Page 50 of Caden's Situationship

“But you don’t watch it,” she smirked. He whispered something into her ear that had her giggling and whispering something right back.

“And before I forget,” Crayson said to me, “just remember that next time you perform at an event, you gotta give me a heads-up. You already know I am not the triplet that has the best rhythm. I can’t have women thinking I’m a dancer when I’m about to be a married man.”

I shook my head as I shot a look at Malakai, both of us knowing why he threw that last line in there. Crayson never did like someone else to have the spotlight for long. But that was Cray and I loved his ass anyway.

He led Jordyn away from the corner of the room and into the middle of my kitchen. She looked confused for a second, and then she placed her hand over her eyes. “Crayson, please tell me you aren’t about to do what I think you’re about to do.”

“Jordyn,” he began, getting down on one knee, “since the day I met you and you rolled your eyes, smacked your lips, and basically sent my eager ass on my way, I knew you were the woman I wanted to marry. We may argue. We may disagree. We may never see eye to eye on some things, but we’re always there for each other, supporting one another through anything life throws at us. Baby, I have never met anyone who can put up with my ass the way you do.”

“Facts,” Malakai yelled, causing us all to laugh.

“But you love me for me and I wouldn’t want you to be anyone but the Jordyn Jameson that I fell in love with. Real talk, I just don’t want yo’ ass walkin’ around New York anymore without a damn ring on your finger. So will you make me the happiest motha fucka in the world, and marry me?”

I’d been around Jordyn a lot since she started dating Crayson, and I’d never seen her get emotional. Watching her wipe away a tear and seeing the emotion in my brother’s eyes was pretty damn amazing.

“Of course I’ll marry your cocky ass,” she said, allowing him to put the ring on her finger before he lifted her into a kiss. We all cackled and yelled, and deep down, I was proud that my brother had chosen my home to propose to his girl.

“Mom is gonna kill you,” Malakai reminded after they stopped kissing. “You implied that you wouldn’t propose until we were at their house for dinner tomorrow.”

“Shit,” Crayson huffed. “Uh, y’all, we’re gonna have to reenact this shit all over again tomorrow.”

“Real funny,” Jordyn expressed.

Crayson shook his head. “I’m not lyin’. My mom will kill me if she knew I proposed in town and she wasn’t there.”

“I love your family,” Cordelia whispered as Jordyn and Crayson got into an argument over him having to propose again tomorrow.

“I love them, too,” I told her, noticing that she looked sleepy. “Hey, y’all, how about we call it a night and I’ll see you all for breakfast in the morning?”

“If we must,” Tyler said, standing from the table and looking at everyone in the room. “Well, Madden family, once again, I have to thank you for a very colorful evening. I love it when we do this group shit. Then argue. Get high. Do a group hug. Being around y’all makes me realize that my crazy ass ain’t the most fucked up in the room.” We all laughed because he had a point. “And I know I’ve said this once, so I’ll say it again. A bitch is trying hard to get a permanent spot in this family. So, the next time y’all go to your family reunion, let me know if you run into that one cousin who always makes it seem like he down for the coochie, when really, he’s not keepin’ it Gucci. Okurr.”

Tyler was funny as hell, but Cordelia was laughing so hard, her cute ass was still high and falling over. “I’ll let y’all see yourselves out,” I said. “I gotta get this one to bed.”

I lifted her over my shoulders and began going up the stairs, a smile on a face upon hearing everyone telling her they hope she got a good night’s sleep. Just as I’d suspected, she fit in perfectly with my people.

Nineteen

CORDELIA

After a crazy — yet, successful — first day with Caden's siblings, I was ready to do something a little more relaxing. Especially after I'd accidentally spilled the beans about Caden's pastand present I guessto his family.

I’d suggested to Caden that the day could be spent at the lake and participating in activities that the guests would enjoy. So naturally, I should have suspected that horseback riding would be included. Problem was, I’d never been that graceful on a horse. In fact, I was the opposite of dignified when trying to ride anything that wasn’t a bike.And Caden,I thought.You ride him pretty good too.

“Cordy, you ready?”

I stopped daydreaming and looked to Caden. “Of course.”

“Good. We’ll be riding in front. Everyone else will follow behind us.”

“Okay,” I squeaked. I didn’t miss the laugh Avery let slip as she watched Caden help me mount my female horse, Rosie.

“Alright folks. Follow me.” Caden started going down the trail and it became immediate to me that I wasn’t the only one struggling to keep up with him. He’d set a good pace, but I could hear a few curse words from the group as time went on.

I'd chosen to wear jeans and a top today, and already, I could see the look of appreciation in Caden's face whenever he glanced back at me. He always told me he loved me in anything, but it didn't take a genius to figure out that a southern man like Caden would love a woman in some nice jeans riding a horse through the countryside.

Caden had two of his staff members trailing behind the entire group to make sure everyone stayed safe, but ten minutes into the ride, it was clear that as beautiful as the trail was, this group was all over the place.

“How is everyone doing?” Caden yelled. Jordyn was the first to say she was doing great. Malakai and Serenity followed close behind. Yet, I remained silent and I noticed Avery had too. And I was pretty sure the cursing was coming from Crayson and Tyler.

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