Stay With Me by Kelly Elliott
Stay with Me
Copyright © 2016 Kelly Elliott
Published by K. Elliott Enterprises, INC
View my website at www.kellyelliottauthor.com
Cover photo and designer:
Sara Eirew Photographer
Editing:
Nichole Strauss with Perfectly Publishable
Proofread by:
Holly’s Red Hot Reviews
Interior design and formatting:
Christine Borgford with Perfectly Publishable
ISBN: 978-1-943633-16-6
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 the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Stay With Me
Dedication
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
Chapter Thirty-Four
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Other Books
Play List (contains spoilers)
TAKING IN A deep breath, I slowly released it and rocked back and forth while I looked at myself in the mirror.
“Bro, you look good, so stop worrying. Besides, everyone is going to be looking at Savannah and not paying any attention to you.”
I grinned as I gave my older brother Thaddeus a wink. Savannah and I had been dating since high school, so it was no surprise to anyone when I asked her to marry me our last year of college. “I do have a breathtaking bride, don’t I?”
With a slap on my back, he replied, “Yes, you do. And you got our parents to like her. Lucky bastard.”
Turning around, I tried to get my breathing under control. My parents came over to this country from Greece as young children, and Savannah was sure they would hate her the first time I brought her home. She was after all . . . not Greek. My family was very big on keeping with tradition, so it was no surprise my grandparents settled into an area of Colorado with a large Greek community. Of course, Savannah won them over with her charm just like she did me. It was keeping my oldest brother Nicholaus away from her that proved to be the challenge.
A light knock on the door had me glancing over as my mother walked in and headed my way.
She smiled sweetly while she brushed imaginary lint from my jacket. “Nervous. Very nervous. She told her mother she needed to talk to you.”
I gave her a concerned look. Was Savannah having second thoughts? I had to admit I was feeling more confused today than ever. I prayed we were doing the right thing.
Seeing my look of concern, she smiled big. “But she looks happy. Oh my, the girl is bouncing off the walls she is so happy. She keeps saying her heart is racing and she feels short of breath. Her chest was hurting for a bit.”
A sinking feeling moved through my body. “Her chest hurts? Is that normal?”
She gave me a wink. “I’d say so. I was a nervous mess when I was marrying your father. My hands shook like a leaf on a tree in a summer storm. My father thought I was going to shake my flowers off the stems before I even made it down the aisle.”
I let out a laugh and kissed her on the cheek. “You always did know how to put me at ease, Mama.”
Patting me on the chest, my mother turned to my two brothers and put her hands on her hips as she watched the two of them wrestle with each other. Thaddeus, or as we called him, Thad, was the middle son. Nicholaus had Thad in a headlock. It wasn’t uncommon for the two of them to get into wrestling matches. One was always trying to prove to the other how much stronger he was. You’d think they were still in high school with how they acted.
“Stop this, you two! Your brother is needed in the church. All of you get out there and greet the guests and families.”
Nicholaus dropped his hold on Thad and gave him a push as he headed to the door. Shaking my head, I followed them and my best friend Gus out the door.
Gus gave me a slight push and said, “This is it. Last chance to bail.”
My heart sunk for a quick moment before I came to my senses. “No way in hell. I can’t imagine my life without Savannah in it.”
Taking in a deep breath, he slowly blew it out and said, “Yeah, if I had hot sex like you two do, I wouldn’t want anyone else either.”
Giving him a push, I hissed, “Shut the hell up you asshole. If my mother hears you I’m going to kick your ass.”
Gus let out a laugh as he walked ahead of me. I’d been living with Gus since college. We met our freshman year and hit it off from the get-go. Savannah spent more time at my place than hers. We often forgot the walls were thin and Gus got his fair share of hearing us making love.
Doing my duty, I made my way to as many of my family members as I could. Savannah’s side of the family was much smaller. It was her parents, her grandparents, her older brother Sam, and a few cousins who were attending the wedding. My side of the church was packed.
Walking up to Savannah’s grandparents, I reached out for her grandfather’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “Mr. Thompson, how are you doing this morning?”
Giving me a head nod, he said, “Fine. Just fine, young man. You ready to marry my grandbaby?”
“Yes, sir. I am, indeed.”
The priest walked up to me and spoke closely to my ear. “It’s time, Thano.”
Nodding, I gave Mr. Thompson a wink and said, “It’s time.”
“Good luck!” he called out as I smiled. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right as I walked back to the altar.
Is this doubt I’m feeling? Am I second-guessing this? No. I loved Savannah.
Standing at the altar, I watched my parents walk to their seats. Then Savannah’s mother was walked down the aisle by Nicholaus. Taking his place next to me, he squeezed my shoulder slightly. “This is it. The beginning to your life of one woman forever.”
Grinning bigger, I laughed. I can’t believe I’m marrying Savannah. My heart pounded in my chest as I drew in a deep breath.
The music changed and I watched as Savannah’s best friends all made their way down the aisle one at a time. Each one was dressed in the light-blue dresses it took Savannah forever to pick out. One of Savannah’s cousins had a four-year-old little girl, Michelle, who was our flower girl. I couldn’t help but laugh when she skipped down the aisle and called out, “Savannah is coming! Savannah is coming!”
<
The music started and everyone stood.
The moment I saw her, my breath stilled.
Beautiful couldn’t describe her.
Savannah glanced around at a few people before looking up at me. Our eyes met and we both smiled. My heart hammered in my chest while she made her way to me. There was something missing, though. The spark in her eyes was gone. For a moment, I swore I saw doubt.
Shaking my head slowly to erase my erratic thoughts, I watched as she made her way down the aisle. Savannah sobbed and pressed her lips together as tears began streaming down her face.
Halfway down the aisle, Savannah’s smile vanished. She stopped walking and clutched her chest. Something is wrong. Looking at her father and then me, she dropped her bouquet and called out, “Thano,” before she collapsed to the ground.
I stood there for a brief moment in total shock before I ran over to her. I fell to the floor and pulled her into my arms. “Savannah! Baby, what’s wrong?”
Tears ran down Savannah’s face while she struggled to speak. “I really do . . . love . . . you.”
“Baby, no. No, don’t do this to me!” Looking up, I glanced around at everyone as I screamed out, “Somebody help her!”‘
My father, who was a doctor, rushed to my side. “She’s having a heart attack.”
My eyes widened as I fell back and watched my father. Someone yelled out, “Call 9-1-1!”
Savannah’s eyes were closed as my father began CPR. My mother wrapped her arms around me as she quietly began praying.
Wiping my tears away, I took Savannah’s hand and pleaded with her, “Baby, please don’t leave me!”
My pleas went unheard.
FOUR YEARS LATER
THE MUSIC PULSED through my body as I watched Nicholaus try his best to put the moves on some blonde he had been talking to for the last twenty minutes. It was almost painful to watch him crash and burn.
Letting out a sigh, I glanced around for Gus and Thad. If I knew Gus, he was in the parking lot screwing some girl—and Thad—Lord only knew what he was up to.
I motioned for the bartender. “I’ll take another bourbon, neat.”
Acknowledging my request, he quickly got my drink and set it in front of me. Sliding him a twenty, I said, “Keep the change.”
Tapping the bar, he smiled and said, “Thanks, dude.” Turning to the person who sat next to me, he asked, “What will it be, pretty lady?”
The air around me changed as I glanced to my right. A girl with brown wavy hair sat and said, “Jameson on the rocks.”
I lifted my drink to my lips and smiled. Taking a sip, I said, “A woman who knows how to drink.”
Feeling her eyes on me, I turned to look at her. What happened next was totally unexpected. My breath hitched as the most beautiful green eyes looked into mine. The first time in four years a woman had any sort of effect on me and it had to be in a fucking bar.
“Yeah, well, my daddy taught me two things. How to shoot a gun and how to order a drink.”
Lifting my eyebrows, I slowly nodded my head. “Remind me not to piss you off after you have a few of those.”
She gave me a polite chuckle and said, “You’re safe. Now my so-called best friend, not so much.”
Okay, I’ll bite.
“Why, what did she do?”
The girl took her drink and damn near drank the whole thing in one gulp. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she shook her head and turned her body toward me. “Listen, you’re cute . . . really cute . . . but I’m not interested in getting picked up by some overly-gorgeous guy who is out for a one-night stand. So you’re wasting your time with me.”
Oh, I’m so very intrigued now.
“Which one is it?” I asked as I gave this girl my best smile. The one where both dimples pop out and my green eyes light up. At least, that’s what I’ve been told anyway. I was certainly blessed with my Greek heritage and I knew when to use it.
Dropping her shoulders, she looked at me. Her eyes moved to my dimples, then on to my lips, and finally they settled on my eyes. “Excuse me?” she asked just above a whisper.
“You said I was really cute, and then you said I was overly gorgeous. I’m curious which one I am. Cute? Or gorgeous?”
Her mouth dropped open as she let out a gruff laugh. “Seriously?”
I finished off my drink and set it down. “Yeah. Seriously. And by the way, I’m not trying to pick you up. You’re not my type.”
Narrowing her eyes at me, she smiled slightly. Slipping off the bar stool, she grabbed her drink and finished it off. Her green eyes pinned me to where I couldn’t move even if I wanted to. “Gorgeous.”
I gave her a quick nod of my head as I smiled bigger. Tilting her head, she said, “But your eyes are sad.”
My smile faded as we stood there staring at each other. Looking away, she quickly said, “Enjoy your evening.”
I stood there frozen in place as I watched her make her way through the crowd. Stopping at a couple on the dance floor, who I assumed was the best friend, she said something and then made her way out of the bar.
Turning back toward the bar, I stared at my empty drink. Pulling out my phone, I sent Gus and Nicholaus a text.
Me: Catching a cab. Don’t stay out late, Gus. Cooking class 9am.
Making my way toward the entrance to the bar, I was stopped three times by women looking either for a dance or to share a drink. Politely turning them each down, I pushed the door open and stepped outside into the cool fall air.
I let out a sigh of relief as I dropped my head back and took in a few deep breaths. Something about the air here in Colorado felt so clean. I moved to Houston, Texas for a year after Savannah had passed away. I needed to be away from anything that reminded me of her. Gus had a friend who needed some help on an oil rig. Needless to say, my parents weren’t too happy when I said I was leaving my job as a marketing manager and heading to Texas. I hated every single minute of it and couldn’t wait to get back to Colorado Springs. The mountains, the fresh air, the snow-covered slopes. The only thing good about that year was that I was busy working. If I was busy, I didn’t think about Savannah.
The day I realized I couldn’t keep ignoring the fact that she was gone, was the day I packed up my stuff and headed home. Life moved on everyone kept telling me. The problem was I didn’t want to move on without her.
A honking horn pulled me out of my thoughts as I waved down a cab. Jumping in, I said, “Eleven-eleven Summit Road.”
“Manitou Springs?” the cab driver asked.
“Yeah,” I said as I dropped my head back against the seat. The moment I closed my eyes, green eyes invaded my thoughts. Snapping my eyes open, I shook my head and whispered, “What the fuck?” Sighing, I dragged my hands down my face. For the first time in four years, another woman besides Savannah occupied my thoughts, and I wasn’t sure how I should be feeling.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Taking it out, I saw Gus’s name scroll across the screen. Swiping across my phone, I read his text.
Gus: Tell me you’ve got a girl with you. Please tell me you’re gonna get fucked tonight. You need to get laid!
Rolling my eyes, I pushed my phone back into my pocket. I’d been with a few women since Savannah passed away. Most of them had been one-night stands. I had tried to date two of them more than one time. I couldn’t get past the fact that they weren’t Savannah. No one would ever be Savannah.
No. One.
GUS PULLED UP and parked next to me as I leaned against my door. Grinning from ear to ear, I took a sip of my coffee as I pushed off my car and made my way over to him.
The door to his Toyota Tundra flew open as he stumbled out. “Who in the fuck decided we needed to cook at nine in the damn morning?”
Giving him a slap on the back, I said,
With a dramatic sigh, Gus rubbed his hands down his scruff-covered face. “Fucking hell. I never imagined when I went to college to get my degree in marketing I’d be going to a damn cooking class.”
I let out a chuckle. “What better place to get into the heads of women who buy pots and pans than a cooking class. Isn’t that what you said?”
“How did we get stuck with this account? I mean seriously. We are manly men. We should be doing the marketing campaign for the new lingerie campaign.”
My head dropped back as I let out a roar of laughter. “Oh, yeah right. Like they would put you on that account. We’d get a sexual harassment charge after the first day.”
Grabbing my coffee from my hand, Gus pushed me away from him as he said, “Fuck you, Grivas. You good-looking Greek bastard.”
Laughing, I shook my head as I followed him into Onion Creek Gardens. It was a small restaurant that was only open Thursday through Sunday; on the days the restaurant wasn’t open, one of the owners held cooking classes. “Why do you always bring up the fact that I’m Greek?”
Gus stopped and looked at me. “Have you looked in the mirror lately, asshole? The dark hair, the dark skin. Women flock to you. It makes me sick.”
Grinning at the young woman standing in the hostess section, I gave her a wink. “Don’t listen to him; he’s hungover and feeling a tad bitter this morning because this was his idea.”
Letting out a giggle, the young girl waved as if she wasn’t paying any attention to us.
It didn’t take Gus long to start flirting with her. “What time do you get off, sweetheart?”
Chewing on her lower lip, the girl smiled and said, “Oh, um, not until two this afternoon.”
Gus reached out and grabbed a piece of paper and scrolled his cell number down on it. “Call me. Maybe we can get dinner.”
Her eyes quickly moved over to me and then back to Gus. I knew it wouldn’t take her long to answer. Gus was one of those guys who just had to smile and girls were falling over him. He was as tall as me at five-feet-eleven. We both worked out almost every day and had the same build. The only difference was he was blond with blue eyes and I had dark-brown hair and green eyes. My Greek heritage accounted for my darker skin tone.