planned on letting him know. There were no pictures of him for her to show me, and she didn't really know anything about him. My birth certificate did not list anyone as my father. How sad right?
I always loved to watch my friends with their dads and wished I could have met mine. I was always Brooke Smith, the little girl without a father. There are so many kids in the world with only one parent, but all of my friends had two.
My mom worked her ass off making sure I had what I needed. Sure we struggled all the time, but she made sure I had the necessities. I knew there were times she went without, so that I could have something I really wanted. She had more than one job at a time for as long as I could remember. I know she was often tired, but she never let it show. Dinner was always ready. I might have had to heat it up, but it was there when I got home from school. Thinking back, I don't ever remember her dating. She was always so busy working and raising me. It was just the two of us, but we made it work.
When I was fourteen, we moved to Michigan. That was where my mom's parents lived. We had only visited a few times when I was younger, so I didn't really know them very well. I talked to them on the phone sometimes, but that was about it. They seemed nice enough. We moved into their house with them. My mom said she wanted to be there to help them, because they were getting older. I really think she was tired of working so hard, and it was cheaper to live there. They were very loving right from the start. My grandmother made sure I ate well and rode me every day about my homework. It was nice to have two more people to love.
Everything was great for four years. My mom worked one job, so I was able to see her more. It was nice to see her with her parents. They seemed so happy to have her home. I often wondered why she moved away in the first place. Mom always said it was better for us to live where we had. I thought it would have been better with them. She must have had her reasons, right?
My high school years were great. Keeping my grades up was difficult, but I did it and was looking forward to college. I wanted to go into business and planned to eventually own my own company. Working for someone else didn't appeal to me at all. It was going to be great. I would be able to take care of my mom one day. Then she wouldn't have to work. She would be able to do all of the things she never had time for while she was raising me. I had been accepted to University of Michigan. It was going to be awesome to live in the dorms and be on my own.
Two days after my graduation, my grandparents were killed in a car accident. They were hit by a drunk driver who had crossed over the line. I never understood how people could make such bad decisions. Why risk other people's lives? I get that they want to drink, but why get behind the wheel of a car? My mom had a very hard time with their death. I did too. She felt bad for not being there for them before and regretted staying away for so long. It was horrible. I had just gotten to know them. They were such wonderful, caring people. I really missed them and always would. It would have been nice to have known them longer. We should have been there.
They willed the house to my mom and me. We wanted to stay there. It was where she had grown up and where I had gotten to know them. I decided to stay home and commute to school, so my mom wouldn't be alone. It wouldn't have been that long of a drive each day, but my mom as adamant that I still dorm my first year. She didn't want me to miss out on experiencing the fun side of college life. I knew I would make sure to go home most weekends. It was going to be strange being away from her.
I jumped when I felt someone touch my leg. It was the funeral director. I had almost forgotten where I was. It was easy to block out all of the noise around me. I wanted the day to be over more than you can imagine. It was so hard to sit there while everyone talked about my mom like they knew her. They were all going to leave that day and go on with their lives. By the time they got home, they would be done thinking about her and be busy thinking about what they were going to make for dinner. She deserved better than that. I was relieved when the director asked me to go into his office to sign something. It was tiring being around all of the fake people surrounding my mom's ashes, pretending to care.
The viewing would be over in fifteen minutes. Then, I would take my mom's urn and ashes home where they belonged. Before she passed, we agreed to only one day of visitation. I wanted her to have a large funeral and burial, but she refused to agree with me. She wanted to be cremated and have just a short visitation. I know she thought it would be easier for me. After sitting all day in a room full of strangers, I had to agree with her. It would have been too hard for me to sit with her body in front of me for longer than a day.
I know it wasn't fair of me to think negatively about all of the people who came to pay their respects, but that didn't change the way I felt. She had worked with some of them. A few of them were my grandparents' friends. Some of my mom's high school friends came. I'm not sure how they found out. I didn't put anything in the paper. My mom was strict on her direction for that. It was not to happen. I couldn't figure out why. Again, I'm sure she had her reasons.
She was never one to explain her feelings. All she ever said was “I have my reasons.”
When the last person left, I was so relieved. It had finally ended. Everything that I had known for so long was over. What was I going to do with my life?
Chapter 1
Brooke
Two Weeks Later
As I sat in the reception area of Luke Technologies, I could not stop my hands from shaking. I was waiting to interview for a secretary position. Would I see him? Would he be there for the interview? His company was in a very nice building. I was surprised to find out it was only twenty minutes from my house. It took me a week to gather the nerve to apply for a job there. I was so relieved to find something available that fit with my resume. My legs shook as I waited patiently. Hopefully, I wouldn't start sweating or embarrass myself. I didn't want to give anything away.
You're probably wondering how I ended up there. I was surprised myself.
The day after my mother's viewing; I woke up and remembered what she had said to me the night she passed away. I was snuggling next to her in her bed. She hadn't spoken for most of the day and was very weak. I felt her squeeze my hand and looked over at her.
“I love you so much, Brooke,” she said. “You know that right?”
I could barely understand her words.
“Yes mom,” I answered. “I love you too.”
“In the attic is a box with your name on it. It's right inside the door. After I'm gone, I want you to open it. Promise me you'll wait until after my viewing.”
Her voice was so weak. What could she have in a box? It was probably stuff from my childhood. Maybe it was something she had saved for me.
“I promise mom. What is it?” I asked.
“I love you. You'll always be my baby girl. You're my everything,” she said. “Please remember that. Everything I have ever done was for you. I want your dreams to come true, Brooke. I love you.”
“I love you too mom. You're the best mom a girl could have. I could never doubt your love.”
That was the last thing we said to each other, as she drifted off for the last time.
I hadn't thought about those words since that night. Those few had past in a blur. Everything seemed like a dream. As the sun lit up the room, I thought about her words. What could she possibly have in the attic? I missed her so much. She was my best friend. We had grown so close over the past two years. Maybe it was memories of us together.
I couldn't wait any longer to find out what my mother had kept for me. Slowly, I opened the door and turned the flashlight on. On the floor was a box, just off to the right. It had my name on it. That must be the box she was talking about, I thought. I picked it up and carried it out of the attic and do
wn the stairs. Letting out a huge breath, I opened the lid. The box was full. On top of what was inside was tissue paper. Why did she cover the contents? On top of the tissue paper was an envelope with my name on it. I picked up the envelope and sat down on the couch to prepare myself and my emotions. Slowly, I pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. I was not even close to prepared for what I was about to read.
Sea of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #1)
Chapter 1
There was a knock at Gavin's door. He grunted as he got up to answer it. His four friends were waiting for him in the hallway.
“I know you aren't ready to sleep yet,” Heath said. “We have all waited so long for this trip. We all work so hard, it's time for some major partying. These women know nothing about us. The next seven days is all about fun and relaxation. Let's get up to the lido deck for the party.”
Gavin knew once he was around all the noise and fun, he would get into it. He shook his head and followed the guys down the hallway to the elevator.
Gavin Lucas owned a very successful technology company. He had worked at his cousin Chris' company fresh out of high school. When the time was right, Chris helped him start his own business. Gavin worked very hard and was extremely proud of the man he had become.
He knew the trip was going to be a lot of fun, but he also wanted time to rest. There had been so much going on with his business, and he wanted to clear his mind. When he went back to work, he wanted to be fresh and alert.
They walked out onto the lido deck and the party had already started. The music was loud and the drinks were everywhere. The guys found a waitress and their vacation was in full swing. Gavin waited for his drink and then walked over to the railing to look out at the water as the ship began to move.
The water was so beautiful. It made him think about his time in Hawaii at his Cousin Chris' house. He loved the blue color of the water and was looking forward to the beach.
He scanned the crowd and his eyes stopped on a woman sitting on a lounge chair, reading a book. Gavin chuckled to himself. There was a huge party going on all around her, and she sat there as if she were alone. How could someone read like that, he wondered? There was something about her. She looked nothing like any of the women he had ever been with.
Usually, women who came around trying to pick him up were dressed to impress. They had their hair, makeup, and nails perfect while they strutted in their designer clothes. Those women knew he had money, and that was all that mattered to them.
Gavin and his friends were from Pennsylvania, and the women around them knew who they were. It was nice to know that on the cruise, he would just be a regular guy. There would be no expectations of him from anyone.
The woman on the ship had on shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops on the ground next to her. She had long, brown hair tied back into a ponytail, a dark pair of sunglasses on, and no makeup. He liked the way the woman sat there by herself, doing what she wanted, not letting any of the noise and chaos affect her.
The ship moved slowly as everyone screamed and shouted. Gavin looked out over the water and felt a calm come over his whole body.
***
Becky sat back in her lounge chair, on the lido deck, reading her book. She loved the feel of the sun against her skin and the heat on her body as she relaxed. She was so happy to finally be on her vacation. Her things were put in her room, where she would spend the next seven days. She planned on visiting the beaches and reading on the lido deck, while relaxing every moment. It was loud as everyone partied around her. She liked being among all of the noise as the ship took its move into the beautiful water. She loved the thought of being on the open water with nothing to see for miles. Becky had splurged the extra bit so that she could get a room with a private balcony. She planned to spend a ton of time using it. Maybe she would sleep out there, with the breeze blowing through her hair.
She was alone on the cruise, and that was the best part. Becky didn't want anyone around to bother her. She planned on spending all of her time alone. Her life was changing, and the vacation was a present to herself to celebrate the beginning of her new life. She had recently gotten out of a very serious relationship and decided on a new start in a new location. Originally, she was from Michigan, but when she looked for a new job, to go with her new start, the best opportunity she found was in Pennsylvania. She had already made the move into an apartment and had everything in place. Her new job would begin just after her vacation was over. She was very excited about her new beginning and her trip was the perfect thing to kick it off.
Becky promised herself that she would not commit to another relationship for at least a year. That way she had time to live for herself, without having to be concerned with anyone else. She had too many things she was interested in, to tie herself down to someone else. She did not promise herself that she would avoid sex or one night stands, just no relationships. She didn't feel like dealing with any feelings for a long time. The cruise was the first thing on her list of things to do. Take a vacation by herself. If she had brought anyone with her, she would have to work around what they wanted to do. Being alone, it was all about her and what she wanted.
She loved reading. It took her mind off things and helped her to relax. Becky could read anywhere and never felt interrupted. The noise in the background was actually kind of nice. She could tell everyone around her was having a great time. Her face was in the book, but she could feel someone watching her. She looked up through her dark sunglasses to see a very nice looking man look directly at her. There was no way he could see her eyes through the glasses. He was probably wondering why she was reading, she thought. She knew if she kept her nose in the book, he would go away eventually. She continued reading and had forgotten all about him, as she laughed into her book. She loved when a book pulled emotions out of her, either happy or sad. When she caught herself laughing, she noticed the man was still looking at her. Move along dude, she thought to herself. It was pretty obvious that she was busy. A few moments later, she saw a shadow move next to her and sit down.
“Hello, I'm Gavin,” he said.
Why do I attract losers, she thought to herself? There were tons of women jumping around in bikinis already drunk. Why did this guy have to sit next to her?
“I'm Becky,” she said, not lifting her eyes from the book.
“How can you read with so much noise around you?” he asked.
“It's easy,” she replied.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked.
“No thanks,” she replied.
“Are you here by yourself?” he asked.
Seriously, dude go away. They hadn't even left port yet. She was in no mood for anyone's crap. Her relaxing time was being interrupted.
“It's much easier to read when nobody is talking to you,” she said, still not looking up from her book.
“Sorry to bother you,” he snapped, as he stood up and walked away.
***
Gavin walked back over to find his friends, grumbling away. What the hell was her problem, he asked himself? He was just trying to be friendly. She didn't have to be so rude. What was the chip on her shoulder? They were on a cruise. It should be fun and carefree, not mean and moody. He turned to look back at her, but she was gone. How did she disappear so quickly, he wondered?
He went to the bar and got a drink, as he spotted Ethan talking to a woman at the end of the bar. Gavin rolled his eyes, grabbed his drink, and got up to walk around. On his way past the crowd, he saw the other three guys talking to other people. He was aggravated by the way Becky had brushed him off and then disappeared. He could have many other women, so why was he even letting that bother him? Gavin didn't feel like hanging out and decided to go to his room and take his drink out on his balcony. Usually, he loved all the noise, but for some reason, he wanted to sit in quiet. On his way to his balcony, he sat his drink of the counter in his room and sprawled back out across his bed.
Chapter 2
Gavin opened his eyes and
looked up at the clock. It was six o'clock in the morning. He closed his eyes and opened them again, as he focused on the clock. How did he sleep so long, he asked himself? It had been twelve hours. He never slept that long. Shocked by how long he slept, he realized that he had missed dinner. Why had his friends not come to get him? He threw on some shorts and a t-shirt and went to get something to eat. His plate was packed as he headed to find a table. He sat down with his food, coffee, and a book. He finished eating and was getting ready to leave, when he heard someone sit at the table behind him. He turned around to see Becky. She never looked up from her plate as she opened her book and started reading. He was surprised to see her again. There was something about her that attracted him. He stood up from the table and turned to her.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Good morning,” she responded, not looking up from her book.
“Are you getting off the ship today in Nassau?” he asked.
“Yes. I am going to the beach,” she replied.
“Have you ever been on a cruise before?” he asked.
“No. This is my first one,” she said.
“Did you come by yourself or with a group?” he asked.
She looked up from her book with her lips pursed together, as she rolled her eyes.
“No offense, but I am not looking to flirt or hook up or anything. I came on this cruise to relax, alone,” she replied.
“I was just making conversation,” he replied, letting out a loud breath as he moved past her.
Gavin shook his head. He saw her look up at him as he walked away. What was her problem? It irritated him that she was so cranky with him. He went back to his room, took a quick shower, and got dressed. He still had not heard from the guys, so he started knocking on their doors. John opened his door half asleep, and Gavin could see a pair of female legs hanging off his bed. Ethan never answered his door. Heath was up, dressed, and ready to go. Josh opened the door, but decided he was staying on the ship to get over his hangover. Heath knew Gavin wanted to go to the beach, so as soon as the boat docked in Nassau, they were on their way.
What Happened After Vegas? (Unexpected Love #2) Page 12