“A penny for your thoughts,” her dad said, as he walked up beside her. “You're going to burn that food if you're not paying attention. What has my little girl standing here staring off like that?”
“Nothing,” she said. “I was just trying to remember if I did something at work.”
“Not today,” he said. “Today is your day off.”
The two guys came barreling down the stairs laughing just as Gracie walked out of the kitchen with her hands full.
“How's your boy, Gracie?” Gavin asked with a smile she wanted to smack right off his face. “The college man.”
“He's fine,” she said. “He likes his classes.”
“You've been talking to him?” Gavin asked.
“I have,” she said. “He started emailing me right after you fools left. We go back and forth every few days.”
“I thought you preferred writing on paper and not the computer,” Gavin said.
“I do,” she said. “He likes to email.”
“Maybe he'll be your Prince Charming,” Gavin said with sarcasm. “Check him out saving the day and checking on you while your big brother is away.”
“Shut up about that punk,” Jack snapped. “He better not be saving anything except himself.”
“Leave her alone,” Gracie's mom said. “I think it's sweet.”
“It is,” Becky added.
“Bullshit,” Gracie's dad mumbled. “Ethan's boy will not be doing anything with my little girl. You remember how his dad was.”
“I sure do,” Gavin's dad said. “He's with my sister. Watch his ass, Jack.”
“I will,” Jack said. “Not happening.”
“If it's not him, it will be someone else,” Gracie said, as she walked back into the kitchen to get something else.
“What are you trying to do to me?” her dad asked. “Enough about Gracie and guys. I don't need to be thinking about that. She doesn't have time for boys. She works every chance she can.”
“Boys,” Gracie said. “Really, dad. I don't think so. Men not boys.”
“Gracie,” her mom snapped out. “Do you want your poor father's head to explode. Be quiet about that when he's here.”
“Dinner,” Jack said. “We should be quiet and just eat dinner.”
“I agree,” Gavin added.
“You men are all crazy,” Gracie said.
“I'm happy you two are home,” her dad said.
“Thanks,” Jack said.
“It's not what you think,” Josh said. “Gracie made something you two love, and that makes me happy. She's been experimenting every Sunday, and those three haven't figured it out yet.”
“She is not,” Becky said.
Gracie couldn't help the smile she knew was covering her face.
“Gracie,” her mom said. “Is your dad telling the truth?”
“Some of that food has not been good, and the three of you smile every time,” Gracie answered. “Your supposed to be honest. What if I thought it was really good and served it in one of the restaurants. Good thing dad always tells me when it's crap.”
The entire table was laughing and having fun by the time dinner was over. Gracie wasn't looking forward to her brother being gone again, and if she was being honest, the other guy being gone was bothering her a bit too.
The guys had only been gone again for a few days when she stopped at the store on the way home from work and bought a bunch of Jack's favorite snacks and things she knew he'd need as well. He was only states away. She told herself over and over that she could drive to see him if she missed him that much. It really did help.
She got home and packed a huge box. Then she wrote a letter to send to Jack with the box. She hadn't fallen right into bed that night and was actually looking forward to her brother getting what she'd bought. It was ready to go. She thought about what Jack said and grabbed a piece of paper to write to Gavin. The smart ass in her took over as she began.
Gavin,
I'm writing you so I can write to Jack. I sent him a box full of good stuff. If you're really his best friend, he'll share with you. Better hurry before it's all gone. Hope you're working out so the other guys don't squash you.
Gracie
She laughed again as she sealed the envelope. It was ready to go. She quickly checked her phone to see if Ethan had emailed back. He had, so she typed a quick message and sent it. Gavin was right, she thought. She really did like writing letters and sending them in the mail. How did he even know that, she wondered?
Chapter 5
Gavin
Gavin had just come in from working out when he saw the envelope on his bed. He looked over at Jack's bed and saw a huge open box.
“Who sent you that?” Gavin asked.
“Gracie,” Jack said. “Check this stuff out. She got all my favorites. Come get some.”
Gavin grabbed his envelope. He knew who it was from and was pretty sure he also knew what it said. When he read it, he burst into laughter. Then he walked over to Jack and showed it to him.
“That girl needed way more spankings growing up,” Gavin said.
“She's so funny,” Jack said. “She knew damn well I'd share with you.”
It didn't matter that she'd made it clear he got an envelope because Jack said it had to happen, it still lightened the mood Gavin had been in that day. He was missing his family, most likely because he'd seen them recently and was trying to get used to a new place. He grabbed a few snacks from the box, walked back to his bed, sat down, and grabbed some paper.
“What are you doing?” Jack asked.
“Writing her sassy ass back,” Gavin answered.
“Go easy on her,” Jack said. “My mom said she's having a hard time with me being gone.”
“Sure,” Gavin said, as he shook his head. “I'll go easy on her. Her and her letters.”
“I'm emailing her,” Jack said. “It will get there faster, it's easier, and it'll get on her nerves. You really going to write it out?”
“Sure am,” Gavin answered.
“You're just kissing up so she'll send stuff you like.”
“Whatever,” Gavin said, actually looking forward to messing with her.
Gracie,
Thank you for the loving note. How's your boy? Is he taking good care of you? Jack shared everything with me. I made it just in time. It was great. I'm eating while I write this actually. We're working hard, and nobody has squashed me yet. Before you know it, I'll be bigger than your boy. I'll be so damn muscular that I'll be the one your dreaming about at night. How's work? How's the family? Make sure you put some stuff I like in Jack's box next time.
Your super muscular, forced pen pal,
Gavin
He smeared some of the chocolate from his cookie on the paper and quickly stamped and sent his letter out. It would take a day or two for her to get it and then another few days to get one back. The more he thought about it, he wanted to email her. That was what everyone else was doing. It wasn't what she liked though. Gracie liked getting letters in the mail, she always had.
Gavin grabbed his stuff and hurried to the showers. He couldn't help but wonder what Gracie was doing at that moment. She was probably working, he thought to himself. He let the scalding hot water pour over his sore muscles as he soaked in the heat. He'd been working a lot and was in the gym the rest of the time. As he fell into bed, his mind went back to Gracie and her letter. He knew the next letter he got would be even more sarcastic, and part of him couldn't wait to get it.
Chapter 6
Gracie
When Gracie got her letter from Gavin, she had been having a rough day and was really missing Jack. She opened it just before climbing into bed and instantly burst into laughter at the chocolate stain and his words. She'd been getting messages from Ethan and Jack. Ethan's were her favorite of course, but there was something special about getting a letter in the mail. She like seeing Gavin's handwriting. He never could have sent the chocolate proof in an email either. Gracie grabbed some pap
er and a pen, got under the covers, and thought about what she wanted to say to him.
Gavin,
That cookie must have been pretty good if you couldn't even get it all into your mouth. Nice job on the paper. You're right about one thing, you're going to be bigger than Ethan if you keep eating like that. He's doing just fine. I hear from him every couple of days. I don't know about taking care of me though. Do you have anything specific you'd like to find in Jack's box? I know what you like already but thought I'd ask anyway. I guess I could get you one thing. That way you'll leave my brother's stuff alone. Work is okay. I work every waking moment. It's easier than worrying about what you're doing to my brother. You're a bad influence. The families are good. Poor Nate tries to get out of dinner every Sunday. Some days they let him, others he's stuck with me. I think our moms having dinner once a week helps them cope with their boys being gone. I have to get some sleep. Back to work bright and early. Make sure you get in a few extra workouts from all that cookie eating. I wouldn't want a girl to beat you up.
Your junk food sender,
Gracie
She mailed the letter on the way to her first restaurant the following day.
The following month, she found herself hurrying home after work to see if she got anything other than bills in the mail. It was beginning to excite her more than looking through her email for a message from Ethan or Jack. Her letters back and forth with Gavin were always filled with smart-ass comments and tons of laughs. She'd even gone out and gotten special paper to write him back on. Some of the things he'd joked about wanting her to send in Jack's next box were too funny. She knew he was just trying to get her to embarrass Jack.
Christmas was coming, and neither of the guys were coming home. She wasn't sure what she was going to do without her brother. There was no way he wasn't getting a box packed with his favorites again. She decided to go shopping, and while she was out, she burst into laughter in the middle of a store when an idea popped into her head. Several people looked at her like she was crazy. Her quick trip turned into a couple of hours as she traveled to several different stores. When she got home, she had two big boxes open and ready to be packed. Once she was done, she put a letter in each of them and taped them up. It would be a few days before she'd hear back, and she was giddy with excitement each time she checked the mail.
Chapter 7
Gavin
Gavin was exhausted after a long day of work. He was missing his family and knew they'd all be around the table, with the whole crew, eating a holiday feast. The only thing saving him was knowing Jack was with him. He was even missing his twin sisters and little brother. Part of him wasn't real excited about Gracie and Ethan being together. He knew she said they'd messaged back and forth, and he knew they didn't live close, but that didn't stop him from feeling a tinge of jealousy. He tried not to feel it, but he couldn't help it.
When he walked through the door and looked over at Jack's bed, he saw a box. Jack was damn lucky to have his little sister. Gavin had set her straight in one letter about him being the bad influence. Growing up, Jack had been the one chasing girls. He couldn't wait to see what she'd sent Jack. She'd asked what he wanted, and he'd told her some silly shit just so he could see Jack's face knowing his little sister had sent it. He'd never know it was Gavin who'd told her to do it.
Gavin was walking toward Jack's bed when he saw a box on his own. Maybe his parents had sent him something, he thought. When he walked over and looked at the labels, he saw that it was from Gracie. He couldn't help the excitement that filled him and ripped into it. There was a letter, but he threw it to the side. Each thing inside was wrapped. He tore into the first package to find a pack of playing cards with naked men on them. Jack burst into laughter when he walked up and saw them in Gavin's hand.
“Who the heck sent you that?” Jack asked.
Gavin grabbed out the next thing and ripped into the wrapping. It was a stack of dirty magazines, but not the kind he wanted. He shook his head and looked up at Jack.
“Seriously, who sent you that stuff?” Jack asked again.
“Just a friend from back home,” Gavin said, trying to get Jack to walk away.
He put the box up by his pillow.
“I'm going to call my parents,” he said.
“Aren't you going to open the rest?” Jack asked.
“I will later,” Gavin answered.
“Gracie called earlier,” Jack said. “I'm going to open what she sent and call her back.”
Gavin got up and walked out the door. He didn't need to go anywhere but had to get away from Jack. What would he think if he saw what his sister had sent his best friend, he wondered? When he walked back in, Jack looked over at him.
“Let's see what else is in the box,” Jack said.
“Later,” Gavin said.
“I know who it's from. I can't remember the last time I heard her ass laugh that hard.”
“She's horrible,” Gavin said with a shake of his head.
“You didn't tell her you wanted that shit so I'd be embarrassed?” Jack asked. “Open the box.”
There was a pair of boxers that were three sizes too big. Then there was a cookie shaped like a dick. She'd even made the damn thing. He was afraid to open the next one, but Jack kept pushing. Relief washed over him. The rest were actually his favorite cookies, candies, and other treats.
“I didn't mention these,” Gavin said.
“She knows your favorites,” Jack said. “You've been around her since you were born.”
“I know,” Gavin said. “Payback is a bitch.”
“That's my sister,” Jack snapped.
“Did you see what she did to me?”
“Yeah,” Jack said. “It was hilarious.”
“I don't want to hear it,” Gavin said. “Your ass better be ready.”
Gavin grabbed some paper and a pen.
Gracie,
You better watch your back. That is all I have to say. When you least expect it, I will get you back. Did Ethan get a box of his own too? If so, I hope it was just like mine. Your brother was standing there when I opened it, and that was before you told him it was from you. I can't believe you did that to me. Paybacks are coming. Bwahahahahaha. I guess I'm moving up in the world, I got my own box. Thanks for the letter and my real favorites. I'm going to be enjoying every single one of them. Today was a pretty rough day, and I was feeling pretty shitty. You made up for that. Thank you! I guess your not just writing me because you have to now. Do I get an award for that or something? I can see you all sitting around the table right now. Ethan's ass better be on the other side like he always has been. Believe me, I love what I do. I'm helping people. I do miss being at dinner though. Please tell me you did not make cheesecake for that punk to eat. I bet you cooked a great meal. You really should take a day off after all that. I get the feeling you won't though. Have a great holiday!
Your very embarrassed but excited pen pal,
Gavin
A few mornings later, Gavin called the flower shop closest to where Gracie lived and made a huge request. He knew they were going to charge him a small fortune, but it would be so worth it. He'd never called Gracie and she'd never called him, but he knew that was about to change.
Jack was sitting next to him eating when his phone rang. He looked at it and burst into laughter.
“Who is it?” Jack asked.
“Your sister,” Gavin answered.
“You didn't?” Jack asked roughly.
“Hello,” Gavin said, as he put the phone on speaker.
There were a few other guys sitting close by, and Gavin held his finger up to his lips to let them know to be quiet.
“I can't fucking believe you,” she yelled into the phone.
“Aren't you supposed to write those feelings out?” Gavin asked.
“Screw you,” she snapped. “The one damn time I go out with a friend, I come home to find that at my apartment door.”
“What's that?” he asked.
“You know what,” she said. “I'm going to kick your ass. I'm going to come there and let all those military men see you get your ass kicked by a girl. That balloon was a giant dick, Gavin. Not to mention all the little dicks mixed in with the flowers.”
“I sent you flowers though,” he said.
“With little dicks in them,” she said. “Is that how big your dick is? Is it tiny like...”
“My dick is far from small, Gracie Rose,” he said sternly, cutting her off. “If you want, I'll prove that shit the next time...”
“Bullshit you will,” Jack yelled out.
“I can't believe you,” she squealed. “My brother can hear us.”
“All the guys can hear you,” Jack said.
“You will not get another box from me, Gavin,” she snapped out.
All the guys burst into laughter.
“You're all nasty,” she said.
He got up and took off with his phone.
“Come on, Gracie,” he said. “You know I was just getting you back for what you did to me. Don't put me back in the no box category. You know you love me.”
“I do not,” she said.
“Yes you do,” he said. “You know that shit would have been funny if it wasn't you.”
She didn't say anything for a minute.
“Come on, Gracie Rose,” he said. “I got you good.”
“I guess you did,” she said with defeat in her voice.
“Do you forgive me?” he asked.
“I'm not sure. I can't believe you said you were going to show me how big your dick was in front of my brother. You probably should get him to forgive you. Me on the other hand, I'll be expecting you to prove it's not tiny.”
Gracie burst into laughter, and he couldn't help but laugh too.
“I most definitely will,” he said.
She instantly stopped laughing.
“I was joking,” she said.
“I wasn't,” he said. “You better be ready. When I see you next, your hand will be on my cock. You won't be talking shit about a little dick anymore. I bet I'd put your boy to shame over there.”
Saved by Love (Bachelor Billionaire Kids #1) Page 3