All of the dogs were in the room Mi-mi had added onto the house for them, but Shanti’s two favorites, Melba and Toast, the ones with disabilities, were fast asleep on the rug in front of the television. With each flash of lightning and boom of thunder, they’d groan and adjust their positions, but aside from that, they didn’t care about it at all.
Me, on the other hand, I about crapped my pants every time it happened. For some reason—maybe because the area Mi-mi’s house was in wasn’t built up with other buildings, her nearest neighbor being almost a mile away—it seemed louder and more frightening here than it usually was.
“I can’t believe they went out in this.”
“They’re nuts. Now,” June said as she picked up the remote control and turned on the television, “I need to catch up with my show. I came across it when I was on Netflix two weeks ago, and I’ve binged every episode so far.”
Seeing the title of it, I almost smiled. It was ironic her nephew was a police officer and she was watching a series dedicated to a S.W.A.T. team.
“I don’t think I’ve ever watched this. I’ve seen it advertised, but I don’t get much free time. My friends are usually the ones who recommend stuff and get me watching different shows or movies.”
Making herself comfortable, June winked at me. “Once you see Shemar Moore dressed up in his uniform, kicking butts and dominating situations, you’ll thank me. I swear that man’s the hottest guy in the world.”
It was a declaration that reminded me of Jacinda but come to find out, she was not wrong. I was in a relationship with a man who, to many, would seem too good to be true. He was handsome, caring, and everything women dreamed of having in their lives, but Shemar Moore was on a whole new level.
“Sweet Cheezus,” I breathed, fanning my face.
June’s grip on my hand tightened. “I know. When he bent over just now….”
And that’s how I ended up giving Jacinda another man to obsess over. I’d never leave Carter for anyone, not even Shemar Moore—even though I’d cry if it ever came down to me having to make that decision—but she liked to watch hot guys, usually ones she’d never meet because that was her comfort zone. I just knew she’d fall in love.
Which she did. Much to Canon Klein’s irritation. But I’d only find out how far it went when we finally got home.
While I sat next to June, I read aloud and responded to her texts outlining how infuriating he was, some making us laugh, some making us worry for his well-being. Apparently, her new infatuation triggered Canon, whom she was helping babysit Nemi.
With all the distractions, the situation that’d led to us coming here was put to the back of my mind. That might also have had something to do with Carter insisting I do that, though. The only thing he’d say was it was being handled, and that’s all we needed to know about it right now.
I also learned how to make Mi-mi’s secret spices, how to use June’s latest app, and how to WD-40 Melba’s wheels on the contraption that was strapped to her so the little dog could run around. She also taught me how to make the “best” jambalaya and gumbo, how much sugar not to put in sweet tea, and I learned I could only tolerate three sips unless I wanted to be shaking and jittering all night. With all of my newfound knowledge, I finally found peace.
For four years, I’d felt off-balance and like I was coasting through life. My most outstanding achievements had consisted of being accepted into college to major in architecture—which I’d never finished. After that, it was raising Shanti and being a parent while keeping us living comfortably, but not like kings and queens. I’d managed to save a total of three thousand dollars for a very rainy day or emergency, and I’d thought all of that made my life complete.
Now, with Carter’s family giving Shanti their attention and love and making both of us feel like we’d been part of them since we were born, and knowing I had a town full of people behind us, helping to sort out the mayhem going on with the gunman and whoever had vandalized our house…
Yeah, it’s safe to say that I’d finally found peace.
Carter
Ten days later…
“I’ve got news for you,” DB said as soon as I answered the phone.
“You’ve caught him?”
“Not quite, and this is unrelated to the McGill’s situation. Just an FYI,” he added quickly, “McGill hasn’t been home since the day Naomi’s house was vandalized, but we’re looking for him.”
It wasn’t the news I wanted to hear. There was no proof he’d done the damage to Naomi’s home, and we still didn’t have a name for the gunman, but we needed to question him about it all because it was suspicious as hell.