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
The Harper boys
Tori
"Get off my head!" Deacon said.
I sat on his head and smacked it. "You shouldn't have squirted me with a hose." I whacked his head again.
You're wondering why I'm sitting on Deacon's head. Let me backtrack and explain what happened.
I was in my bedroom, searching for a book, when Deacon yelled. I ignored him because he always yells.
"Tori! If you don't answer me, I'll take your bras and use them as a slingshot!"
I moaned and poked my head out of my bedroom window as water sprayed me in the face. I drew my head inside, sprinting out of my room and out of the house. I tackled Deacon to the ground, sat on his head, and smacked the shit out of him. It brings us to our current situation.
"Get off my head!"
I whacked him in the head a few good times before getting off him.
Deacon stood and rubbed the back of his head. "Damn, Tori. Why must you hit so hard?"
"Hopefully, it'll knock some smarts into you."
"You love me, and you know it." Deacon gave me a cheesy grin.
"More like I love to hate you."
"Deacon! Mom needs help!" Nate said.
"With what?"
"She wants to rearrange the furniture again!"
Deacon rolled his eyes.
"How many times does your mom rearrange the furniture?"
I didn't understand why Nora rearranged her furniture.
"Beats the hell out of me. I learned not to question it." Deacon shrugged. He pivoted and walked home.
I shook my head as Mom opened the door and handed me a bag. "What's this?" I peeked into the bag.
"Romance novels."
"Ugh, why?"
"Because Nora and I like to read them. Take them over to her house."
"You need a hobby."
"I have a hobby." Mom smiled.
I shook my head, then strolled over to Harper's house and knocked on the front door. Nora answered as I handed her the bag. She gave one back to me as I opened it and laughed.
"Shh. Don't tell your dad."
"Why don't you and my mom come clean about your Girl Scout addiction?"
"We can't help it. Greg and Matt don't understand why we hide our guilty pleasures." Nora grinned.
My mom and Nora are crazy. They use romance novels to hide an addiction to Girl Scout cookies. I find it disturbing. When I turned to return to my house, something clanged on the cement. I leaned under a car to see a wrench on the ground. A hand grabbed it. I didn't think Matt was home.
When I stood up, Elias stood on the opposite side of the car, staring at me. I moved towards the car as he stood with the wrench in his hand.
"I didn't know you were home."
"I returned home a few days ago. I had to take care of a few things after graduation."
I placed my palms on the car and leaned on it. "How does it feel to be a big, bad college guy?"
Elias leaned on his forearms. "It had its moments. You learn a lot about people."
"Do you now?"
Elias smirked. A car beeped its horn as Bradley's car was out front.
"Yo! Babe! Let's go!" Bradley said.
I rolled my eyes because I hated when Bradley called me babe. The Wilson brothers have this habit of walking around like they owned the world.
"You better run along before Bradley thinks you're doing something you shouldn't," Elias said.
"Bradley doesn't own me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." I walked over to my house, took the bag inside, dropped it off, then left. I walked out to Bradley's car and got in. I didn't understand Elias. While growing up, he would watch out for me. Now it seems like he couldn't care less. I guess college changes people.
* * * * *
Elias
I grabbed a rag and cleaned the tools as Tori walked away. She has changed a lot since the last time I saw her. I didn't know what she saw in Bradley Wilson, since he's an asshole and treats her like arm candy.
Dad pulled into the driveway, then got out of the car. He walked towards me. "Car problems?" He glimpsed the vehicle.
"I was changing spark plugs."
I put the tools away and moved the prop, dropping the hood.
"Why do you seem irritated?"
"Tori came by with romance novels for Mom. Then Bradley Wilson showed up."
"Yeah, Nate and Deacon bitched about Tori dating Bradley."
"When did they start dating?"
"After Tori turned sixteen. Bradley put on a good show, but Greg didn't buy it."
"Then why let Tori date a tool?"
"Because Greg told Tori she could date at sixteen. Sometimes, it's not worth the argument."
"Sometimes, it is."
My dad tilted his head. I carried the toolbox into the garage, put it back, then went in and washed up. I'll work in construction next week since I enjoy working with my hands and building things.
I kissed Mom's cheek, then washed up, scrubbing my hands and changing my shirt. Mom would kill me since I got grease on my shirt. Dad told her it comes with the territory.
I still couldn't understand why Tori dated Bradley Wilson. The guy is a weasel. So are his brothers. They treat women like shit and deserve their asses kicked.
* * * * *
Tori
I sat in Bradley's car, staring out of the window while he beat off.
"I'm almost there." Bradley groaned.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Why?
"Much better." Bradley fixed his pants. "You know you could help me. I'm tired of doing this myself."
"I'm not giving you a hand job."
"You suck as a girlfriend."
"You suck, period."
A hand connected against my mouth, shocking me.
"Listen, you stupid bitch. You'll respect me."
I hauled off and decked Bradley, then got out of the car. I slammed the car door and leaned into the window as Bradley held his nose.
"Fuck off! We're done!"
I turned and walked home. Bradley peeled away as I pulled out my phone. I was so angry that tears fell down my cheeks. I called Deacon. If I called Gabe, he would give me a lecture about making a stupid decision.
I stood there as a car pulled up. I opened the door, got in, and buckled my seatbelt. "Thanks for picking me up. I didn't want to call Gabe and get a lecture."
"It's no problem."
That wasn't Deacon's voice. I turned and came face to face with Elias. My brown eyes met his blue eyes. My heart sped as he drove me home.
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
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
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
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
"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?
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?