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Mack Bennett is the guy that doesn't have illusions about life. He sees life for what it is. When he meets Paige Moore, their meeting isn't romantic or ideal but has more comedic errors. After dealing with their relationship, Mack and Paige welcome Bella into their life. Their recent addition to their family thrills them until Mack learns that parenting isn't easy. When Bella becomes a teen, Mack gets dragged into her and her friends' teen angst. How? Bella tries to get her crush to notice her with the help of her friends and Ty's older brother. Bella and her friends will learn why everyone needs a Mack in their life. Expect hilarious results from the Bennett family, their crazy friends, and the infamous tee-shirt. Before you and me, it's meant to be because it's just between us. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Before you and me
Mack
People say life is glorious. You have all these moments to consider, but they're full of shit. Life isn't superb. It's rough. Too many people lie to themselves, which is hysterical if you consider it.
They had all these aspirations and dreams. Then someone else destroys them. Do you get where I'm leading with this?
I try to steer clear. Who in the hell wants someone who sets out to destroy you? Of course, I've never been that schmuck who's been in love. There's too much drama.
I had that one acquaintance who assumes they know better than I do. That would be Bob Harrison, who pushes me to find someone like he's doing today.
"Come on, Mack. Don't you realize it's time to settle down?"
"Aren't you too old to whine? What? Are you? Four? What does it matter if I meet someone?" I lifted a container of dirty dishes onto the counter.
Yes, I work as a busboy trying to pay for school. Don't judge. Most people must do the inferior man's jobs. It was honest employment. So, why the hell do I care what people think?
"I'm saying it would help tame your wild ways."
"What wild ways? I work and go to school. Woohoo," I responded.
He twisted his eyes at me.
"Shouldn't you cook something?" That meant returning to work and stopping harassing me about my personal choices.
"Bob, I need a number one and three." Miguel placed an order on the ledge.
"Good luck. Bob worries too much about my nonexistent love life," I quipped.
Bob folded his eyes, and Miguel chuckled.
"Mark my words. One day, you will find the one!" Bob flipped a burger.
I walked over to Miguel.
"He sure has big aspirations for you," Miguel told me.
"I assume he's high."
Miguel snickered.
"Is there a reason you ladies are standing around talking?" Ian asked us.
"We were discussing your poor lifestyle choices such as that hairstyle." I pointed at the mess on top of his head.
"There is nothing wrong with my hairstyle. Gertie finds it sexy." Ian ran his hand against the side of his haircut.
"Is that before or after you use a gallon of oil on it?"
Ian rolled his eyes at me, causing Miguel to howl even more. "Laugh all you want, but at least I'm getting lucky."
"That is debatable."
"Are you still coming to the party?"
"Why?"
"Mack, you need to get out."
"Ian, I don't drink, and people act stupid when they do. What the hell would I do? Stand there and look like a dipshit? I don't think so."
"Then you won't see Paige," Bob said from the grill.
"You're not helping!" I spoke.
"Oh, someone has a crush on Paige Moore," Ian said.
I'm going to kill Bob.
"I do not have a crush on Paige Moore. Plus, she's dating that weasel, Aaron Slade," I said.
"Only because you haven't made a move," Miguel told me.
"And I'm not going to make a move."
Aaron was a dipwad, and I had no intention of being the other guy. FML.
The bell chimed. We noticed Paige walk in with Maria, Gertie, and Ruth. Fuck me. Of all the diners in this town, she had to come here. God must hate me.
My dipwad friends looked at me.
"Don't give me that look," I said.
Then Ian and Miguel came into the kitchen. They threw an apron on me, shoved a notepad and pencil in my hand, and pushed me through the double doors. Assholes.
I stood there as everyone stared at me. "Take a picture. It'll last longer."
Everyone returned to eating.
I walked over and scribbled the girls' orders down, then looked at Paige. "And what do you want?"
"Couldn't you be a little nicer?" Paige asked me.
"I could if I wanted to, but today is not your day, and tomorrow isn't looking better. Now, what do you want, Peggy?"
She glared at me. Yep, I pissed her off. She gave me her order, and I walked back into the kitchen. I handed it to Bob. Miguel and Ian had cheeky grins plastered on their faces.
"I'll hurt both of you."
"Yeah, but not after she hurts you." Ian smirked.
My right eye twitched. That wasn't how I wanted my life to go.
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
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!