Nash and Maggie's offspring are off to college, along with Kaiden and Kain. As they navigate life away from home, they must deal with what happened after graduation too. Will the quints help Lyric deal with the tragedy while they deal with college life? Sometimes, you need a little help and guidance from The Gray Brothers themselves. Get ready because The Gray Sisters are taking college by storm. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
A new beginning
Lyric
I sat in my room, staring out of the window. It was summer, and I spent most of it in my bedroom. After Daniel's funeral, I couldn't force myself to leave. Talking to Michael helped, but it wasn't enough. I felt so lost.
Tonight Lex planned to surprise Piper with a promise ring. The occasion should have been joyous, but it wasn't. I didn't want to leave, let alone celebrate. Uncle Noah and Dad couldn't persuade me to go. I wanted to stay at home.
Then I heard a knock on my door.
"Leave me alone, Dad! I'm not going!" I said, but the knocking continued. Finally, I answered my door. "Michael?"
"I heard someone wanted to be a hermit." He leaned against my door frame. I looked at him. He entered my room. "It's a pleasant room for a girl's room."
"What are you doing here?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"I could ask you the same thing."
I sighed as I walked away from him. "I want to be alone."
"Why?"
I glance at him.
He walked towards me. "Why? Give me one excellent reason."
I stood there as he hammered at me with question after question until I snapped. "Because if I leave, then he's gone!" I looked at him as he looked at me, then I broke. "He left. Why did he leave? Why Michael? What did I do? Please tell me what I can do to bring him back?" I cried.
He wrapped his arms around me as I sobbed.
"You can't. Death is the end. I wish we could, but you can't. All you can do is keep going."
"But how? It's like I'm drowning." My body heaved with sobs.
"With help."
It was the first time I cried since Daniel died. I couldn't cry.
He held me and stroked my hair as I cried. Ma and Dad came to the door and watched us.
"Lyric, it'll get better. Take it minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day. Some days will be good, and some will be bad. The good will outweigh the bad. It's grief, and it sucks."
I buried my head into his chest, wanting this pain to leave
We stayed there for a while. Having Michael here helped.
I stopped crying, and we sat on the floor with our backs against the bed.
"Do you feel better?" Michael asked me.
"That's the one hundred thousand dollar question."
"Lyric, it will get better. If you let me help you through this, I promise it will get better. Deal?"
He held out his hand. I sighed, placing mine in it. Then something weird happened. I felt a warmth I hadn't felt in a while. After Daniel, coldness surrounded me. It felt strange.
He released my hand and stood up. I followed suit.
"Now, why don't you get ready, and I'll meet you downstairs."
I nodded, and he left so I could change.
*****
"Well?" Maverick asked.
"She's changing. I can't guarantee she'll be happy," Michael said.
"It's a start," Dad said.
My door opened, and everyone watched as I came down the stairs in a summer dress. I wanted to get tonight over with and go back to my room.
We left and went to a place where Lex is giving Piper a promise ring. When we arrived, I sat alone. I didn't want to dampen the mood, but I also didn't want to bother.
Piper arrived, and Lex told her these beautiful romantic things. I wanted to gag. I sat there with a sour puss on my face as romance filled the air.
Then when Lex opened the box, revealing the ring, that was it for me. I got up and walked away. I know I should be happy, but I was anything but happy.
The restaurant was by water, so I watched the ripples. I took a seat, looking into the distance. The waves crashed upon the shore, calming me.
I sat there when I heard someone ask, "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Are you following me?" I asked Michael.
"Nope. I thought I would go for a walk." He shrugged.
"Don't worry. I won't drown myself."
"Now, what would make me think that? You're a depressed individual dealing with a hell amount of grief."
I glanced at him as he smiled.
"You're strange."
"And you're exquisite for a sour puss." He made a face. "Look, I'm Lyric, who's a giant crab."
"Shut up!" I gave him a playful shove.
"Then lighten up. Yes, someone died, but you didn't. You're still alive. So, start living." Michael gave me a soft smile.
"You won't stop until I agree, will you?"
"Nope."
"Good luck because you'll need it."
"Hmm. I accept your challenge."
I stared at him as he stood up and walked away.
What the hell did that fool have planned? My guess is nothing good. What did I get myself into with Michael?
*****
Michael
I walked up.
"Well?" Major asked.
"Lyric thinks she crawled into that grave with Daniel, but I won't let her. She deserves to live, love, and laugh again," I said.
"What do you have planned?" Maverick asked me.
"I'll show her how to live again because she isn't living. She exists. She should enjoy her life, not let life pass her by. Daniel may have had problems, but she doesn't deserve to deal with them." I walked away.
Major looked at Maverick. "That isn't good."
"Nope," Maverick said as he looked back at him. "Michael doesn't like when someone else gets dragged down by another. Now excuse me. I have a temperamental person to deal with in the form of Larkin."
"Good luck, brother." Major chuckled.
Maverick went to find Larkin. No one understood what was going on with those two.
Carrington Carrington Jones grew up with seven brothers and sisters. He has a happy-go-lucky nature with a tender heart, which sets him apart from his siblings with their personalities. He meets a woman who captures his heart. The only problem is she has a husband. Carrington’s brothers advised him against pursuing it, especially Mason and Charles, understanding it’s a terrible idea. Carrington can’t stay away from the woman. What happens with romance blossoms? Will Carrington discover his happiness, or will his heart get broken? A forbidden romance is enticing but arises in tragedy. Carrington will discover that it’s not romance where his heart lies but what occurs from it. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Matthew Harper always does the right thing. He doesn’t drink or smoke and protects his family, but he lets his past rule him. After dealing with the loss of his girlfriend Sadie, he thought he could move on, but ghosts of the past resurface. It made him close off his heart to someone who could love him more profoundly than the ocean. What happens when a past love resurfaces, making him rethink his earlier decisions? Will he get a second chance at happiness he deserves or breaks another’s heart again? It takes help from some cousins and an unexpected situation to show Matthew that we can’t let the past rule our future. The heart wants what the heart wants. *The Gray Series spin-off series. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Oliver Harper is a unique person. He doesn’t care about frivolous ideas or someone in his life to complete him. He prefers a conversation that stimulates his mind. When Oliver starts college, his friends and cousins join him. The problem with this bunch is they’re crazy. Have you met the Gray/Harper family? They define bat shit crazy. Olivier will navigate his way through college with the help of his family and cousins. He’ll meet and fall in love with the most unexpected person who’ll stimulate his mind. College life is about to explode. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Growing up next to the Harper boys, Tori Williams learned to hold her own with them. Her brother Gabe is best friends with the boys, and Tori deals with the youngest Harper boy, Deacon. There’s a slight issue when Tori dates Bradley Wilson, whom the Harper boys can’t stand. Wanting to keep Tori from her idiot ex-boyfriend, Nate and Deacon develop a plan of their own. Elias Harper graduated college and returned home to work in construction. While Nate and Deacon scheme to keep Bradley from Tori, another issue arises when Elias takes an interest in a particular neighbor girl. What happens when four years change people? Will a love connection happen, or will someone get burned? With the Gray gene cemented in your DNA, all bets are off. Follow Elias as he discovers who held his heart while growing up. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Lex and Piper are ready to settle down and have a family of their own. After celebrating the wedding of Michael and Lyric, something significant happens to Lex and Piper, which turns the Gray family upside down. Will they be able to get through this, or will they falter? With the help of The Gray Brothers and The Gray Sisters, Lex and Piper will learn the meaning of what it is to be a Gray. Love and humor go a long way for this family. Follow Lex and Piper on their journey as we find out if they can find their way back to each other. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
As the quints head into their third and final year of college, they are going to discover the thing that truly matters most - family. Follow them on their journey as the sisters deal with situations beyond their control. That is when the family becomes essential, especially the Gray Family. Now all they must do is get through the next two years with minor issues. Considering these are The Gray Sisters, expect the unexpected. With a little bit of help from the Brothers and a whole lot of humor, anything is possible. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”