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Chapter 28: Us?
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2024-04-03 14:20:24Related chapters
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 29: Who does that?
SchuylerI open my mouth; I can’t form the words. I try a second time with no luck, so I nod. I nod and nod and nod. I wrap my arms around the two guys in front of me. “Yes!” I squeak in their ears. “Yes!”Our gathered family and friends cheer and applaud around us. Dallas pulls me from Calvin’s arms to hug me. She’s as excited as me. Holding my hands between us, she speaks of venue, date, color scheme, and so on.“Excuse me, Dallas,” Calvin interrupts, pulling my hands from my best friend’s. “She said yes. I need to slide this ring onto my fiancé’s finger.”Fiancé.I’m a fiancé.I’m engaged to the sweetest man in the world, with an adorable little boy. I’m getting married.How is this my life?Amid all the congratulations, servers pour champagne and pass it to the adults while they give Tyler a glass of sparkling cider. Calvin’s father toasts. We clink glasses and drink. Unaware of how it happened, I find myself at a long table surrounded by women while the men gather on the other sid
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 30: Bliss
Calvin“Tyler’s down,” I announce as I walk into my bedroom. “I didn’t even get to read him a book. We talked for a minute, I rubbed his back, he closed his eyes, and that was it.”“It was a long and very exciting day,” Sky reminds me. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be awake once my head hits the pillow.”Nope! She isn’t falling asleep yet. She can’t sleep until we privately celebrate our engagement.I watch as she removes her makeup, applies lotion, and brushes her teeth. Amazingly, she doesn’t seem upset about Levi’s baby announcement this afternoon. I’m not letting my guard down; she may have a delayed reaction to the news when the excitement of our engagement wears off.“Dallas told me she turned down the internship in Kansas City,” Sky shares as she places her toothbrush in her cosmetic bag. “She’s going to stay with her parents until she gets her own place, and she accepted the job offer in Des Moines.”“Garret will flip when she tells him. He’s been fretting about it for a couple w
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 31: Boom!
SchuylerWeeks later, I flop myself down on a barstool at the kitchen island, laying my head in my hands. I’m grateful Calvin’s parents gifted us this house, but it’s much too big for the three of us. The ground floor is all we need large enough with two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a large open living room, dining area, and kitchen. I’m exhausted, and I haven’t cleaned the bedrooms or bathrooms upstairs nor the family room, game room, and bathroom in the basement.Despite both our mothers’ and Dallas’s forced shopping trips, we still haven’t furnished every room, so one would think it would be easy to keep clean. It’s not. More space equals more places for Tyler to string his books and toys out while dust seems to be a constant battle. I don’t know how my mom made it so many years cleaning three bathrooms with four guys in the house. I live with two, and I cringe at the mess. I’m ready to claim one bathroom as girls only.I deserve a tidy bathroom in between cleanings.Lifting
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 32: My Ball And Chain
SchuylerI look at the clock on the microwave. “Mom will drop Tyler off soon. If you stay, you can tell her all about this, and let her tell you it’s not doable.”I open my cell phone to text my man. He’s going to flip out when he hears what Dallas did. Me: Dallas strikes againMe: need to chat get home ASAPMe: not emergencyIf he’s in the middle of something important, I don’t want him to rush. Although I need him here to back me up, I realize starting his business is much more important than convincing Dallas she’s crazy.As expected, Mom arrives right at four like we planned. I greet her at the door and listen to Tyler tell me everything they did today while I place a snack in front of him on the table.“You were supposed to relax today,” my mother reminds me. “You look worse now than you did this morning. What’s wrong?”I swing my arm wide to Dallas, prompting her to explain. She tells Mom about the letter and the contest I won before showing her the website. She explains everyth
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 33: Chinook
CalvinThe morning flies by. I met with the contractor and am pleased we are running two weeks ahead of our original construction schedule, and he doesn’t see any delays in our future. It’s the second week of June, and we have nine weeks until the grand opening. Next, I sit down with Garret to plan our first staff meeting, their training, and the soft opening. We update our list of remaining tasks and the dates we need to place final orders by to allow time for delivery before we open.While I wait for Sky to arrive for lunch and share a wedding update, I email our talent scout for an updated schedule. Then, I email our accountant to see where we stand compared to our targeted budget.“Hi, babe,” Schuyler greets, sliding into the chair opposite me.I take in her sexy summer dress that compliments her rockin’ body. The sight of my girl always revs my engine. Her smile lights up her entire face, so I assume everything is smooth on the wedding front.“Before I forget,” she starts, while p
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 34: A Text From Dani
CalvinThis is the perfect end to a long, hot day. Sky and Tyler play in the pool when I arrive home. As they already ate, I scarf down the leftovers while watching Tyler demonstrate the skills he’s acquired in his swimming lessons.“You’re like a little fish,” I compliment.He proudly smiles, hanging on to the edge of the pool in front of me.“Sky, show Dad what you’ve learned in lessons,” Tyler prompts with one hand still on the edge, the other motioning to her.“Maybe later,” Sky hedges.She’s shared with me she finds it difficult to learn to swim. She’s never been comfortable in the water and finds it hard to trust she’ll float. I’m glad she agreed to take lessons with Tyler. If nothing else, she’ll feel more comfortable with him in the water.I rise from my patio chair, my empty plate and swim trunks in hand. While Tyler swims to the other side of the pool, I crouch down to Sky.“Maybe you can give me a private demonstration later.”Her light-brown eyes look up at me through her w
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 35: Three Possible Men
SchuylerCalvin nods toward Dani when we enter the restaurant. With his hand on the small of my back, he guides me through the crowded seating area. The warmth of his hand helps to calm me a bit. I’m his; we’re a team.Dani doesn’t stand to greet us or smile as we join her at the table. Calvin pulls my chair out before sitting beside me.“Hello,” I greet Dani.“Schuyler, it’s nice to meet you,” she replies.How?How does she know my name?She knows Calvin lives in Des Moines, and she knows my name; this is weirding me out.A server asks for our drink order as she places a steaming cup and a tea bag in front of Dani. Calvin orders two waters for us. While she steeps her tea, I take in the woman that abandoned her Tyler. In this lighting, I can’t decide if her hair is red with brown tones or brown with red highlights. Dani secures it loosely into a messy ponytail. Her eyes bright green are stunning, and her fair skin looks delicate with faint freckles smattered on her nose and cheekbone
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 36: Baby’s Father
CalvinI make sure I leave work right at five, as I promised. In my hand, I carry a large brown sack with a meal our chef practiced preparing today. I figure we need most of the evening to discuss our luncheon. Bringing dinner home will free up more time.During my drive, I flash back to the day I found Sky at the wreck site. She shared her deepest fears, the depth of her pain, and I promised to love her. I shared alternate ways we could grow our family. Since that day, I’ve tried to ease her into becoming a mom to Tyler. I watched as she quickly slipped into the role, and I reveled in the immense joy it brings her. She hoped but never dreamed that she would become a mother; she never thought she’d raise a baby.I love every minute of fatherhood. Sure, it’s scary and stressful at times, but I’ve never regretted my decision to raise Tyler on my own. Part of me believes I owe it to Tyler to allow his sibling to join our family. I worry if he found out as an adult that the child exists, h
Last Updated : 2024-04-03
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7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 43: Getting Ahead of Myself
Montana Snuggled close, my head on Carson’s chest, my mind rewinds the past twenty-four hours. What a day it turned out to be. “Are you ready to talk about our news?” Carson asks, tucking hair behind my ear to reveal my eyes. “This baby has made me so happy, love.” “What will I do while you go on tour?” I ask, feeling nervous. “Stay in Des Moines or LA?” “What do you want to do?” he asks. “I don’t know,” I confess. “Well, I’d prefer if you were with me in LA while we prep for the tour. Then, I’d love to have you on tour with me,” he says, pulling me closer. “How would that work? Would I drive my own RV and follow your tour busses or be on the bus with you and all the guys?” I inquire. Carson shrugs. “The guys have had women ride the bus with us from time to time. Most of theirs were one-night stands. But I’m sure we could lobby to sleep in the actual bed at the rear of the bus. The guys love you, and as long as you could tolerate al
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 42: Wedding Number Two
Carson When Tony joins us in the emergency department, Montana’s still unconscious. I share the information Fran told me. In her motherly tone, she tries to calm my nerves.I watch as the nurse replaces the empty IV bag with another. She promises Montana’s improving with the fluids in her system.Later, a rustling sound near my head wakes me. I lift it from the bed, finding Montana looking down at me.“Kiss… Beth…”I barely make out her raspy whispers.“What?” I ask.Tony appears on the opposite bedside.“Kiss…” Montana’s eyes flutter closed. “B-e-t-h…”And she’s out again. Neither Tony nor I understand what the two words mean. We attempt to work through it out loud, but we’re too tired. The wall clock reads six a.m. We need Montana to wake up. Then, we need to go home and sleep. **** Hours later, the nurse returns, taking Montana’s vitals. At her movement and tou
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 41: A Midnight Scare
Montana I wake deliciously exhausted from our session in the studio followed by hours of lovemaking here in our bed. I take my time stretching my arms over my head then pointing and flexing my toes. Beside me, Denali groans as he stretches, too. He takes up more of the bed with each passing week. He’s going to be huge.My phone informs me it's nearly ten o’clock. Carson’s already in the studio. I’m surprised Denali let me sleep so late. I guess we kept him up late last night, too.“Let me go potty, then I’ll take you outside,” I tell him as he nuzzles my neck, and I scratch his belly. Never far from my side, he follows me into the bathroom, whining as I wash my hands. It’s hours past his usual potty break, so I don’t delay him any longer.Every muscle aches as I descend the stairs, and my head hurts. Once outside, I take a seat on a patio chair as Denali does his business then runs to greet his friend, Snoopy, now on my lap.
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 40: Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Montana When his parents come into view through the large, glass window, separating the production area from the recording studio, shock and worry flood Carson’s face.“What’s wrong?” he asks through the studio mic, filling the booth.I open the door to the studio. “Nothing’s wrong. I asked your dad to help me with some marketing—I didn’t plan to mess with your recording schedule. I’m sorry.”He shakes his head, smiling. “It’s okay. A break will be good for the four of us. We’ve spent too many hours in this little space without windows to the outside world.”I wrap my arms around his neck, looking up at him through my lashes. “I love you,” I whisper.“I know,” he teases, guiding me into the booth. “Let’s break for the day.”“I’ll be at the pool,” Eli announces.“Remember sunscreen,” I tease him. “Set an alarm on your phone.”“Yes, child bride,” he sing-songs.I hear Jake murmur to Warner,
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 39: Grow My Business
Montana It’s Wednesday of the next week, and I’ve a billion things to do. Carson’s already in the studio when I wake up. I forego a shower, grab a quick bite, then lock myself in the office. I reached out to Carson’s father last night, hoping to get some ideas on marketing our product. We’re set to meet in a videoconference on Monday.I swallow my last bite of cherry toaster pastry as I enter the office. What a mess. I take in the piles of papers I’ve spread out on the floor. Today, I need to focus on a presentation for Carson’s father, explaining our product so he can best help me with a marketing strategy. The piles on the floor will need to wait.I settle myself in the large, leather office chair behind the desk. I move a stack of papers, freeing up room to open my laptop. While I wait for my presentation software to open, I check my cell phone calendar for today through Monday.Crap! I have my annual doct
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 38: The Key To All Of Me
Montana When we return to the backyard, I pull on my swimsuit coverup. I find that Carson and Eli are manning the grill full of burgers and chicken breasts.I join my brother near the kitchen door, placing all the fixings on the long table. Working as a team, we position the buns, condiments, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, chips, and dips. Mom and Dad set up a cooler of water, beer, and pop.Taking turns, we fix our plates soon after then scatter around the patio and poolside, gathering around tables and chairs. Sporadic conversations continue while we enjoy dinner. Dad commends Carson on the burgers and asks which seasoning he used. The two discuss the best flavors of seasonings and barbecue sauces. Luckily for me, the band is on their best behavior, and we enjoy hours with my family.“Time for gifts,” Mom announces.Carson takes my hand and leads me to the round table by my parents. He pulls out a chair for me, kissing my ex
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 37: What Happens in Africa...
Montana “You know, many couples get a dog to prepare themselves to become parents,” Carson’s mother tells my mom.I’m lounging in the sun in the chair next to theirs. My eyes are closed, and they believe I’m asleep. Wanting to hear what they say next, I keep pretending.“A grandbaby may be in our future.” My mom claps excitedly.“They rushed into marriage,” Carson’s mom reminds mine. “It would be okay if they took their time in starting a family.”“Do you have any grandchildren?” Mom inquires.“No. Do you?”“No. I can’t wait. I do look forward to it,” Mom states excitedly. “I assumed my son would give me my first grandchild, but he doesn’t usually stay in the US long enough to meet a girl. Although, I don’t know what to make of Starr traveling from Africa with him.”“She knew the band. Maybe she tagged along to see them,” Carson’s mom offers. “I’ve got another son and a daughter, both married, but they
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 36: Underdressed For Breakfast
Carson Fresh from my shower, I towel dry my hair then secure the towel around my waist. I smile at my reflection. I can’t wait to wake Montana and reveal my plans for us today.A female scream tears through the house. I lean into our bedroom. She’s gone. It’s Montana! I sprint from our room and down the stairs, hopping from the third step to the tile floor below.I narrowly miss falling from water dripping off of me onto the marble of the front room. I use a Scooby-Doo-like maneuver until I gain traction and run into the kitchen.I’m unable to speak or catch my breath when I stand in the doorway, finding Montana wrapped in another man’s arms as Fran and another woman watch.She pulls away, wiping tears from her eyes. “What are you doing here? And why didn’t you call me? I could’ve picked you up at the airport.” Before the man can respond, she asks, “How did you get here?”“Mom brought me ov
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 35: A Happy Surprise
Montana I feel like I’m right in the middle of an entertainment show publicity scandal. Like Jake said, “This sucks!” I understand the woman’s need to seek the father of her unborn baby. On the other hand, though, I can’t imagine Warner’s fear that he might be the father. I suspect he fears the DNA result, and that’s the reason he’s protesting it so.I try, but my mind can’t help but wonder how many women Carson slept with while on tour. Having witnessed the women throw themselves at the guys while in Las Vegas, I’m not sure Carson could have refused many of them.I refuse to sit here and wonder about this all night. I snag a bottle of vodka from the bar and head toward Warner’s room. I knock lightly three times.“Leave me alone,” Warner snarls.I ignore his demand, turn the knob, and find it’s unlocked. I slip inside, shutting it behind me.“I come bearing a gift,” I state, extending the vodka bottle for him.
