Never Let Me Go Read online

  Copyright © 2014 by L.K. Gandy/Lea Gandy

  Cover Design © Arijana K., Cover It! Designs

  Editing by Jenny Sims, Editing4indies

  Interior Designs by Kassi Cooper

  Photography by Kaylin Amabile Photography

  Paperback:

  ISBN-13: 978-1496145826

  ISBN-10: 1496145828

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publications/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  All rights reserved.

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  “GATHER AROUND, DONKEYS! It’s time to make a toast.”

  “There he goes again calling everyone a donkey. THAT SHIT DOESN’T EVEN MAKE SENSE!” My best friend Charlee yells back before rolling her gorgeous blue eyes and painting her lips a shade of ruby red in the dingy mirror. To be honest, I wasn’t so sure why he said it myself. It’s just one of those things that you kind of go with after hearing it day in and day out.

  “Who knows, Charlee. Just let the man think he’s funny. It’s what I do most of the time because it’s easier that way. Now let’s hurry up and get out here so he doesn’t start calling us another animal name. Your lipstick looks fine, and I’m tired of smelling other people’s crap from the bathroom next to us,” I say as I scrunch my nose in disgust.

  “You, my dear, may be onto something,” she says, smacking her lips together. “Letting a man think he’s funny. Throw in a smile and nod every now and then, and laugh when you actually understand what he’s saying.” She turns her slim body toward me, and her thick dark brown hair falls from her shoulders. “Maybe that’s why y’all have been together this long. Lord knows I wouldn’t be able to handle that mess standing over there. Props girlfriend…major props!”

  “That’s because he’s like an annoying little brother to you. When you find someone worth keeping you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Oh, God….I heard ‘donkey’ again. Good thing we know how to run in heels. Get a move on it before he starts wandering through this whole bar yelling. It wouldn’t be the first time and you know it,” I say as I scoot her away from the mirror.

  As we round the corner I can see our group of friends circled around Jaxx. Every time I look at him I smile. He’s been the perfect boyfriend for the past three years, and we’re stronger than ever. Tonight was our last night as seniors at Vanderbilt University, and we sure as hell couldn’t be happier to start our lives in the real world.

  “Sawyer and Charlee! Get your cute little butts over here. I’m trying to make a toast,” he yells out to us while flailing his arms dramatically through the air around his face.

  “Good thing I think of him as a brother, otherwise that butt comment would get him a swift kick in the junk...heel side up,” Charlee said to me through her teeth with a sarcastic smile on her face. Just one of the many reasons I love her. I swear we are the same person in two different bodies. I have yet to meet another person that gets me like she does and accepts me for who I really am. We like to think of ourselves as having a ‘triple s’ personality: smart, sassy, and a little bit smart-assy. Take it or leave it—that’s who we are. Throw a little vulgarity in there and you’ve got us down to a science.

  As I walk up next to Jaxx, he wraps his arm around my waist and places his lips next to my ear. “Could you be any sexier? I swear you look more beautiful every time I lay eyes on you.” I smile and rest my head against his. Quickly he pulls back and looks at me with a grim expression. “Do I need to worry about my boys around Charlee? I know she heard my comment about cute butts. A man can never be too cautious.” His body physically tenses. I feel him shiver against my side, and all I can do is giggle at him because I know he’s serious.

  “I think your package is safe for now Jaxx. But I’m not sure I’d push my luck, honey. You know how we are.” I point at him and wink.

  “Point taken. You two are definitely a breed of your own,” he says as he squeezes my hand with a sly smile. A smile I’ve grown to know all too well as one of my favorites. That’s one thing I love most about Jaxx. He’s always smiling about something. It’s hard to catch him in a bad mood. Trust me, I’ve tried. In my opinion it’s not natural to be that happy all the damn time.

  “Alright donkeys, now that we have everyone here let’s get this show on the road. It’s our last night as seniors, and I’m stuck here spending it with you fuckers. Lucky me!” We all laugh because it’s typical Jaxx- always the clown of the group.

  “Honestly, though, I couldn’t imagine spending the last three years with a greater group of people. We’ve grown into a family— a pretty messed up family, but one nonetheless – and I hope we continue to grace each other’s lives down the road when things start to become a little hectic. I only wish I would have known y’all when we first started as freshmen. Another year of memories to add to the books would have made this experience even better.

  “Sawyer.” He turns toward me and looks in my eyes. “The love of my life, I wish I would have met you when we were freshmen so I could say that I’ve loved you from the beginning of our journey, but the rest of our lives will have to do. I love you more than you’ll ever know.” I hear Charlee gagging in the corner, and I smile. If I know her, and trust me, I do, there’s probably a finger in her mouth like she’s pretending to make herself throw up. She’s not fooling me, though. That girl’s a full-blown closet sap when it comes to romance.

  Jaxx lifts his glass, and we all follow suit. “Here’s to the memories we’ve made and the ones yet to come. The real journey starts tomorrow. Cheers!”

  STARTLED, I LOOK AROUND ME as memories of that night start to fade away. I swear someone was talking to me. I haven’t gone crazy and started hearing voices, have I? Twenty-eight is too young to start having mental breakdowns. I’d like to think, or at least, hope so. Oh Lord, please help me.

  I lower my head slightly and try to look inconspicuously around the bar I’m sitting. It’s one of the finer bars in downtown Nashville, which is exactly what I wanted for tonight. I needed to find a place where I was sure Charlee wouldn’t find me. Our favorite spots are more along the lines of a honky-tonk bar where up and coming country artists can be found trying to convince record labels to sign them. Places where wearing cowboy boots is a necessity.

  As I attempt to covertly look to my right, I notice there’s a man looking at me. He seems to be around my age-in his late twenties- but no more than that. He’s drinking what looks like whiskey from its dark amber color. His dark charcoal suit fits his athletic build perfectly. His chocolate colored hair is short on the sides with just a bit of messy length on top. The style look
s effortless. A slight scruff adorns the sexy bone structure of his squared jaw.

  Wait, did I just say sexy? I have always been a sucker for a nice scruff. Why am I even thinking about his facial hair like that? Get your shit straight, woman! I’m not at the bar to look at facial hair. That’s just weird.

  His emerald green eyes are searching my own like he’s seeing something remarkable for the first time. Or perhaps, something familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it but whatever it is, I’m intrigued.

  “I’m sorry. Did you say something to me?”

  “I was wondering if you were going into a coma over there. You haven’t moved in about forty-five minutes. Is everything all right?”

  Had it really been that long?

  “Oh, wow. I didn’t realize it was so late. I guess I’ve been here for a bit longer than I thought.” Talk about embarrassing. I attempt to sink my head down even further. There has to be a restroom nearby for me to go hide. Where’s Charlee when I need a rescue call to get me out of a situation? Oh that’s right; I told her I needed a night to myself. Way to go Sawyer, high five for that one! I look back up at the man because I can feel his eyes on me. Not in a perverted way, but one that seems almost curious. Then again, I guess all perverts are curious. Gross, maybe I should be worried. Cross your legs Sawyer. Cross. Your. Legs. Wait…don’t perverts like legs? I’ve always been told I have beautiful legs. Why didn’t I wear pants to work today instead of this dress? Shit.

  “Are you having a spell of some kind? You’re shifting around in that seat quite a bit.”

  Wonderful! That’s all I need – this smoking hot guy, oh great I’m getting worse – to think that I can’t keep still because I’ve got crotch rot or some other fungal issue going on down there that needs to be itched. I swear I get myself into the most awkward situations.

  “Who, me? Oh no…no I’m fine.” I shake my head, trying to reassure him. There he goes with those eyes again. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such striking green eyes as the ones on this man. They are a vibrant emerald in the center with a darker hunter green ring around the rims.

  “You might catch flies with your mouth if you keep it open like that much longer.”

  My eyes widen as I process what he’s said to me. Did I really just get caught with my mouth hanging open while I was ogling his hotness? This night has seriously gone to shit. Where’s my purse? I need to go home and never come out from underneath my pillow.

  “I’m so sorry. I guess I’m still in a daze from earlier. Don’t pay me any mind.” Please do though, seriously. I stand up to leave, and it’s as if he can hear my thoughts because the next thing out of his mouth is a deep throaty laugh that immediately makes my knees weak.

  “You’re going to check me out and then leave when I catch you in the act? Is that how this is going down?” He alternates pointing his finger between the both of us. “I don’t even know your name yet. I feel somewhat violated to be honest.” He covers his private areas to prove his point, a smirk plastered on his face.

  Laughing at him, I respond, “Well, how is ‘this’ supposed to go down? You haven’t given me your name either. Maybe I’m the one that should feel violated since you were, after all, the one checking me out first.” Another laugh comes from his mouth, and this time I notice his smile. There go my panties. I’ll have to switch those out when I get home. I’m a sucker for a nice scruff, and I’m unquestionably a sucker for a man with a beautiful white smile, and this man has one.

  “You got me on that one, but in all honesty it’s hard not to notice someone as beautiful as you. My name’s Branson. You’ll have to work a little harder to learn the last name though.” He takes a drink.

  “Branson is it?” He smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back. “So Branson, what makes you think I even want to put in the effort to find out your last name to begin with? Maybe I enjoy a little mystery in my life. What will I need to know it for anyway?”

  “Oh, you never know. A little mystery is good for a person. It keeps their mind wanting more, along with other things that might seem to be wanting more…”

  “If I weren’t such a pervert myself, you might have actually made me blush. But since that’s not the case, my name is Sawyer. Don’t ask me for my last name, because I’m not giving it to you,” I say with a cunning grin before sliding my arm over the bar and taking a sip of my cocktail. Take THAT Branson!

  “So what brings you here tonight Sawyer? Surely a vivacious woman like you has at least one best friend with the same attitude. Ladies like you usually tend to stick together.”

  “As a matter of fact, you’re right. I do have a best friend like that but I told her I needed a night to myself.” Please don’t ask me why…please. That’s not a story I like sharing with others, let alone a stranger.

  “I’m going to take the look on your face as you not wanting me to ask why you’d want to spend the night alone. Either that or it’s too long of a story to tell to a stranger.”

  “Well aren’t you an intuitive man, Branson. You’re right, it is too long to tell. But it’s also a personal matter I’m not fond of talking about to begin with. So it seems you’re shit out of luck tonight.”

  “I wouldn’t say I’m out of luck…just biding my time really. You’ll tell me eventually Sawyer, when you’re ready,” he says with a confident smile as he turns his body toward me in his chair. His legs are parted, and I start to wonder what it would feel like to be standing between them right now loosening his silk tie with my hands and our lips inches apart. What the hell? Where did that come from? I’m pretty sure this drink is going straight to my lady parts.”I’m pretty sure I won’t be ready to tell you by the time I leave here, which is something I should probably be doing right now actually.” I glance at my watch again to look convincing. Leaving his vicinity is the last thing I want to be doing.

  “I didn’t say it would be tonight,” he says sliding his hand over my wrist, covering my watch. My entire body heats up, reacting to his touch. “I have a feeling we’ll be spending more time together before long.”

  Stay calm Sawyer, just stay calm. Normally that would make a man sound like a creeper, but coming from his mouth, I wish it were true. The underlying tones of sexual promise in his words are killing me slowly. Who does that when you first meet someone? Then again, Branson could probably have any girl he wanted with his looks and charm. Damn it he’s not supposed to be charming, too.

  “Well good luck with that Branson. I really should be going home now. It’s pretty late, and I have work in the morning.” I open my purse and turn to slide cash across the bar to pay for the drink that was still mostly full. When I turn back around I’m looking straight into a brick wall of a suit covered chest. Branson is standing in front of me and smiling. Holy SHIT he is tall! I didn’t notice his long legs when we were sitting but now I sure as hell do. He has to be at least six foot five, and he towers over me. I’m not short for a girl, at five foot seven, but he makes me feel small. His suit seems to hug his body in all the right places, and it makes my body shiver in anticipation. I really need to find out where he gets his suits and thank the man who tailors them….maybe give him a medal.

  “Can I walk you to your car Sawyer?”

  “Well you’re already standing, so I suppose that’d be all right. Don’t get any ideas though, I’ve taken some martial arts classes.” Except I haven’t.

  “No funny business, roger that.” He winks then opens the door for me to step outside and places his hand on the small of my back guiding my way. I’m not a clumsy person but with his hand there and my mind wandering in places it shouldn’t…scratch that, should always be, I might make an ass out of myself by falling on the sidewalk. He leans down to whisper in my ear before we step out of the door. “If I haven’t told you yet, you look beautiful in that dress Sawyer.” Chills surge through my body.

  “Thank you. You don’t look too bad in that suit either.” I flash him a flirtatious smile and notice his eyes flicker
down and focus on my lips. My gaze makes its way to his lips as well, and both of our breathing seems to be getting shallow. My heart starts to beat faster, and our bodies seem to be inching toward each other, a gravitational pull coming into effect. “Umm…car...my car’s this way,” I say breaking our stares by turning toward the street. I look back at him, and he’s smiling with his eyes still on my lips. Cocky bastard. We walk the few steps it takes to get there in silence.

  I stop next to a lifted truck, and this time it’s his mouth that drops. “This is not your car. Seriously, where is it?” He’s looking around for a small sports car that he thinks I own.

  “Girls can have trucks too Branson. Just because YOU drive a sports car doesn’t mean I have to. I like trucks, and a lifted truck is even better. We do live in the South if you haven’t noticed.”

  “Hold on a second, what makes you think I drive a sports car?” He looks offended. “Is it because of this suit? I knew this thing would get me in trouble.” He looks down his body with disdain. “I know one woman who loves it though.” His gaze rises, and he winks at me again. “Actually I drive a lifted truck as well. Just so happens to be the same model, only a different color.” Pointing to the truck directly in front of mine he starts to laugh. “I knew there was something I liked about you Sawyer. You’ve got damn good taste, girl. A lifted diesel truck is the only way to go.”

  “Maybe we can race sometime.” I climb into my truck and start it. I’ve always loved the sound of a diesel. “I can show you what it’s like to lose to a woman.” With that I make my way onto the street, but not without looking in my rearview mirror. At the man who’s consumed my thoughts standing on the sidewalk with a smile on his face.

  “IF YOU EVER WANT TO get rid of some boots, make sure you call me, Bitch. I could do some serious damage in here,” Charlee says to me from the other side of my walk-in closet, better known as my pride and joy. It was the only part in my house I could pass all of my time in with a smile on my face. I’d spend my mortgage payment on a new pair of cowgirl boots without blinking an eye. I owned thirty-two pairs of boots, and each one had their own space to stand perfectly for my viewing pleasure, next to my heels and running shoes.