Read Online Back to You by Natalie-Nicole Bates - Free Book Online Page A

an extremely jealous woman, and there was no sense inciting her wrath.
    But the time came when he could hold his feelings inside no longer. A national magazine ran a story on Quinn Michaels that hinted at his involvement with Lynsey, and speculated that Quinn and Lynsey would soon announce their engagement. A photo spread of the couple covered several pages, and Lynsey had looked absolutely radiant on the arm of the popular blond singer.
    Kelly pulled the magazine from his hands, abruptly closed it, and tossed it aside. “Lynsey Reznor is nothing but a lucky little whore who gets by on her looks, not her talent,” she had said.
    Enraged, Nick jumped to his feet, his eyes burned pure blue fire as he glared down at his wife. “I should have married Lynsey when I had the chance! I would have been happy now!” He spat the words out with venom.
    Kelly said nothing. For a long moment, she simply stared at him. She then grabbed her handbag and walked out of the house.
    When he didn’t hear from her for a week, he began to realize that divorce was finally an option. He felt so liberated without Kelly constantly in his shadow, making all the decisions for him. Sure, he would probably have to pay out a good portion of his paycheck to her in alimony, and he would most likely lose the house to her, but he no longer cared. He would be free!
    After two weeks passed, he came home from work to find Kelly in the kitchen cooking dinner. She just walked back into the house and acted like she never left. Nick figured that her parents sent her back to make the marriage work.
    He was determined to ask her for a divorce. The decision had been put off far too long. Before he had a chance to speak with an attorney, her Lupus flared up and she was hospitalized. This time, she didn’t recover.
    Now, as he looked around his old-fashioned kitchen with its outdated appliances and ugly metal cabinets, he suddenly was struck by the realization that he didn’t like this house and never really did. Kelly and her parents picked the house without asking for his opinion. It was just a shell full of old, bitter, and unhappy memories that he felt desperate to shed.
    Sure, the lake and the surrounding land were fabulous, and maybe that would attract a buyer. There was plenty of space to make an addition to the house. Maybe it was time to sell and start over on his own terms. Finally.

Chapter Six

    When Suzy showed up at the door unannounced, Lynsey was wary, as their last get-together had ended so badly.
    But Suzy actually had a smile on her face and a peace offering—a coconut frosted layer cake. Lynsey felt her resistance melt. She didn’t want to be angry at her best friend.
    “I thought my brother would be here this morning,” Suzy commented as she got the plates and cutlery from the kitchen cupboard while Lynsey started a pot of fresh coffee.
    “I heard him leave a while ago. Sometimes he goes to have breakfast with Evan. But we don’t keep track of each other’s comings and goings.”
    “Well, that gives us some girl time together,” Suzy said as she cut into the cake.
    When they finally settled down at the table, Suzy continued “I’m so sorry about what happened at the diner, and for hurting your feelings. I just wanted to see you and my brother together. It’s obvious you love him, and I know he loves you.”
    Was she really that transparent? Lynsey wondered. Maybe it was time to just give in and tell Suzy the truth. Afterward, Suzy would realize why she and her brother could never be together.
    “Suzy, I want to tell you something personal.”
    “Listen, Lynsey, you don’t have to…”
    “No, I want to.” She reached for Suzy’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ve been holding this secret in for twenty years.”
    “Okay.” Suzy nodded.
    Now where to start? “You were right—all those years ago, there was a lot more going on between your brother and me then I ever admitted. We were sort of seeing each other at the