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Chapter 15: All-Consuming Assault
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7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 16: Snowed In
SchuylerWe enjoy a couple hours relaxing in the pool, using the swim-up bar, and soaking up our last day in the tropical heat. I relish Calvin’s attention and his body, which seems to be constantly in contact with mine.While in the deeper section of the pool, he loads me onto his back as he walks about. I lean over his shoulders to clasp my hands in front of his chest, and my thighs grip his hips. The sun-warmed skin on his back starkly contrasts the cool water that surrounds me. He lowers me to stand near the pool's edge.“I saw that,” Calvin murmurs into my ear.“Saw what?”“Your yawn.” He moves to stand directly in front of me. “Let’s dry off and head in for a nap.”I open my mouth to protest, but thoughts of playing under the sheets before we nap flood my mind. I attempt to quell the smirk that forms upon my lips, but fail miserably. I nod, and we exit the cool waters of the pool.Our eyes remain on each other as we try to towel off as best we can. I smooth out a dry towel upon m
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 17: Question Everything
CalvinThough I try, the snow prevents me from taking in the front of the Dawes’s home. With luggage in hand, we scurry into the open garage to escape the cold. Schuyler hands my bag to her brother then guides me into the house. Warmth assails us as we pass through the laundry room into a large kitchen with a breakfast nook.“Oh, thank God! You made it home safely! Now, all my babies are safe and nearby,” the woman, I assume is Sky’s mom rejoices, her hands pressed together in front of her. She greets Schuyler and Dallas with a hug, commenting on their sun-kissed skin. “Hello, Calvin.” She looks at me then at Garret. “You must be Garret.” It takes me a moment to remember how she knows me. I spoke to her on one of Schuyler’s FaceTime calls.We take turns making introductions with Theo and her husband, Richard Dawes. They instruct Clint to carry our luggage up to the guest rooms, then guide us into the living room to sit. I strain, but I cannot make out what Clint mumbles under his breat
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 18: No End in Sight
SchuylerThe weeks after our Mexico trip pass quickly. While my friends attend class, I busy myself with online applications and paperwork. My student-teaching successfully ended, so I apply for my teaching license and graduation. I spend many hours applying for teaching positions in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. I also post my resume and paperwork to many of the education sites that districts use to recruit new hires. It’s almost a full-time job, but I’m eager to secure a position.I fear the reason I’m not hearing back on jobs is the two-semester break in my college studies. It’s a giant red flag, bringing up questions about my work ethic and follow through. I refuse to explain my absence in my cover letter, though. I worry they will pity me for the accident, and I don’t want a pity hire. I want to earn a position based on my credentials.Calvin calls or texts me each day. We’ve met a couple of times on campus for lunch between his classes. His studies demand most of his time
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 19: The Post
Name“Go ahead and change into the gown. Wear the opening in the front. The doctor will be in shortly,” the nurse states as she exits the exam room.“Couldn’t they make these gowns more feminine, more glamorous?” I mumble, removing all my clothes. “It’s bad enough we must have this appointment annually. The least they could do is let us feel pretty while we do it.”With the thin hospital gown over my shoulders, I hold the front closed as I climb onto the exam table. The white paper crinkles annoyingly. The cold, sterile environment causes my skin to crawl.The doctor whips in with her nurse, and they quickly begin the breast and pelvic exams. I lie on the table, staring up at the fluorescent lights, praying for this to all be over quickly. You’d think after a hysterectomy, pelvic exams would no longer be necessary. I don’t question the logic, though; I endure it as every woman does.With no concerns, my exam ends, and I’m briskly walking toward the door and exiting the lobby. My jaw ti
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 20: He Changes Everything Calvin
CalvinMy presentation is over, and my college classes are officially complete for the week. I pull my cell phone from the side pocket of my backpack, turning it on as I walk through the hallway. I push through the heavy metal doors into the warm spring sun.Done.Finally.It’s time to pack up my stuff and move into the next phase of my life. But first, I’ll spend the evening with Sky. Since I didn’t convince Garret to let me have the girls’ apartment tonight, I’ve invited her to my place, promising to fix her a meal to die for. She’s begged me all week to tell her what’s on the menu, but I’ve kept that a secret, just like the big one I plan to reveal to her tonight. I’m nervous, yet ready.After tonight, she’ll know everything. With Sky in my home, there can be no more hiding Tyler. I think I’m finally ready for the secrets to stop.Finally awake, my cell phone vibrates several times, signaling a missed phone call, many social media updates, and two texts. Since there is no voicemail,
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 21: Rescue the Princess
Calvin“Tyler’s my son.” I don’t know what else she needs to know.If he’s a game changer, I don’t want to waste my time telling our story.“Like I didn’t already figure that one out. He looks just like you.” Dallas looks fondly in his direction. “Why haven’t you shared this juicy tidbit with us?”“It’s a long story. I told Schuyler I had something to tell her at dinner tonight. I planned to introduce Tyler to her this evening.” I let out a long breath as I rub my hands down my face. “I tried to date twice when he was a baby. College girls weren’t interested in my baggage. It’s why I gave up dating for over three years. I needed to focus on what was best for him.” I attempt to smile at Dallas. “Why does he change everything?”“Schuyler’s kept a big secret from you, too.” Dallas can’t help but glance toward Tyler, smiling as she speaks. “The reason we are going to her wreck site is because the wreck took a big part of her life away from her. Every three months, she visits a doctor for a
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 22: Up-High Ty
CalvinThere it is.I’ve laid it all on the line for her.My heart is in the palm of her hand to do with as she pleases. She takes a moment to process my words. She turns toward me, wide-eyed, slack-jawed, unable to speak. I brush wet strands of her hair from her face. My thumbs caress her jawline as I stare deep into her caramel eyes, imploring her to love me, to accept my confession, and to allow us to move on together.She looks back toward the truck. She doesn’t crane her neck or stand for a better view. She stares for several long minutes. As she turns back to face me, I’m paralyzed. I can’t breathe. I can’t move.“You…” She gulps audibly. “What’s his name?” Her brow furrows as her eyes search mine for answers.“His name is Tyler. He’s four,” I repeat.“Tyler Calhoun?” she questions.I nod. This is not the reaction I expected. I thought she’d ask about his mother, how we hooked up, why she wasn’t in the picture, and where he goes while I’m in class. She doesn’t seem concerned wit
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 23: Those Are My Hands
SchuylerMoments into the drive, I can no longer take the sound of the windshield wipers on the car window. I scramble for anything to discuss.“Can you tell me about Tyler’s mother?” I regret the words as soon as they spill from my mouth. “I mean, you don’t have to.”“I don’t mind.” Calvin peers over at me for a second before turning his attention back on the road. “I think it’s important for you to know. My second year of college, a girl I hooked up with one night the spring before showed up on my doorstep. Her name is Daniel, and she was a sophomore photography major.”Calvin shakes his head before continuing. “I was so freaked out about her tracking me down five months after our one-night-stand that I totally missed her pregnant stomach.”Now and then, Calvin looks toward me in the passenger seat to gauge my reaction before sharing more details. “She claimed the baby was her boyfriend’s, but he bailed as soon as she told him she was pregnant. Since she came from a large, very Catho
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