LOGINMaya's POVThe rest of the week flew by, but not without me trying to get more information out of my mother about her little... involvement with Christopher Murphy.She did everything in her power to avoid the conversation.And me."Maya," she sighed one morning, "I'm grown. If I want to hook up with a man, then so be it."I rolled my eyes."Mom, I'm just looking out for you. I want to know what's going on. Why can't you tell me what's going on?"She shrugged."What is there to tell?"I folded my arms."I didn't even know you could still get pregnant."She laughed."I'm going through menopause."Then she pointed her finger at me."But don't think menopause means pregnancy is impossible. I know women who got pregnant while going through menopause."I blinked."Well... then you need to stay protected."She burst out laughing."Most of the time I am."She shrugged."But sometimes... shit happens."I groaned dramatically."Oh my God."By Monday morning she was still avoiding every questio
Maya's POV"Okay, girl. Thank you for inviting us. We're going to head out."Sienna looked at me with a dramatic pout. "Really? You're leaving already?"I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. It's nine o'clock on a Sunday night. I need to go pick up my daughter, and you literally have to work tomorrow."She sighed dramatically. "I know. I say the same thing to everybody who leaves. 'Leaving so soon? Leaving so soon?' But honestly..." She rubbed her stomach. "I'm ready for everybody to be gone. I'm tired."I smirked.Shane stood beside me, our bag full of leftovers hanging from one hand.Sienna narrowed her eyes at me. "So... are you really going to pick up your daughter, or are you two sneaking off somewhere?"I smiled innocently."I'm going to pick up my daughter and then I'm going home. Why?"She smirked. "I'm just saying... you and Shane have been looking at each other with sexy eyes."I laughed, hard."I love you, girl."I wrapped my arms around her.She hugged me tightly."Girl," I groaned, la
Shane's POVAs the afternoon rolled on, the atmosphere finally settled. The announcements had been made.The food was disappearing almost as fast as Knox could put it out. Music drifted through the backyard. Kids laughed. People were dancing.And honestly...Knox had to be the happiest man on the planet.Well...Second happiest, because I wasn't doing too bad myself. The food was incredible.The company was even better.And despite the earlier circus involving Keisha's sister and her husband, which, by the way, I noticed were still inside talking, I was genuinely enjoying myself.Whether that conversation was a good thing or a bad thing...Only time would tell. Maya nudged me with her elbow."Babe...""Can you throw this plate away?"She held out her empty plate before giving me that smile she knew I couldn't say no to."Oh... and if there's any of those peach cobbler cups left... grab me one.Those things are dangerous."I laughed."And?""And, one of those little lemon desserts t
Crandon's POVWell...I don't know what the hell happened before we got here, but hopefully all the drama is finally over.I looked around the backyard as people laughed, a few kids played, and the DJ finished setting up his equipment.Now this was the vibe I'd been hoping for.Relaxing with family, food, music, all around good people.I spotted my mom walking through the backdoor, doing her little shoulder bounce and finger dance like she always did whenever she heard good music. My dad followed behind her, already rubbing his stomach like he was thinking about chicken and ribs.I laughed.I loved seeing them together.After everything Tempest and I had gone through with that damn psychopath...Seeing everyone together like this felt good.Knowing that bastard was locked away for the time being, gave both of us peace.Especially Tempest.She was sleeping again, smiling, and living again, and I planned on making sure she had even more to smile about.Next Friday...I was taking her to
Shane's POVAs Kole asked me to do him a favor and talk to Michael, I couldn't help but sigh.Out of everybody here...Me?I looked over at the man.He looked like he could crush a damn soda can with his pinky toe.I took a deep breath and let it out.I didn't know what was going on between him and his wife. Hell, I wasn't even sure Kole knew the full story. All he said was that I probably had the closest experience to whatever Michael was dealing with.Maybe his wife betrayed him. Maybe she cheated. Maybe she didn't. Who knew? I leaned down and kissed Maya. She smiled and gave my ass a playful smack.I laughed."I'll be back."She grinned."I know."I headed inside. The back foyer was empty.No Michael.I walked through the kitchen. Still nothing. Then I stepped into the living room. There he was. Sitting on the couch. Staring straight ahead. Like his mind was a million miles away. I cleared my throat."Hey, man."He looked over."My name's Shane. I didn't catch your na
Kole's POVAs I watched my wife and mother-in-law walk outside, I kept flipping burgers, sliding the finished ones into a large aluminum pan before laying down another batch.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Keisha walk over to her sister.Misha was still sitting beside Michael.Keisha leaned down and whispered something into her ear.Misha slowly nodded before wrapping her arms around Keisha in a hug.A second later, Miss Evelyn walked over and hugged both of them. She even bent down and gave Michael a hug.I couldn't hear what they were saying, but at least things looked calmer than they had ten minutes ago.For now.I finished the last of the burgers, covered the pan with foil, and carried it inside.The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I found Sienna pacing back and forth while somehow still managing to cook.I chuckled."Hey, sis. What can I do? Need me to grab you something? Water? Juice? A drink?"She stopped long enough to glare at me."I wish I could have liquor."She thr
Crandon’s POVAs I walk around Knox’s wedding, I sigh, long and heavy, because I see her.Her.The beauty that should’ve been mine.The one I really, really, really fucked up with.Carmen.She’s standing a few feet away, laughing as her cousin comes down with the bouquet like she just won the Super
Kole’s POVWalking around my brother’s wedding, I feel… good. Like genuinely good, proud, happy, and whole.I watch Knox laughing with Sienna, the way his hand stays anchored at the small of her back like he’s afraid she might float away, and it hits me how far we’ve come. There were plenty of tim
Maya’s POVMy best friend in the whole entire world pulls me away from that fine specimen of a man like she’s saving me from myself.Shane.Lord.I sigh as Sienna drags me a few steps to the side, her grip firm but familiar. “What’s going on, girl?” I ask, already knowing the answer.She gives me t
Shane’s POVMan… I can’t believe they’re actually finally married.I stand there for a second, drink in hand, letting the reality of it settle in while the reception buzzes around me with the music thumping, people laughing too loud, somebody already drunk and it’s not even late yet. I glance over







