“You interrupted my dream last night,” I say, pulling the coats off both the boys as a stream of people I don’t even recognize push past us. I catch a glimpse of the ballroom, and there are rows of white ladder-back chairs, an altar made of white braided wood stands proudly up front, and a cast of thousands is already present and seated, each of them dressed as if this were a black-tie affair, each of them deader than the next. I only see a few people I recognize, one of them being my mother who quickly makes her way over.
Logan leans in. “I’m the man of your dreams, Skyla. Get it right.”
My mouth falls open at the audacity, but before I can say anything, both my mother and Demetri are upon us.
“He asked me to help.” My mother winces in her pretty peach gown, her hair pulled up, her makeup on point.
Demetri looks his ornery self, wicked grin, lying laughing eyes, a tuxedo on as if he were the groom himself. And honestly, if this turned into some double—tripleceremony where he and my mother tied the knot as well, it wouldn’t surprise me because nothing in the universe is capable of surprising me anymore.
“Skyla”—Demetri picks up both boys at once—“I commend you for not only extending your blessing, but gracing us with your presence.”
“Yes, well, let’s be clear. I didn’t extend my blessing. This is clearly a curse. And I’m only here for the boys.”
Demetri offers his best sorrowful expression, a performance clearly for my mother. “I’ll get the boys to their father in preparation for the ceremony.” He leans in. “My son’s coronation will be held in his dominion. Let me be the first to extend an invitation to you and your people. It would be best if we began mediation and talks of a peace treaty. If you bond with us, you will be protected. I can arrange for—”
“Don’t arrange for anything.” A dull laugh bounces from me. “I will be where my boys are asked to be, and if that means watching all of wickedness gather to crown their father the king, then so be it. But my people will prevail, and this farce you’ve commandeered Gage into will come to an unpleasant end for the both of you.” I glance to my mother. “I’d think twice before latching onto this beast. He’s dangerous. He’s only out for himself. You are playing with fire. He wants to own you, make you his. He might be toying with you like a kitten with a ball of yarn, but he will morph into a lion soon enough and devour your happy marriage with Tad.” I look back to the devil before me. “How much patience you seem to have. How very kind of you to look the other way while the woman you love most beds a man who God Himself sees as her husband. But you don’t really like to share, now do you? It’s just a matter of time until you take her straight path and make it crooked enough to suit you.” I stare down my mother and that look of horror on her face. “He’s going to hurt Tad. I can guarantee you that. You’ll be a widow soon enough. Mark my words.”
Demetri belts out a laugh just as Tad ambles up with a plate full of shellfish.
“Heard my name.” He wiggles a shrimp at Logan and me. “Got the good eats here today.” He looks right at me. “Someone should have thought twice before letting the wealthy Oliver of the bunch cut loose with the cheerleader next door. Demetri just let me know his trust fund kicks in this afternoon!”
I can’t help but avert my eyes. “What a miraculous wedding gift.”
“It could have been yours, Skyla!” Tad riots. “And all you’re left with is a bowling alley and a room full of cribs.”
Demetri clears his throat. “My son is willing to offer more than a livable wage in order to help you and the boys move into a larger place of your own.”
“No thank you.” I’m quick to shoot down the demonic dollars.
Tad gags, his face turning purple as a plum. “She’s delirious, Demetri! She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” He looks my way with a mouthful of bolus suddenly visible. “You don’t realize the value of a dollar. You think you’re going to be living off Big Daddy T’s big payday. Well, I’ve got news for you, Toots. After the television, the brand new teeth, the new hair, the attorney fees, I’ve got less than two grand left of my windfall.”
Mom gasps and gags as if she just inhaled a shrimp herself. “Tad Landon! You mean—”
“That’s right, Lizbeth. We’re broke as a joke.”
Logan groans, “I hope you put a little away for the tax man.”
“Tax man?” Tad balks. “Tell ’em to come and get it. You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.”
“Oh, they will squeeze.” I glare over at my mother. “Clearly, you have two men you need to get control over.”
The boys start to kick and claw at Demetri and I’m silently cheering them on.
“Mee-maw!” Nathan caws.
“Tampon!” Barron howls.
“I’d best get them to the back.” Demetri nods and takes off and the boys are suddenly calling out for me.
Logan lands a simple kiss to my cheek. “Stay strong,” he says as he takes off after them. I asked him on the way over if he’d stay with the boys, and he assured me he wouldn’t leave their side. Obviously, being with their father is no great comfort to me anymore.
Tad mumbles something about needing more food before lifting a finger. “You know, the night before I purchased my Wild Fifty Lotto ticket, I had a dream.”
“Oh God.” My stomach rolls and I truly feel as if I might be sick if I’m forced to listen to Tad’s disorganized nightly wandering.
“I dreamed of numbers!” he riots.
Mom nods enthusiastically. “He dreamed of the numbers, Skyla. I think Tad has a gift.” She bops up and down as if they just won another monetary prize. “Tell her about the dream, Tad. Tell her!”
