Page 41 of Mark

My lips twitch. “I said that too. They could have been sisters in another life.”

“Well, Maya already has a sister, who sounds crazy as hell. Apparently, she killed husband number three,” she reveals.

My eyes widen. “And you don’t think crazy runs in the family?”

She rolls her eyes. “She’s with Liam and Maddox playing poker right now. I’m pretty sure her crazy fits in with ours. She isn’t the one who killed a husband.”

Mum reaches over, rubbing Madison’s knee. “You okay?”

I glance over, seeing Madison’s eyes water. “Yeah. I just wish Nan and Granddad were here. Being with Maya just now reminded me of them and it still hurts.”

“Your nan and granddad lived a long and beautiful life, Maddy. They might not be here in person, but they are always with us. I truly believe that. Your grandparents loved you all.”

“I just wish we had more time with them,” she whispers. “I hate that they never got to meet Sunday, Rose, Asher or Jasmine. And they will never know them.”

“Of course they will know about them. Aiden tells Sunday about them all the time, so does Maddox with Asher and Jasmine. And I know Lily will do the same with Rose. Secrets die with people, but memories live on with those after we are gone.”

Thinking of them brings an ache in my gut. They were the glue in this family. Every week, we would spend a day all together, but it doesn’t mean they were ever alone. One or more of us were always with them. But for Madison, it was harder. She lived with them for a few months before they passed away.

“She would love Beau for Faith,” I announce.

“I think Drew would be her favourite,” Madison declares, a smile in her voice.

“Oh no, I totally think she would pick Jaxon,” Mum adds.

“Oh God, do you remember the time when she caused that fight at the party in the park just so she could see the Hayes brothers strip off their shirts?” Madison asks.

I laugh because I do. “We all knew what she was doing but we fell for it anyway.”

“It was their last family outing with us,” Madison whispers. “God, I wish they were here.”

I sigh. “Same.”

“Your nan wouldn’t want you to be sad. She’d probably force a few drinks down you and tell you to get it together if she could.”

Madison laughs. “Yeah, she really would.”

“Dad, I will hold your head under water if you don’t give that back!” Hayden screams.

We all turn at her shout to see her chasing down Max, who is shoving down one half of a sandwich whilst holding the other half in the air.

“I haven’t eaten all day,” he mumbles, his mouth full of food. He races around the swimming pool, and the people who were sitting on the edge dive in to avoid being hit. Mums and dads grab their kids out of the way for the same reason. “Are you really going to make me starve?”

“Yes. Yes, I am. You stole my sandwich out of my bag. I was saving it for a snack for right about now,” she screams.

“Losers weepers,” he cries.

Hayden tackles him to the ground when she catches up to him, and climbs up his body to take a huge chunk out of the sandwich in his hand.

“I licked it. It’s mine,” he yells, trying to buck her off.

“It’s mine,” she snaps, reaching for it. But he shoves the rest into his mouth, chewing fast.

“I hate you!” she growls, pushing at his shoulders. She gets up, glaring down at him. “You had, like, a million breakfasts.”

“So did you,” he points out, licking his fingers.

“You are going to get us kicked off this boat,” Dad bites out, materialising out of nowhere. “I swear to God, Max, I will throw you off this boat before that happens.”

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