A.R. Jackson - Eternal Devotion: 1, Book 1

A.R. Jackson

Eternal Devotion

First published by Vision Haus Media in 2018

Copyright A.R. Jackson, 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

A.R. Jackson asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

First edition

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In Memory of

Patricia Ann Jackson

***

The day had finally come to an end. Kevin was exhausted and ready to call it a night. He and his girlfriend Faith were headed to her house where hed been laying his head for the past few weeks. There has been a lot of drama within the family, and he needed to get away.

On their way back, his phone rings. Its from a number that Kevin doesnt recognize, but he was bound to answer it. If someone was willing to call after eleven at night, it must be something importantthis was one reason his mother always had the house phone louder when they went to bed.

Hello, says Kevin.

Its Chelsea, a lifelong friend of the family, she sounds a little melancholy. Hey Chelsea, is everything ok? He asks.

Hey. Where are you? Are you on your way home?

Kevin didnt understand why she began asking so many questions.

Faith could hear the conversation through the car and became concerned after his tone and disposition changed.

Chelsea, whats going on, he asks again.

The conversation was starting to linger, and Kevin still has no clue on why she called him. It was taking a long time for Chelsea to get to the point.

As she takes her time answering him, Kevin begins to get antsy. After her dramatic pause, she informs him that her and the family are at the hospital with his Mother.

Cautiously, she breaks the news thats been weighing on her spirit heavily from the moment he decided to answer the phone.

Im sorry Kevin, its your mother she didnt make it.

In utter disbelieve, he hangs up the phone. Kevins eyes begin to glaze over. And with the look of a lost child, he realizes that his worst nightmare has now come true. The pride and joy of his life was gone.

He makes a U-turn at the light to head towards the hospital.

Faith can see him falling apart at the seams. It wont be long before Kevins strength withers away. As he pulls to the side of the road, the pain can no longer be concealed.

Kevin wails like never before. With every cry, released the sound of his broken heart. He has never experienced such pain. This was a wound that would never heal. But only hurt less over time.

Kevin and his longtime friend since high school, Sean Miller, have been out in the sun all afternoon working outmid-summer is the worst time for football practice. Kevin and Sean are star players on their team, so the heat for them was not a reason to give anything less than their best.

They both got full-ride scholarships to their college before graduating high school. So, you can imagine how much is expected of them. The two young men were both just breaking their twenties, they were spry and energetic. They felt unstoppable.

Kevin, himself, comes from a family of athletes. His brothers were both record-breaking track starsone of them still holds a record at his Cal State alma mater.

His oldest brother, Liam, didnt really play football that much while Ethan, on the other hand, was a fanatic.

He played in high school, as well as college, and was on track to go pro. Even his sister and mother ran track when they were younger, so its in his DNA.

His dad, Chuck, wasnt big on sports but taught Kevin strong work ethic. It was seeing his dad working night and day, that showed him what true dedication and hard work would get you. This was the foundation for the rest of his life. Having some of the best examples of athleticism and persistence growing up, he was bound to be a star.

It doesnt run as deep for Sean and his family, though, He just loved the sport. Growing up down south made his love for football almost unavoidable. The passion both him and Kevin shared on the field, made them who they are today. As athletes and as brothers. But even with that being said, the summer heat in LA gets to anyone after a while. They were starting to wear thin.

The coach saw their fatigue and decided to call it quits for everyone. As much as Coach Ace liked to push his team, their health was more important. After he brought them in for a huddle, they ended the practice and packed up for the day. Kevin walks over to gather his gym bag and looks across the field. A young lady caught his attention.

She was gorgeous, with the skin complexion of a queenKevin was staggered by her beauty. As Faith and her friend Kate step onto the field, she too looked his way. They lock eyes for a moment as the young lady continues to walk. Faith tries not to look too long as she is there to see her boyfriend Josha teammate of Kevins.

Now intrigued to know who she is, Kevin turns to Sean

Hey bro, who is that? He says.

Sean turns around to see who he was talking about as he points in her direction.

Who, the light skin girl?.

No, her friend.

Oh, thats Faith.

Sean begins to shake his head, suggesting that Kevin should put his curiosity to rest. He knows that Kevin has an affinity for women and being rather flirtations.

Bro, you already have a girlfriend. Didnt you just get serious about Mia? says Sean.

Plus, thats Joshs girl, and shes like five years older than you, sorry Kev, you lose this one.

Kevin knows that Sean is right and everything hes saying is correct. He needs to get his head on straight and focus on settling down.

Youre right, but I promise you I just wanted to know.

Determined to stay focused and ignore temptation, he picks up his bag to leave the field. But again, incapable of containing his intrigue, looks over at her one last time.

It is apparent that Kevin is enticed and is struggling to break away. In turn, she cant help but lose herself in his gaze, in spite of her boyfriend being fifty feet away.

It is undeniable that there is a shared attraction. Yet, Faith doesnt give it another thought beyond this moment. She is in love with Josh and sees this as nothing more than temptation also.