The Bet Read Online Free Page A

asked
    “I
didn’t. He offered to,” she said.
    “Gabby,
he loves you. Maybe this is his way of saying that he is ready for that next
step. He really said future husband?”
    Gabby
paused before she answered. “Yes. He did.”
    “I
don’t know, hon. He threw down a heavy commitment there.”
    “He
did that because he was confident he’d win Tyler, that’s why. He’d never stop working
for that long.”
    “Then
why did he come up with that? Out of all of the crazy things he could have
picked, he chose the one thing that part of him most likely wanted to do.
Something to think about, sis. I gotta get going. I have to pick up my date. Talk
to you tomorrow?” Tyler asked her.
    Gabby
took a deep breath, inhaling all that her brother that told her. Maybe Chris
did want to stop for a bit and take a break. Maybe Tyler was right. “Ok. Love
you, bro. Have fun,” she said.
    “Love
you too. Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said and ended the call.
    Putting
down the receiver, she decided to unwind a bit before Chris came in after the
show.
    Pouring
some wine in a glass that was on her nightstand, Gabrielle leafed through some
old photographs of her and Chris that the two of them took long before he
became famous. Sprawled on top of the bed in disorganized chaos, Gabrielle
picked up an old performance photo of Chris from his time playing at the Bowery
Club in their hometown of Bedford, New York.
    Gabrielle’s
heart filled with joy at the sight of the picture. That time seemed so long ago
now. She turned the photograph over and recognized her own scribbled
handwriting. It read, ‘Chris-2001, Bowery Club VIP showcase, Meteor Records.’
    It
was from the first night she saw him perform. Great in a lot of ways, but in
fact for Chris it was a horrible night. Chris’ old girlfriend and backup singer
showed up to sing stoned out of her mind and messed up their showcase
performance. Gabrielle, just an intern, was late; Chris was horrible to not
only her but to everyone that night.
    She
remembered that, although he was upset and angry about how the night went, he
wound up apologizing the next day and eventually being one of the most charismatic
and loving people she had ever met.
    His
looks were smoldering, those gray eyes, the long brown hair, the athletic
build. His moves were so catlike and intoxicatingly sensual that few men could
replicate them.
    Their
relationship had always been such a physical one from the time they told one
another they loved each other. She was impressed she had fought it for as long
as she had.
    She
chuckled at the thought of the young woman in the audience a few nights ago. She’d
forgotten what it was like to see him up close. He was breathtaking.
    Like
he promised, each night, Chris tried to seduce her without result. At least
that’s what she wanted him to think.
    Walking
into the bathroom to take a shower, she took off her sweater to reveal her
round curves and porcelain skin.
    As
she walked to the mirror, Gabrielle began to free her long mass of blonde curls
from the ponytail. Chris loved how her hair cascaded down the small of her back
in different shades of blonde. The curls, as she brushed them, they transformed
into a sea of waves.
    Gabrielle
set the brush down. She looked at herself in the mirror once more. Turning toward
her side, she noticed that her tummy was becoming a little round.
    Surprised,
she raised an eyebrow. She had been eating a lot lately and not exercising as
much as she should due to work and moving into Chris’ new home. She told
herself that trips to the gym were definitely in order when she got home.
    As
she undressed, her mind couldn’t help but think of her Chris once more and the
fact that it was Valentine’s Day. As she unzipped her jeans, her mind raced
with thoughts of him helping her out of them.
    The
heat slowly crept up her thighs as thoughts of her boyfriend’s protective hands
around her small waist consumed her.
    With
her clothes already off, she went over