Closer to my dreams, p.1
Closer to My Dreams, page 1
Closer To My Dreams
Iris Bolling
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Thank You
About the Author
FOLLOW ME
Also by Iris Bolling
Closer To My Dreams © 2024 by Iris Bolling
* * *
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, locales is entirely coincidental.
Published by:
Siri Austin Entertainment LLC
Richmond, Virginia 23222
Website: www.siriaustin.com
* * *
ISBN: 979-8-9868244-4-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2024900225
Introduction
Dear Reader;
Jason Whitfield and Taylor Brooks have grown up right before our eyes. We met Taylor as a child through her uncle James Brooks story, The Heart of Him. We met Jason Whitfield as a teenager in The Pendleton Rule and again, in One Spark of Magic. We watched them meet and fall in love in Fatal Mistake. Then we felt the hurt Taylor experienced and Jason’s supporting her through the death of her mother in Propensity For Love, In A Brooks’ Thanksgiving, we watched and laughed as they struggled through the trials of young love. Now, the two have finally come together and are determined to make their love last for an eternity, by taking the next step to be Closer to their Dreams.
I hope you enjoy their story.
* * *
PS: During this story, to my surprise, we get to see James Jr. step into his purpose. I’m Just Saying….
Chapter 1
Atlanta, Georgia
The fist hit him so hard he felt his teeth rattle inside his mouth. Before he could get up, someone kicked him in his gut. It was hard to figure out which pain was worse as all the contents of his stomach landed on the ground.
“Don’t hurt him too bad. He needs to be able to work so he can make my money.”
Thankful for the sensible voice, the man knew enough to stay on the ground. The hell with pride or trying to fight his way out of this situation. Pride wasn’t going to do him no good if he was dead.
“I’ll get your money, man,” he said.
“Naw, man, take your time. Every day you are late the interest is going up twenty-five percent and that’s a discount,” the body man stated.
“That you were supposed to pay back five days ago. You’re at twenty-two grand as of today. I suggest you hurry up and figure out how you are going to pay my money back.”
The man sat back against the wall of the alley they cornered him in. “I’m good for it, man…I promise you. I got people who will handle it for me.” He tried hard to catch his breath.
“Yeah, who you know is just going to fork over twenty grand to you?”
“I know people.”
“If you know people with that kind of bread, why you have to come to me?”
“He’s on the road, man. I couldn’t get to him before the foreclosure. I told you that, man. This wasn’t about spending money in my pocket. I was desperate.”
“So, you got to keep your house. Let’s see if you are lucky enough to keep your life.”
“Just let me end this sucker’s life right now. That job he got will never pay him enough to clear his book,” the voice of the muscle said.
Another booted foot kicked him in the jaw. He slumped over to the ground. “I got it man, I got it.”
“Make me believe you,” the man ordered. “Or I’ll let my man end it right here…right now.”
“Jason…man…Jason Whitfield. He’s, my boy. He’ll hook me up.”
“The NBA player?”
“Yeah, man.” He eased up from the ground. “He’ll be home this week. I can get it then.”
There was silence for a long moment.
“A’ight…you can live for now. You have one week to get me my money. If you don’t, I’m taking out you and Whitfield.”
His head was slammed against the brick wall and darkness descended upon him.
* * *
Baltimore, MD
“I hired an attorney, he thinks we may have a claim on her estate.”
“He sees a paycheck for a foolish claim that has no merit. We didn’t even know the woman.”
“We are still her family.”
“No, we are not. She was an uppity cousin who never had anything to do with us. I don’t know why you are so obsessed with her anyway.”
“It’s our way out of this dump. Unless you have a better idea.”
“Nope but I ain’t stupid enough to spend the little money I have trying to get money from rich people who don’t know we even exist.”
“She did it. She fooled that rich guy into marrying her. Why can’t we do the same?”
“Their last name is Brooks. They are all lawyers. They have been there and done that. None of them are going to fall for the I spread my legs and got pregnant from you.”
“The daughter isn’t a lawyer. She’s a singer. Even if her daddy gets the case thrown out of court, she may pay us to keep us from going on social media about her mother.”
“Girl, everybody already knows about her crazy ass mother. It was all on the news during the trial. You don’t have nothing newsworthy that will make them people look at you twice.”
“We can be the poor relatives that they left behind in the hood in Baltimore. Some news people might pay us to tell our story, even if they don’t pay us off to be quiet. Whatever we are able to get will be more than what we have now. All we need is enough money to get away from the filth and move out of these dismal walls.”
“It’s the only home we have ever known. When Momma died, we said we would keep this house. It’s the only thing she left us.”
“Yeah, and we owe taxes out of the ying yang that neither of us can afford to pay. We should have sold it when those people came around before. Now we are stuck with no way out. Going to a 9-5 everyday making minimum wage ain’t working no more. One of us has to do something to change our situation.”
“And you think trying to con people out of their hard-earned money is the way to go?”
‘“It worked for Connie and Aunt Bernice. Those rich people bought her that house she was living in.”
“Then they rented it out when she died.”
“Connie rented it out to strangers. Wouldn’t even let us move in.”
“I don’t know why you always expected her to do anything different.”
“Because she’s family.”
“Yes, family who was always selfish and never wanted to have anything to do with us.”
“Well, maybe her daughter is different. Maybe her daughter will want to know more about us now that Connie is dead.”
“Well, you go ahead with your plans to shame rich people into your scheme. Both of us have to get to work and try to earn enough money to eventually pay the taxes on these “dismal walls,” as you call it. Grab your coat.”
The two women walked out of the two-bedroom house with the small front yard, closing the gate behind them.
“I hate this place. After work, I’m going back to that lawyer’s office to see what he comes up with. Do you want me to let you know what he says?”
“No, this is one time you are on your own.”
Chapter 2
“Good morning, beautiful. Are you ready for the love of your life?”
Taylor Brooks turned over, smiling, with her cellphone beside her. She slowly opened her eyes to see Jason Whitfield, the love of her life, smiling at her.
“I wish you were here.”
“Me too, babe. But we don’t have much longer to wait. This is the last game of the semi-finals. We win this last game, and we are finals bound.”
“Count down mode for us.”
“Yes, it is. How did the wrap up for the CD go? I know you sound good.”
She smiled as she sat up in bed. “It was great, babe. It’s like the instruments blend with my voice. We literally sound like we became one.”
“You don’t need instruments, your voice is pure.”
“You love my voice whether I’m singing or talking.”
“True that…especially early in the morning when you’re still half asleep. You be sounding sexy as hell. That’s why I call every morning at the crack of dawn. I can get my little freak on before I start my day.”
Taylor laughed. “You’re not fooling me. You are already in the gym working out. That’s how you get your freak on.”
“It would be better if you were here with me. I could switch you f or the weights and workout all day long,” he crooned. “Some of the other players are coming in, babe. I gotta go. Love you.”
“Love you more. Good luck with your game tonight.”
With that, Taylor disconnected the video call and thought, one day closer to my dreams. The automatic drapes at the window of her room opened, indicating it was seven a.m. The sun slowly spilled into the room as the drapes moved further apart. She could feel the rays of sunshine glistening on her skin, igniting the spread of warmth through her veins. She sighed, wondering if it was a sin to wake up this excited. Maybe she should find a way to tap down the adrenaline pouring through her body after talking to Jason. The calls were wonderful when he was away, but nothing close to what it was like when he was home and they woke up in bed together. She smiled at the thought knowing as soon as the finals were over, they would be buying a house and moving in together. Her father, Vernon Brooks, attorney to the rich and famous, still wasn’t crazy about the idea, but he knew she and Jason loved each other and would be spending the rest of their lives together. With everything they had been through for the last five years, there was no doubt either was going anywhere.
Throwing the sheet and bedspread aside, Taylor stood in her hip hugging shorts and midriff tank top, showing off her muscular toned body, and walked over to the large picture window. The grounds of Avery and Gwendolyn Brooks’, her grandparents, estate had been her home all her life. She was brought there from the hospital when she was born and never really lived anywhere else. There was a time when she and her mother had stayed in Atlanta when she was performing, but that was never home. This, the grounds that spread as far as her eyes could see, was home. The gardens, the guesthouse, the walking trail, the stable with the horses, the basketball court, the tennis court, the swimming pool, and oh yes, the gazebo, all held fond memories for her. She would miss them dearly when she moved to Atlanta. However, unlike the last time, this time Atlanta will become home for her and Jason. A home filled with lots of love. Not like the torment of when she was there with her mother. The public thought she was living the charmed life of being a pop star, singing on stage, traveling, and gracing the walls of teenage boys around the world. It was anything but charming. It was hell for a while.
Thoughts of her mother filled her mind. Lord, the therapy she had endured behind the sexual assault. It had taken her a long time to use that terminology, but that is what it was for a young girl. Then there was the guilt she felt surrounding her mother’s death. It still grabbed her from time to time. However, now she had the tools to mentally deal with the past and was ready for the beginning of her new life with Jason.
Her eyes wandered from the horses grazing near the stables to the swimming pool then back to the gazebo.
“It’s time for a run,” she said out loud.
With that, she went to her walk-in closet, which was the size of a most people’s houses, to the section that held her jogging outfits. Quickly changing, she pushed the button to turn the carousel that held her running shoes, then stopped at her favorite pair. She was going to miss this closet, she thought, as she sat on the bench to put her sneakers on. After she was dressed, she ran down the back staircase that led into the kitchen. She was not surprised to see Ava, the house manager and cook there.
“Good morning, Taylor. Off for your morning run?”
“Good morning, Ms. Ava.” Taylor beamed as she grabbed a bottle of water from the drink refrigerator. “Yes, I thought I’d get one last one in at the home front before leaving.”
“We’re going to miss you,” Ava said sadly. “The house won’t be the same without you.”
“Are you kidding,” Taylor laughed as she opened the bottle. “With all the babies born recently, this house is going to be crazier than ever.”
Ava laughed. “Lord knows when they are here, the house certainly comes alive.”
“Is that what you call it,” Taylor chuckled. “It’s bad enough when Lil Vernon is over by himself, but when the twins, Aiden and Addison are here, and Aunt Nikki brings Faith over, this place is like crazy town.”
“And your grandmother loves every minute of it,” Ava replied. “Gwen said it reminds her of when you and James Jr. were growing up. You were cousins but grew up more like brother and sister. Now look at you, both all grown up and lawyers, just like your fathers.”
Taylor smiled. “Yes, but there is no way either of us were as bad as these cousins. I love them, but I’m just happy to know I’ll have my own place where I can find a little peace and quiet every now and then. They can come over for visits, but I know they will be going home to their parents.”
“You are going to miss them. There is nothing like the laughter of children in a home.”
“You might be right, but for this moment in my life, I want that laughter to come from me and Jason running around the house,” Taylor replied.
“So…are you two talking about marriage?”
Taylor did not miss the questioning slant of her eyes. “The word has not come from either of our lips, but I’m hoping it’s somewhere in the future.”
“You know, my gardens are a beautiful backdrop to a summer wedding,” Gwen said as she walked into the kitchen.
Taylor thought her grandmother was the most graceful woman she had ever met, with her tall, slim frame and glowing skin. There was never a time when her grandmother’s eyes weren’t smiling. But she had lived around the woman all her life and recognized the strong suggestion versus the simple comment. “Yes, Grandmother.” She kissed her cheek. “I know they are, and I promise to keep that in mind.” She downed the water, threw the empty bottle in the recycle bin then headed towards the door leading to the back patio.
“Your father is coming by this morning to see you,” Gwen stated.
“I expected him to and I’m sure he’s going to echo your suggestion about a wedding. You two have been in cahoots with each other. Grandpa is the only one not pestering me about a wedding.”
“We just want you to be happy,” Gwen replied as she took a cup of coffee from Ava.
“I am happy.” Taylor smiled, then ran out the door. She stopped on the patio to do a few stretches before her run. Life as a performer wasn’t as glamorous as people thought. The stamina needed to perform night after night was as demanding as that of an athlete. Just another element Jason understood about her life. They both respected the work ethics needed to stay at the top of their respective careers. As she stretched, thoughts of the events that had been held on the veranda and the gazebo filled her mind. Every member of the Brooks family had gotten married there. Uncle James and Aunt Ashley got married in the foyer of the house. The view between the double staircase was breathtaking. Her Uncle Nick and Aunt Ericka got married in the gazebo, just as her Aunt Nikki and Uncle Xavier had. Then there was her father’s wedding to Rene Naverone, that was a sight to see. All of Rene’s bridesmaids, including her, were dressed in cat suits and carried sabers. It was crazy.
“Hmm…who knows, maybe Jason and I will be next,” she smiled.
With hands on her hips she took in the views, closed her eyes, and then took in a deep breath. The scents of the flowers in the garden filled her nostrils.
Yes, this would be a great place for a wedding. She could not imagine getting married anywhere else. Just thinking about it and Jason stirred her blood in ways she could never explain. He had not asked her to be his wife yet…but she knew it was coming.
Running down the fifteen steps, she touched her earbuds to start the music, then took the paved walkway leading to the right. The entire course was three miles long and should take her about twenty minutes to complete. The gazebo was the midway point where she would take a few minutes just to sit and enjoy the spring morning. With her route planned out, she started at a leisurely pace to take in all the beauty of her childhood home before moving away. As she ran, the guesthouse where she and Jason made love last Thanksgiving came into view. She smiled, almost giggling at the memory of that entire holiday when her cellphone buzzed.
