Jared: No. We don’t need details. Shut up, Madoc.
Madoc: Yeah, I don’t need details either.
Jax: Good.
Jared: Good.
Madoc: Fine.
Jax: However...I’m sure she, Fallon, and Tate have all compared notes by now. Sucks to be you :D
***
Madoc: I want to talk to you.
Fallon: Ooooh, adding a little spice to our relationship. I’m there.
Madoc: Smart ass.
Fallon: :D
Madoc: So, tell me. What’s extremerestraints.com?
Fallon: Uh...where...what?
Madoc: The kink site, babe. Why were you on it?
Fallon: ..........
Madoc: If you bought a strap on, so help me...
Fallon: NO! Oh, my God, no I didn’t buy anything! I...I just...
Madoc: *arches brow
Fallon: I just...well, the girls and I were going to the Fifty Shades premier and I hadn’t read the books, so I started to read them, and then I got confused, because I didn’t know what toys they were talking about and I couldn’t picture stuff in my head, so I went online to look at it, and...
Madoc: And?
Fallon: And nothing. I didn’t buy anything. We don’t need that stuff.
Madoc: Good. You always like being in control anyway, so I doubt you’d ever let me tie you down. *walks away
Fallon: *mumbles* The woman isn’t always the one tied down.
Madoc: What was that?
Fallon: Nothing.
***
Madoc: Give it up already. I’ve made up my mind.
Jason: Madoc, my law firm is your heritage. It’s your future. I’ve built everything for YOU!
Madoc: And thank you for that, but you didn’t build the firm, the clientele, or the connections for me to assume your place. You built all of that, because you didn’t have a choice. And you stuck with it, so I would have choices instead. You sacrificed for me. Now I’m going to do my own thing.
Jason: This is ridiculous. Think of your wife! Think of our name!
Madoc: Let’s get real. You’re not going to disown me. You love me. Everyone loves me, and Addie would kill you anyway. Your hard work has guaranteed my financial future. So thanks for that. But I’m switching to the other side. I want to do work that means something.
Jason: The public sector?! Are you serious?!
Madoc: It’s not a disease. Damn.
Jason: But you’re going to put the same people in prison that I’m trying to keep free?!
Madoc: Good times. :D
Jason: But...
Madoc: And working in the public sector makes me a better candidate for mayor if I want someday...
Jason: But...
Madoc: Or senator!!!
Jason: But...
Madoc: Or governor! Can you imagine? Me, a governor?
Jason: :O
Madoc: *walks out of room smiling
Jason: Madoc!
Jason: *whispers* F*CK!
Katherine: *walks in smiling* Well, that word usually only comes out in bed. What’s up?
Jason: That kid of mine could sell a Smart car to a NASCAR driver, I swear!
Katherine: *snort* Already losing arguments against him, huh?
***
Madoc: *watching Star Wars trailer* Wear a skirt when we go see this, okay?
Fallon: Why?
Madoc: I’ll need easy access. I just got a chubby from the trailer. Who knows what the movie will do to me?
Character Q&A
Q: Jax, since you’re good with computers and finding things out, did you know about Katherine and Jason’s affair before he told Madoc or anyone?
A: You don’t live in the same house with someone and not pick up on things. Whispered phone calls, late night visitor…my brother didn’t care enough to notice, but yeah, I knew what was going on early enough. But I’m not Madoc. When I pry, I’m invisible about it. No one knew I knew.
Q: K.C., why did you have two angel wings with both wings broken tattooed when you told Jax you wanted a set of angel wings with one wing broken? What or who do the broken wings stand for?
A: Before, the set of wings symbolized me and my sister, with me as the broken wing. When I got the tattoo, Jax had made such an impact that it was a spur of the moment decision. Him and I. Both wings broken.
Q: Juliet: why did you never hold a grudge or play harder to get with Jax? I mean, he teased you and dropped you on your butt (embarrassing) and he called you gutless and helpless. I mean he even ignored you; had a party and didn’t tell you, and while at that party was all over another girl knowing you were there. You still always went back never seeming to put up a fight and make him work for it. Or at least make him feel bad for what he’d done. I mean I know you liked him for ages, but why?
A: Never put up a fight? Oh, honey, I definitely called that boy out on his crap. LOL. We were always at each other’s throats! I didn’t hold a grudge, because at first I kind of liked what Jax was doing to me, in a way. Trying to get under my skin and rile me up. He got me mad, he drew me out, he made me feel and react wildly, and it was addictive. I liked what it brought out in me. I needed it. But then at the party, when he treated me badly, I got in his face and finally told him off. The ball was in his court after that. I knew what he was doing and why he was doing it, but I wasn’t going to fight for him again. It was his turn. And four days later, after not looking at him or speaking to him, of carrying on my life and staying strong, he finally realized what a douche he’d been. You may have done differently and never given him a second chance, but I considered him worth it. And I’m glad he’s by my side now. He knows he has family who will be at his side, and I’ve never been this happy.
Q: When Juliet Made The Phone Call Who Did She Call To Get Everyone To Come?
A: I called Tate. In retrospect, I should’ve called 911, but Tate was my first thought. Everyone was at Madoc’s house with her, so they all were alerted.
Q: Katherine and Jason, are you planning to have any children of your own? And how would Jared, Jax, and Madoc feel about being big brothers?
A: It’s possible. We’re both still young enough. And the boys—Madoc and Jax, at least—would have a field day being big brothers. I’m never sure, though, how Jared would feel. I can’t picture a baby in his arms.
Q: Fallon, are you going to tell Madoc that you almost died in a car accident after you saw him with another girl and your dad had to bring you back from destruction?
A: Well, he knows now! Thanks! No, just kidding. Of course, I already told him.
Q: For Jared: what’s your favorite memory of your friendship with Madoc and have you bonded properly with Fallon?
A: I like the weekends when Madoc and I would just hang out in each other’s garages and work on our cars. Madoc is comfortable—one of the few people I’m comfortable with. As for Fallon, I make it a point to NOT bond with my friend’s or brother’s girls.
Q: Juliet, would you let Jax read all your journals someday? And were you serious about Cameron?
A: Yes, as embarrassing as some things were, I would trust Jax with my journals. I doubt he would ever ask to read them, though. He makes it a point to respect my privacy now. And Cameron, I don’t think so. Jax has had a long history with her. I think it would be uncomfortable.
Q: Jared, are you always so rude with K.C. because of what happened between the two of you?
A: I was almost always rude to K.C. no matter if it was before or after the ‘incident’. We’re on common ground now, and I kind of like her.
Q: Madoc, if Fallon was able to keep the baby and you discovered this on your return, what would your reaction have been? And Fallon, if you had carried the baby full term and your evil mother took it away saying the baby died and you discovered your baby was alive, what would you do? And why didn’t anyone kill the Trent father?
A: We would’ve wanted our baby. No doubt. Both of us would’ve loved it crazy. As for Thomas Trent,
he’s not worth a glance much less blood on our hands.
Q: Jax, did Fallon inspire your piercings?
A: No, Madoc did.
Q: Ciaran, do you regret not being able to give Fallon away/walk down the aisle with her?
A: Yes, I was pretty fucking mad about that. I’m encouraging them to have a do-over.
Q: When it comes to a great romance story I notice that authors like to split up the couple and allow time for them to grow on their own. When it comes to Tate and Jared, how will Tate get over the idea that Jared left her regardless what the reason is?
A: Once you’ve deemed something unforgiveable, you’ve lost all hope. It all depends on if it was worth it. What kind of man will Jared be when he comes home is what we need to know.
Q: Madoc, when did you figure out Jared had a thing for Tate?
A: As soon as he did the ‘loser’ sneeze in Freshman P.E. when she walked by. Yeah, he was that lame.
Q: I would like to know something about the tattoos. They are crazy and I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t regret them at some time in your life. Like Jared and Tate, for example, who are broken up right now. It must be hard to have these memories plastered on your skin 24/7. Would you disagree and why?
A: Jared: I don’t regret anything. I never want to forget. My tattoos are for me and no one else.
Tate: I only have one little one. It’s a battle scar I’m kind of proud of.
Fallon: My tattoos are crazy? You sound like my mother. Yikes.
Madoc: Mine is crazy only if I break up with Fallon. Which will never happen. But yeah, totally awkward if I did.
Jax: I love mine. Without a doubt, they are badges of the girl who made me who I am. I’m proud of that.
Juliet: Ditto.
Q: What are Jax & Juliet going to school for?
A: Jax: Computers
Juliet: Education
Q: Does Piper regret what she did to Jared and Tate?
A: Not for a second. He was mine when she came back from France. And now that they’re apart….hmmm…
Q: Madoc, are you ready for kids? Boy or girl first?
A: I’m ready whenever. We have plenty of time, and Fallon and I still have more school, but I think it’s something we’ll be great at. And boys…the firstborns are always boys in my family. So we’ll see!
After Aflame and Beyond
Bonus Scenes
Some of the character conversations and scenes will feature the kids of the original couples. Here’s a guide:
Jared and Tate-parents of Dylan and James
Madoc and Fallon-parents of Kade and Hunter (twins), and A.J.
Jax and Juliet-parents of Hawke
Quinn-Daughter of Jason (Madoc’s dad) and Katherine (Jared’s mom). She’s Madoc, Jared, and Jax’s little sister.
Lucas-Madoc’s “little brother” from Rival
Madoc
“Hey, Jared?” I called out, shouting over the crowd at the Loop. “You know what you call two Mustangs at the top of a hill? A miracle!”
I chuckled, enjoying the sight of his back tensing as he knelt down in front of his tire. Tate cocked an eyebrow, shooting me a warning look as she rounded the Boss to talk to her husband.
I shook my head and smiled, turning around to face the crowd.
Still so easy.
Even after all these years, riling him up was as simple as tying my shoes. That’s what I liked most about Jared. He was predictable. He never threw my shit back at me. He took it in, absorbed it, and let his temper build. Which usually worked in his favor. He was probably going to win tonight despite the shade I was throwing at his car.
Sliding my hands into my pockets, I scanned the area, surveying the summer evening. The crowd was huge, the night clear, and music blared from all the speakers posted around. It was almost as if it was high school again.
Almost.
I spotted Jax chatting with Zack, both of them now able to sit back and enjoy the events without micro-managing the races anymore. It practically ran itself now.
His wife, Juliet, had a three-year-old flipped over her shoulder as she spun him around out in the field. She and Jax started taking in foster kids a few years ago, much braver than I would be, that was for sure. I could only imagine how hard it was to have to give the kids up when it was time for them to move on.
Their thirteen-year-old son, Hawke, stood a few yards away, tossing a football back and forth with my son, Kade, while my little sister, Quinn, sat on the grass, ear phones hanging around her neck and drawing pictures in her notebook as she kept an eye on my six-year-old daughter, A.J.
Since Quinn was nearly fourteen now, and old enough to babysit, we’d started keeping her pretty busy. Unfortunately, she’d also started requiring that we pay her, too.
Dylan and Hunter were...
Where were Dylan and Hunter?
I glanced left to right, and then all around me, which I pretty much did every twelve seconds of my life, counting kids and assessing that everyone was in one piece. I finally found Dylan sitting on a blanket with some of her friends.
At twelve, she definitely had her mom’s spunk, but she was also burdened with her father’s disregard for rules. Hopefully it wouldn’t get her into as much trouble as it had him.
Hunter strolled over and pulled his headphones off his neck, nudging Dylan’s shoulder as he handed them to her. Without a word, she took them and put them on, as if they’d done this a hundred times before, and she slowly began to bob her head to whatever song he’d wanted her to listen to.
I couldn’t help but smile.
Hunter was very different from Kade. Hell, he was different from me, Jared, and Jax, too. He was quieter, gentler, and he took notice of things the rest of us didn’t see. And while I used to suspect that Kade’s connection to Dylan was stronger, I was slowly starting to understand that maybe—just maybe—Hunter’s connection to her went deeper.
She took off the headphones, handing them back up to him with a smile and nodding her head as if giving him the go-ahead. They were working on a video yearbook for their middle school and collaborating on music, so whatever he’d found must’ve gotten her approval.
I crossed my arms over my chest, watching him just stand there, his feet shuffling nervously as he struggled to find his game.
Not like his dad. I was born ready.
But before he got a chance to say anything, a football came racing toward him, knocking him in the arm. I let out an aggravated breath and watched as he stumbled backward. He righted himself and shot a glare to the field where Kade stood laughing at him. The football had clearly come from him.
A few of the girls around Dylan giggled, as well, and I could see Hunter’s chest heaving. He was angry, but he wouldn’t do anything.
He never did.
I locked my jaw shut, every muscle tensing. Kade needed a kick in the ass, but unfortunately, Fallon disapproved of abusing the children.
As the boys had gotten older, they got along less and less, and while Fallon and I used to intercede and deal with the situations, trying to make peace, we eventually decided that they needed to work it out themselves. Hunter would learn nothing if we constantly ran to his aide, and punishing Kade only made Hunter feel weak.
Hunter’s entire body was stiff, and I could tell he wanted to react, but I could also tell he was embarrassed. People were laughing at him, and as usual, others’ rallied in his brother’s corner.
Hunter was always alone.
He dropped his eyes, his expression going flat, and then he left, giving Kade exactly what he wanted.
I shook my head, following him over to Jax’s car where it sat on the side of the track. He put his headphones on and folded his arms over his chest as he leaned back on the hood.
Stepping over next to him, I pulled the headphones back off his shaggy blond head. “He was joking around with you,” I explained, seeing the annoyed press to his lips. “Give it back to him or tell him to screw off. I know he makes you angry. You ca
n tell him.”
He stared at the ground, anger still boiling under his skin. He wanted me to leave. He didn’t want to talk about his brother or about how he felt powerless around him.
“I don’t care,” he said in a flat tone. “They all think he’s so cool, and they like him more, so let them. I don’t need any of it.”
His jaw flexed, and I could tell he was grinding his teeth.
“Everyone seems to like him more?” I repeated. “Or one person seems to like him more?”
He raised his eyes, and I followed his gaze, seeing Kade and Hawke pulling the blanket up around the girls, making it look like Santa’s sack. Dylan yelled for them to stop, at the same time squealing and giggling with her friends.
“Like I said, I don’t care,” Hunter replied in an even tone, pulling his headphones back on.
But I yanked them back off again. “Do you care that he excludes you?” I pressed. “Don’t you want to do something about it?”
He looked away, and I wasn’t sure if I should keep going or leave him alone. He definitely didn’t want to hear it, but then you think he might NEED to hear it, so…
Parenting was hard. Like really fucking hard.
While Fallon and I had stopped interfering every time he and his brother got in an argument, I still wanted to be there for him. You know, keep the lines of communication open before he retreated inward, dropped out of school, became addicted to heroin, and we never heard from him again.
But then if I communicated TOO much, it might make him self-conscious, nervous, and then he could still get addicted to heroin, and we’d never hear from him again.
I tipped my head down, speaking frankly. “Life gets more complicated as we get older, Hunter. Especially where girls come in,” I added. “And standing up to Kade will be hard, but the thing is, it’s only hard the first time you do it. Everything is difficult until it becomes familiar.” I paused and then kept going. “You move to a new place, with no friends, and it’s hard. But then it becomes easier. You kiss a girl for the first time…”