Hanging Pawns (The Fate Series Book 2) (19 page)

Looking at Molly and Morgan’s faces, it occurs to me that I probably just spilled a secret.

“No.” Chase drags the word out slowly. “We are changing to architecture.” He gives Morgan a weird look. “Ms. Morgan, is there something you would like to share with the group,” he says to her.

“Well, if you must know, we are also changing our major… to fashion design.” She smiles wide at him.

“Will you be leaving us?” He tries to look unbothered by the news, but I can tell he is worried.

“Not on your life! I love that house. I am sorry, dear, but you are stuck with us for a few more years,” she sings to him, and he puts on his best annoyed look.

“Damn, I was hoping to open the house up into one big one. But I guess if you aren’t leaving I will just have to deal with sharing a wall with you for the next couple of years,” he scoffs at her.

Grabbing their glass, the boys start another toast as everyone joins us.

“To another year?” Chase looks at Morgan.

“Oh, what the hell. To another year!” She toasts him.

One year later…

“Love vanquishes time. To lovers, a moment can be eternity, eternity can be the tick of a clock.”

~ Mary Parrish

“Okay, so we have our final project due on Wednesday. The guys’ final project is due Tuesday. I think we should be able to leave after we turn our project in,” Morgan says, pouring herself coffee.

Molly and I sit at the table, waiting for the guys to come over for breakfast.

Josh left yesterday for an audition so he will meet us out there.

As if on cue, the guys let themselves in with their empty coffee cups and growling stomachs.

“I just don’t know why you won’t go out with her,” Chase says to Simon.

The “her” in reference here is a girl who has been hanging around Simon for the entire fall semester with no sign of giving up. He can sure attract the crazies. He finds fault with all of them though. This one laughs too loud, this one bites her lip in an annoying way, that one talks about herself in the third person… okay, she was paid to do that… by me. But it was still funny to watch and the best spent twenty bucks of my life… we recorded it and sometimes when it’s late at night and there’s nothing on TV, Josh and I will take it out to watch.

No, no one else knows that…

It’s our dirty little secret.

Simon however is still holding out hope for Sidney.

It must be torment to not be able to be with the only person your heart will beat for.

“I told you she breathes funny,” Simon snaps at him as he pours his coffee.

See?

“Alright… So, we are leaving Wednesday after we turn in our projects. Say around four in the afternoon?” Morgan says, getting up to get more eggs.

“Will there be sausage gravy?” Dean nudges Molly.

“Touch me again and I will make you eat that hand,” Molly snaps at him.

“Oh goodie, someone is in a great mood today!” He smiles, taking his seat. “Would you like to… Ouch!” Dean screams. “She kicked me!”

“Don’t mind her. She is just mad she isn’t in charge of making the plans for our trip,” Morgan says, taking her seat.

“Uh oh. What did you screw up?” Chase laughs, taking his seat next to Morgan.

“I scheduled our meeting for the afternoon instead of the morning! Now, we won’t get home before Mom and Dad. But in my defense we didn’t make it home before them last year either!” she says.

“But you were in charge last year, too,” Chase says, looking at her with a skeptical look.

“That’s what I said,” Morgan groans. “So I revoked her plans making visa.” She shrugs.

“Access den—ouch! She kicked me!” Chase shouts.

“Yeah, I did! Consider that a warning, dipshit,” Molly scowls at him.

“I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.” Dean looks at her.

“Just let me make plans, and I’ll go back to happy Molly,” she pleads with him.

“You have control issues, ouch! Molly, I am going to climb over this table after you if you kick me again,” Chase growls.

“Bring it on, girl hands.” She leans forward.

“If you were a man…” He laughs through his teeth, his fists clenched.

“I feel the same way about you.” She takes a bite of food.

Molly apparently has severe control issues. From this point on she will forever be in charge of whatever needs to happen.

After the long plane ride, which Molly thankfully slept through, we find our rental and drive to the girls’ parents’ building.

“So the guys are staying at their parents’ house. That has to be exciting.” I smile at them as I grab my things.

A swarm of men come out to take our bags, and Morgan hands over the keys for them to park the car.

“Not really. You haven’t met pain-in-the-ass Judith,” Molly mumbles, slowly walking into the building.

“No… but your mom seems like she can handle herself,” I say, getting onto the elevator.

“Oh, I almost forgot! You are to call her Mrs. Chandler when pain-in-the-ass Judith is around. We have maids but you know the drill you never see them and… well I think that is about it,” Morgan says.

So they want me to act like this is my family… I shrug to myself and get into character.

When the elevator opens we are met with what looks like Santa’s helpers threw up all over the house.

“What the fuck happened in here?” I mutter as I look around.

“Christmas, darling, Christmas. Welcome to our parents’ house,” Morgan says.

“This isn’t how it looked last year,” I say, squinting my face at the decorations that hurt my brain.

“Yes, because last year pain-in-the-ass Judith was away. This year she is here… with all of her friends!” Molly says in a sarcastic tone.

I’m starting to see how serious this all is.

I walk to the same room I had a year ago and send Josh a text to let him know I’m in. Opening the door, the room is filled with lit candles of every height and size with a path that leads to the bathroom.

I walk to the bathroom and open the door to a Josh-less room that is also filled with candles. On the edge of the tub sits two glasses.

Walking back into the bedroom, I saunter over to the bed that is covered in rose pedals and look around, running my hand over the comforter.

Putting my bag on the hook where robes are supposed to go, I take off my coat and scarf to drape them on the hook next to it. I place my hands on my hips to figure out where he is and hear Molly in the hall talking to someone. I walk over to see if they know anything. When it opens, Josh is knelt down in front of me with Morgan and Molly’s entire family behind him.

“Ms. Andrews… I was wondering if you would…”

Before he can finish, I lunge at him, screaming yes, and knocking him to the ground.

“Wait. You don’t know what I am going to ask yet.” He laughs under me.

Straddling him, I sit up and wait for him to finish.

“Right, of course, so sorry… please finish.” I smile down at him.

“I got the part… and I was wondering if you would like to run away with me. Well, run back to California with me that is.” He flashes me that look.

My skin burns with embarrassment. Doing my best to not look disappointed, I hold my smile and nod yes.

“Oh good. See guys, I told you she wouldn’t be upset if I asked her to marry me second… Amateurs,” Josh says, rolling his eyes.

“Wait, what?” My body stills.

“If you let me up I can properly ask you to marry me. But I must say this works too.” Taking out the small blue box, my eyes move back and forth between him and the box.

“If there is a key chain in that box I will rip your testicles off,” I say, pointing down at him with a warning.

“What did you girls do to her?” Grams laughs.

“Nope, no key chain,” he says, opening the box to reveal the most stunning princess cut diamond I have ever seen.

“You have to say yes
now
, love.” He smiles at me.

“It’s the soon-to-be Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Anderson,” I say, leaning down to kiss him as he slips the ring onto my finger.

Everyone claps, gushing around us.

“I love you and not because of this, but because you are my best friend and my family. I don’t want to be a day without you.” I smile, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“You’re my family and best friend, too.” His arms wrap around me.

“What the hell? What about us!” I hear the twins and guys yell from above us.

I push off the floor, opening my arms toward them. They all rush over to join into the group hug.

“Hey! I am under here! Watch the damn heels!” Josh yells from under us.

“Best Christmas Ever!” Molly yells out.

“I will drink to that!” Grams shouts.

“No disrespect, but could you all leave us alone for a little while,” Josh groans out.

“Of course dears, we are going to go talk wedding plans!” Madness squeals as she grabs Grams to leave.

“Nice going, guys. You gave them a wedding to plan!” Morgan sighs as she grabs Molly’s arm to follow them.

“Let’s go knock them down a peg or two,” Molly adds with a huff.

“We beg you, please give them hot dresses!” Dean’s hands clasp together.

“They’re going to be the ones designing them.” I smile back.

“And you said I was predictable.” Josh winks at me. “I think we should celebrate… in the tub?” he murmurs into my ear.

“I love you, Josh.” I laugh.

“Now that is something I will never get tired of hearing.” He pulls me into him, kissing me gently.

If you had asked me a year ago if I thought Fate existed I would have laughed and said no. I didn’t set out looking for love, or friendship and certainly not a family. But that’s what Fate gave me, I have felt more love from this group of people than I ever did my family. I guess I was wrong about those watches my dad gave me… They weren’t an obligation gift, they were a lesson I was too naïve to understand…

Time is precious; make sure you always keep track of it…

I will never take time for granted again.

Coming Soon… Sacrifice, Book 3 in the Fate Series

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I need to start this by thanking the fans and the blogs. Your continued support means the world to me and I hope you all enjoyed Mea’s story.

Thank you to my family for all your behind the scenes support. It takes more than an author and the people in their head to write a story.

To my father… yes, Dad this one is for you. Thank you for being my leaning post, my moral support, and my tag team partner for the kids. You’re always there to pick them up and watch them (even though we’re both certain they’re going to destroy your house with couch forts and play-doh.) and you do it without complaint every time. For anyone who reads this and knows my father, no, I’m not blowing smoke up his ass to get him to do it more. I’m simply acknowledging him for being him. But since we’re on the subject… kidding. Love you, Dad!