Back to Me without you (Sibling Love Book 1)

by Christie Mack

  “Thanks.” Jessica said, embracing both of her older siblings into one last hug before she became a married woman.

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” Steven declared. “We don’t want to keep your husband-to-be waiting any longer than he already has.”

  Jessica giggled. “No, we wouldn’t want that.” She drew in a deep breath. sucking her tummy in. “I’m ready.”

  Abby held her sister’s hand in a bolstering way. “I’ll see you out there, Sis,” she said with one final smile. Then she left the room, getting ready for her own walk down the aisle.

  Steven extended his arm out towards his sister and Jessica linked her arms with his.

  “Okay, big brother. I’m ready for you to give me away.”

  “You might be ready, but I don’t know if I’m ready.”

  “There’s no time to play jokes on me now, Steven Carter. You have a job to do and a tough one at that.”

  “I wouldn’t say tough. I’m only stepping into the shoes of Dad. You said it yourself. I look like him.”

  “With Dad not here, I’m glad you’re able to walk me down the aisle. I wouldn’t want to do it alone or have anyone else on my arm but my big brother.”

  The music began to play. Following the lead of Adriana and Raleigh, Abby started her walk down the aisle. She looked towards those standing in the pews with a smile on her face. They weren’t waiting for her. They were waiting for her sister. Abby couldn’t help turn her own focus to the dashing gentlemen at the other end of the chapel.

  Only she was looking at Sam.

  He was gorgeous in jeans and a t-shirt, but he was even more appealing in a suit and tie. And as hard as she had been trying to convince herself to turn away, she couldn’t resist his charming smile and dimples. He was looking right back at her, and Abby was unable to look away despite trying everything in her power to do so.

  She liked that his eyes were on her, like she was the only person who mattered to him.

  Was she someone he couldn’t stop thinking about or just a fun lay to him?

  Shit! It was going to be a hell of a lot harder than she thought to get him out of her head.

  Abby glided down the aisle at a slow pace. Walking past Sam and Justin, she showed them a brief smile before standing on the opposite side. The bridal music began and then Jessica started on her walk down the aisle on Steven’s arm.

  Abby could see her sister was both happy and scared. Getting married was a big decision. She was choosing to settle down with one man. Forever.

  When Jessica made it to the end of the aisle, Abby watched the way Steven kissed her cheek, just as their father would have done if he were here.

  The priest asked who was giving this woman to Justin and both Steven and Abby raised their hands saying, “We do.”

  Fifteen minutes into the ceremony Jessica and Justin recited the traditional vows. The song Marry Me by Train played quietly through the sound system.

  “I, Jessica, take thee Justin to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better or for worse. For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”

  One lone tear ran down Abby’s cheek. She knew those vows meant a lot to Jessica. Abby couldn’t help but allow her eyes to wander over towards Sam, who was doing his best to keep his attention on his brother and Jessica.

  She would have liked to know what he was thinking right then. Was hearing those vows tough for him? Especially when he had said them not so long ago and it hadn’t worked out?

  When the ceremony ended and the priest announced Jessica and Justin as Mr. and Mrs. Collins, everyone applauded them. They shared a passionate kiss. More applause, cheers and whistles sounded within the walls of the church. Then Jessica and Justin walked down the aisle, followed by the bridal party, including Abby and Sam.

  Abby breathed deeply as she walked arm and arm with Sam. She couldn’t allow herself to get worked up over someone she would never see again after today.

  She would get over Sam just as she had with every other man who’d walked into and out of her life. She knew she was better off alone. She didn’t need a man to be happy. Sam would go back to New York and to his normal life as a leading cardiologist, where he would most likely resume his womanizing ways.

  He was just not the man for her and the sooner she realized this, the better off she’d be.

  Photos were over. The reception was in full swing. Sam’s brother and new sister-in-law had entered the room earlier as husband and wife, their faces bright with joy. Sam couldn’t be happier for his little brother.

  What Sam wouldn’t give to have that kind of love and happiness in his own life. There was a time when he assumed he and India would be happy together. Then it came crashing down around him. Now Sam wasn’t sure if he was ever going to be able to commit to another relationship, let alone marriage.

  Sam watched as Justin and Jessica took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. He couldn’t help but look over at Abby. She seemed enamoured with the sight in front of her.

  Something spurred him to action. He had to ask Abby to dance.

  His fingers were tingling and his voice was trembling with fear. It wasn’t something he was used to. His job demanded nerves of steel. Although, he suspected that Abby was worth the jangled nerves. He knew he wanted to spend more time with her.

  When Sam asked her to dance, he totally caught Abby by surprise. She hesitated, but then decided one dance wouldn’t hurt.

  She let him lead her out onto the dance floor where Jessica and Justin were already dancing.

  When he took her into his arms, she couldn’t help but notice how well she seemed to fit against his body. Was the universe trying to tell her something?

  Fuck. Her mind and body were conspiring against her and Abby did not like it at all.

  He tuned his movements to hers in a slow rhythmic pattern, and they glided across the dance floor in sync with each other.

  He placed his hand on the small of her back and for a flash, Abby could feel herself swept up in the moment. It was almost as though they were an actual couple rather than just the brother and sister of the bride and groom. Abby relaxed a little in his presence. Her arms hooked around his neck.

  She hadn’t realized that Sam knew how to dance, but he was very graceful on his feet. She wished she could say the same thing about her own dance skills.

  Shivers raced through Abby’s body when she realized Jessica was watching them.

  But Jessica wasn’t frowning. Instead, she was smiling.

  Could Jessica see the chemistry between Sam and Abby? Tomorrow she’d most likely get the third degree from her, so it was a good thing that she was leaving to go home to New York City.

  Abby spotted her brother make his own way onto the dance floor. His dance partner looked familiar.

  Steven was dancing with Alex—the waitress from the engagement party.

  No one had known she would be serving the guests tonight, but from the look on her brother’s face, he didn’t mind seeing her again.

  Steven would deny that he felt something stronger for Alex than just sex, but his face told a different story. He was caught up in the moment. For the first in a long time, that was something Abby, Steven and Jessica all shared in common.

  As they swayed and glided in the arms of their respective partners, it was as though they were the only three couples on the dance floor.

  The slow music finished, and an upbeat tune started playing over the speakers. Sam took the opportunity to take Abby aside and talk to her.

  He hoped no one would notice them gone for a little while. Half the guests had made their way to the dance floor, joining in with Jessica and Justin’s dancing.

  He led her outside onto a patio through glass doors. Abby hugged her bare arms.

  “You cold?” Sam asked, and before Abby could object, he gave her his tuxedo jacket to cover her shoulders.
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  “Thanks,” she murmured.

  Their eyes met. Sam was unable to look away and he could swear that Abby felt the same. She couldn’t deny whatever it was that was pushing the two of them together.

  What was it about Abby that had him so infatuated with her? He wanted more of her.

  Abby shifted nervously. “So, um, what are we doing out here? I don’t want to sound mean, but I don’t want to miss out on something important that might be happening inside.”

  “I—I like you,” Sam blurted out in a rush. He didn’t mean to be so forward and he usually wasn’t, but it just slipped out before he could do anything about it.

  Maybe it was better to be candid and honest than keep his feelings hidden below the surface.

  “Well, I like you too,” Abby responded. “You’re not as bad as I first thought you were.”

  It was true. Abby was beginning to like Sam. A lot.

  “That’s not what I mean.”

  Abby folded her arms over her body, biting her lower lip. “So what do you mean then?”

  Sam ran a hand through his hair, something he often did when he was making every effort to find the right words. “Maybe when we get back to New York City, we can go out sometime?”

  “Like on a date? I don’t know. My sister made it clear that if we went out, it would be weird.”

  Sam raised one of eyebrow. “I didn’t take you for someone who would listen to their little sister.”

  “Well, it’s not just that, of course. I may as well be frank. I’m not looking for something casual. I want what my sister has found with your brother. I want love in an actual relationship with a man who wants the same. Last time I checked, you told me you didn’t know if you could be in another relationship. So tell me something, Sam. What is it that you want?”

  Sam couldn’t answer that question because he didn’t have a clue. “I don’t know what I want.”

  “I thought that you might say that.” Abby removed his jacket, handing it back to him. She patted his shoulder. “Then you can understand why I do not think it would be a good idea if we saw each other in New York City. We want different things. Good bye, Sam.”

  “I’m going to miss you so much. Are you sure you can’t stay any longer?” Jessica asked as she hugged Abby. They stood in the terminal of Abby’s gate at Sydney International Airport.

  Abby was leaving to go home to New York City. As much as she would have liked to stay longer, she couldn’t. She had a job to get back to, even though she was working away from her home office. She also needed to get back to her cat. Her elderly neighbour had cared him for him while she was gone, so he was fine, but she missed him.

  “You know I would stay longer if I could, but I have meetings with my editor in regards to my next book release. I can’t put it off.” She peered around her sister to see her new brother-in-law standing behind her. “Besides, you won’t miss me that much. You’re married now and you have a honeymoon to go on.”

  “Oh, don’t remind me.” Jessica frowned. Her sister wasn’t thrilled to be camping in the countryside with Justin. Jessica’s idea of a holiday was a five star resort somewhere with lots of shopping and the beach. Of course, Justin hadn’t been able to take too much time away from applying for internships. So a few days away in the country was all they could manage for now.

  “I still can’t believe you’re even going camping,” Steven chimed in with a laugh. “You hated it when we were kids.”

  “Tell me about it. The things you do when you’re in love,” Jessica sighed while falling into her husband’s arms. They were smitten with each other, as all newlyweds were.

  Abby smiled. “You all don’t have to wait around here. My flight doesn’t leave for another hour. I’ve got my iPod and iPad to keep me company.”

  “That’s good because I wasn’t planning to stay,” Steven joked, causing a slap on his back from Jessica.

  Abby rolled her eyes. She loved her brother and his snarky comments. They were usually the highlight of her otherwise dull and boring life. “Bye, Steven. Be good.”

  “I’m always good.”

  “Yeah, well that might change now that you won’t be living with Jessica. So take care and be safe,” Abby cautioned her younger brother, pointing her finger at him.

  “Yes, Mum,” Steven noted. “But last time I checked, you were not my mother. As my older sister, I’m ordering you to have a little more fun too.”

  “Don’t worry, Sis,” Jessica intervened. “I may not be living with Steven anymore but I’ll pop in so much that he’ll get sick of me.”

  “Just as long as you call before coming over. I might be busy entertaining, if you know exactly what I mean,” Steven replied.

  “Well, this has been great, but I’m going to say bye now.” Abby turned to Steven with a stern expression. “Remember I’m just a phone call, e-mail or video chat away. Talk to me any time. I’m usually up most hours plugging away at my writing.”

  Steven embraced Abby. “I know, but you know what I’m like. I’m not much of a talker unless you have to drag it out of me. Although for you, I’ll try.” He winked.

  “That’s all I ask.” Abby then turned to face Justin. She hadn’t expected to like him as much as she did. She had just assumed her sister didn’t know what she was getting into when she got engaged. But he turned out to be the best thing for Jessica. And Abby could see just how much the two of them were in love with each other.

  She embraced him with a hug much the same as she did with Steven, welcoming him into their family.

  Last was Jessica, where the hug between sisters seemed to go on and on forever. They had an unbreakable bond. Abby was glad she hadn’t been able to talk Jessica out of marrying Justin. She had thought Jessica was marrying too soon and for all the wrong reasons. But now she realized she had been wrong to jump to conclusions.

  After saying good-bye, Abby watched her brother, sister and brother-in-law leave. She sank into an empty chair, pushing her hair out of her face and fighting the urge to cry. It wasn’t working. And it hadn’t helped when she saw Jessica start to cry.

  In no time, she would be on the plane going home to New York City where everything would be as normal as it used to be.

  Abby boarded the plane, settling into her seat with her glasses on and iPad and phone in front of her, ready to do some work. She checked her messages, sending quick ones to Steven and Jessica to say good bye again, and that she’d message them later.

  Then Abby mentally prepared herself for the next twenty hours. It was a long flight. She slipped her earbuds in her ears ready to get some writing done.

  Abby detected someone take their seat beside her, and she couldn’t help but hope it wasn’t a man. She didn’t know if she would be able to cope with male company for the rest of the flight.

  Luckily, when Abby looked out of the corner of the eye, she found a young woman about her sister’s age. She too was wearing headphones. At least Abby could count on one good thing this time: Her journey home would be better than the unpleasant trip travelling to Sydney.

  Sam was sitting in the café of the hotel enjoying one last coffee in Sydney before he headed to the airport to go home. His thoughts were running over time as he thought about his time spent with Abby.

  He couldn’t get her out of his head, but what else could he do? Abby was probably already on her way back to New York City by now. As strong as his feelings for Abby were, he didn’t know if he could get past all the heartbreak in his life to start fresh with someone new.

  Sam didn’t notice when Jessica and Justin pulled up two chairs opposite him.

  “Hello, big brother. Come back to me. You look like you were miles away from here.”

  “I guess I was,” Sam said, shaking off his thoughts as he came back to the presence, catching his brother and his brother’s new bride in sitting in front of him. “You’re up early. I would have thoughts you’d be making the most of the day after your wedding and spending it in your hotel room.”


  “Oh we have the rest of our lives to spend together,” Justin said, taking Jessica’s hand in his and Sam could tell by the expression they were sharing with each other that they were very much in love with each other.

  “Aw, baby,” Jessica cooed, resting her head on Justin’s shoulder. “We probably would still be in our hotel room but we were saying goodbye to Abby.”

  “Abby’s gone?”

  “She left this morning. Said something about getting back for a book tour or to finish a book,” Jessica explained.

  “What were you thinking about?” Justin asked his brother.

  “Nothing,” Sam muttered, staring out at the spectacular view of the harbour. While this trip had brought him nothing but time to revisit his feelings and questions he had about love and heartbreak, seeing the sights of Sydney Harbour had definitely been worth seeing.

  “It’s not nothing. I know you. I know when something is up with you.”

  “I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m simply taking in the breathtaking view that surrounds us. Truly amazing.”

  “While my city is amazing, that’s not it. You’re thinking about my sister,” Jessica blurted out. Before Sam could respond to her, Jessica opened her mouth to speak again. “Abby can have the same kind of effect on people as I did on your brother. We’re that darn irresistible,” she said with a cheeky grin.

  “How do you know I couldn’t stop thinking about you?” Justin interrupted.

  Jessica leaned in towards Justin. “Because you married me,” she said before turning her attention back to Sam. “Follow your heart.”

  “New York City is a big city we run in different circles. I’m a doctor. She’s a writer. We’re too different to be together.”

  “You don’t know how it’s going to turn out unless you give it a go. Chances are, she may surprise you. You can’t base the rest of your life on one bad relationship. You can’t let it define you. If you do, you’re going to miss out on what may be the best damn thing you’ll ever have, because you are too scared to let it happen. It’ll pass you by and for the rest of your life, you’ll only regret your ill actions.”