Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Thank you for coming,’’ I tell her through the dryness in my throat. It must have taken her a lot to come here with how she feels about Kennedy. “I know how you feel about Kennedy, but you still came,’’ I begin.

  “She’s family,’’ she says stopping me. “I was being selfish and childish and should never have reacted the way I did. It was uncharacteristic. I’ve told Kennedy I’m sorry and I am. But I’m also sorry to you. The way I behaved,’’ she says shaking her head as if she’s remembering her behaviour.

  “It’s fine. It’s over now. I’m just fucking glad you’re here,’’ I choke out before grabbing her into another hug.

  She chuckles in my ear before whispering, “Take care of them.’’

  “I will, forever,’’ I smile, kissing her cheek and pulling back.

  “We’re staying in a hotel not far from here. The bridge is all flooded and the roads are still bad. I don’t want to risk us getting in a crash,’’ she tells me, and I start to feel bad that she has to spend the night away from Hope. I know it must be hard for her. It would kill me to spend a night away from Immy now that I’ve got her in my life. I can now understand why my sister fought so fiercely to keep Hope. I’d do the exact same thing for Imogen.

  “Go get some rest. I’ll speak to you tomorrow,’’ I smile, ready to get back inside to Kennedy and Immy.

  I watch her walk down the corridor in Mason’s arms. It’s then I realise how lucky I am to have the sister I do. She could be annoying like other sisters that I know about through mates, but she’s not. She’s anything but. She’s always been understanding and older than her years. She has clawed her way through some tough times and I truly admire her for it.

  When they’re no longer in sight I turn back to the door that holds my future.

  Walking into the room, Nan has found the bag of clothes that Lexi packed and is currently in the middle of singing to Immy while changing her at the end of Kennedy’s bed. None of them hear me walking in so I take the time to take in everything. How my life became this in such a short amount of time is crazy, but one thing is for certain, I wouldn’t change anything for the world.

  The door opens behind me snapping me out of my thoughts. Nan and Kennedy startle at the sound and at seeing me already standing there. I smile sheepishly before moving out of the nurse’s way. She walks in carrying a bottle and pushing a crib and I smile.

  “I pinched this from the maternity ward. Imogen is fine to stay here with you and your fiancé,’’ the nurse smiles and I look to Kennedy, worried about how she’ll react at hearing me being called fiancé. She’s about to open her mouth to tell the nurse that we’re not getting married, I can see it. So before she can get anything out I rudely interrupt.

  “Thank you. That’s really kind and understanding of you. We appreciate it, don’t we, babe?’’ I say before moving over towards Kennedy. She’s watching me open mouthed, but there’s no denying the spark in her eyes at hearing her being called my fiancé. It makes me really fucking pleased to see she’s not disgusted by it.

  Taking a seat in the chair next to the bed, I pull it as close as I can towards Kennedy as it will go, taking her hand in mine. When Nan walks around the bed and hands me a dressed Immy, I smile. She’s fully awake now and her big blue eyes are staring up at me.

  “I’ve got to go check in to a hotel. The radio has been giving out flood warnings all day so I don’t think I’ll drive back tonight. I’m going to book in then get some food. Would you two like me to bring something in for you? The hospital food isn’t that great. My friend Doris had her gallbladder out not long ago here, and said the food was enough to put someone in the hospital,’’ she tuts, sounding disgusted with the food.

  “Please,’’ I smile, thankful she thought about it. I ignore her comment about hospital food, not wanting to listen to her get into another one of her rants. Instead, I grab the bottle the nurse left placed on Kennedy’s lap and start feeding Immy.

  Now washed and dressed in clean clothes Immy is happier. She gulps her bottle down like she hasn’t been fed, but then I grit my teeth when I realise she hasn’t. The only source of food she’s had is whatever she had at Mel’s, and the IV she got put on. She could have starved to death.

  Fuck! We really could have lost her today. The thought guts me.

  The door shuts behind the nurse and I look up to Kennedy wondering if she’s gone to sleep. She’s been really quiet since I walked back into the room and I wonder if she blames me for everything, but instead, I find her watching me with a look I can’t decipher.

  “Why do they think I’m your fiancé?’’ she asks quietly. A pink blush rises on her cheeks and she looks away for a split second before her eyes reach mine again.

  “Because you are, baby. You don’t have a choice in the matter - it would be hugely appreciated if you would agree, and as soon as you’re well enough, we’re getting married.’’

  “We are?’’ she breathes and her eyes start to water.

  “Yeah, baby. We are,’’ I tell her softer this time, letting her see how fucking honest I’m being right now. I want her to belong to me in every possible way.

  “But… But we’ve not known each other that long,’’ she tells me, trying to protest. Her words hold no heat behind them so I know she wants this as much as I do.

  “Baby, I knew the day I met you I was going to marry you. It just took me until today to realise that.’’

  “I love you,’’ she rasps out, a sob breaking free as she tries to give me a small smile.

  “I love you too, baby. Now get some rest. We’ve got forever.’’

  Epilogue

  KENNEDY

  Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come in Max’s novel, book four in the Carter Brother Series, but in Kennedy’s POV.

  What the fudge is that god awful sound? My ears are ringing, or it could be a phone, I’m not sure.

  What I do know is, I’m never drinking again. Ever! And I mean never, ever. I hate alcohol and as of today I’m never drinking the stuff again or even socialising with the stuff. Alcohol and I are not friends, at all.

  Last night is a complete blur. Little parts come to mind, but nothing that explains why I feel like I’m dying. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck all over again.

  “Babe, you’re going to wake Immy up with your groaning,’’ my husband chuckles, and I bury my head further into the pillow. And yes, I said husband.

  Evan kept to his word and as soon as I was better he hauled me to a register office where we got married. I’ve still got my cast on in my wedding photos, but I don’t care. The only thing that mattered to me that day was marrying Evan. We also got his name on Imogen’s birth certificate and managed to get her last name changed.

  Everything is perfect.

  I’ve never been in love with someone as much as I am with him.

  But right now I want to kick him out of bed. I’m actually kind of missing my cast, I could use it right about now to kick him out.

  “Stop talking,’’ I grumble, pouting into the pillow.

  “Babe,’’ he chuckles, shaking my shoulders. The notion causes a wave of nausea to assault my stomach and I growl.

  After everything was sorted between me and Denny, and Evan and Denny, she became a new fixture in my life. She’s declared me her sister, but the way I’m feeling this morning, she’s no sister of mine.

  It was Denny’s hen party last night, hence the reason for my major hangover. Evan had skipped going to the bucks night because he didn’t want anyone else watching Imogen.

  Even though neither of us blame Melanie for Imogen being taken, we’ve both agreed to watch over her ourselves. It’s only until the memory of what happened to Immy isn’t so fresh in our minds and we’re comfortable leaving her with someone else. Melanie feels remorse for what happened, but agrees she couldn’t handle watching over her again. What happened scared her more than we realised. She’s getting better now but still after eight weeks, I had hoped she’d visit
us more or let us visit her.

  The ringing starts back up and I grunt into the pillow, wishing the noise would stop.

  “Babe, it’s Denny. She’s called a thousand times already this morning.’’

  Moving my head I wince at the light in the room and narrow my eyes on Evan as he hands me the phone. He chuckles, kissing my forehead.

  “I’ll get you a coffee,’’ he whispers before moving off the bed. I watch distractedly as he walks away, his tight buns tensing in his boxers.

  Fudging hell, my husband is hot.

  “We’re not friends anymore,’’ I grumble into the phone, feeling the room spinning around me still.

  Denny screams down the phone and I pull the phone away from my ear, wincing at the ear splitting sound. “Calm down and stop the shouting,’’ I yell, but wince at the pain shooting in my skull.

  “I need your help, or someone’s help. I think I cheated on Mason,’’ she cries.

  At first my mind is shocked that she’d cheat on him, but then I vaguely remember her being carried off somewhere by Mason himself.

  “No you haven’t. He brought you home, didn’t he?’’

  “I don’t know. He’s not here. I’m walking over to Joan’s now. I can’t believe I’ve cheated on him. I’d never do this. I can’t even remember last night. What the hell happened? Why did I wake up wearing half of a leather hooker’s outfit, and how the hell did I get a fucking tattoo.’’ she cries hysterically.

  I moan down the phone, not remembering a thing. Everytime an image pops into my mind it’s blurry. I don’t know what’s real and what’s not.

  “You got a tattoo?’’ I croak, my voice dry and hoarse.

  “Yes, it’s actually really awesome, but that’s not the point. I don’t remember getting the fucking thing. Please, what did we do last night?’’

  “I honestly don’t know, Denny. I remember dares,’’ I tell her and I can’t help but giggle at her hooker statement. “You’ve really got on a hooker outfit?’’

  “Kennedy, it’s not funny,’’ she cries. “I’m wearing leather. Fucking leather. I’m a mother for Christ’s sake. What the hell did we do? Hold on, I got a message.’’

  I hear her pressing buttons on her phone before she bursts out laughing.

  “Oh my God. You’re never going to believe this,’’ she laughs.

  “What?’’ I ask, wondering what could be worse than getting a tattoo and waking up wearing leather.

  “Max…’’ she laughs, struggling to breathe. “He’s been arrested… Again. He was found jaywalking naked from Hawthorn Farm,’’ she laughs and I begin to laugh with her.

  What the hell did we do last night?

  Find out what they get up to in Max’s novel, book four in the series. Release date TBA

  Other titles by Lisa Helen Gray

  If you enjoyed, Evan’s story make sure you check out the other books in the Carter Brother series.

  Malik ~ Book one (Malik and Harlow’s book)

  Mason ~ Book Two (Mason and Denny’s book)

  Myles ~ Book Three (Myles and Kayla’s book)

  Evan ~ Book 3.5 (Evan and Kennedy’s book) Now Available

  Max ~ Book Four (Max and Lake’s book) Coming 2016

  Maverick ~ Book Five ~ Coming late 2016-01-14

  Forgotten series

  Better Left Forgotten ~ Book one (Cailtyn and Cage’s book)

  Obsession ~ Book two (Danni and Nate’s book)

  Forgiven ~ Book three (Kelly and Dante’s book)

  Authors note

  I never intended to write Evan’s book. When I first began planning the Carter Brother series, Evan never even crossed my mind.

  Then I released Mason and I had so many people asking me if Evan was getting his own book. It got me thinking straight away. We already discovered there was something between Evan and his next door neighbour Lexi, but I wanted something more for him.

  In came Kennedy.

  She came to me in a dream and I loved her character so much I decided to give her to Evan.

  After that the whole story pretty much came together by itself.

  I didn’t want to write a full novel for Evan due to the fact that this is a Carter Brother series, so I ended up going for a novella.

  I honestly hope my readers enjoy his book, and are looking forward to reading Max’s. These characters have become such a huge part of my life that I feel like I live with them sometimes. Even my kids ask me what I have planned for them.

  I want to thank everyone who has supported me, who helped me put this book together. Charlotte for sticking by me, and always listening to everything I have to say.

  I want to thank my beta team for always reading and giving me back some fantastic pointers. You guys have been with me pretty much from the start, and are as much a part of this journey as anyone. You ladies rock!

  And thank you to my newest part of the team, Elisia Goodman. She literally saved my ass on more than one occasion since I hired her in December. She worked around the clock to help me get Myles and Evan finished in time. We had some sets back but everyone has been really understanding.

  Then to my fellow readers….

  I don’t even know where to begin. One minute I was writing for fun, getting all these stories down for my own benefit, then the next, I’m self-published and have so many followers I don’t even know what to do with myself.

  Many authors will agree, and say they never expected to get this far, but hand on heart, I honestly didn’t think I’d sell ten books let alone the amount that I do. It’s been so overwhelming that at times none of it feels real. I’ll have readers email me, telling me that I’ve made them cry, that they love my work and can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released. I try my best to reply to everyone who writes to me, and to acknowledge everyone who writes a review, good or bad. For you to take that time out of your lives, to write little old me a review, is amazing. It’s surreal.

  So thank you. You’ve made my dream come true and you continue to let it come true with every book of mine that your pick up and read. It means everything to me.

  About Lisa

  Lisa Helen Gray is Amazon’s bestselling author of the Forgotten Series and Carter Brother series.

  She loves hanging out, but most of all, curling up with a good book or watching movies. When she’s not being a mom, she’s been a writer and a blogger.

  She loves writing romance novels, ones with a HEA and has a thing for alpha males.

  I mean, who doesn’t!

  Just an ordinary girl surround by extraordinary books

  Hey, if you haven’t already, make sure you head over to my social pages and give them a like.

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