When his head lifts, he eyes anchor mine, such a deep, endless blue. So clear and alive.
So Parker, my safety.
“I love you, Kenra Monroe,” he whispers. “Always.”
“Always,” I whisper back with a smile of my own.
This is it.
The beginning.
Nate laughs loudly, tossing a piece of popcorn at Lolli, who spins to glare at him and then shifts back around to watch the game. He grins wide, catching my eye as he looks away.
With a deep breath, he gives me a small smile, moving to sit beside me as Lolli and the others step onto the open deck of the owners’ suite.
The day after everything was settled with the Tomahawks, I went home and spent a few weeks with my parents, and much to my surprise, Nate came, too.
The very first day, I sat down with the three of them and told them everything there was to tell, starting with the day I met Parker. It was hard, letting my family see inside my nightmare, but I had to do it. They deserved to know, and more than that, we all deserved to heal; only open honesty could make that happen. Even though it pained them to hear of all the things I’d hidden, they were nothing but supportive, like I had known they would be.
In the two weeks that followed, I made it a point to remember who I was. I helped my mom in her garden and my dad in his shop. I played catch in the yard with my brother while our parents sat back on their porch and watched. It was everything I’d missed and exactly what I needed.
Then, when it came time for Nate to head back to California, I went with him.
I had no plans for when I got there but knew I wasn’t willing to be away from Parker any longer, so when my cousins and their friends asked if I wanted to stay in their beach house since they’d be heading for college in the fall, I said yes.
Now, here we are, six months later, sitting in the owners’ suite at a San Diego Tomahawks game with all our friends and family. Even my parents came to support the team in their championship game, as this is the furthest they’ve gotten in a season since Lolli’s grandpa died a few years ago.
I look from my parents to my man, all of them smiling and cheering as the team gets ready to tie the game just before halftime hits, and a peace I’ve only wished for settles over me.
I can’t remember ever feeling as whole as I do right now. For the first time in what seems like forever, I have no secrets from the world and no weight on my shoulders. Sure, I still have scars that line the inside of my arms that I’ll forever carry, but they no longer hold power over me. I look at them now and see strength instead of regret.
Nate stands and offers me a hand. When he pulls me up, he gives a soft smile. “Thank you, Kenra. For everything you did for me and everyone else. You’re the strongest person I know, big sister,” he whispers.
I grip his hand tighter, tears pooling in my eyes. “Thank you, little brother.”
Right then, the others file back in the room, ready to hit the buffet bar that’s been set up for us.
And all I can do is smile at everyone around me, proud that I can finally say I’m happy in my life and mean it with every fiber of my being.
I never realized how much my and Payton’s childhood differed from the people around us until recently.
While things weren’t always bad in our home, we only existed and functioned as a household. We didn’t live like a family. We didn’t love.
Yet here we are, loving harder than we ever knew we were capable of.
I look to Kenra right as her eyes lift to mine, and she winks as she pops a Skittle in her mouth and then turns back to Lolli and Mia as they fill their plates with junk. It’s halftime, literally the only time Lolli will take her eyes off the game.
With a smile, I make my way up the small set of stairs and into the newly renovated loft area.
I lean against the door, watching my sister as she rocks her newborn son in her arms.
My dad and Clint came and stayed with us at our house the last month of her pregnancy, so they could be there to help us when she went into labor—something we were all grateful for since none of us knew what to expect or how to handle it when it came. But they were so good with her, gentle and fatherlike, as they should be.
I feel for her, for what she must be going through, but she’s been so strong through all of this. She’s seventeen now, a single mother fighting her way through the heartbreak of losing her boyfriend, her little boy’s father.
She looks up, giving me a small smile. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I whisper, kicking off the wall and walking toward her.
I run my hand along the crib we had put in for her, smiling at the stuffed football Lolli added. When I see the scribble on the side, I lift it up and show it to her.
She laughs lightly. “Nate signed it, and then, when Mason saw Nate had signed it, he signed over Nate’s signature.”
We both laugh lightly at that.
“I don’t know how that family deals with the both of them.”
Payton gives a side grin. “We’re a part of that family now,” she says.
I bend at my knees, bringing myself eye-level with her. “Do you feel that here with us?” I ask hesitantly. “Do you feel like part of the family?”
Tears build in her eyes, and she nods, wiping them away before they can fall on the baby. “Yeah, I do. I like it here, Parker. I love when Mrs. Monroe comes to visit and Mason and Ari’s mom. They’re … they’re so amazing to us.”
“So, you’ll stay here? Even after you finish independent study?”
She nods, and then a bright smile takes over her face.
“What?”
“You know how I lost that showcase for being pregnant?”
I nod, searching her face.
“Lolli got me an interview with the board at Embers Elite. I went last week.”
“And?”
“And they want to use my photos in their next young artist issue!” She squeals quietly, bouncing the baby, and his arms fly up. “Parker, I made her promise not to tell she knew me so they wouldn’t give me special treatment. I even entered under a different name, so they had no way of knowing! I did this on my own!” Her eyes tear up, and she smiles.
“That’s amazing, Peep. I’m so proud of you. I’m in awe of you really. You’re just …”
“The shit,” comes from the doorway.
We both look to find Lolli leaning against the frame.
She makes her way inside the room and reaches her arms out.
Payton grins at her and stands, handing her little guy over. She walks out, leaving Lolli and me alone.
Lolli looks to the baby, runs her fingertips over his eyebrows, and then moves to wrap her fingers around his. “He’s pretty badass, isn’t he?” she speaks low.
I keep my eyes on her. “Yeah, he is.”
She looks up. “I told Nate I think I might maybe want one … someday.”
I try to hold in my grin, pulling my lips in. “Think so?”
“Yeah”—she nods and drops her eyes to him—“I do.”
“That’s good, Lolli Bear. Real good.”
“These last few months have been hard,” she whispers.
“With Nate away at school?”
She nods, bending to kiss the baby’s head. “I don’t like not seeing him every day.”
“I’ve noticed; you’ve been running a lot again.”
“Yeah …” She looks to me, sadness in her eyes. “I’m … gonna rent something small next to his school,” she admits quietly.
“You-you’re leaving?” A small ache forms in my chest.
She nods. “I need to be by him. I want to be by him. I was hoping maybe you’d ask Kenra to move in? I think she’d love to. I know she has Ari and the others’ house while they’re at school, but you’re with each other every time you can be, and this way, someone will be there with Payton and the baby all the time. If you think Kenra’s up for it.”
The pressure settles at the thought. She’s right. I’
ve thought about it a dozen times, and I would love Kenra to be there every morning when I wake up, but that doesn’t mean I want Lolli to go.
“So, you’re moving then?”
“Only during the school year. We’ll be back on the weekends when we can, summers and shit.” Her eyes search mine. “But … I bought the place next door.”
I laugh at that, and the baby jumps, crying for a split second before Lolli soothes him back to sleep. We both look to each other, laughing silently.
“For real, we’ll be back as often as possible. Especially with this little man there. So, don’t touch my swing.” She playfully narrows her eyes, and I smile softly at her. “This place is still our home, yours and mine; we just have our own front doors now.”
“It’s okay,” I assure her. “I see you feeling guilty, and you don’t need to. This feels right.”
She exhales with a smile. “It does.” Her blue eyes bounce between mine. “I love you, Hero.”
“I love you, too, Lolli Bear.”
“Can I have my woman now? Halftime’s ’bout over.”
We look to find both Monroes grinning in the doorway.
“That baby looks good on you,” Kenra teases.
Lolli shrugs.
“Come here, gorgeous.” Nate holds a hand out. “And bring that baby with you.”
Lolli giggles and bends to kiss his little head. “You, Deaton Baylor, will be the most loved little dude ever.”
My heart both hurts and swells in pride when Lolli says his name.
Deaton Baylor, after his father and her. At first, Payton was afraid to use Deaton’s name for his son he never got the chance to meet. She worried, every time she heard it or said it herself, she’d feel an emptiness inside her, and she feared she would grow resentful, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to call him anything different. And I’m so glad because it’s ended up doing the exact opposite.
When she or anyone else calls him by name, my sister gets a little light in her eye, a reminder that, even though Deaton is gone, she has a true piece of him here to love forever. Her own little miracle with his daddy’s dark hair and mama’s blue eyes.
Nate and Lolli walk out, and Kenra walks in.
She glances around the room, looking to the spot where the ottoman used to be. “It turned out so cute in here.” She looks to the heather-gray wall with the big turquoise-blue Tomahawks logo in the center. “This boy will be so spoiled.”
“He already is.”
“Good.” She smirks and walks toward me right as the team takes the field again.
I spin her, so I’m standing behind her, my chin resting on her shoulder, as we look out over the packed stadium. “Heard your parents say they’re staying a few more days.”
“They are. My mom said my dad hasn’t taken this many vacation days since we were born.” We both laugh at that. “That baby is good for all of us. He’s helping Payton stay strong, and he’s helped Lolli get over her fears of the future. I feel like, for the first time, my family feels at peace, and it has so much to do with that little boy.”
I grin against her, so damn proud of her and amazed by her strength. “I love you, you know.”
“Mmm …” She snuggles against me. “I know.”
“Move in with me.”
“I … what?” She tries to spin in my arms, but I don’t let her.
“I need to hold you in our bed, in our home, every morning and night. I want you there, with me, always. Let’s erase all the bad with good, Kens.”
“What about—”
“Say yes, baby. Don’t make me wait any longer.”
“Yes,” she whispers with zero hesitation.
One hand comes up to tilt her face toward mine while the other skims down her stomach until I’m cupping her over her jeans. She gasps into my mouth as I kiss her with a gentle hunger.
“Me and you, every night, Nightingale.”
She grins against my lips, her eyes still closed. “Every night, Safety.”
She’s everything I ever wanted and nothing I thought I’d ever have.
But here she is. In my arms.
My nightingale.
Note From The Author
Son of a beesh! You guys! I can’t believe Defenseless Hearts is in your hands!
Parker and Kenra’s journey took me on a ride I never expected. When I started writing this book, I thought I knew what was set to happen, but damn was I wrong! Gah! Parker loves hard, doesn’t he?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!!
I hope you felt and loved their story as much as I do.
Join the spoiler group here: Meagan's Spoiler Space - DH
Did you discover Parker and Kenra’s story first? Take it back to high school in Lolli and Nate’s story, FUMBLED HEARTS, now to find out how the sassy new girl and cocky quarterback came to be!
WHAT’S NEXT ???
Will there be more books in the Tender Hearts series?
YES!! There WILL be more books, but when they will be released is not yet set in stone.
I will tell you… Ari is next for this gang!!
UPCOMING RELEASES
The Wrong Blaze, released on a cliffhanger in the BURN ME Anthology, is set to release as a FULL LENGTH novel THIS summer!! We will FINALLY get all the questions Alec left us with when the bomb was dropped in that very last chapter!!
Add it to your TBR today: The Wrong Blaze GR - TBR
And this fall… A BRAND NEW SERIES IS COMING!!!!
I can not tell you how excited I am for this!!! It’s gonna be EPIC!!
Boys of Brayshaw High
Blurb:
"Girls like you aren't exactly welcomed at a place like this, so keep your head down and look the other way."
Those were the exact words of my social worker when she dropped me in my newest hellhole, a place for "troubled teens".
I didn't listen, and now I'm on their radar.
They expect me to play along in their games of hierarchy, to fall in line in the social order they've deemed me fit.
Too bad for them, I don't follow rules.
Too bad for me, they're determined to make sure I do.
Inconceivably attractive and treated like kings...these are the boys of Brayshaw High.
And I'm the girl who got in their way.
___
Add to you TBR today: Boys of Brayshaw High
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PLAYLIST
Luke Combs – Hurricane
Linkin Park – Leave Out All The Rest
Papa Roch – Scars
Thomas Rhett – Marry Me
Alex & Sierra – Little Do You Know
Nickelback – Trying Not To Love You
Elliot Yamin – Wait For You
Luke Bryan – Crash My Party
Brett Young – In Case You Didn’t Know
Taylor Swift – Back to December
Daughtry – It’s Not Over
Carrie Underwood – Heartbeat
Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better
Rite Ora – Body On Me
Ella Mae Bowen – Holding Out For A Hero
Rascal Flatts – What Hurts The Most
Jana Kramer – Circles
Acknowledgment
It blows my mind that I’m sitting here typing out acknowledgments for a second book! Never in a million years would I have dreamed to accomplish such a thing. One book alone was crazy. Two is downright insane!! And there are so many people to thank for making it happen!
First, again, to the man of my house, thank you! Thank you for pushing me when I needed to be pushed and calling me on my s
hit when I was being stubborn – everyday, I know. Thank you for being such an awesome man and loving our boys as hard as you do! Life would be madness without you.
My crazy alphas, Stefanie P. and Kelli M.! You girls… I don’t even know what to say! Your honesty means everything. How you girls always seem to see what’s intended and help me get it to that point is beyond me! You girls are so dedicated and genuine, I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate you. You’re seriously invaluable to this process. Funny how you switched roles on me this time around! Lol. Can’t wait until the next time!
Lisa S., my Cali twin, I love your face – yes, even your tipsy white girl videos! LOL. For reals though, your excitement and constant harassing was the best kind of push and exactly what I needed! Your love for my characters makes my little heart happy! Keep being awesome.
The gorgeous Melissa M.! This book would not have a title and the feeling that comes with it without you!! I was struggling to find that perfect fit and nothing was coming to me. You had no idea what the story was truly about when you suggested Defenseless Hearts, but girl!! Do you see now how PERFECT it is for our boy??!! Thank you so much!
Rachel, my sounding board and voice of reason! Thank you for always listening to me rant and cry when my characters pull one over on me! I love having someone to bounce ideas off of! Can’t wait for our next outing!
SES GIRLS!! Thank you for being awesome and NOT AT ALL subtle in your hints and demands of what you “need” and want in my writing! LMAO! You keep me on my toes and I FLOVE you guys!
MY GIRL, Melissa Fucking Teo – Bish! Thank you for always being in my corner and going way beyond to make sure I’m solid! Your ranty messages and posts while beta reading Parker’s book made sharing him with the world a little easier! And once again, thank you so much for helping me with all the behind the scenes stuff! You da shit and this world would be so much less without you!!!!
Defenseless Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel Book 2) Page 28