Strong (Kindred #1) Read online

  Copyright © 2016 KA Hobbs

  E-book edition

  Cover design © Peter Carruthers

  Cover image © ThinkStock

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including but not limited to: photocopying, recording or other electronical or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non commercial uses permitted by law.

  For permission requests, write to the author at [email protected]

  This is a work of fiction.

  Any resemblance to persons either living or deceased is purely coincidental.

  Names, places and characters are figments of the author’s imagination, or if real, used in a fictitious sense.

  The author recognises all the trademarks and copyrights of any registered products and/ or companies mentioned within this work of fiction.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Quote

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Acknowledgements

  About Me

  Other Books

  For Mr Hobbs. Whether I need a hug or a laugh, you’re there. I don’t know what I’d do without you, you make my world a much happier, funnier and sillier place. You’re the reason I can chase my dreams and you’re the inspiration for everything. You are my strength.

  “You haven’t phoned in forever, and you keep avoiding my FaceTimes what’s going on with you?” Josie asks.

  “I’ve just been busy, what is it you want to tell me?” I ask, trying to move the conversation onto any other topic but this one.

  “Nice dodge, I just want to check if you need a hotel room? We’ve block booked a whole lot and now they want final numbers, it makes it cheaper and easier for everyone.”

  “Please, I don’t want to have to try and sort that from here.”

  I smile.

  Josie is getting married, who would have thought it? Little fiery, redheaded Josie, Miss ‘I don’t ever want to get married’ is, in fact, getting married in a week. How did that happen? Well, I guess when you find someone who breaks down those walls and makes you feel things you’ve never felt before, you’ll give them just about anything.

  “And you’re not mad I didn’t ask you to be a Bridesmaid?” she asks for what must be the hundredth time.

  “No, Jose, we’ve been over this, it’s your wedding, you have who you want, I’m just so happy for you and I can’t wait to come over and see you all.” I smile. I really am looking forward to it.

  “Good, because you know I love you, it’s just you know…”

  “Stop trying to explain it, I love you too. But I have to go, I’ll be late!”

  “Late for bending into all sorts of positions with men in lycra?” she teases.

  “They don’t wear lycra, just normal sweats,” I laugh. “I’ll see you in a week okay? I miss you.”

  “I miss you too! Hurry up and get here!” she laughs.

  “Bye gorgeous, send my love to Megs and the bump.”

  “Consider it done.” she blows me a kiss and hangs up.

  I sink back into my seat and close my eyes. It seemed like a good idea to keep everything from them, but now I’m a few days from going back home and having to face them, face everyone, it seems like a really, really bad idea. I’m banking on the wedding making Josie so distracted she won’t suspect anything and with Megan about to pop, there is no way she can focus on anything else other than herself, right?

  I bloody hope so.

  I put my phone in my bag and climb out of the car and lock it before I head into the building.

  The sliding doors open as I approach and I’m assaulted with the fear inducing hospital smell, the clinical white decor and a group of people waiting in line to register for whatever clinic they’re here to attend. I walk past them and through another set of doors and make my way down the corridor to the lifts, I press the button and wait for one to arrive. When one does, I climb inside and press for the seventh floor. It sails up surprisingly fast and arrives with an annoyingly cheery ping. I step out and come face to face with the reception desk and Laura, the nurse who works with Dr Ward.

  “Morning Carmen, how are you doing?” she smiles kindly.

  “About the same, can we get started?”

  “Sure, come on in Dr Ward is waiting.”

  Am I really going to wear this dress? I guess I am because I didn’t pack another dresse so unless I want to wear jeans, it looks like it’s my only option. I sigh and slip off my robe and remove it from the hanger. Deep red and strapless, it’s floor length and has a slit to mid thigh, it isn’t indecent, it’s perfectly acceptable but maybe a little too much for your best friend’s wedding? Josie told me to wear whatever I wanted as long as it wasn’t a wedding dress, this isn’t a wedding dress so I should be okay. I hope. I manage to zip it up and look at myself in the mirror, it’s skin tight and makes the most of my curves, I have to admit, I do look good in this dress.

  I head over to the dresser and pick up my jewellery for the day, a simple silver necklace and the diamond studs my parents gave me for my eighteenth birthday. I’ve decided to leave my hair down and in waves and my make up is subtle and perfect. From my overnight bag I pull out a pair of flats to change into in case the heels I am so desperate to wear end up killing my feet, which is highly likely. I spritz on a little perfume before taking one more look at myself. From the outside you would never know I have a weight pulling me down so much it’s choking me, with my smile in place and this dress, I’m the Carmen Josie and Megs know and expect to see, even if I feel as far removed from her as I possibly can be.

  It’s one day,

  I can do this.

  I head downstairs and find Jack and Harry standing at the foot of the stairs, they look up and smile when they see it’s me. Megan and Josie really do have two of the most gorgeous men on the planet as their husbands. Dressed in their charcoal grey suits and waistcoats they look delicious, both opting to keep the scruff they usually have for the day which makes me smile, it’s how they look every other day of the year so why change it for the wedding?

  “Carmen, wow.” Harry grins holding his hand out for me.

  “Too much?” I ask still feeling unsure about the dress.

  “No, you look beautiful.” he assures me.

  “Always a charmer,” I grin. “You two are looking very dapper.”

  “Of course,” Jack nods. “Expect anything less?”

  “Never, where do I need to go?”

  “If you go strai
ght down here,” he points down the hall. “It’s the big room in front of you, you’ll find my ugly ass brother outside to show you where to sit.”

  “Beware, he’s seen your photo and has been asking questions. He’s also hornier than a teenager and looking like that? He’s likely to try and hump your leg and have you scratch his balls.” Harry laughs.

  “Charming,” I shake my head. “You have such a way with words.”

  “I know.” he smiles, taking a little bow.

  “He’ll behave… At least until after the ceremony.” Jack tells me.

  “I’m a big girl, I can deal with it.”

  I tell them I’ll see them later and make my way down to the room the ceremony will be held in. As I approach, my heels click clacking on the marble floor alerts a tall, dark haired guy standing at the entrance, in his arms is one of the most beautiful little girls I’ve ever seen. I didn’t realise Jack’s brother had children, he smiles at me and I feel this funny little butterfly take flight in my stomach.

  “Jack and Harry told me to come this way? Jack’s brother?” I ask him, smiling.

  “No, I’m Doug. Sophie’s husband.” he smiles holding his hand out to me.

  “Sophie is Harry’s sister?”

  “Yes, there are a lot of us, there are more in there.” he nods his head in the direction of the room.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you.” I tell him as he steps into the room and I follow.

  “From Harry?” he frowns.

  “Yes and Megs and Josie.” I grin. Mainly from Megan and Josie in fact.

  “Ahhh, well, I wouldn’t believe all you hear.” he winks at me.

  “It’s all been good, are you sure?”

  “Well… If it’s all been good then I’m not going to tell you not to believe it.”

  “What time is it?” a tall guy holding a little girl asks.

  “We’ve got about ten minutes until everyone will be in here,” Doug tells the man. “This is Jonny, my best friend.” Doug tells me.

  “Carmen, nice to meet you.” I shake his hand.

  This really must be the most attractive group of people I’ve ever met. I’ve heard a lot about Jonathan too. Josie and Megs weren’t kidding when they said they were both gorgeous and I can see why they would be a hot mess when they see them with their children. Both look completely calm even though they have three children between them to look after.

  “You’re Megan and Josie’s friend from school?” Jonathan asks. “Or am I completely wrong?”

  “No, that would be me. And you’re married to Sophie’s best friend, right?”

  “Yes, Miley. Who is upstairs with the Bride and our son.”

  “I imagine it’s mayhem up there.”

  “Doug!” a brunette calls from the door, walking in, hand in hand with a beautiful little girl.

  “You okay?” he asks, walking over to her and kissing her cheek.

  “Fine, where’s Noah?”

  “He’s asleep on the chairs at the front, he didn’t get a lot of sleep last night did he? I thought it was a good idea to let him sleep while he can,” he looks down at both of his girls and smiles. “You both look beautiful.” he beams, proudly.

  I watch them all together and something deep inside me suddenly aches, am I ever going to have this? Will I ever have children and a husband who looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world? Right now, everything is so uncertain and I don’t know what will happen next week let alone in a years time and I can’t think that far ahead.

  One day at a time, it’s all I can do.

  Baby steps, Carmen.

  The next ten minutes go past in a whirlwind of children’s giggles and adults trying to calm them down. There’s excitement in the air and when Jack and Harry come into the room, it reaches new heights. Jack looks perfectly calm and is probably the happiest Groom I’ve ever seen, other than perhaps Harry on his wedding day. We’re all told to stand as an instrumental piece begins and I recognise the song straight away. Megan starts to walk down the aisle and even almost nine months pregnant she’s a knockout, glowing and beautiful with tears falling down her cheeks. I follow her until she’s standing on the opposite side of her husband who looks like he’s about to bolt over to her. The look that passes between them makes my heart feel happy and sad at the same time, I hope one day, I’ll have someone who looks at me that way.

  When I look back up, Josie is walking in with Megan’s Dad and the man she considers her father. I’ve never seen Josie look so happy and calm, she’s beaming and looks like she can’t wait to get to her man. She finally reaches him and the ceremony begins. Being a girl I cry, of course I do. The ceremony is beautiful and so them, I find myself crying and smiling the whole time. This is exactly what I need right now, to be surrounded by love and laughter, friendship and kindness and to be reminded that life has so much good in it, that there may be dark times but most of it is bright and warm.

  I watch as Josie and Jack sign the register and to my absolute surprise, Megan stands and makes her way to the front to sing, Harry standing with her, arms wrapped around her protectively. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard and I’m surprised even further when I look at Josie and see she’s crying, it seems Jack has changed her in more ways than I first thought. I sneak my way up to take a photo of the happy couple before taking my seat once again. When all the photos are taken we’re asked to stand once again and the new Mr and Mrs Manning are announced, they clasp hands, kiss and make their way back down the aisle to Love on Top, the love perfectly clear on their faces. Everyone waits for Harry and Megan before following them all out into the sunshine where we’re all welcomed with a glass of fizz.

  “Is there anything without alcohol?” I ask the waitress.

  “Yes, we can get you an orange juice if you’d prefer?”

  “Please, if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Not at all, I’ll be right back.”

  A wedding without drinking, this is going to be a new experience.

  “That is not what happened!” I laugh.

  “Yes it is,” Harry laughs back. “When I came round to get Megan you were all dancing around in your underwear!”

  “Were we?” I look at Megs who nods.

  “Yes, we were.” she chuckles.

  “I have no idea why we were doing that.” I shake my head.

  “Because secretly, you all slept together, showered together…” Jack grins at us.

  “In your perverted mind maybe.” Josie smiles at her husband.

  “Absolutely.” he agrees.

  “Although there have been a couple of times we’ve all slept together.” Josie teases him.

  “Really?” Harry asks.

  “Like sleep, sleep, dirty boy.” Megan pokes him in the chest.

  “Oh, well that’s boring.” he huffs.

  “We would be sleeping in nothing but t-shirts.” Josie teases.

  “Not so boring.” Jack smiles, leaning in to kiss her.

  “Don’t be such a guy, Mr Manning.” she grins.

  “We really better go and chat to some people, we can’t stay here all night.” he tells her, taking her left hand in his.

  “Right, we’re going to go mingle. Megs, sit down, please. You’ve been on your feet all day.” Josie tells her.

  “I’m fiiiiiiine! Stop worrying.”

  “I’ve been telling her this for hours.” Harry sighs, wrapping one arm protectively around her shoulders.

  “We’ll see you in a bit.” Josie tells us before they walk off.

  “That dress is incredible on her.” I tell Megs.

  “Isn’t it? She looks so beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as you did on our wedding day,” Harry tells her, kissing her temple. “Do you remember that day?”

  “Of course I do.” she smiles at him.

  “Best day of my life.” he tells her, leaning in to kiss her.

  I swear they fall more in love with each other as each day pass
es, the love they share is something I’ve rarely seen before. It’s so totally consuming it’s incredible. Jack and Josie seem to have found the exact same kind of love, will it be my turn next I wonder?

  “I’m going to get a drink, do you guys want anything?” I ask them.

  “No thank you, I might go and change into my flats though.” Megs tells Harry.

  “Finally, you’re a stubborn woman you know that, Mrs Bennett?”

  “Coming from you,” she laughs. “We’ll be back in a minute.” she smiles before waddling off with Harry.

  I turn around and grab my bag from the table when a male’s voice interrupts me.

  “Can I help you?”

  I look up and into a pair of brown eyes, the kind of eyes that would be described as chocolatey, yeah, he is chocolate alright. I skim my eyes down his body and inwardly sigh, hot, melted, orgasmic chocolate and he wants to help me? Well sure.

  “What with exactly?” I ask him.

  “Anything. I’m good at most things,” he grins at me, flashing a perfect white smile.

  He’s American, he must be a relative of Jack’s. I look at him again and notice he has the same eyes as Jack, close relative? Cousin maybe?

  “Well, I was going to get a drink, do you want to help with that?”

  “Definitely, I’m exceptionally good at getting drinks… And consuming them.” he adds cheekily, holding out his arm for me.

  “Thank you.” I smile, linking mine with his.

  “I’m Carter, Jack’s brother. And you’re Carmen, Josie’s friend, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  So this is Jack’s brother.

  Wow, the Manning’s have really good genes.

  “Whatever she’s told you will be crap, unless it’s good, believe the good.”

  “It was Harry and Megan actually.” he tells me.

  “Believe what Megs says, ignore what Harry says, he’s overly dramatic and mean.” I laugh as we approach the bar.

  “So you’re not a dancer?”

  He asks me, reaching for two glasses of fizz, I politely take it, not wanting to offend him, I have no intention of drinking it though.