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
The Harper Cousins
Oliver
Splash!
What the hell? I jerked up from my bed soaked in water. I wiped my face to have Deacon standing in my room, holding a bucket.
"Why the hell did you do that?" I grabbed a shirt and dried off my face-the wrong decision. Damn, I need to do laundry. I tossed the shirt into the hamper.
"We start college next week, and you're sleeping your life away."
"What does it matter?" I squinted at Deacon.
"Stop sulking. It's not great for the soul or you." Deacon shrugged, tossing the bucket.
"People wallow when they're feeling down. It's an instinct."
"Conner, not calling you after locking lips doesn't constitute you wallowing. Plus, you didn't call him."
"He's busy."
"With what?"
"Not calling me."
Deacon's right eye twitched. How does a person disagree with sense?
I kicked Deacon out of my bedroom so I could change. Someone tapped on my bedroom door. Christ. Can't a guy dress in peace? If Deacon throws water at me again, I'll slap him.
I whipped open my door. "What?"
The person didn't respond as Conner stood in my hallway.
"Is this an inconvenient time? I can come back."
"No! It's not!" Deacon said from downstairs.
I stormed out of my bedroom and over to the railing. "Shut the hell up, you tool!"
"Stop moping! A mopey Oliver is an annoying Oliver!"
"Go jump, Gia!"
"Ooh, clever idea."
Deacon left as I folded my eyes. Now I understand why Tori sat on his head. I ambled into my bedroom and contemplated sitting on my bed. Ah, what the hell? I spotted an arid spot and plunked my buns down.
"I haven't seen you since our kiss. Did you not enjoy it?"
"You came to my house to inquire whether I enjoy our kiss. Are you on crack?" I curved my eyebrow.
"Well, I haven't seen you since the party."
"Because you didn't call or visit."
"I'm puzzled."
"That makes two of us." I exhaled.
Conner sauntered over to my bed and sat down next to me.
"So..."
"Yeah?"
"I like you. You like me."
"We aren't a big, happy family. It's not Barney. If you want to ask me out, then ask."
Conner's eyes expanded. I didn't get the approach of dancing around questions. Directness is my motto. If you like someone, you ask them out. It's not that complicated.
I awaited, then exhaled.
"I'm not great at relationships."
"What relationship?" I curved my eyebrow.
"Well, asking someone on a date."
"A date doesn't mean a relationship. Two people eat dinner together, determining if they like each other. That's the trouble with people."
I stood up, shuffled over to my dresser, snagged a pair of Hanes socks, and tugged them on. No offense to anyone, but feet gross me out. Owen thinks I'm peculiar, but people's feet aren't pleasant.
"What do you suggest?" He squirmed on my bed.
I could tell he was nervous.
"Why don't we hang out? If we don't like each other, there's no harm done."
Conner sighed as I curved my eyebrow. Then water streamed through my screen, soaking Conner. Yeah, my dipshit cousins are at it again.
Conner scrambled off my bed. I dashed out of my bedroom, came back a few minutes later, opened my screen, and flung water balloons at Kayden and Jayden.
Except I didn't fill the balloons with water, but with pudding. Each balloon hit them and exploded with chocolate pudding.
"What the hell? Oliver, you suck monkey balls!" Jayden said.
"You suck donkey dick, but you don't hear me judging, you twat monger!"
"Do you have any idea how much pudding stinks in eighty-degree weather?" Kayden asked.
"Ask me if I care."
"Do you care?"
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. Markus dropped the psycho twins on their heads as babies. They escaped while complaining. Well, don't shoot water into my bedroom.
I moseyed into my bathroom, snatched a towel, and tossed it at Conner. "Here, dry off."
"Thanks." Conner dried his hair.
I tugged on my sneakers.
"So, about hanging out?"
I rounded my brow. I saw potential in Conner. But can he keep my attention? That question lingers.
*****
Jayden
Kayden and I entered the house with pudding covering us. Dad took one peek at us and resounded with laughter.
"Thanks, Dad." Kayden walked past him.
"No problem." Dad laughed.
Our dad, Markus, howled at our expense. We do something foolish, resulting in payback, and he chuckles. Our dad, Hayden, struggles to intervene. It never works.
Kayden and I took showers to scrub off the pudding. Then we got dressed-that damn Oliver.
As I picked my hair, Kayden brushed his.
"When are you cutting your fro?"
"I like my fro."
"You resemble someone from the seventies."
"Unlike you, I kept my luscious locks."
"So did Bozo the Clown, except your hair isn't orange."
I scowled at Kayden. Okay, people need some background about us. Our biological parents were black and into some crazy shit. Child protective services took us because they figured we desired a better home. The couple who adopted us were gay and white.
While most people view this as an issue, we don't. Our dads raised us in a loving home. They have no trouble beating our asses when we do stupid shit. Yeah, we do a lot of stupid shit. When a crazy-ass family raises you, you're bound to do stupid shit. Our last name is Harper.
"Kayden and Jayden! Lunch is ready!" Markus said.
We busted our ass getting out of the bathroom. I almost tossed Kayden down the stairs. We scrambled into the kitchen, tumbled over each other, and fell.
Markus looked at us on the floor. "If you wished to eat on the floor, you could have told me."
I shoved Kayden off me. "Get off me, fool."
"Well, bite me."
"Can we have one day where someone isn't acting like a fool? Or someone has to bite the other?" Markus asked.
We peered at each other, then said, "No."
Markus rolled his eyes as Hayden came into the kitchen. Kayden and I sat down at the table as our dads joined us.
"So, why did pudding explode on you?" Markus asked.
"Dumbass sprayed a hose into Oliver's bedroom window," I spoke while eating my sandwich.
"Well, mopey needs to stop moping," Kayden said with a shrug.
"Oliver has issues," Markus said.
"Yeah, big issues," I said.
"Can you survive your first year in college without landing in the clink?"
"Have you met our boys or your family?" Hayden asked Markus.
Markus squinted his eyes and pushed out his lips. "Yeah, never mind."
Kayden and I glanced at each other as smirks formed on our lips. Dear old Oliver is in for a surprise this year. His dad doesn't know about his side job. We do, and that's never great.
Let the games begin.
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
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
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
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
"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?
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
"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!
Madison had always believed that she would marry Colten. She spent her youth admiring him from afar, dreaming of their future life together. But Colten was always indifferent to her, and when he abandoned her at a time when she needed him most, she finally realized that he never loved her. With renewed resolve and a thirst for revenge, Madison left. Endless possibilities lay ahead, but Colten was no longer part of her plans. Colten rushed to her place in a panic. "Madison, please come back to me. I’ll give you everything!" It was his powerful uncle who answered the door. "She's my woman now."