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Chapter 42: Welcome to the Family
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2024-04-03 14:20:25Related chapters
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 43: Brink
SchuylerAfter the meal, Levi declares, “It’s time for the presents!”“Is it customary to give gifts at a welcome home party?” I inquire.“It’s also a welcome to the family party,” Clint reminds me. “We have to have presents for our little guy, Tyler.”Tyler claps, a giant smile on his face.“This is from Uncle Levi,” Calvin reads before handing the box to his son.Tyler digs in, rapidly removing the blue wrapping paper with large, yellow bulldozers on it. “It’s a football!”Instinctively, I look toward Lyndon, worried the noise might startle her. She’s too busy drinking from the bottle Uncle Clint holds for her to notice any of the ruckus.“Your uncles love to play catch and flag football,” Mom brags.“This way, we don’t have to bring one. You’ll always have one here for us to play with you,” Levi says.“I love it. Thank you, Uncle Levi,” Tyler says before hugging him around the neck.He returns to his spot on the floor; Calvin hands him a gift from Uncle Dan.“I’ve always wanted one
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 44: Christen the Club
SchuylerGarret moves, allowing us to walk past him into a long, dark hallway, illuminated only by rope lighting at the bottom of each wall. Midway, a spotlight brightens the black wall with the word “Fringe” in deep red paint. Calvin points to the opposite wall where a plaque declares this the selfie station. It invites patrons to take selfies for social media and use the tags #Fringe, #FringeDesMoines, and #FringeSpeakeasy. In large, bold, red font, the plaque instructs guests to shut off their cell phones as Fringe is a phone free club. It further explains that any patrons caught using a phone may not return or use the Fringe app for 12 months.“The guests will receive the new password by noon each day to use that night. As our popularity grows, we’ll only send the password out to 250 people per day to ensure we don’t exceed our 300 person capacity,” Calvin explains as we make our way to the end of the hall. “The bouncers at each door will keep track of the number of people entering
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chaper 45: Your Best Friend And My Best Friend
CalvinMinutes later, back in our bed, Schuyler reminds me, “Mom will be here at eight in the morning, Clint plans to stop by to help her when football practice is over at ten, and Dawn may drop in, so the kids are taken care of.” She rummages through the top drawer of her bedside table. “I’ll be able to help you get everything ready until three or so. Then, I’ll come home to change and get the kids ready to watch their daddy impress guests with his new venture.” She places her hair in a high messy bun, turns off her lamp, then rolls to me. “Now, you will sleep,” she commands. “We have a big day tomorrow.”Calvin I’m surprised; I sleep until my alarm rings at 6:30 the next morning. Sky’s joining me in the pool last night did the trick. She wore me out and distracted me enough that I slept soundly. I place my feet on the wooden floor. When Schuyler’s hand presses to my back, looking over my shoulder, I’m greeted by her beautiful, light-brown eyes and sweet smile.“Good morning,” she mu
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 1: I Hate Las Vegas Montana
Book 2: Unraveled, 7 Deadly Sins: Gluttony Montana I hate Las Vegas, and I hate girls’ trips. How stupid must I be?“Let’s fly to Vegas for two days. It’ll be fun! Just us girls shopping, eating, gambling, and dancing.” I spoke those words. How innocent I thought their meaning to be.Our other girls’ trips were fun. We let loose, we partied, and we returned to Iowa prepared to resume our daily lives.Not this time. Not this trip. There’s no returning to our normal, daily lives after last night. My life is forever changed.A chance meeting led to two nights of dinners and clubs with a famous rock band. Most would say we were very lucky to spend our time with them. I can say I enjoyed every minute until the sun rose this morning.Married. I had to ruin it by drinking too much, marrying a member of the band, spending the night with him in my bed, and not rememberin
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 2: Let the Games Begin
Montana The sounds of video-slot machines fill the air as I follow Peyton onto the casino floor. Bright lights flicker as far as the eye can see. Butterflies flutter their wings in my belly as my excitement increases. Although I know the general idea of how to play the slot machines, I’m not sure of the strategy or if there is one. I’m eager to learn.“Walk slower,” I beg Peyton.I want to take my time and observe people playing the games. Every few steps, I pause and watch as a person approaches a chair, places cash into a machine, then plays. I guess it’s that simple.“Ready to play?” Peyton plops into a high-back black leather seat, patting the machine next to her.I take my seat, pull a twenty-dollar bill from my clutch handbag, then slide the money into the slot. The machine registers my money and bright lights flicker into action. I feel giddy. All the stories of people winning on these machines flash through my mind. It
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 3: A New Friend
Montana The next morning I find myself in a dressing room at a shop near Planet Hollywood as Peyton tosses dress after dress over the door to me. She’s on a mission to find me the perfect little black dress. She claims I need a new LBD—little black dress—for clubbing tonight. I assure her I packed appropriate attire, but she won’t have it.“I refuse to try this one on,” I tell her through the door, tossing the dress back at her. “You know I won’t wear a strapless dress.” Peyton is aware women constantly tugging up a strapless dress ranks high on my list of pet peeves.I tilt my head as I look in the full-length mirror, turning this way and that, admiring the simple black halter dress with a flowing skirt that ends mid-thigh. It hugs my body perfectly.“I kind of like this halter one,” I tell her as I slip it off over my head and then put on my own clothes. “I refuse to try on another dress,” I state, emerging from the fitting roo
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 4: Locked Out... With A Handsome Man
Montana Excitement from my win is still pulsing in my veins. I press the elevator button, noting the numbers above each door are increasing instead of going down. Normally, I’d pull out my phone to check for emails and look at social media while I wait. I’m surprised I didn’t notice it missing earlier.Eventually, a ping signals the arrival of an elevator. I enter, pressing floor twelve, hoping the doors close before others join me. I want to avoid the awkwardness that occurs when trapped with someone else. I almost always feel like I should strike up conversation to end the silence. I breathe a sigh of relief when the doors close, and I’m alone.I round the corner from the elevators, heading down my hallway, hearing loud voices coming from an open office. One woman sits behind a large, metal desk as staff in housekeeping uniforms chatter with timecards in their hands. I smile as I continue walking by.Outside our room, I scan my
Last Updated : 2024-04-037 Deadly Sins series Chapter 5: The Rock Star
Montana He smiles at me. I try not to stare. Even under his baseball cap, I can tell he’s a handsome man.“We’re blowing off some steam before we get back to work. How about you?” he says casually.“I’m here with my best friend. We’re celebrating the end of our sophomore year of college,” I share.As we chat, I continue to try to check him out without letting him know I’m doing so. Why would such a cute guy sit on the hallway floor with me, considering all that Las Vegas offers? His dark blue jeans are worn white and thin at the middle of his muscular thighs and each knee. My eyes want to stare at his biceps as they bulge beneath his black t-shirt. They flex as he constantly adjusts his ball cap. There’s something about him… Maybe it’s his deep-set, brown eyes or the dark scruff on his jaw. Why does he look so familiar?“What type of work do you do?” I ask, attempting to keep our conversation flow
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.
