Alpha Billionaire Series
Love to Hate You Chapter 22

NASH

When Charlie said everything was about to change, she couldn't have been more right. But every new thing we've encountered has been an adventure and I've enjoyed it. These past few weeks have been insane. Not only did I move Charlie into my apartment, but also, we made a few very big announcements: we're engaged, expecting a baby and taking over the Presidency at TB Tech together.

I think everyone was shocked for a moment, but they've all come together and have shown nothing but their complete support. My siblings are even throwing us an engagement party tonight over at Tanner's loft.

I think the best thing has been the everyday, normal stuff. Like last night, we curled up on the couch, made popcorn and watched "Die Hard." Even though I've seen it 100 times or more, Charlie hasn't and watching her experience it for the first time was so much fun for me. Sharing moments like that with each other fills my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life enjoying the little things.

After all, in the end, isn't it the little things that are really the big things?

Leaning a shoulder against the doorway to the bathroom, I watch as Charlie finishes getting ready for the party tonight. Stunning doesn't even begin to describe her. Even though she's not showing yet, pregnancy has given her this vibrant glow that steals my breath away every single time I look at her.

"What?" she asks, meeting my gaze in the mirror's reflection.

I repeat my thoughts. "You take my breath away."

Charlie turns around and gives me a dazzling smile. "Oh, really?"

I push off the door jamb and walk over, pulling her into my arms. "I'm tempted to blow this party off and stay here and make love to you all night."

"We can't!" she exclaims. "Your brothers and sister put all of this together for us. Plus, Alex and Jackie are going to be there."

I introduced Charlie to my best friend a couple of weeks ago. He was shocked when he realized she was the same Charlie who I used to despise when I worked with my dad, but now he's Team Charlie. He loves her and I love it that Jackie no longer brings Lori around. They both adore Charlie, and we make sure to get together as much as possible.

I never in a million years thought I'd be the type to go out on a double-date and yet here I am meeting my BFF and our girlfriends and doing "couple" things. And I've enjoyed it immensely.

"Fine," I relent with a sigh of regret. "I guess it would be incredibly rude to bail since we're the guests of honor." I drag the tip of my nose against hers and then dip my mouth and capture her lips in a long, slow kiss.

When we finally come up for air, Charlie takes an unsteady step backwards. "Let's go before I change my mind," she whispers, voice husky.

A half an hour later, we step into Tanner's loft and it's clear my sister was in charge of the decorating. The place is full of silver and white balloons, a huge banner that reads "Congratulations Nash & Charlie" and other kitschy decorations like cardboard hearts everywhere I look. It's a little much but sweet that she went overboard.

Sierra runs over and hugs us both. "How do you like the decorations?"

"They're great!" Charlie gushes.

I smirk. "I had a feeling you were in charge of those."

Sierra punches me in the arm then turns her attention back to Charlie. "Are you sure that you want to marry him?"

Charlie laughs and I frown. "Watch it, sis," I say.

"I'm stealing your fiancée," she says and grabs Charlie's arm, pulling her away. As they launch into girlie wedding talk, Tanner comes over and slaps me on the back. "Congrats, bro," he says. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"Thanks," I say and see Sawyer and Crew walk up behind him.

"What exactly are you referring to?" Sawyer asks and takes a sip of his beer. "The Beckett siblings all in the same room together again or Nash growing a heart?"

I'm on the verge of telling him to go screw, but I bite my tongue. I want to make amends with Sawyer. We've never seen eye to eye and have nothing in common except a mutual dislike for our now deceased father. "Glad you made it, Sawyer," I say and extend my hand.

He arches a brow then reaches over and warily shakes it. "You think I'd miss this circus? No way!"

"It is weird," Crew says. "All being together again."

"All being together again and not fighting," Tanner clarifies.

"The night is still young, brothers," Sawyer says with a smirk.

I struggle not to roll my eyes. Sawyer has always been a pain in my ass, and I swear to God, if he isn't on his best behavior tonight, I will beat his ass. For Charlie's sake, I'm not going to let anyone ruin this party. "We should probably get together next week and go over some business things," I tell them. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jo bn ib.com. Visit J obn I b.com to read the complete chapters for free.Sawyer groans. "Why? I already told you I'm not sitting behind a desk all day and I have no interest in TB Tech." "Before you decide to sell out, think things through thoroughly," Tanner advises him.

"My mind is 95 percent made up, fellas. I never wanted to be a part of Dad's company, so why would that change now?" Sawyer asks.

"Because Dad's gone and now, I want to hear what you think. I value your input," I say. Sawyer's brown eyes widen at my candid response. "Dad didn't give us that chance, but I will. This company is ours and even though I'm running the day-to-day stuff with Charlie, that doesn't make any of you any less important. You can be involved as much or as little as you want. We've also been talking about changing the name."

"To what?" Sawyer asks, voice laced in surprise.

"The company isn't just about our father anymore. It's about all of us. I was thinking of simply calling it Beckett Technology but wanted to run it by you guys and Sierra first."

"Appreciate it," Tanner says and both Crew and Sawyer give me a nod of approval.

"I like it," Sawyer says.

"Yeah, it has a certain ring to it," Crew agrees.

"Okay, let's see what Sierra says. That was one of the things I wanted to discuss at the meeting."

"I'm sure we can all make time to be there," Tanner says and looks pointedly at Sawyer.

“|

I guess," he says, though he doesn't look too happy about it.

Just as I'm about to see what day works best, Alex walks up and joins our circle. "So, how it feels being an engaged man?" he asks.

When I turn to my friend, my brothers wander off, escaping from the business conversation. "Pretty amazing," I admit. "Bet you never saw this coming." I gesture around at all the decorations and Alex smirks.

"Maybe not quite this soon after you told me you weren't looking for a serious relationship."

"What can I say? When you know, you know."

"Jackie and I love Charlie. I still can't believe she's the same woman that you used to bitch about all the time."

I hold a hand up. "Don't remind me."

"I think all along you probably had the hots for her."

"It doesn't matter because now I know she's, my world."

"And a father! Holy shit, Nash. You shifted from grandpa-gear into high speed. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, man."

I notice Sierra motioning for me, holding a bunch of notepads, and I suppress a groan. "Please tell me she isn't going to force us to play any silly party games."

"Are you kidding? Of course, she's going to."

And she does. But we all have fun and play along. It turns out to be a great night and toward the end of the evening, I'm sitting in a big, leather chair with Charlie on my lap, surrounded by my family and friends, and we're talking and laughing and catching up on life together. It's a moment I won't ever forget.

I tighten my arms around Charlie and lean my cheek against her fragrant hair. She's been wearing it down all the time now and I think it's because I always tell her how much I love it long and loose. Running my fingers through her hair has become my new favorite pastime. I'm also sporting a more rugged look and have been keeping some scruff on my face because I've discovered that it drives Charlie absolutely wild. Especially when I scrape it along her soft, sensitive skin.

If my woman tells me, it looks sexy then why the hell would I shave it?

Charlie laces her fingers through mine as Sierra finishes downing a glass of champagne. At this point, I think my little sister has successfully drunk an entire bottle by herself.

"So, we're all happily celebrating Nash and Charlie," she says, a bit tipsy. "But I feel like I'm just getting to know my own brothers again. And I've decided that I need to know everything about you four. Starting right now."

"Who's driving Sierra home?" I ask and they all laugh.

"Okay, so maybe I had a little too much bubbly, but, you guys," she gushes. "I missed you all so much and it's like we're getting a second chance to have a relationship and I just love you all so much."

"We love you, too," Tanner says.

"Like a wart that won't go away," Sawyer teases and Sierra sticks her tongue out at him.

"I love you like you're my other half," Crew says.

"You are my other half, dummy," she says and smiles at her twin.

I look from Crew back to Sierra and forget how in sync they can be sometimes. They both have brown hair, blue eyes and are 28. When we were growing up, being six years older than them sometimes felt like 20 years older. I'm glad we're finally learning more about each other and taking the time to be in each other's lives. It feels really good.

I've learned a lot these past few months, but the thing that I'm so grateful for is that I've discovered how truly important family is and that it's necessary to nurture those bonds and, even though they can drive you crazy, to embrace them despite wanting to murder them from time to time.

They say blood is thicker than water and that's never been my experience. But things change, people and attitudes change, so who knows where my siblings and I will be a year from now.

"So, I want to know which of my brothers has been in love before. Nash, you're obviously head over heels so I'm basically wanting to know where the rest of you stand when it comes to love and women."

Crew hikes a dark brow up and smirks. "Love? C'mon, Sierra." He glances over at me and Charlie. "No offense, bro, but you two are an anomaly."

"That's an awfully big word for you to know, Crew."

Crew flips Sawyer off. "Yeah? What about you, Casanova? Last I heard, there's a lineup outside your bedroom door."

"That's right," Sawyer murmurs and finishes off his beer. "In and out."

Sierra claps her hands together. "I may know the perfect woman for you, Sawyer."

For the first time since he's been back in my life, I notice Sawyer's normally cool expression slip just a bit.

"No thanks," he says.

"What about you, Tan?" she asks.

Uh-oh. I turn my attention to Tanner who looks pale. Sierra must not know anything about Tanner's ill-fated love affair with Addison that happened a couple of years ago. Not that I know any of the dirty details. I just know he loved that woman so damn much and she took off, leaving him with a broken heart.

"What about me?" he asks warily.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"No."

"Ooh," she exclaims and rubs her hands together like an evil genius matchmaker. "I know this girl-"

"Not interested," he says, interrupting her.

Sierra's blue eyes widen and then narrow. She's very perceptive, even when she's drunk. "Hmm, well alrighty then. Someone is grumpy."

"Knock it off, Sierra," Sawyer says. "Not everyone here is ready to get married and start popping out babies."

"I'm just trying to be helpful."

"What about you?" Sawyer asks. "How many broken hearts have you left trailing behind you?"

Sierra flushes. "None of your business."

"Oh, now hold up! You want to know the details of our love lives and won't share anything about yours?"

"Let's just say I'm single and ready to mingle." She crosses her arms and sticks her pert, little nose up in the air. "Uh-huh."

"I don't think love is something you go looking for," Charlie says. "It just kind of shows up one day and replaces you."

"Whether you want it to happen or not," I add, and everyone chuckles.

Charlie turns to face me and lays a hand along my face. "And it's the best kind of surprise."

We smile at each other and the moment our lips meet, a couple of whistles and "aww's" fill the air.

Charlie is right, I realize, and pull her into an embrace. The best love stories can begin in the most delightful and surprising kind of way. Ours certainly did.