Worth the Wait

By Charity West

Gemma Rhodes is facing a pivotal moment in her life. At the age of eighteen, she should be thriving in college and finding her place in the world. However, she feels lost and unsure of her future. To gain clarity, she takes a year off to discover who she is and what she wants. Though she harbors feelings for Jake Bennet, her brother's best friend and her unattainable crush, she knows she must move on and find someone who can reciprocate her love.

 

Jake Bennet, a Marine serving in a far-off war zone, cannot shake his thoughts of Gemma. He knows that dating his best friend's sister is out of bounds and could ruin their friendship. Nevertheless, upon his return home, he finds it hard to ignore his feelings. Despite his injury, he is determined to pursue Gemma and see if their love can withstand the challenges ahead because he knows some things are worth waiting for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JCS Books
• Release date: Nov 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393932345

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title Page

Worth the Wait

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

EPILOGUE

WORTH THE WAIT

Charity West

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within. Any trademarks mentioned are used for descriptive purposes only and are the property of the trademark holder and not Charity West.

Edited by Darlene Tallman

Cover Art by Jessica Coulter Smith

Cover image from Canstock Photo

©2020, Charity West

Published by JCS Books

Gemma Rhodes has her entire life ahead of her. At eighteen, she should be at college, living life to the fullest. Except she doesn’t have her life even the slightest bit figured out. Instead, she’s taken the year off to learn who she is and what she wants – aside from the unattainable Jake Bennet. Her brother’s best friend, her knight in shining armor, and a man who thinks of her as a little sister. She knows she should move on, but how can she when no one could ever compare to Jake?

Jake Bennet might be half a world away in the middle of a war, but the Marine only has one thing on his mind – Gemma. The one woman he can never have. There were some rules a guy just didn’t break, and dating his best friend’s sister was one of them. Riley would break him if he caught Jake looking at Gemma like the lovesick fool he was. When he’s injured and sent home, he knows he should stay away, but sometimes temptation is just too much for a mere mortal to handle.

There’s only one thing Jake needs to know... Can Gemma love a broken Marine? Because she’s had his heart for years, and if he’s learned anything, it’s that some things are worth the wait.

OTHER BOOKS BY CHARITY WEST

Young Adult Books

The Boyfriend Deal

The Boyfriend Mistake

Battered Not Broken

Mainstream New Adult Romance

Rising from the Ashes

On the Run

CHAPTER ONE

GEMMA RHODES ARCHED her back and pointed her toes, stretching her arms over her head. The wooden swing creaked and swayed under her, the slats digging into her butt. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to lie down, but she liked the gentle motion as it danced in the breeze. The leaves overhead rustled, and a few drifted toward the ground, the oranges and reds adding a splash of color to the landscape. October in North Carolina was a beautiful time of year, and one of her favorites. The air was cold and crisp, with a faint hint of sweetness from the dying grass.

Are you even paying attention? her friend Emily asked.

She glanced back at the screen of her phone. Of course.

Emily snorted. You weren’t. You were daydreaming again.

Her book lay across her stomach, her body holding her place. She squinted at the sky as the sun disappeared behind an ominous looking cloud, the first of many as she glanced toward the horizon.

Maybe a little. Things haven’t been going the way I’d hoped. When I’d thought of senior year, it hadn’t occurred to me both Riley and Jake would be gone. Or that I’d graduate early.

A sad smile crossed Emily’s face. I know you miss them, Gemma.

A year of hopes and dreams, it had been more like a year of disappointments. Her older brother Riley and his best friend—and her longtime crush—Jake Bennet had joined the Marines, leaving Gemma worried, heartbroken, and completely alone. For as long as she remembered, she’d followed Jake and her brother everywhere they went.

When she’d found out they’d enlisted, she’d loaded up on summer classes and had finished the required credits to graduate by the time school started in August. The last two months, she’d been trying to figure out what to do with her life. She could have started college, but she hadn’t known what to study. It had seemed like a waste of time to go when she had no idea who she was, or who she wanted to be. Not to mention, she didn’t know how her father would handle being on his own.

A drop of rain splashed against her cheek, the cool wetness slipping down into her hair.

Hang on, Em. The raining is coming.

Shoving her book under her shirt, Gemma sat up, grabbed her phone, and jumped off the swing, sending it crashing into the base of the tree before ricocheting back into her. She winced as it bruised the backs of her knees, and then she ran toward the house. Larger drops splashed down, wetting her hair and clothes. As she leapt onto the porch, a rumble shook the ground and cracked the sky, just moments before the deluge came down.

The steps turned dark as the rain drenched her, the parched wood soaking up any bit of moisture. Another clap of thunder boomed in the sky as lightning raced through the clouds overhead. It was a cleansing of the earth, as well as a cleansing of her mind. Gemma watched as the storm raged around her, the air growing cool and damp.

She turned the camera around on her phone. You seeing this?

Holy crap! Makes me glad we’re in Florida for fall break.

Gemma changed the phone back so Emily could see her again. Thanks for the reminder that you’re miles away while I’m stuck here. No Riley, no Jake, and no friends. It sucks.

Sorry, Gem. I have to run. Mom is calling. FaceTime me again tomorrow!

The screen on her phone went dark and she put it away before pulling her book out from under her shirt. Gemma sank onto the porch planks, her back against the clapboard house. Drawing her hoodie tighter around her body, she opened the hardback. The silvery light was just bright enough for her to see the words on the page as she devoured the sentences in front of her.

Gemma had always enjoyed reading, but even more so since she’d gotten the news that Jake was in a war zone. Mrs. Bennet had received the call as she’d been standing in line at the grocery store. Gemma just happened to be in front of her, stocking up on apple juice and her favorite grape soda. The words had nearly shattered her still tender heart, and she’d hurried out of the store before she could break down and cry in front of Jake’s mother.

That was a month ago, and she didn’t know if he was safe or not. If she’d gone to the Bennet house and asked about Jake, she knew they would tell her what they could, but she’d have to admit to her feelings if that happened. It was one thing for Riley to haunt their house asking questions about Jake, and another for Gemma to do it. She may have been their shadow all her life, but she’d always been that cute girl in pigtails following the big boys around. When she’d turned fifteen, all that had changed. She’d become the awkward teen with hearts in her eyes every time she looked Jake’s way, even though he’d been a year older than her.

Gemma looked up at the ominous sky. Where are you Jake? Are you safe? Are you coming home?

She remembered the first time he’d broken her heart, even though he’d been clueless when it happened. Gemma had caught him kissing Jenny Thompkins under the bleachers at school, and if the rumors were true, they’d shared a lot more than that during the four months they had dated. It had been a blow to her self-esteem that she’d been right under his nose all these years, but when Jake looked at her, he didn’t see a desirable woman whom he wanted to date. He saw a pesky young girl who had annoyed him most of his life.

The rain slackened and the wind picked up, chilling her to the bone. Closing the pages of her book, she pulled open the front door and stepped inside just as a rush of cold air blew down the neck of her shirt. With a shiver, she closed and locked the door before setting her book on a nearby table. The house was deceptively quiet, even though she knew her father was inside, probably working on his latest novel.

Just another day in the very dull and boring life of Gemma Rhodes, she muttered to herself.

The wooden floor creaked under her steps as she walked down the dim hallway. As she pushed open the heavy door, it groaned on its hinges, sounding like something straight out of a horror movie. Gemma heard the clickety-clack of her father’s keyboard as he pounded away on his computer. Lamplight glinted on the lenses of his thick glasses, and she smiled at his intense look of concentration. He must have written a harried scene this afternoon because his hair stood up in all directions, as if he’d been running his fingers through it, or possibly trying to rip it out.

Gemma stepped closer to the desk, her presence yet undetected, and she claimed the slat back chair near the trash can that was overflowing with scribbles and notes. When her father got into what he called the zone, the house could burn down around him, and he’d never notice, not until it melted his precious computer. She didn’t mind her father’s obsession with his work and admired his tenacity. It had taken him a decade to find an agent for his first book, and then another two years to land a contract with a publisher. But it had opened the door a crack, and then her dad had stormed his way through, laying siege to everything that stood in his way of success.

She eyed the awards on his walls and the folder he kept of each time he’d hit the bestseller lists. Even if he was a bit absent-minded at times, his work ethic had taught her that anything was possible as long as she didn’t give up.

Dad? she called softly, not wanting to startle him.

He didn’t falter in his keystrokes and didn’t glance her way.

Dad, she said a little louder. It’s getting close to dinnertime. Maybe we should figure out what we’re going to eat.

He stopped mid-stroke and glanced her way, his eyes slightly glazed and bloodshot. She’d seen that look many times before and knew it meant he was either close to the end, or had latched on to some genius twist and wanted to get every word down, before they slipped away like dandelion pods on the wind. She loved her father, but there were times she wished he’d show that much dedication to something as essential as eating. The man could stay locked in his office for days, with nothing more than coffee and a crust of bread.

Food, Dad? she prompted again.

Right. He pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. Sorry, kiddo. Guess I got a little caught up in my work today.

She smiled. It’s all right.

So, I guess we should scope out the kitchen and see what’s in the cupboards. What about chicken breasts and macaroni?

Um, we ate the chicken the other night, and I fixed the last box of macaroni for lunch today. She chewed on her lower lip. We were supposed to go to the store yesterday, but...

He sighed. But I was busy working and forgot. I guess I get the worst parent of the year award.

No, Dad. You may be absentminded, but you’re still a great dad. I couldn’t have asked for a better one.

He gave her a faint smile before rubbing his eyes again, then put his glasses back on. Stretching his arms over his head, she heard his back and neck crack several times and wondered how long he’d sat hunched over the keyboard without a break. His office had a bathroom connected, and a coffee pot plugged in on the filing cabinet, so he seldom left the space during work hours.

Since we haven’t been to the store, what about ordering Chinese? she asked, knowing he’d want to eat quickly and get back to writing.

Are you sure, Gemma? I know we just had it a few nights ago. I really do need to run to the market, even if it’s just for a few days’ worth of groceries. I know how you get when you run out of your grape soda.

If you give me some money, I can go to the store after dinner and pick up some stuff. At least enough for a few meals, and restock the beverages. I checked your coffee stash this morning, and the pantry is empty. Whatever you’ve hidden in here is the last of it.

He grunted.

Come on, Dad. The sooner we eat, the sooner you can get back to your book. If there’s enough cash, I can order Chinese for us and still run to the store for some essentials. I have a book to read, so it won’t bother me if you spend the rest of the night writing.

All right, Gemma. There should be a few hundred stashed in Mom’s cookie jar. Order something for us to eat, and after dinner, you can go to the store, but I want you to be careful. We’re supposed to have a horrible storm tonight.

Gemma mustered a smile before going to the kitchen. She paused in the doorway, looking across the darkened kitchen to the hutch on the far wall. Shadows closed in on her, and the distance to her target seemed to grow. Her heart fluttered in her chest, not because she was scared of the Boogey Man, but because she was afraid of the jar.

Her mom’s jar.

Gemma took a breath and crossed the room. Lightning flashes illuminated the space as she reached for the one thing that would never change in their house—the hutch with the glass cookie jar. It wasn’t a fancy jar, nothing that someone would deem special, except it had been her mother’s, a woman who had disappeared from their lives all too soon.

Her fingers closed around the cool glass, the moonlight making the teal glaze almost glow in the darkness. It was heavy in her hands as she lifted it from the shelf. Removing the lid, she reached inside and pulled out a handful of cash, counting out enough to cover dinner and some groceries, then put the rest back. Thunder boomed outside, making the kitchen windows rattle and causing Gemma to jump. She reached for the switch on the wall and flicked on the light over the kitchen table in the breakfast nook. Gemma looked out the bay window as the dark clouds raced across the sky. Her dad was right; it was going to be a wicked storm.

She placed the order for Chinese then went into the living to read while she waited for the delivery. Mrs. Wong, the lady who owned the shop, promised it would arrive within a half hour. Gemma was grateful for the short wait, so she could read for a while. Hopefully, after dinner, she could get to the store and back before the storm broke. While there had been thunder and lightning, with a healthy dose of rain, it was still a mild night so far.

Her fingers twitched, aching to send a message to Riley or Jake. She had an email address for them, but other than a few messages to her brother, she hadn’t written to them. The thought of sending Jake a message, and only Jake, terrified her. Even worse, if she did write and didn’t get a response she would wonder if he just wasn’t interested in writing to her, or if he’d been hurt. Or worse.

With a sigh, she picked up the phone and opened her email. Starting a message to her brother, she decided to keep it short and sweet. Just enough so he’d know he was missed.

It’s not the same here without you. Dad’s busy writing, my friends are enjoying their senior year, and I’m moping around the house day after day. There’s also a storm raging outside that sounds like it might tear the house down. I miss you. Tell Jake I said hi. I don’t even know if the two of you see each other. Stay safe!

~ Gem

Gemma put the phone away and grabbed her hardback again. The pages were smooth, and the scent of ink filled the air as she heard the spine creak. It was her favorite book, one she’d read countless times. She quickly tumbled into the romance, picturing herself as the heroine being swept off her feet by the hero. By the time the food arrived, she’d read another two chapters.

Gemma got the cash she’d set aside for dinner and opened the front door. The delivery guy, a senior at her school, looked more like a drowned rat than a human. He handed her the sack of food, and she gave him enough to cover the cost of dinner plus a few dollars for a tip.

Thanks, Josh.

He smiled. Anytime, Gemma. We miss you at school.

She had a hard time believing that. She’d had very few people she considered acquaintances, and only one she thought of as a friend. Even Emily wasn’t exactly her best friend. If anyone held that place of honor, it was her brother and Jake.

I heard that Seth Parkes is throwing a party tomorrow night. You should try to come.

Seth Parkes. It was sweet of Josh to invite her, but nothing would ever make her attend a party at Seth’s place. No matter how bored she got, she’d never be that desperate. She’d heard too much about what went on there, and knew it was a bad idea. But she also didn’t want to seem rude.

I’ll think about it. Thanks for the invite.

See ya. He gave her a wave as he jumped off the porch and ran to his truck, the rain pelting him before he dove inside.

Gemma carried the food to the kitchen and got down a plate for her father. She knew if she just gave him the containers, the food would sit uneaten on his desk. Giving him a plate and fork seemed to make a difference though. Shrimp fried rice, orange chicken,