Saved by Love (Bachelor Billionaire Kids #1)

by Sharon Cummin

  Gabe finished college and had decided to move from Michigan to California to start his own business. I was so happy that he was going to be doing what he loved without having to answer to anyone. He'd loved web development and graphics ever since he'd first gotten onto a computer. It was something he was very passionate about. I was more into the financial aspects of business than anything else. He'd offered me a job at his company. I thought about going so I could be close to him. There were only two reasons I declined his offer.

  The first reason being our grandparents. They were both having health issues and I was afraid to leave them alone. My grandma begged me to go. She didn't want me to pass up the opportunity of being with Gabe as he started his company. She didn't know they weren't the only reason I'd said no.

  The second and biggest reason I stayed behind was named Doug. He was Gabe's best friend and had been our entire lives. Growing up, Doug was it for me. He was my first and only crush. He was the man I thought in my heart I would end up spending my life with. He was the first boy to kiss me. We were sixteen and he left for the summer to stay with his father. I couldn't wait for him to come back. I counted down the days. Something changed in him while he was gone. When he came back, he was different. He was distant with me, and nothing was ever the same again. It didn't change how much I liked him. He was still Doug, and I still knew we were destined to be together. There was nothing the boy could do to make him less than perfect in my eyes. That was what I thought anyway. By the time we graduated high school, he'd proven me wrong. My crush was gone and was replaced with more disgust than I'd felt for anyone else in my life. He'd hurt me, and there was nothing he could have done to take that hurt away.

  I'd been able to avoid Doug all through college. I stayed at school even during the summers. It was awesome. Gabe had gone to college close to home, so he'd been with my grandparents. Doug had gone to school with him. We'd all graduated, and I'd come back home. Being around Doug was awful. I'd seen him move from woman to woman those three years. Just seeing his face made my stomach sick.

  When Gabe announced that he was starting a company in California, I didn't know what to think. It was going to be hard to be away from him. I'd done it in college, but that wasn't a five hour plane flight away. I was going to miss him so much. It wasn't easy knowing he was leaving. The one thing saving me was knowing Doug was going with him. I knew he'd have someone right there all the way. Doug would always have his back. Gabe was the one person he'd never screw over. That I was sure of. It was me he didn't mind hurting. I knew with Doug across the country, I could move on with my life. I wouldn't have to see women hanging on his every word or hear his disgusting mouth. That was my decision maker. I wanted a life, and with him gone it would be easier. If I never saw him again, it would be perfect. I'd never let anyone make me feel the way he did, not ever again.

  Chapter 1

  Gabby

  I sat in the quiet, cold funeral home looking down at my hands in my lap. Five years had gone by since my brother Gabe had moved to California. If I knew where I'd be just five short years later, I never would have turned down his offer. I would have gone with him. I would have watched him move to success from right by his side. I wouldn't have let anything hold me back. The tears were sliding down my cheeks. I could feel them, but I never moved to dry them. All I had to do was get through one day. Then I'd go back to my apartment and lock myself away from the rest of the world.

  Gabe was all I had. He was my twin. He was my family. Both of my grandparents had passed away in the five years he'd been gone. I'd been married and divorced in that time as well. My life was a mess as it was, and I had no idea how I was going to make it without the only person that mattered to me. How could he have done it, I thought? How could he have left me? Didn't he know how much I needed him? He probably didn't. I hadn't told him enough. Even though we talked every couple of days, I hadn't let him know how important he was to me. I'd never gone to visit him either. He'd come to see me every few months. Those were the times that really mattered. He was my brother, and I loved him more than he ever knew.

  When I received the call that he'd passed away, I felt the last little piece of life inside of me die with him. I couldn't believe it was true. He was so young and successful. He had his whole life ahead of him. How could a thirty year old lose control of his car? Why wasn't he paying attention? I was so angry and hurt. He knew he was all I had. How could he leave me too? I knew all of my thoughts were selfish, but that didn't stop them from moving through my mind. They said it was an accident, it wasn't his fault. All I knew was that everything that mattered was gone. It should have been me, I thought. I would have given anything to take his place.

  I'd told the funeral director that I wanted my brother cremated. That was my only request. Other than that, Doug was to do the planning. I was relieved that Doug had only planned one day. I was sure it was to get back to his life in California, but I didn't care. I wasn't sure I could have sat through two days or a funeral. Just sitting in the same room was too much. I hadn't been able to walk to the front. I'd sat down in the very back of the room, and that was where I stayed. I couldn't see him. I just couldn't say goodbye to him.

  I could hear people talking, but I couldn't tell you what they were saying. If Doug hadn't been there, Gabe wouldn't have had a sendoff at all. Doug had a smile on his face as he greeted people. I'd heard them all talking about what a great guy Gabe was. Those people didn't give a shit about him. They were just doing what they felt they were obligated to do. When Doug laughed and talked about my brother being so amazing, I wanted to get up and punch him in the face. Why was he the one that got to see Gabe every day? Why was he the one with all of the memories and stories? Why was he the one that was with my brother through his success? Because I was too big of a wuss, that was why. I should have gone to California. I shouldn't have cared who else was there. That was selfish of me. Look where it left me. I'd lost five years of memories. Gabe was gone, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

  I'd done fine for myself. I had a great job at a very successful company. What good was that doing though? I'd never have that time back with Gabe. I had no family left. It was just me against the world.

  Tears ran down my cheeks the entire day. I had no idea that it was even possible to cry so much. I hadn't cried that much any other time in my life. I thought I hurt in high school when Doug had crushed my heart. I'd cried when I lost each of my grandparents. None of that even came close to comparing to the loss I was feeling. My brother was gone.

  When I felt a hand touch my shoulder, I jumped in my seat. I knew who it was. There was something in his touch. Even after all those years, I still felt a weird jolt when he touched me. I jerked my shoulder away from him and didn't look up. I felt him lean down next to me and shivered.

  “I'm sorry, Gabby,” Doug whispered. “If you want to see Gabe, you have to do it now.”

  I shook my head no.

  “Gabby,” he said with emotion in his voice, as he reached for my chin and moved it so he could see my eyes. “Everyone is gone. You need to see him.”

  Our eyes connected, and I could see how hard that day had been on him too. Don't feel sorry for him, I thought. He's the reason you haven't seen Gabe. He's the one with your memories. He doesn't care.

  “No,” I snapped.

  “Fuck,” he whispered, as he let go of my face and stood.

  I looked up through my lashes to see Doug standing at the casket. His hands were on top of my brother's. I watched his shoulders shake. Then I heard his sniffles and saw one hand move up to his eyes. Then I started crying harder. I couldn't take it anymore, I had to get out of there. I couldn't accept that my brother was in that casket. He was gone. The entire time I'd hoped he'd sit up and it would all have been one of his jokes, but he never did it. He was really gone. I looked up one last time to see Doug saying goodbye to Gabe before turning in a daze and moving my feet as fast as I could away from there.

  A Love
Rekindled (The Game of Love #1)

  Chapter 1

  Jessica

  Jessica stood as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was Friday night, and she had been invited to a Christmas party. Her friend Linda, from work, was having all of her friends over for an evening celebration. Jessica had not been out in months. Her friends from work tried to get her to go out with them often, but she always turned them down. She liked being at home with her son. He was her everything. That was what she had always told them.

  Her sister Renee talked her into going to the party. She knew Jessica needed to get out and have a little grown up time. Renee was two years younger than Jessica, and they had been best friends their entire lives. Anytime Jessica needed her little sister, she was there. Renee volunteered to watch her favorite nephew for the night, so that that Jessica would go out and be with her friends. Jessica didn't want to hurt her friend Linda's feelings, so she agreed to go to the party. She figured if she stayed for a few minutes, she could leave without anyone noticing.

  The doorbell rang and snapped Jessica from her thoughts. She ran and opened the door. It was her sister Renee. She had her hands full of pizza boxes and bags.

  “Where is my favorite nephew?” Renee called out.

  “I'm right here,” a cute, little, brown haired, blue eyed boy shouted, as he ran up to hug her.

  “I brought pizza, soda, popcorn, and candy,” she said. “We are going to have some fun.”

  The little boy laughed and ran back into the living room.

  “You better not feed him all of that stuff,” Jessica snapped.

  “We are going to have fun. I don't get to spend as much time with him now,” Renee said. “Go get ready for your party.”

  “I am ready,” Jessica said.

  “You are wearing jeans a sweater to a party with your work friends?” Renee asked.

  “I am not staying long. This is fine,” Jessica said.

  “No,” Renee said, as she put the boxes and most of the bags down.

  There was a dress bag wrapped around her arm. She held it out with another bag toward her sister.

  “This is what you are wearing,” Renee said. “Go get dressed.”

  Jessica blew out a sigh, took the stuff from her sister, and headed to her bedroom. What did it matter what she wore, she thought? There was nobody she needed to impress. She wasn't even planning to stay. Aggravated, she took off her clothes and pulled out the dress. It was beautiful, she thought. The dress was knee length and a very pretty red. Jessica put it on and looked into the mirror. She smiled at herself. It did look much better than jeans. The front was a little lower cut than she would have liked. Her sister always wore things more revealing than her, so she was not surprised. In the bag was a pair of heels, necklace, and very cute little round earrings. She put everything on and finished getting ready.

  As she looked at herself, she started to feel a little better about going out. She decided to do her hair and put on a little more makeup. By the time she was done, she had a huge smile on her face. Maybe it would be a fun night after all. She would do her best to have a great time. It was the first time she had been out in months, and she was actually looking forward to it. She felt pretty.

  Jessica walked into the kitchen and her sister let out a whistle.

  “Now, you are ready,” Renee said, as she laughed. “You look beautiful. That dress was made for you. It shows all of your amazing curves, and your ass looks juicy.”

  “Thank you,” Jessica said, as she laughed. “I am glad you approve of my ass. It is a beautiful dress. You have such good taste.”

  “Of course I do,” Renee laughed. “Go have a great time. We will be here having fun. Please try to enjoy yourself.”

  “I will,” Jessica said. “I feel weird that I don't have a date. I don't want to be the only single woman there.”

  “I'm sure you won't be the only one without a date,” Renee said. “Maybe there will be a super sexy hottie there for you. If not you can always go home with John from work. He has been into you forever.”

  “That's not funny,” Jessica replied. “You know I don't feel that way toward him.”

  “Get out of here,” Renee said. “Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”

  They both laughed as Jessica hugged her son and left for the party.

  Chapter 2

  Jessica

  Jessica pulled up to her friend Linda's house. She parked her car as she thought about her life. Since high school, she had accomplished so much and was proud of herself. She had gotten a job in an office as a scared teenager. Seven years later, she had worked herself into management. She had become strong and confident. That scared little girl was gone. She owned her own home and had taken care of her and her son. Surely, she could get through a tiny party.

  She let out a deep, nervous breath as she got out of her car. Only stay for a little while, and then you can leave. She had no idea why she was so nervous about going alone. Her friends at work knew she was single. It was not a big secret. She still felt weird about going into the party without a date. Jessica walked up the steps to the front door and froze. Maybe she should just go back home, she thought. Before she could turn around, the door swung open, and Linda reached out and grabbed her arm.

  Linda pulled her into the house. There was music playing and laughter everywhere. Linda had her house decorated for the holiday, with cute things everywhere. Jessica was surprised at how many people were already there. The party had just started. Linda walked her to the bar area so she knew where to get her drinks. Then, she pulled her off to meet people. Jessica had no idea how she was going to remember all of the names Linda was throwing at her. She met so many new people. Linda was so proud of her party, and she was having such a great time.

  Jessica laughed as she walked over to her group of friends from work. She was the manager in their department, but nobody would ever know watching them. They all got along really well. Tammy, Leslie, and John were already there. Their friend Heather would be there later with her date. A few more people were supposed to be going also. They were surprised to see her all dressed up. She felt beautiful for the first time in a long time. John ran off and came back with a drink for her. He made sure to tell her how beautiful she looked. She took the drink and thanked him. He was very nice to her. She did not know why she had not given him a chance. He really liked her and was always concerned with her and how she was doing. It was not that he was not attractive. Many of the ladies at work liked him. He was tall and muscular. His hair was dark and his eyes were blue. He was very attractive. No matter how many times she turned him down, he still tried to get her to go out with him. He would laugh and joke about it, but she knew he was serious. She thought he was super sweet. Her sister thought she was crazy for not going out with him. Renee would joke about how good he would be in bed. Jessica would always tell her to be quiet. Jessica caught him looking at her several times during the party as they all talked. There was nothing wrong with him. If she was going to date, he would be her first choice. Jessica didn't care how many times he asked her out, she would always say no. Love was not in her future. She saw no reason to put her heart out there for someone to tear it up and throw it back at her. Her life was just fine the way it was.

  Leslie grabbed Jessica's arm and pulled her off to dance. Tammy and John joined them as well. They all danced like crazy. Every few songs, they would stop to grab a drink and talk. Jessica was having an amazing time. It was nice to not think about stress for an evening. She was happy her sister had talked her into going. The night was turning out to be so much fun. A slow song came on, and John pulled her toward him. They laughed as he spun her and pulled her back in. She felt so pretty and confident. It was the first time she had really let herself go around her friends from work. They were shocked by how well she could dance. She agreed to let them take her out to a club one day. Jessica was actually looking forward to it. She continued to dance with John. Jessica heard the door bell and saw Linda bring Hea
ther and her date in as John dipped her. She felt her body freeze as she heard Heather's date laugh. Jessica would know that laugh anywhere. He came into view and their eyes connected.

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