Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 130512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
I indicated them. “Did she want to come today?”
He twisted in his seat so he could see them as well. “She did. She’s the one who brought it up, said your kid extended an invite.”
“What’s your read on the situation?”
He shrugged. “Stevie’s been through shit, a lot of shit. She’s always going to be cautious, but her being here says a lot.” His eyes flicked in Channing’s direction. “She likes your kid. Says she trusts him. Stevie doesn’t trust so I think that’s also part of the reason she’s here.”
Channing smirked, lifting his beer for a drink. “Everyone trusts Max. Everyone loves Max. Only a few actually know him. It’s how he wants it.”
Nate met my gaze, frowning a little, but there was also amusement on his face too.
“We’re moving back.”
All eyes jerked to Logan. He puffed his chest up, raising his glass.
I already knew. He told me that he’d made the decision after he arrived on the night from hell but needed to talk it over with Taylor before saying anything. She agreed with the move, said it felt right to return. They wanted Sammy to grow up with his cousins, along with their new kid. Said they wanted Malinda to spoil their kids too so no favoritism happened.
He made the announcement over dinner last night to the family as well. The kids were over the moon, but especially Nash which had surprised me. I knew Logan and Maddy were close. She had his name, for fuck’s sakes, but Nash blinked back tears before he moved to hug his uncle Logan. He came over to my side right after and leaned against me.
Nash and Nolan were quiet, well-behaved, but my kid was going to be something else. I could tell. He dressed for varsity on Friday and played most of the game, scoring two of the four touchdowns.
The crowd was enamored, but there were rumblings among the parents in the stands. Logan glared at every adult sitting around us as if silently challenging them if they had something to say, they were welcome to say it to our faces.
That fight would come, but it wasn’t one I was concerned about.
I did ask Nash how the other guys on the team were handling his presence. He rolled his eyes, shrugged, and only said, “No one’s going to say shit, Dad. Not with Traine, Axe, and Steele on the team. They’re setting the tone, but I’d handle it if they didn’t. Everyone’s scared of Maddy too.” He left it at that, but I could read into my kid.
Maddy wasn’t the only kid of mine who could handle themselves. She was just the one who got caught.
I had a feeling my twins weren’t the easygoing angels they presented, not that I could say anything. I loved my kids. They had more good in them than I did.
They got it from their mother.
“Is that Mark? Who’s that with him?”
Sam’s stepbrother walked into the backyard, holding hands with a young woman.
Sam and Heather perked up and were at his side right away, but it was the kids who had the biggest reactions.
“No way!” one of the teenagers exclaimed. I had no idea their name. “Mrs. Kline?”
The young woman stiffened, a smile fixed on her face. “It’s Ms. Kline, Clayton. And we don’t need to stick with the last names out of school. You can call me Tatum today.”
Beltraine remarked, “That must’ve been some study date.”
Axel laughed. “Yeah. What happened to, ‘don’t tell your mothers’?”
They laughed. Maddy shot ‘em a grin over her shoulder.
The other kid snorted. “I don’t think your boyfriend’s going to want all of us to start calling you Tatum. He already looks all territorial, Ms. Kline.”
She tensed, but Mark pulled her to his side and pretended to growl. “That’s right. As long as you know your place, kid.” He winked at the group, who laughed.
One of those same kids walked by later, saying to his friend, “I cannot believe Maddy’s uncle landed the hottest teacher from school. What’s in their DNA, man? All of ‘em just score, like literally. All the time.”
I shared a look with the table because everyone heard.
Logan snickered. “Wait till my kids get here. Fallen Crest will never be the same.”
I had to agree.
I was suddenly thankful we moved back.
It felt right.
We were home.
EPILOGUE
MASON
A month later.
My phone buzzed right as I walked into the bedroom.
Garrett: The most ironic chain of events happened today.
I paused but was already grinning because I saw the news.
Me: Oh yeah?
Garrett: Nearly every member of The System was either raided by the FBI, arrested by their local authorities, voted out of their company, or their company’s stock plummeted. All of that happened today. Every single member, except for myself.
My grin widened. I’d enjoyed the news footage of the different members in handcuffs being led to police cruisers outside.