Page 113 of Shattering

For a second, she startled at her own words and cautiously looked at Gray. He met her gaze seriously before a slow, dangerous smile crept onto his face.

"Challenge accepted, Cads."

And with that, he threw her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift, heading straight for the stairs.

"Don't you drop me, you freak!" she shrieked, smacking his back.

Gray laughed, his grip tightening. "Oh, now, are you insulting my prowess, lass? You're going to be walking funny tomorrow."

Chapter 52

The backyard was alive with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional sizzle from the grill. Summer had settled in comfortably, draping everything in a golden glow. Tomos, now six years old, swung wildly on the tyre swing tied to the sturdy branch of the cherry blossom tree. His giggles mixed with Arya's as they tried to outdo each other, pushing higher and higher. Scrap, their ever-faithful mutt, chased them in excitedcircles before finally flopping down in the shade, his pink tongue hanging out in exhaustion from the unusually warm Indian summer.

Cadi stood near the patio, holding a glass of chilled lemonade as she chatted with Ana. Loud-mouthed as always, Ana was glaring daggers at Byron, who was manning the grill alongside Gray and James' dad. Byron caught her look and quickly glanced away, choosing instead to focus intently on the topic of the "right" way to grill burgers.

Ana, however, was far from finished. "Oh, don't act all innocent, you absolute tosser," she snapped, crossing her arms. "I saw that little rugby groupie grab your arse on live television."

Byron groaned, rubbing his face. "Ana, for the last time, I was mid-interview! I didn't even see her coming."

"Oh, but the whole world did! Congratulations, you're now officially on the STD express, you bloody wanker," Ana fumed. "Hope you enjoyed your thirty seconds of glory."

Gray snorted, flipping a burger with practised ease. "You're not going to win, mate. Just take the loss."

Byron exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "I don't even know how I ended up in this mess."

"You never do," Ana shot back, eyes narrowing further.

The conversation eventually meandered to the topic of kids. Ana, as always, had strong opinions.

"I swear, every child I see these days is born looking like a tax auditor. All serious and judgy," she said, shaking her head. "I blame all the tablets and the organic kale nonsense."

Cadi laughed. "And what's your grand solution, Ana?"

"Let them climb trees, eat dirt, and beat the hell out of each other like we did," Ana declared. "It builds character."

Byron, still manning the grill, scoffed. "Yeah, because you were such a beacon of good behaviour."

Ana ignored him and turned back to Cadi. "So? Any plans for more?"

Cadi froze for a second, just barely. It was a split-second hesitation, but Ana caught it. Her sharp gaze narrowed, and she tilted her head.

"Oh my God." Her voice dropped low, almost conspiratorial. "You're pregnant."

Cadi's fingers tightened around her lemonade. "Ana—"

Ana's eyes went wide, and a slow grin spread across her face. "I bloody knew it! You have that look."

"What look?" Cadi asked, exasperated but unable to stop the smile that tugged at her lips.

"That slightly panicked, slightly glowy look," Ana declared, folding her arms. "And I've known you long enough to know when you're hiding something."

Cadi sighed, glancing around to make sure no one else had overheard. "Not a word, Ana. I haven't even told Gray yet."

Ana mimed zipping her lips. "My lips are sealed. But holy hell, Cadi. Another tiny Callahan? Does that mean I get another godchild?"

Cadi chuckled. "You barely manage the one you've got."

"Pfft. He adores me." Ana waved a hand. "But seriously, I'm happy for you."

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