Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 by Abigail Grant (most important books to read TXT) 📕

Alexa joins us on the rug and hands me a peanut butter granola bar. “Eat, before you forget.” What a good trainer I have.

I chew on the nutty bar and make yummy sounds to satisfy Alexa. She smiles and turns to Kassy. “I’ll let you take my car out sometime, Kass. Just don’t let Liam drive.” She points a finger in his direction with a warning look.

Liam’s mouth drops open. “What?! I’m a great driver! And what makes you think I’d even want to drive your girly car anyways?”

Kassy smiles at him. “Trust me, Liam. You’d love driving it. I’m sorry you’ll never get the chance.” We all laugh and Liam stands.

“I think I’m going to leave before I get any more bullying from you ladies. It’s no fun being outnumbered.” He grabs Kassy’s hand and pulls her to her feet. “Will you go out with me tomorrow night? I know it’s your birthday and you usually spend it with El, but I was hoping you’d give me a turn.” He looks down at her with those killer puppy-dog-eyes again.

Kassy raises her eyebrows at him and turns a questioning look to me. I try to use the least amount of words possible so she doesn’t see straight through me. “Go for it,” is all I say.

She wraps her arms around Liam, having to stand on her toes to reach him properly. “I’d love to go out with you, Liam. I can’t wait.” She kisses him, pulling at the back of his neck and I have to look away. I don’t know what it is about those two, but they do not shy away from public displays of affection. I on the other hand, definitely do.

“Gross!” I say and cover my eyes like the “see no evil” monkey.

Alexa laughs, just as shameless as the rest of them. Kassy pulls away from Liam, landing back on her heels, and blushes. “I’m going to Liam’s for a movie with Kyler and his new fling. I’ll see you guys tonight.” They both wave and leave the room smiling like a couple of kids with a good secret.

I turn to Alexa. “Thanks for always making me eat. I sometimes forget.” I have had a lot on my mind recently.

“Just looking out for my future sister-in-law.” She winks and wiggles her eyebrows at me.

I gawk at her. “Stop that, Lex! I don’t need any more pressure.”

She just flicks a hand at me. “I know, I know. You have been a little distracted lately. I hope you know you can talk to me.” She props her chin up with her hand and her wild red hair falls against her cheeks.

I nod. “I know I can talk to you. I love that I have you in my life. I guess I just can’t help but be worried. The future is a little scary.” Especially considering I might not have a future.

“The future will always feel daunting, no matter where you are in life. You have been through an enormous amount of changes in such a short time. You’re stronger than you think, El. My brother knows it too. You should talk to him more, you know.”

I shrug and tuck a lost strand of hair behind my ear. “You are always right. I’m heading over to your house in a minute to see Gram and your mom. Gavin is supposed to meet me there after his training with Jed and Egan. Will you come with me? I’m not exactly supposed to be off on my own, per Gavin’s request.”

She jumps up from the floor in one swift movement. “Let’s hit it, girl!”

She drags me behind her as we exit the house. I wish I could tell her the real reason I want to go see Gram, but my whole life is a secret lately. I’ve been lying so much, I’m bound to get better at it soon. What a wonderful accomplishment that’ll be....

Chapter 9

“Honey, we’re home!” Alexa shouts as we walk through the Cole’s front door.

“In here, sweetie!” calls Camilla from the back of the house.

We enter through a large archway into the kitchen, to find Gram and Camilla sitting on a couple of stools at the marble kitchen island. Gram looks up from the newspaper they were reading together and gives us a big grin.

“Well, hello there beautiful girls. Come on in and plant your tushies on a stool,” she says and pats the empty spot next to her.

I sit by Gram, and Alexa takes the spot near her mom. “What are you guys up to today, mommy dearest?” Alexa asks.

Camilla holds the paper up and points to the comics section. I can’t help but choke on a smothered laugh. “You distinguished women with full-grown successful children are sitting here reading comics?”

Gram points a finger at me. “You’re darn right we are! Grown women have every right to laugh along with you youngins.”

I hold my hands up. “Hey, I never said you didn’t. You’ve earned all the laughing rights and more, Gram.”

She proves it by chuckling at me, along with Alexa and Camilla. Camilla stands and runs to a large cupboard, looking for something. Over her shoulder, I notice a container of herbs on a high shelf and I’m reminded of the real reason I wanted to come over.

I clear my throat and turn back to Gram. “So, I wanted to ask you something, Gram. I had a lot of fun the other night at the cemetery.” That was a weird thing to say. “I was thinking that I could get into the whole plant learning thing. Would you be willing to teach me some stuff?” I chew on my lower lip, nervous about lying to her.

Gram’s eyes go wide. “I’d love to! All the other kids think botany is boring old lady jargon.” She nods her head toward Alexa and smiles with her wrinkled eyes squinting.

Alexa gasps and places a hand on her chest. “Who, me? I’m an angel, Gram. Everything you