MasukShane'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
Keisha's POVAs I walked back into the house, I found my best friend pacing the floor, absolutely fuming.Lord...Today was already turning into one hell of a day.My mom walked over, folding her arms."What happened now?"I rubbed my forehead and sighed."Mom... you need to talk to your daughter."She frowned."What happened?""I don't know if she's extra hormonal, if she's mad at Michael, or if she's just trying to burn her whole life down, but whatever this is..." I shook my head. "Today has been horrible."Mom let out a long breath and pulled me into the living room while Sienna continued pacing like she was ready to commit a felony.From down the hallway I could hear the kids banging away on toy instruments.I smiled."Well... nobody's crying, so I guess they're fine."Mom sat beside me on the couch.Just as she exhaled...Ding dong.Grandma Mabel moved toward the front door with surprising speed for a woman her age.She opened it.I couldn't help but grin."Maya!"Maya smiled an
Kole's POVBy the time we pulled up to Knox's house, I was more than ready to get this barbecue started.Knox had already texted me that he'd seasoned and prepped all the meat. All we had to do was fire up the grills and cook.Easy enough.I climbed out of the Tahoe while rounding up what felt like every kid under the age of ten.Robin eased herself out next, rubbing her growing stomach while Travis grabbed the diaper bags.Robin's eyes practically bugged out of her head."Damn... this is your brother's house? I laughed."Yep."She looked from the stone exterior to the massive windows."You are not about to tell me this man paid full price.""Oh, absolutely not."Travis whistled."Seven-fifty K?"I shook my head, "Under a hundred K.""You mean six-fifty K?"I grinned."No. I mean under one hundred grand."His mouth dropped open."...Shut the hell up.""I swear.""Damn.""He bought it off the foreclosure website. It needed work, but he got one hell of a deal."Travis shook his head."
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
Shane’s POVBeep. Beep. Beep. Beep.My hand reaches for my phone on instinct, but I can’t move.There’s a soft, warm weight pressed against my chest.I crack one eye open and look down.Maya.Still sprawled on top of me, naked, peaceful, completely out of it. Soft snores slipping from her lips like







