by Mia Kayla
“Of course.” I forced an even smoothness in my tone, knowing I wouldn’t, and I kissed her forehead one last time before standing up to leave. Relief flooded me once I was out of the hotel.
I hopped into my Aston Martin and headed home to the suburbs. I didn’t want to sleep alone tonight, not at my condo in the city. That wasn’t where I called home anyway.
As I drove and the city lights disappeared behind me, my shoulders slumped. I should’ve felt energized. Olivia was a freak in the bedroom, but all I felt was fatigue in my bones and an undeniable desire to knock out on my bed. All this work when dating—the wining and dining and the sex—was tiring. I didn’t mind the sex, but it seemed as though I were on the hamster wheel of dating. I’d pick a girl, repeat the cycle, and hope that it was different this time, that I’d like a girl long enough to keep her. But finding her hasn’t happened yet and round and round the cycle I went.
I hated when my brothers were right, and they were; I was already tired of the game.
I waved at the guard at our palatial estate to open the gates and drove up the winding road to the mansion that my parents had built and expanded over the years.
Thinking of not having them here anymore always sent an ache to my chest, an unbearable tightness in my lungs. It was almost four years ago, and it seemed as though tragedy had hit us one after the other during that time.
Charles’s wife, Natalie, had died when giving birth, leaving him to raise two girls by himself. And my parents asked Charles to move in so they could help with their grandchildren. Charles was an absolute wreck during that time, unable to go to work or properly care for the girls. It was one of the hardest times we’d gone through; we were all afraid he wouldn’t break out of his depression.
And, just when life had gotten back to normal, a drunk driver had taken my parents’ lives. It had gutted us, and we’d never been the same since.
But family was of the utmost importance, so we all tried. Mason and I had moved in to help Charles raise the kids. Though Mason and I had our places in the city, we were sleeping in our Barrington suburban house we’d grown up in because family always came first in the Brisken household.
As I entered our house and stepped into the silence, an agonizing sadness took over me. I took the stairs two at a time and slowly opened Sarah’s door. I could see the moonlight shine a light over my niece’s small twelve-year-old frame, and I released a soft sigh, knowing she was safe.
Next, I tiptoed into Mary’s room. The night-light on the wall illuminated her room in a faint amber glow. The princess decals on her walls smiled down on my sweet niece. I walked closer and took in her petite features, the way she hugged the elephant that I had given to her when she was three, and the way she slept with her mouth slightly ajar. Damn precious. I kissed the top of her head and brushed the back of my hand against her cheek.
Dads weren’t supposed to play favorites, but no one ever said anything about uncles.
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Acknowledgments
This book was so hard to write because of 2020 and all it entails. Through it all, one thing I’ve done is I’ve forced myself to be grateful for all the things—big and small.
It’s crazy that I have to force myself to do what would seem like a normal thing to do, right?
But given the state of the economy, politics, the pandemic and our world turned upside down and inside out, it has been a little difficult to stay positive.
But… I got us gratitude journals.
And each morning, I get up and before I even brush my teeth I give thanks. Then I do my morning devotional. And all of these things has helped tremendously.
As always, I thank God, for leading me to this path—to write, to provide escapism for people that need it, to show others that despite peoples’ faults and shortcomings everyone deserves to be happy and to be loved.
To the husband, who is and has always been my number one supporter, thank you so much for all you do.
To my girls—I took a lot of these adult and children interactions from you. I can only write a toddler and almost teen because I’ve been through those phases, raising my own kids.
It takes a team to get this done and I want to thank everyone that has helped me make this book the best it can be.
To my writer friends who listen to me vent daily and help me promote — To Michelle, El, Tracey, Danielle, Suzanne, Erica, Jenny and to all those in the Office. True loyal writer friends are hard to find. I only have a few and I’m keeping you close and never letting go.
To my beta readers—To Megan, Elizabeth, Johana, Melanie, Melai and Sarah. Thank you for your honest feed back and helping me in strengthening the story. You guys spent the time out of your day to read, analyze and answer all my questions and I appreciate you.
To Gel for doing my amazing teasers. I heart you.
To my PA—Elizabeth, you keep me organized and sane and happy. I appreciate everything you do for me.
To my developmental editor—Kristy, thank you for reading this and helping me get this to tip top shape. I know you’re probably tired of hearing me vent, but you do it anyways and I appreciate you for it.
Megan—you are my person. Now and forever and until the end of time. Thanks for simply getting me and my characters.
To my cover designer—Juliana, you’ve got talent and so much patience. Thank you for putting up with me and for my stunning cover.
To the bloggers that have consistently supported me from my very first book to now. I heart you! Thank you for following me on this journey.
Last but not least to my readers— From those who have followed me from my very first book and to the new readers, thank you! thank you! thank you! Thank you for reading my words.