The Bucket List

www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

Copyright © 2012 by Gynger Fyer

All Rights Reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright. 

This book is a work of fiction.  References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

Published by

Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC

PO Box 61

Colfax, NC 27235

www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

Cover Art: Marteeka Karland

http://www.marteekakarland.com/

Editor: Barb Wilson 

Proofreader: Novellette Whyte

http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/

Formatter: Jim & Zetta,
http://www.jimandzetta.com/

E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta,
http://www.jimandzetta.com/

ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-269-2; (print) 978-1-61788-270-8

I would like to dedicate this story to those who have loved, supported and encouraged me along the way.

~THE MUSCLE~

The Jeanie and Jayha, along with the entire BTP family: you all ROCK! Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and giving me a chance to make my dreams come true. Special thanks to everyone who had a hand in getting this story out to the masses.

~THE BACK BONE~

Victoria Thomas, Rita Smith, Cassandra Battle, Rhonda Benson, Darlene Anderson, Kelly Jenkins. Thanks for being my sisters by blood and by spirit.

~THE HEART~

To my beautiful and funny mother; Ila, who has been there for me always cheering me on. This is that Ace you always told me to have. LOL. Lastly, to my daughter; Lauren, you are my raison d'être: reason for being. I love you π (pi).

~
THE BODY~

To my readers: Thank you so much for allowing me to entertain you with my story.  I know you could have purchased books by other writers so I am grateful you chose mine. Enjoy!

N
OTE
ABOUT
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OOKS

eBooks are NOT transferable.  Re-selling, sharing or giving away eBooks is a copyright infringement.  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author or Beautiful Trouble Publishing.

CAVEAT

This work may contain adult language and sexually explicit scenes.  This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made.  Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

Chapter One

Grace scribbled on a crisp sheet of paper, her teeth worrying the plump flesh of her bottom lip as she sat in the waiting area of Wolf Automotive and Detailing, waiting for her oil change to be done. She had been over and over the list. She knew it by heart at this point, but as the time drew near, she had to admit her nerves were starting to get the better of her. She unconsciously swayed her crossed leg as her mind raced from thought to thought. Really, who in their ever-loving mind would do something as foolish and irresponsible as what she was contemplating. It had seemed so wild and adventurous when she’d compiled the list of all the things she wanted to do before she “kicked the bucket.”  Her mind drifted back to that evening nearly two months ago, just before New Year’s Eve…

She was a member of an Orlando area, all-female accountants Meet-Up group. It was her good friend Tia’s turn to plan the next event and, in typical Tia style, she chose dinner at A Drop in the Bucket; a restaurant which encouraged its patrons to live life to the fullest by creating their own bucket list. Every table came equipped with pencils and strips of paper so its patrons could compile their lists. As a souvenir, each guest received their own eight-ounce wooden bucket for their list.  The atmosphere was trendy, catering to the twenty- and thirty-something crowd.

 Adjoining the restaurant, there was also a late-night lounge, open and rocking hard until three a.m. 

Her bucket list was born in the lounge just after midnight the day before New Year’s Eve. Honestly, it was nothing more than a fantasy list, concocted in the midst of a bunch of rowdy, semi-drunk accountants, trying to outdo each other with the most outrageous and incredible items possible.

Four of the twelve women from the group decided to have drinks in the lounge.  Grace was going to head home too but Tia talked her into staying. The music in the lounge was a mixture of current pop/rock/and R&B hits which the DJ wickedly blended into one continuous dance party mix. Their comfortable sitting area was on a slightly raised platform, giving them a great view overlooking the dancers below in the busy lounge.

Tia encouraged them all to pull out their lists and read what they had written so far.  Grace had only written two things: go to Mardi Gras, and learn to kayak.  Most of the ladies had similar, staid, achievable items, but what Grace considered achievable, Tia proclaimed to be boring. She pointed out how the things on their lists were average, everyday hobbies and encouraged them to think bigger. 

As glasses emptied, inhibitions lowered, items which started out mild, like running a marathon, got more daring, such as skiing or buying a motorcycle. Around one a.m., the items had morphed into more risky, grandiose endeavors with shooting guns and learning to pole dance being bandied about.

The more wine Grace drank, the looser her tongue became. Whoever said liquor made someone act bold had forgotten to mention another side effect; it also made someone act stupid. Looking back on it now, she could only blame the alcohol and the steady diet of erotic and romance novels which she’d been nearly inhaling since her Christmas vacation began.  The heroines were either the strong, confident, badass types or the shy, good girl, ready to try something bold and kinky.

In her mind, she fell somewhere in between the two types. She never intended to
do
any of the things she had written down that night, but Tia made them all promise to reunite in three months and they all had to have accomplished at least three items on their list. If they failed to deliver, they would have to give one hundred dollars to anyone who completed their item. The challenge appealed to her competitive nature as well as her financially frugal side.

“Grace!”

Grace’s head jerked up at the sound of her name. She’d been so caught up in her memories, she had forgotten where she was. She looked into the concerned eyes of Julio, the stout mechanic who managed Wolf Automotive and Detailing.

“Hey, Grace, are you okay?”

“Hey Julio, yes, I’m fine I was just thinking about something, that’s all.” She smiled and waved away his concern.

“I hear you. Listen, your oil change is almost done, but Brett wants to talk to you… He’s in his office.” 

Grace inwardly cringed at the request but kept the smile on her face.

Brett was the owner of Wolf Automotive. He was also one of her clients. Their relationship had started out as strictly professional. He was an up-and-coming pro wrestler and her firm had been hired by his business manager and mentor to invest and grow his earnings. Their business relationship turned out to be highly lucrative as the cocky newcomer turned into pro wrestling royalty.