Seduced by Audra Cole, Bella Love-Wins Read Free Book Online Page A

perhaps feeling some of his own. I glance over at him with a small, nervous smile. We look at each other for a long moment, not saying anything.
    “It’s going to be okay,” he reassures me, concern etched in the lines between his eyebrows.
    I must look like I’m being dragged before the firing squad.
    I nod and he gives me a quick kiss before getting out of the car and coming around to open my door. He takes me by the hand and we walk up the driveway together.
    We hardly set one foot on the porch before the front door swings open and his mom, Sandy, steps out. “Charity!” She wraps me in a warm embrace. She feels small in my arms and I can tell she has lost quite a bit of weight since the last time I saw her. I figure it’s from the cancer, the mastectomy operation, or the medication she is taking. “I am so happy you’re here,” she says quietly into my ear.
    “I’m happy to be here.” I can see tears in her eyes, and I feel myself start to tear up too. I quickly blink them away and silently lecture myself for not thinking to use waterproof mascara for tonight.
    She pats my arm and gives me one last look before she turns to Brandon and reaches up to hug him. I watch his face as he holds her for a moment—as if she’s made of glass. And although he is smiling, I can see the emotion in his eyes. He’s more worried about her than he’s letting on. I can tell that watching her fight off the cancer and push through her recovery has taken an emotional toll on him.
    Sandy ushers us into the house, and as I stand in the living room, more memories flash through my mind. I soak it all in for a few moments and remind myself to breathe.
    “Where’s Dad?” Brandon asks as we follow Sandy through the living room and into the kitchen. She has a few pots on the stove and starts to check something in the oven.
    “Oh, he ran to the store for some milk. I thought I had put it on the list when he went the other day, but I guess I forgot,” she says. “Can’t seem to remember the littlest things these days.”
    “You’ve had a lot to deal with, Mom. Give yourself a break,” Brandon says.
    She nods. “I suppose. Anyways, I made my famous chocolate cake for dessert, so milk is not optional! Charity, you remember that one, don’t you?”
    I smile. “How could I forget? It’s my favorite!”
    It’s the cake she makes for all special occasions: birthdays, graduation parties, and their family reunion every year. It truly is delicious. I hold that cake solely responsible for many of my ‘diet officially starts tomorrow’ moments over the years.
    “I know. I made it especially for you.” She smiles at me.
    “Thank you. That’s very sweet.” I return her warm smile. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
    “Oh no, sweetie, I have everything under control.” She waves me off and busies herself at the stove. “I’m feeling pretty good today.”
    Brandon comes over, wraps an arm around my waist, and presses a kiss to the top of my head. He seems much more relaxed now, and I let myself melt into him. Truthfully, I do feel much better than I had expected. In some ways, standing here, it doesn’t feel like any time has passed at all.
    “Brandon!” A boy, whom I instantly recognize as Brandon’s youngest brother, Marky, races into the room and flings himself at Brandon. He looks the same as I remember, just about a foot taller.
    “Hey!” Brandon calls back. Somehow their embrace turns into a wrestling match. I burst out laughing as Brandon lets himself get tackled to the floor.
    Boys…
    Steve, Brandon’s other brother, enters the kitchen a few minutes later, looking more like Brandon’s carbon copy than ever before. Steve is taller and stockier, but they have the same green eyes and their profile is strikingly similar.
    “Hey Charity,” he greets me.
    “Hi. It’s good to see you,” I say.
    He nods as he goes to the fridge, pulls out a pitcher, and pours himself a glass of iced tea before plopping into