Before either man could respond, I slapped a hand over my mouth. A smiling Grandma led Griffin’s parents, Caleb, Jesse, Paris, Nyla, and Laika down the front stairs to meet us as another car pulled up behind us.
“Oh, my God,” I stared wide-eyed at my two friends before they swarmed me in a group hug. “It’s so good to see you guys.”
“Well, glad to see you finally did get a taste of Shay’s man meat,” Samantha strode around the parked cars, having just arrived.
“Sam!” Laika and Nyla scolded in unison.
“Nice to see you to, bitches,” she sassed the other girls, typically not caring who stood around us.
My cheeks flamed as I caught Dad’s grin and Grandma’s blank expression. God, what was she even doing here?
Then her gaze shifted to Griffin who was chatting to Jesse, their eyes darting around the yard, excitement dancing in their expressions. “I have such a beautiful great grandson.” She touched his cheek with a gentle smile, shocking me then watched as the two boys raced off down the path to the stables.
Not in the headspace to deal with her just yet, I kissed and hugged Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jim.
“You’ve grown into a stunning woman, Skye, so good to see you and a son too,” Aunt Sarah gushed. “Thank you for naming him after our Griffin and keeping his memory alive.” Both her and Uncle Jim teared up before turning to hug Shay.
“What’s happening?’ To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement, everything was crashing in on me and I was shaking like I was being tossed by a tornado until Shay drew me into a gentle hug.
“Just breathe, baby, one step at a time.”
I clung to him for a bit and when he released me, keeping an arm around my waist, I looked at Caleb and Paris. “How are you guys even here? Paris, I thought you had an out-of-town visit with your man?” I scolded.
“Hey, I was invited to a wedding,” Caleb replied, hands up and palms out, his smile saying otherwise.
“Let’s just say another man needed me more.” Paris winked at Shay and I gawked at him before she said, “I’m the wedding planner.” Tossing her black hair over her shoulder, she waved her arm over the lawn. “You like? Short notice but I think it’s beautiful. Although, I can’t take all the credit. Sarah and your grandma helped with—”
“Wait,” I said louder than I intended, and all eyes turned on me. Flustered, I pulled in deep breaths. “Can someone please tell me what’s going on.”
“Duh. You’re getting married, girl,” Samantha rolled her eyes.
“To Shay,” Laika announced.
I looked at all the faces staring back at me, my mind swimming before I sought the eyes of the one man who I needed to hear from the most. “Dad,” I whispered.
“Angel.” He neared me and pulled me into a hug. “I know everything,” he answered my unasked question, stepping back. “I roped in Paris.” He rubbed her arm lightly. “And Brax.” He pointed to the porch and for the first time I noticed Brax and next to him a sullen Ryleigh. “To help me bring you two together.”
My head imploded. My father knew I was in love with my brother. “I don’t understand. How—”
“Let me tell you how,” Ryleigh shot down the stairs, startling everyone. “Because you’re all sick. How can they marry? They’re fucking brother and sister.” She made a beeline for me, but Shay stepped between us.
“What the fuck’s wrong with you, Ryleigh?” he growled.
I’d had enough. “Shay.” I touched his arm, coming around and with my back to his front, I glared at Ryleigh. She’d already taken so much from me, one more wouldn’t mean shit. “Go on, Ryleigh, have your say. State your opinions about how sick we are.”
She gritted her teeth, her eyes jerking from me to Shay and back. “You don’t deserve to be with him. You’re nothing but a spoiled brat who fucked her brother because you’ve always been a sick little girl,” she seethed. “You stole him from me on my fucking wedding day and then got yourself pregnant hoping he’d come back. You stole my life,” she shrieked. “My baby died while you flaunted yours—”
I gasped. “What do you mean your baby died?” I floundered, glancing over my shoulder at Shay then back to her.
“I fucking miscarried, you stupid woman. I lost his baby, and he forgot I existed. Tossed me out like he was only keeping me around for the child, because of you. This is my dream you’re living. You’re his fucking sister for God sakes, how the hell can you marry him.”
Shoulders squared, I took a step toward her. “Because no one, Ryleigh, not one single damned woman in this entire world can love him like I do. Not one of them can make his face light up when they walk into a room, like I do. Not one of them can sacrifice her love for him like I did. Not one of them can walk away with her head held high, brandishing a hole in her chest instead of a heart because he chose to marry someone else, just to give his child a family. Like I did,” I hissed the last part. “And not one of them will keep herself virtuous just for him, knowing he’s never coming back. I did. So don’t you stand here and talk to me about not deserving him. Because I do, whether I’m his sister or not.” By the time I finished, I was trembling, and I felt Shay’s chest press into my back, his hands on my arms, steadying me.
Ryleigh shook her head. “Unbelievable. All these people are just as fucked up as you are. Even your grandmother found you disgusting—”
“Ryleigh!” Grandma barked.
She whirled around to look at my grandmother. “I will thank you to not tarnish my name or my grandchildren, girl,” her words resembled pure ice not even hot water would melt. Especially when you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
