Love Unexpected

  Love

  Unexpected

  By: Raven K. Asher

  Text copyright © 2019 Raven K. Asher

  This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: you are not allowed to give, copy, scan, distribute or sell this book to anyone else.

  Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if we use one of these terms.

  Any people or places are strictly fictional and not based on anything else, fictional or non-fictional

  Singles by Raven

  “Losing Levi”

  “Stolen” (When Worlds Collide and Stars Align)

  “When Tomorrow Never Comes”

  “Damage Me”

  “Colton Clark” (A “Damage Me” Novella)

  “Crash”

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  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

  6 Years Later

  Wedding Day

  Other Books by: Raven K. Asher

  Sneak Peek

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter One

  The pitter patter of my shoes against the unforgiving pavement fills my ears as I jog down the street and back towards home.

  My long golden blonde hair swishes across my back with each step I take.

  Panting, I reach my hand up to wipe the sweat away from my forehead.

  Most girls would have avoided this kind of activity at all costs, but this was my escape. It kept my mind focused away from the fact that my mother hadn’t come home for three weeks. I had no idea if she was dead or alive or if she would ever come back home.

  The worst part was that I had no one to lean on or talk to. Even if I had a friend to talk to they would never understand.

  My family was a mess.

  Dad had left to chase after a twenty-something bimbo while Mom had gone after the richest of the richest men. She was the ideal picture of a gold-digger.

  Then there was me. I hated social situations and typically avoided them at all costs. I was counting down the days until I no longer had to go to school.

  Being around people my own age was the worst.

  Also, men were the last thing on my mind. After all of the men that my mother had paraded around me I honestly never wanted to be in any kind of relationship.

  But that might have also been due to the single terrible relationship that I had been in.

  Trevor had been the worst of the worst, but I hadn’t realized that until it had been too late and I had jumped in head over heels.

  He hadn’t physically hurt me, but he had verbally abused me. He had taken my spirit and squashed it beneath his foot.

  I had nearly drowned in a sea of depression thanks to him.

  In the end, I had realized that Trevor had never cared about me. I had meant nothing to him other than a way to pass his time.

  Luckily, I had found the strength to leave him behind and the moment I walked away from him my life had gotten easier. I had been able to breathe again.

  There were still moments of weakness where I felt like I didn’t matter to anyone at all and days like today made it harder since I hadn’t heard a single word from my mother the entire time she had been gone.

  Was I worried about her? That was a resounding no.

  She did this more often than I would have liked to admit and most times she showed up acting as if she hadn’t left me behind to fend for myself.

  There was a small part of me that hoped she would never return, but then again, she would never let me go that easily. I was her golden ticket for sympathy and to get more money from the men that she used.

  As I turn the corner towards home, I come to an abrupt stop.

  There, in the driveway, was a moving truck. Its bright red side with white lettering was a banner that meant nothing good.

  I take a moment to force myself to run forward instead of the opposite direction. It was better to face this now rather than later.

  Mom wouldn’t be happy if I made her wait a second longer than necessary.

  The second I walk through the front door I come face to face with my mother.

  “It’s about time you showed your face, Scarlett. I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten yourself kidnapped.” Mom states with a hint of disgust as she scans me from head to toe.

  I roll my eyes. “Don’t act as if you’d care, Vivian.”

  “Enough of that, Scarlett, I’m your mother, and you will call me Mom.” She huffs out before motioning around the room absently. “I need you to get your things packed and ready to go. We are moving.”

  “Really, how long is this going to last?” I groan.

  “Benjamin is different.” She tries.

  “He’s loaded, isn’t he?” I laugh.

  “That doesn’t matter. What matters is that he is expecting us to be there tomorrow afternoon. If you don’t pack your things yourself these lovely men will do it for you.” Mom warns before she walks away to end our conversation.

  I sigh and glance around the room before making my way upstairs to my room.

  The last thing I wanted was a bunch of strangers going through my stuff. My mother’s threats weren’t something to take lightly.

  Knowing her, she would have them throw out half of my clothing.

  Once I reach my room I find a stack of boxes waiting to be filled next to my door.

  I grab two and then move inside.

  Scrubbing my hand over my face, I look around at the room that had been my sanctuary for the past two years. It was the longest we had lived in a house after Dad had left.

  I had foolishly thought that we would stay here longer.

  Releasing a heavy sigh, I move towards the wall holding the frames that held the only memories of happiness that I had. I take the first down and bite my lip as I gaze down at the photo of my best friend and me.

  Ashley had been my childhood friend until the summer right before Mom had taken me away from our home town. Ashley had left first though, but she hadn’t moved far away.

  She had been moved to the local cemetery where she had been laid to rest.

  One tragic accident had taken her away from me.

  Her loss was just one of the many reasons that I kept people an arm’s length away. It was better that way. My heart wouldn’t get broken when we went our different directions.

  I close my eyes for a brief moment before placing the picture into the first box. With a deep breath I move onto the next picture; the only one I had of my dad and me together. I hold it for a few moments before placing into the box next.

  Within a few minutes, I manage to strip my walls and fill the first box. I fold the box’s lid shut and then quickly write my name
on the side so it wouldn’t get lost.

  Once I’m done I lift the box and move downstairs.

  “What are you doing, Scarlett?” Mom exclaims.

  “I’m taking my boxes out,” I answer her.

  “That’s why I hired the movers.” Mom replies.

  “I’m putting them in the back of my truck,” I reply sternly.

  There was no way that I was going to trust that my mother wouldn’t have the movers take my stuff straight to the trash cans.

  Her eyes narrow for a moment before she waves her hand at me dramatically. “Do what you want, Scarlett. I’m not going to be responsible if anything happens to your things.”

  Without another word, I exit the house.

  “Here, let me help you with that.” A young guy with short brown hair and hazel eyes insists as he takes the box from my hands.

  He was cute with a boy next door grin.

  “I don’t want my stuff in the moving truck,” I state quickly.

  “Where would you like them?” He asks with a hint of amusement.

  “In the back of the truck parked on the road right there,” I reply as I point out my large black truck.

  “That’s yours?” The guy snorts in disbelief as he glances towards the truck.

  “It is,” I reply shortly.

  He grunts in response before speaking. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  I roll my eyes and sigh. “Are you going to put the box in the truck or not?”

  “I’ll put it in there.” He replies before continuing. “Just yell for me when you finish packing the next box.”

  “What exactly am I going to be yelling?” I question while raising my brow curiously.

  “You can yell whatever you’d like.” He laughs before walking away.

  I shake my head and watch as he walks down the short driveway and then towards my truck. He glances in my direction as he gently places the box into the back of the truck.

  Before he reaches the driveway again, I turn and rush back into the house.

  Once I’m back in my room I begin packing my clothing into the next box. As soon as it’s filled I move onto the next box. As I continue the same guy from before walks in and wordlessly picks up the full box before leaving.

  ****

  “Are you finished yet, Scarlett?” Mom questions as she walks through my doorway.

  “I’m done. My boxes are all in the back of my truck.” I answer while glancing around at my now empty room.

  The only box left was the small one sitting on the floor at my feet.

  “Good. We need to get on the road.” She states.

  “Seriously, Mom, it’s nearly dark,” I argue.

  “I told you that we were leaving.” She replies with a huff. “It’s going to take hours for us to reach Benjamin’s house.”

  “But…” I try before she pins me with a look.

  I close my mouth as she points at me. “Don’t argue with me, Scarlett.”

  “You’re going to drive behind the moving truck. I’m going to lead the way in the limo.” She then states before turning around to walk to the door.

  She stops to look back at me. “You better hurry and get that last box in your truck before we leave. I won’t wait.”

  With that, she walks away.

  I groan softly and then lift my box. I look around my room one last time before I turn and walk out of the room and then downstairs.

  Engines roar to life as I exit the front door.

  Cursing I rush towards my truck.

  I barely make it before the movers begin leaving. I’m forced to toss the box into the passenger’s seat before I jump into the driver’s seat.

  The truck’s engine roars to life as I turn the key. Seconds later I speed down the road to catch up with the limo that my mother was riding in and the moving truck following it. There was no way I could let them out of my sight because I had no idea where we were actually going.

  No way in hell was I going to get lost so that my mother could hold it over my head for the next three months.

  I was not going to give her that kind of ammunition.

  ****

  The darkness and endless road quickly take its toll on me as I continue to follow the bright taillights of the moving truck.

  My eyes grow heavy as exhaustion threatens to pull me into a deep sleep.

  I needed to stop for at least a few minutes.

  Reaching for my phone, I quickly search for my mother’s number before dialing it. It rings for what seems like forever before she finally answers.

  “What is it, Scarlett?” She clips out.

  “I’m exhausted, Mom. I need a break before I end up driving off the side of the road.” I reply.

  There’s a long pause before she answers. “Fine, but we’re only stopping for a few moments. I intend to arrive at Benjamin’s on time.”

  With that, she ends the call without giving me a chance to respond.

  I groan out loudly before turning the radio up while rolling the windows down. The only way I was going to make it through this was to make myself as uncomfortable as possible.

  Unfortunately, all of my attempts fail.

  My eyes grow heavy again and before I realize what I’m doing the truck drifts into the other lane. Luckily, I jerk awake just in time to keep from hitting the large concrete barrier.

  “Holy…” I pant out as I return to my spot behind the moving truck.

  That had been close, too close.

  With adrenaline rushing through my veins I’m able to drive straight until the limo and moving truck pull into a gas station just off of the main road.

  Before I even have the chance to exit my truck the moving guy from earlier at the house rushes to my door.

  “You’re done driving. I’ll take over from here.” He states sternly.

  “Who’s going to drive the moving truck?” I question.

  “There are three of us riding in the front of that thing. I think they can do without me for a while.” He replies. “The last thing any of us wants to see is you getting hurt or hurting someone else.”

  I nod and then yawn uncontrollably.

  Honestly, I could have fought him, but I didn’t have the strength. Instead, I slide across the seat while he jumps behind the wheel.

  “Sleep…” He orders softly as the truck begins moving forward.

  “What’s your name?” I ask.

  Hopefully, he would tell me this time.

  “I’m Troy.” He answers while glancing in my direction.

  I smile and then lean my head back while closing my eyes. “Be careful with my baby, Troy. I never allow anyone behind the wheel.”

  He chuckles. “You can trust me. Now sleep. You’re going to need it once we reach our destination. Your mother seems like she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

  “You have no idea.” I snort.

  In a matter of minutes, the steady hum of the engine and tires against the road’s pavement lull me into a deep and peaceful sleep.

  Chapter Two

  “Hey, we’re almost there. You might want to wake up and make yourself presentable.” Troy states as he gently shakes my arm.

  I groan while opening my eyes against the bright light shining through the windshield.

  “Don’t be grumpy.” Troy chuckles lightly.

  I sigh and then scrub my hands over my face. “Do you have any clue what’s in store for me once we get to wherever we’re going?”

  “Not really, but this is a great town to live in.” He replies before continuing. “It seems like you’re going to be living on the west side of town which means you’re going to be living in one of the many mansions over there.”

  I curse softly. “Any chance I can get an apartment and job for myself somewhere in this town?”

  “Not really. It’s a small town.” He replies.

  “I live in this town though so once you’re settled in, then I could show you the best places to hide out.” He adds.

/>   He was trying to be coy about getting my phone number or some sort of date, but I ignore it. The last thing that I wanted to do was give him hope that we could be any more than brief acquaintances.

  “Are there any good places to run?” I ask.

  “There are a lot of places to go.” He sighs. “The school has a great track that you can run on too.”

  I nod while turning my attention towards the small town that we were currently driving through. It was small but still had a nice shopping center and a few small fast-food restaurants.

  After a few moments, Troy follows the moving truck and limo down a secluded road lined with trees and beautiful flowers.

  The limo stops at a large gate ahead before moving forward a few seconds later. The moving truck stops before Troy stops my truck next.

  A guard glances into the window before waving us to drive forward.

  We pass by multiple grand mansions with perfectly manicured lawns. Each one was larger than the previous one.

  “This is insane,” I whisper in awe.

  My mother had dated some rich men, but none of them had had this kind of wealth. Typically they had large houses, but they came nowhere close to the size of these places.

  My heart beats wildly in my chest as we turn down a private driveway towards a large grey stone mansion.

  “Huh, I never thought this would be where you’d end up.” Troy breathes out.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I question while staring at him curiously.

  He doesn’t respond.

  As we approach the house the limo parks at the front while the moving truck and Troy drive around to the side where there was a large garage with six doors wide open, showing off the cars parked inside.

  Troy parks and then jumps out of the truck while two guys around my age exit the house with friendly grins.

  Both guys were dressed in jeans and black tees with band logos on the front. They were very similar in looks as well, but one was slightly shorter than the other. Unlike the serious look the taller one had, the shorter one had a mischievous look in his eyes.

  I could already tell that he was going to be the one I had problems with.