I cursed, sitting forward slowly.

  Nate snorted and started laughing.

  I growled. “Shut up, you asshat.”

  “Way to take care of your woman.”

  I flipped him off, not caring one bit how old we were. I’d flip off anyone who wanted to scold me on that crap too.

  “You guys going to go see her dad?”

  I nodded, not having asked Taylor but already knowing. “We always do.”

  “If she wants to go alone?”

  He was digging at me, and I glared at him. “You know I won’t let her do that.”

  He was biting back a grin but sobered and nodded in the direction of the house. “Where’s your dad tonight?”

  I snorted. “Ironically, David’s on James Kade babysitting duty.”

  Nate’s eyes got big. “Analise’s ex-husband is helping to watch over the current husband? I knew it was bad when you first called me in, but man. I had no idea it was that bad that even Malinda and David got pulled into this shit.”

  I sighed, remembering the first phone call, and my gut tightened. “If he had only cheated on her, it might not have been this bad, but it wasn’t just a cheat. It was a full second family. Mason and I have two little brothers with another mother who wants nothing to do with James, Mason, or me. And Helen is her fucking best friend, spewing only God knows what hatred for our dad.”

  “He didn’t just lose 100k. He lost the whole fucking bank, in other words.”

  I nodded, feeling my gut shriveling up and tightening and starting to try to swallow itself.

  I wasn’t James Kade.

  I wouldn’t be James Kade.

  I’d never do that shit to Taylor.

  Ever.

  I just needed to believe it now.

  But first things first, I stood and glanced at Nate. “I need to figure out what’s going on with my woman.”

  He gave me a slight nod back. “Why the fuck are you still standing here? Do an eighth of what that woman does for you and take care of her. Clean her jar.”

  I threw him a frown because what the fuck?

  He just smiled at me, tipping his beer back and taking a drag.

  Okay then.

  Mission Clean Her Jar was about to commence, whatever that meant.

  13

  Taylor

  Logan was coming my way, and I knew that face. He realized something was ‘off’ with me, and he was coming to fix it, no matter what it was.

  No, no, no.

  I needed to tell him about the baby, but not tonight, not here, not in this way.

  I knew. I just knew he was feeling certain ways because of the recent James Kade drama, and I could see the second-guessing eating at him.

  He was scared he would hurt me how his dad had hurt the women in his life, but Logan never got it. Not completely.

  Logan would never do what his dad had done. And because he was so scared of that, he went overboard sometimes helping others because he didn’t want to be his dad in any way.

  I didn’t want to tackle that issue tonight.

  I didn’t want to be the one to turn the tables and scrape away his struggles, but I also didn’t want to tell him about the baby.

  I wanted that night to be amazing and perfect, and tonight in Fallen Crest, when we weren’t alone, it wasn’t that night.

  I don’t know. Maybe I was being stupid. Perhaps I should just blurt it out, but Logan didn’t want children. He had told me going into so much detail about how he never wanted to do to his children what his parents had done to him and Mason.

  I got it.

  So yeah. I was still hoping for the perfect night, though. But I was starting to think that night would never happen.

  He came over and pulled me to my feet. He took my drink, handing it to Quincey as he said something to her. I assumed it was something along the lines that we were going to bed for the night. I didn’t know. I wasn’t listening. My heart was pumping so loud in my ears that I couldn’t hear anything he was saying.

  My blood was coursing through my body.

  My vision was blurring.

  I was so nervous, so scared.

  What would he do when I told him?

  How would he react?

  We were married.

  Would he want to get unmarried?

  I couldn’t tell him. Not yet.

  Just not yet.

  One more night.

  It’d be a better tomorrow.

  Yeah. Tomorrow.

  He took my hand, lacing our fingers together, and I smiled at the gesture because I always loved that so much.

  He led me back into the house, to our room, and before he could start his questions, I moved into him. I silenced him and tonight was my night. I wanted to feel him all night long.

  I’d tell him tomorrow.

  14

  Earlier

  Mrs. Logan Kade.

  I couldn’t get over that. My new name would be Taylor Kade.

  “Morning, Wife.” Logan came in, carrying coffee for both of us, and handed one over as he got back into bed.

  I took it, sipped, and knew there was a whole cheesy glow all over me. “Morning, Husband.”

  His eyes darkened. He tugged me over to him, taking my coffee and setting both of ours on his bedside stand. Then he turned to me and brushed some of my hair from my forehead. “I don’t want to go back.”

  We were supposed to fly back today. We would need to head to the airport in a few hours.

  “I know. Me neither.”

  “I miss the boys, though.”

  I shared his grin. “Me too.”

  His eyes grew distant, and he moved into me, burrowing his head into my neck and shoulder. His hand went to my hip, pulling me even more into him before lying flat on my stomach like he was holding me in place. “Can we not tell the others?”

  I moved my head so I could see him better. “Keep it a secret?”

  He was watching me, concerned, and he nodded slowly. “There’s something about keeping it secret. It’s just for you and me. No one else has an opinion or advice, or constructive warnings. I mean, you know my deal. My dad was a literal piece of shit to my mom, and he’s not the greatest to Analise right now, though he says he’s changed. James. Helen. Thank God for Malinda and David. Those are my parent figures. I know it’s time to get over the childhood damage, but I don’t think some of that shit ever leaves you.”

  His eyes were troubled.

  I reached over, smoothing a hand over his cheek, trying to literally wipe away the concern that he had. I leaned over, whispering as I touched my lips to his, “I’m down for whatever you want. We never have to tell a soul, except my dad, or we can rent a plane to fly a banner over all of Boston.”

  His eyes grew warm. “Thank you.”

  It was decided.

  We flew back to Boston, and it felt like we were traveling in our own cocoon.

  15

  Present

  Taylor

  I needed to go in for a prenatal visit, and I still hadn’t told Logan.

  This was getting ridiculous, but we were in Fallen Crest.

  James showed up at the house trashed, so Logan and Nate were dispatched. Something else new happened or came to light. At this point, I was assuming it was some new drama that James couldn’t keep quiet. Either way, Logan’s father was a mess. The man was broken, which was ironic because he’d created the shitstorm, and he was the biggest baby about it all.

  Since James was at the house, Quincey and I were sent to Malinda’s house. David had gone over to help the guys out. There was talk about packing, putting a house on the market, and again, the D-word was issued.

  “This is insane,” Malinda announced as she, Quincey, and I were sitting at the table. She looked between us. “This fucker has ruined lives, but there are two new little ones in the family, and he’s crying that his life is over. He is a literal fucker. I want to drink, and I’m not really affected by all this.” She reached for her phone. “Who’s with me? I’m calling Heather. I want to see where she is, and then we’re calling Samantha and Analise. It’s time the women all get together, and we figure out how to deal with this asshole.” She brought up Heather’s number, dialed her, and glanced at both of us. “You in?”

  I was affirmative whenever it came to Malinda, to anything Malinda wanted to do.

  Quincey followed my lead. “I’m in.”

  “Good,” Malinda grunted.

  Heather answered then, “Mama Malinda!”

  “I’m calling a Women’s Meeting. Are you in town? I’m here with Taylor and Quincey.”

  Heather’s voice dropped, getting serious. “I’m at Manny’s, actually. You guys wanna come over? I can close up the back just for us. Ava’s here too, and it sounds like she needs some fellow female time.”

  “We’re on the way. Give your bestie a call.”

  “Will do.”

  Malinda signed off and stood, grabbing her purse. It was then I realized she meant business.

  Oh, boy.

  I hadn’t thought this through.

  Manny’s meant booze, and it wasn’t the deal where I could be in charge of the alcohol and sneak my own non-alcoholic stuff. Of course, I could tell Heather, but it still felt wrong.

  I needed to tell Logan asap. This was getting out of hand.

  “You two coming?” Malinda was already at the door.

  I realized Quincey was still at the table, watching me with a slight frown. Her eyebrows were pinched together. She leaned over, asking in a low voice, “You okay?”

  I jerked my head up. “Yes.” My voice came out louder than I intended. I stood up, the chair scraping behind me. “Yes, I’m ready. Sorry. I just realized”—the perfect lie came to me—“I can’t drink. I messed up on some medication I was taking for an infection I had.”

  “What’s this?” Malinda migrated back to us.

  I repeated the lie, feeling like an arsehole. “I’m so sorry. I can’t drink, but wait. I’ll be the driver.”

  Quincey’s eyebrows remained pinched together, and she bit down on her bottom lip.

  Malinda shrugged, turning around. “Works for me. I’m ready to tear into that weasel, so let’s get me drunk and happy before I do.”

  Quincey waited for me to follow after Malinda, and I tried to give her a reassuring smile, but I didn’t think she was buying it. Her frown only deepened.

  Oh, man.

  If Quincey was getting suspicious, she could voice whatever she was thinking to Nate, he’d say it to Logan, and I knew Logan wouldn’t be deterred another night.

  Suddenly I was pro-let’s-tear-into-the-weasel with Malinda.

  Heather was ready for us when we showed up. She greeted us at the door with two margaritas in hand. Malinda took one, breezing past her. Quincey glanced my way but took the other.

  Heather told me, “I got more coming. No worries.”

  “Nope.” Malinda raised her glass in the air. “Taylor got a mix-up with some medication. She’s the driver tonight, but that means more for us! So, where’s little Ava? Let’s handle her shit before we start plotting against Weasel James Kade.”

  Heather frowned at me but was distracted by Malinda. “What?”

  Malinda was leading the way to the back section at Heather’s bar. She said over her shoulder, “You said little Ava needs some girl time. That usually means there’s a guy involved, and he fucked up royally. Let’s handle her stuff before I launch into how we all need to handle the other weasel.”

  “Uh—”

  Malinda had kept going, and we heard a moment later, “There you are, dearie. Tell us who we gotta add to our weasel shitting-on list today, and consider it done.”

  Quincey stopped and turned back to where Heather and I still were just inside the door. The rest of Manny’s was busy, like always, and I noticed her brother was watching us from behind the bar.

  Quincey asked, “She’s always like this?”

  Heather and I nodded as if we were one person.

  I heard her brother start laughing. “I’m closing up, Heather. You got your hands full with Mama Malinda tonight.”

  She glanced at him, but I moved forward.

  Malinda wasn’t alone. I wanted to hear what was going on with Ava too. She’d been one of Heather’s workers, and from all our trips to Fallen Crest, I’d gotten a soft spot for her. She was always in the background, always working since she had so many jobs in town and the neighboring town, and she was attending the local community college. Whoever had hurt Ava was going down.

  I was a bit fierce in my love for the girl, a young woman by now.

  I also might’ve been projecting some mama-love here too, but I wasn’t going to focus on that until I’d told Logan about the baby.

  Until then, Ava.

  16

  Earlier

  It had been snowing when we left, and it was snowing when we arrived.

  Logan held my hand the whole drive home, stopping to get the boys on the way. As soon as we got home, stepping inside our warm house, Logan stopped me and pulled me into his arms.

  He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I love you.”

  I tipped my head back, that same warm cheesy glow spreading throughout me again. “I love you too.”

  We were home. We were married.

  We were happy.

  17

  Present

  Ava was done with men, it seemed.

  She announced this between margarita number three and margarita number four. By the time she was onto number five, she was on the phone texting with someone. Malinda wanted to know who the guy was so she could break an umbrella over his head. Ava wouldn’t tell, saying, “It’s someone you know, and I don’t want to ruin things for him. He and I were never supposed to even happen. It’s all so dumb.”

  By margarita six, she was gone.

  I saw her slip out the back door as a truck pulled up.

  My guess, she got horny, and the guy was back in the picture.

  With Ava gone, Malinda was onto the next project: Weasel James Kade.

  Now, what she did, I wouldn’t have done, but it was Malinda, and everyone did what Malinda told them to do.

  She called Helen, who was friends with James’ whoever-she-was-to-him-now, and Malinda found out they were in Fallen Crest. So, everyone could guess by now what happened. Malinda invited them to Manny’s, stating over the phone, “It’s better if she meets the girls first because the woman’s involved, and you know it. Get her here while we’re all still able to stand.”

  Helen, who didn’t do anything anyone told her, did what Malinda told her.

  She brought the new woman who had two sons who were Logan’s half-brothers, and when she came through the door, my gut fell out through the bottom of my stomach.

  It was Tate Sullivan, who was also Logan’s ex.

  All eyes went to me.

  I was on the phone outside of Manny’s, trying not to lose my shit. “You were never told who your father impregnated?”

  Logan was on the other end. “No. He wouldn’t tell us. Analise wouldn’t say either. Or Helen. Why?”

  Good because I wanted to be the one to tell him, “It’s your fucking ex-girlfriend.”

  My Zen was gone.

  I had a prenatal appointment scheduled the next day. I still hadn’t told Logan about the baby. We’d been married a month now, and my calm Zen was totally and completely destroyed.

  I wanted to kill this bitch, and this was me.

  I was nice. I was kind. I was strong.

  I was the fucking foundation for Logan so he could handle all his shit in life.

  Not. Any. More.

  I was officially about to blow a gasket, and no one had ever seen me blow a gasket except Logan.

  “Logan Kade, get your ass here and handle this bitch or get ready to post my bail because I am. Not. Fucking. Calm right now.”

  I could hear him draw in a deep breath. “Where are you right now?”

  “I am outside of Manny’s, and I can see a shovel at Heather’s old house, on the porch. I’m thinking of ten different ways I can use that shovel to disembowel your ex-girlfriend. How the fuck did this happen?”

  He expelled another less restrained breath. “My father, that’s how this happened. Don’t do anything. We’re coming right now.”

  I hung up because I was done listening to him.

  He would come here. He would do what Logan usually did. He’d threaten, throw around a lot of legal jargon, but he’d go head to head against that woman inside, and I saw her.

  She had fully and completely planned all of this, and she was smirking deep inside. I could see the smugness in her gaze when she saw me, right before she masked it and her bottom lip started trembling.

  Helen only saw that last part and swept her to her side, becoming what? The protective mother now? To her?

  I’d met Tate before, on a few trips when we visited Fallen Crest.

  She was a snake. Not even. She was a viper.

  I was going to lose my shit.

  Nope.

  Done.

  I’d already lost it.

  I stepped away from the wall, turned, and went inside.

  Commence losing my shit: now.

  18

  Logan

  We could hear the yelling from outside.

  Nate glanced my way, but I was already running. That was Taylor, and I’d never heard Taylor like that. Her voice was almost shrill.

  We shoved inside, heading to the back, and we both had to stop to take a second to process what we were seeing.

  Taylor was being held back by Brandon, who was glaring at Heather, who was laughing, bent over beside them. Malinda was adjacent to Taylor, not being held back, but one of Channing’s guys was standing in front of her. She had her finger pointing over, no. Wait. She couldn’t reach over him. I think it was Moose standing there (he was named for a reason), so she leaned around him, pointing at… Tate.