This Could Be Us (Skyland, #2)

by Kennedy Ryan

“You have pushed out three kids. Things get loose down there.

He should die a horrible death

“You’re the wife, right?” “Yes.” I flash a saccharine-sweet smile and lean into Edward. “I also answer to my given name, which is Soledad.”

“Yeah. Of—of course,” she stutters, her eyes zipping from me to the guy. “This is my… cousin Gerald.” Cousin? What, in the backwoods?

“Why? It’s your husband who doesn’t like me. It’s fine. I don’t like him either.”

“Edward Barnes,” says the man standing in the front, flashing his badge. “You’re under arrest.”

YESSSSSSSS

“He didn’t do anything,” Inez says, her tearful words pebbled with anger. “You heard him. Judah Cross set him up.”

Why must the daughters always test me...

“A flight risk? Like he’d leave the country? He wouldn’t run.” There’s a small silence on the other end

He did this to my family,

There would be nothing to do if your husband wasnt a cheat

“And you know middle schoolers are the worst. Just look at Inez.”

We didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did Daddy.” I don’t address that because Edward hasn’t given me the ammunition to answer honestly or with any confidence.

“Not only is he a gringo,” she said, “but a Celtics fan? The fuck outta here. At least you coulda married a cool white guy.”

“Why are you doing this?” His eyes scan my face, tracing each feature carefully, but he says nothing.

She’s stronger than she looks. I bet many underestimate her. I won’t make that mistake.

What have you done?” “Nothing they can prove.” He did it. He really did it. Oh, my God. The world as I knew it falls apart yet

Cleaning, cooking, organizing, driving, taking care of our children. All tasks people pay to have done for them. Is it not a job because I do it for my family?

he’ll break Soledad if he has to.” I stiffen and glance from the hand on my shoulder to her serious expression. “I’m afraid I can’t let him do that.” A smile inches onto her face and she nods. “I was hoping that’s what you would say.”

you don’t have cancer.” “But I’m not fine?” A frown accompanies my brief laugh. “Just tell me what’s wrong.” “You have chlamydia.”

So you won’t have to face the fact that your side piece has something on the side too?” “She’s not with him any—”

You won’t survive.” I look back over my shoulder and give him a smile that costs me everything but is worth the worry in his eyes. “Watch me.”

“But you don’t have a job,” Inez says.

Please dpmo rn-

There’s no three strikes. You use me, take me for granted, you prove you don’t deserve to be in my life.” She would dust her hands together. “You’re gone.”

STITCH IT ON A PILLOW

my safe word is Popeyes.”

It’s a notification from my bank that I’ve received ten thousand dollars from… “Hen,” I whisper. “What did you do?” “Same thing you’d do for me if I was about to lose my house and you had the money.” She looks up from her phone, the regal lines of her face softening. “I spent that in bags and shoes last month, Sol. I’m doing really well.

That is so sexy of her...

“I guess I lash out sometimes and I don’t think before I say stuff.” Eyes cast down to her lap, she fiddles with her seat belt. “I said I’m sorry.”

Straight out of her therapists mouth lmao

“God, how y’all do it, I don’t know.” Hendrix shakes her head. “Do what?” I ask. “Be moms,” Hendrix laughs. “That shit is not for me.”

As much as I want to get to know Soledad Charles (yes, I know she reassumed her maiden name. I approve), right now it seems she’s getting to know herself. Who am I to stand in the way of that?

“I’m sorry.” “Oh, believe me. I’m not.” “Good for you,”

“Oh, good for Hen.” Yasmen beams, flicking an avid glance between Judah and me like we’re two gazelles on Animal Planet preparing to mate right before her eyes.

“You’re coming home with me,” I tell the merlot. “Lucky bottle.”

It’s one of the sweetest things anyone’s done for me in a long time.”

“It’s Charles now,” Lupe corrects. “That’s her maiden name.” I stare at my daughter because, if I’m not mistaken, there’s a touch of pride in her voice.

“You’re pretty amazing, Mom,” Lupe says softly from the passenger seat.

Ik lupe gone beat inez's ass when she hurts her mom...

“Didn’t you have a salad dressing go viral or something? A lot of people in the office were talking about that. We want that too.”

Wait delores kinda real

If this woman comes into my house, I may not let her leave.

“It’s not an endgame.” I push away from the wall and step close, carefully lift the curls around her hairline away from her face. “It’s a begin game.” I pull away almost before I get to feel the soft fineness of her hair, but she goes still, like she’s glued to the spot. “What does that mean? ‘Begin game’?” “It’s a long game. I don’t want to interfere with all you’re doing, how you’re working on yourself. I think it’s awesome, but if I can find a way to see you, I will.”

“He’s on the internet all the time now. Mostly Facebook, and he found this lady who has a recipe and a life hack for everything. She’s in Atlanta, I think.” It could be anyone. Atlanta’s a huge city, and the internet makes the possibilities infinite, but something makes me ask, “What’s her name?” “That Puerto Rican lady, Soledad something,” Mama mutters, brow furrowing, possibly with the effort to recall more. “Pretty. Smart. Your dad loves to watch her.” “Must run in the family,” I mumble.

Father in law already a fan ijbol

“Lord, if these girls don’t be making stuff up.”

“I’m saying,” he replies, dragging his thumb over my ear, down the curve of my jaw, over my lips, “that when I fuck you, it will mean something to me.”

“I’ll be fine on my own.” He gifts me with one of his rare wide smiles. “Of that I have no doubt.”

“He was an FBI agent.”

IJBOL

Lupe says, traces of bitterness in her words. “He doesn’t deserve you, Mom.”

“Found out the problem wasn’t that my pussy was loose. I just needed a bigger dick.”

I LOVE PETTY WOMEN

whom she’s holding. It’s a baby boy, bundled in a white blanket. Golden-blond hair peekaboos from beneath the green wool hat on his little head. The shade perfectly matches his eyes, a unique leaf green. I gasp,

LMAO

“You’re so used to being this way, you don’t even realize how extraordinary it is, but I do.”

“I think about you when I touch myself,” I confess.

“this is one time” she said..

“I want you however you come.”

A GROWN ASS MANNNN

I nod, taking it out and handing it to her. Little Post-its feather as she flips the pages and pauses to read things I scribbled in the margins. Remembering some of the notes I made, I want to grab it back, but I restrain myself and let her look.

“And you said, I know what’ll make me feel better,” Hendrix says, imitating my higher-pitched voice. “Judah’s dick.”

“Of course you went to him with legs wide open.”

“That man’s in love with you, Sol.”