A Storm Is Coming

by LaShawn Vasser

  “Braylee…Nate is scrumptious. Why haven’t you two ever…dated? Not that I would want you to…now that you’re with Alex.”

  “We never dated because he’s…Nate. Can you imagine? We’d fight over the mirror more than Stephanie and I. Anyway, he feels like a brother to me, and I suspect I feel like a sibling to him too.”

  “Wow. I just knew he was gay. You could bowl me over with a feather with that one.” Lisa shook her head, “Anyway, back to your father. How is he?”

  “He’s good. He’s been clean and sober going on ninety days now. I just hope my mother doesn’t drive him back to drinking.”

  “How are things with her?”

  “The same. It may never change between us and I just might have to find closure in that.”

  Lisa could feel the energy shift. They’d been in such a good place, so she decided to change the subject, “How is Manchetti Enterprises?”

  “The company’s health couldn’t be better. Alex has been putting in long hours checking and double checking everything and everybody. And, we’re still winding our way through the settlements. There are a couple of complainants who are being stubborn, but hopefully we’ll come to some agreement.”

  Braylee checked her watch, “My goodness, I didn’t realize how late it was. I better get going. Alex will be back in town tonight. He’s been in China almost a week.”

  “Still working on the TNG2?”

  “Yes. Things are moving along. His patent was approved last week.”

  Lisa smirked, “Well, I better make sure not to call you.”

  “Yes, indeed because it’s going to go straight to voice-mail the second he walks into the house. As a matter of fact, I’ll probably be offline for the next few days.”

  They laughed as Braylee paid the check then kissed each on the cheek as they left the restaurant.

  Chapter 33

  It was almost six o’clock. Alex should be home any minute. Braylee was in the bedroom putting the final touches on her private welcome home party.

  The candles were lit all around the room, the wine was chilling, and the music was playing softly in the background.

  Braylee was freshly bathed, and she smiled at her reflection as she stood naked in front of the mirror putting on a sexy red baby doll slip and a pair of thigh high stockings.

  The only thing missing was Alex.

  Would he want dinner before or after? She couldn’t help thinking hopefully after. Her body had become accustomed to making love with him almost every night, and he’d been gone seven long days.

  Fabi and Cecily were going to be out at least until ten o’clock, so Braylee had a precious few hours with him all alone and she planned to put them to good use.

  That reminded her to thank Fabi for being so thoughtful. He was a lot like Alex in many ways. He was a truly good guy and was working hard to make amends for the loss of lives in those accidents.

  He’d also been going to counseling to help him deal with all the guilt.

  Was that Alex? Braylee stood still as she listened intently. The garage door closed. Whispering to herself excitedly, “Yes…it’s him.”

  Quickly she ran to the stairs and went down them about half way before sitting down in a provocative way. Braylee leaned back on her elbows with her legs parted. He would be able to have a clear view of what he’d been missing over the past week.

  The house was somewhat dark with only a small light by the stairs. However, Braylee would be clearly visible as soon as he turned the corner from the kitchen.

  She heard him call out, “Braylee…Cecily…Fabi….is anybody home?” And, waited patiently.

  His words were caught in his throat the moment he saw Braylee sitting on the stairs.

  “Hey handsome.”

  Alex dropped his suitcase and jacket on the floor as he stood at the bottom of the stair, “Wow. Maybe I should go out of town more often.”

  Braylee purred, “Hmmm…seven days is a long time.”

  He took the stairs two at a time as he undid his tie. Once he reached her, Braylee opened her legs wider so that he could stand in-between them. He kneeled down and capture her mouth in a wild kiss. Braylee wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him back just as eagerly.

  The flight from China was long, and she didn’t want to be too selfish. She pulled away, “I missed you Mr. Manchetti.”

  “Not as much as I missed you.”

  “Are you tired…hungry?”

  “I’m very hungry, but not for food.” He kissed his favorite spot behind her ear, “Where’s Fabi and Cecily?”

  Braylee moaned, then whispered, “Out until around ten o’clock.”

  “Then, what are we doing out here?”

  Alex picked Braylee up in his arms ready to take her into their bedroom when the doorbell rang.

  “You expecting anybody?”

  She shook her head no, “Everybody that I know is aware that you’re coming home tonight so they wouldn’t dare call me.”

  He let her body slowly slide down his until her feet touched the floor, “You go to the bedroom and wait for me. I’ll get rid of whoever is at the door.”

  “Okay…you do that. And Alex…hurry up!”

  Braylee went up the stairs into their bedroom to wait while Alex went down the stairs to see who was at the door.

  Irritated that he’d been taken away from Braylee he barked at whoever was at there, “I’m coming.”

  He snatched the door open. Alex looked as if he’d seen a ghost. There in all her glory stood Gina Lee Xiou, “It’s been a long time Alex, but I heard you went all the way to China looking for me. Well…here I am.”

  A Storm Is Coming

  Part II

  Christmas 2015

  THE BATTLE WITHIN

  Franklin and Sandy’s Story

  COMING AUGUST 2015

  Sandy was stunned into silence. Her heart stopped. Did the temperature drop to zero? She couldn’t believe April’s words.

  Was this true? Could it even be likely?

  She continued to stare unable to move. Until finally managing a blink. Once…twice…then a few more desperately trying to shake off her shock and absorb what had been said. All the while April stood as unmoving and unfeeling as a statue.

  How was that even possible? That blank expression for the man she claimed to love? Standing there as if the world hadn’t tilted on its axis. As if her words didn’t have inconceivable consequences.

  Then she smirked. The smirk of a cold, calculating, and soulless woman. That subtle movement made the air rush back into Sandy’s lungs.

  Out of nowhere, she pulled back and like a flash of lightening…Whack! Her palm connected to the side of April’s face. The sound bounced off the walls like a thunderous crack.

  A shooting pain went up her arm from the pain of slapping April so hard that it knocked her back and almost over a chair. While April didn’t fall over…the chair smashed into a small table knocking over a vase. It went crashing to the floor shattering into a million little pieces. April screeched out in pain.

  Her voice could barely be heard over Sandy screaming, “You bitch! How could you? He trusted you for god’s sake!”

  Before Sandy could finish what she’d started, the door opened. The sound of April almost falling over the chair, the shattering of the vase, and Sandy’s shouting caused Franklin, Jason, and Roman to rush into the small powder room.

  Her chest heaved up and down as Roman lifted her flailing body from her feet and into the air.

  April shrieked, “She’s crazy! Keep that crazy bitch away from me!” And like the good little actress she was tears started to fall on cue.

  Franklin felt trapped. He looked from April to Sandy. While he should have been comforting April, trying to find out what the hell happened his first instinct was still to go to Sandy. Even after two years.

  But, she had Roman.

  Sandy’s eyes blazed with anger as Roman continued to hold her back to his chest in a bear hug. Her f
eet still kicking wildly in the air. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot was this over.

  He yelled at Sandy, “Get ahold of yourself! Stop this! What is wrong with you?”

  It wasn’t until her eyes connected with Franklin’s that she instantly calmed down. Why didn’t he tell her? Did he know this two years ago?

  Without a shadow of a doubt, Franklin could tell…she knew.

  Her eyes said everything. Had she’d known…things could have been so different. No, they would have been different.

  But…now what? She was getting married in a week.

  THANK YOU

  I hope you enjoyed A Storm Is Coming and a small excerpt from my upcoming release The Battle Within. I’m so in love with all of these characters! If so, please take a moment to leave a review.

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