Even as we discussed it and then got to tour the place, we debated how often we’d use it. We didn’t leave without a cost sheet and some free passes to come check out the facilities. They had locker rooms for the girls, the guys, and then a unisex one. If we used that one, it meant we’d always have her back if she was there.
“NYU is gonna have gym facilities too,” Coop pointed out as we left.
“But that’s an even longer trip on days we don’t have classes. Then again, we could just make sure our workouts coincided with our schedules.”
We debated the merits on the way back and diverted more than once to check out the local shops and bakeries. Some habits were hard to break. Like how close was the closest Starbucks and what bakeries had the best apple fritters. Since it was New York, we had to check out the pizza.
It was serious business, and we knew our girl.
The Natural History Museum was only four blocks away, but we hadn’t taken Frankie there yet, so we carried slices of pizza into the park and settled down near the kiddie fields where pee-wee baseball was in full swing.
That pretty much set the tone for the whole weekend, though I had to field calls from all of my sisters, who each decided I was disowned because they hadn’t gotten their souvenirs from me. I could handle it. I’d just keep them until Christmas if they wanted to be brats. Frankie texted after they got to her grandparents, but we didn’t expect to hear much, though she and Archie responded if we asked them something directly.
At one point, she’d sent us pictures of the beach at Montauk. Next time, we were all going to go up there. It looked gorgeous.
Not as gorgeous as the island near Fiji. Speaking of that, I thumbed through the photos on my phone and grinned at the topless one of her striding down the sand in just her bikini bottoms.
Needed to get this one printed so I could keep it in my room. I loved the expression on her face, the freedom and the sensuality and just the openness in her smile.
“Jake!” Coop’s voice carried from downstairs, and I shoved off my bed, leaving the engineering book I’d started reading behind.
“Yo?”
“Down here,” Coop called and there was something in his voice, a tension that pulled taut. They were all in the kitchen. Bubba was already down there, and Coop looked tense as hell.
“What’s up?” I asked, but Bubba held up a hand and nodded to Jeremy, who had the house phone to his ear. He hadn’t said anything since I’d gotten down there.
“Are you certain?” Jeremy asked. “I see. Tell me what hospital.”
What hospital?
Ice slithered down my spine.
I didn’t have long to wait. As soon as he hung up, Jeremy looked at us. “Mr. Archie has been in an accident. Emergency services connected to the Ferrari called it in, and I was notified as his emergency contact.”
Frankie was with him.
“Where?” Bubba asked. I wanted more details than that, but where would do.
“I’m calling for a car now,” Jeremy informed us. “Get dressed.”
He gave me a look, and I glanced down at my bare feet. Our own vehicles were stored in a garage a few blocks away. Coop was right behind me as I jogged back up the stairs.
She was fine.
He was fine.
Accidents happened all the time.
Except that was emergency services calling from the car and not Frankie or Archie.
“I texted already,” Coop said.
“And?” I glanced at him.
“No answer.”
Fuck.
Me.
Frankie and the boys will return in Defiance and Dedication
Defiance and Dedication
Autumn in New York promises a turn in the seasons as we kick off the next stage of our lives. Colorful leaves falling, dropping temperatures, and the first days of classes loom even as the lingering summer heat and humidity make the city stifling.
Summer was a time to get away, to just be us, and what a magical time it was, but we can only run away from our lives for so long. We have family, careers, friends—new and old—as well as commitments waiting for us. With a new place to call our own in a new city I’m already half-in-love with, we’re not afraid of the challenges ahead.
Of course, not everyone is rooting for us, not everyone wants us to succeed, and some choices may come back to haunt us. But don’t come for those I love and expect me to do nothing. They might want to surround me in a layer of protection, but they’re mine and I’m more than willing to fight to keep them.
Feel free to test me, I’ve never failed one yet.
*Please note this is a reverse harem and the author suggests you always read the forward in her books. Contains some bullying elements, mature situations, and is recommended for 17+. This is the ninth in a series and the story will continue through future books.
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Afterword
Whew. Don’t throw your phone or your kindle. If you did, um, go grab it. I’ll wait.
Yeah, so—they did it! They graduated! Yay!
Right? That’s the important part.
Okay, I can hear you now. You’re still mad. Take a minute. Deep breaths. We have four more books. The next, Defiance and Dedication is right around the corner.
Still mad?
Right.
Can you breathe yet?
No?
How about a re-read? I’ll be here when you’re done. Promise.
xoxo
Heather
P.S. No, the ending won’t change but you still get to have fun with them all over again.
About Heather Long
USA Today bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are
