Entrelacen (29 page)

I went back to my room to grab the hospital bag
and my cell phone. That’s when the pain started. I kept
telling myself that it was going to be okay. I was silently
cursing Logan for no reason other than the fact he was at
our store instead of with me. When the pain let up, I called
Logan.

“Hey baby
-” he started to say.
“Logan, I need you to come home now,” I
managed to squeeze out through another set of
contractions.
“April, what’s wrong?” His voice was laced with
worry.
“Well, it looks like she’s just as impatient to see us
as we’re to see her. My water broke, and I can’t drive
myself to the hospital. Before you tell me to call an
ambulance, I refuse to ride in one of those, so just get your
ass home. Now!” I said, hanging up the phone.
Holy hell! They never say how much pain you’re
going to be in when the contractions start. At least our little
girl was going to be here soon. I had not even picked out a
name yet! Logan busted through the door and practically
carried me to the car. I laughed the entire way to the car.
Then I squeezed his hand the entire ride to the hospital.
Luckily it was just a few miles down the road.
I checked into St. Rose Dominican Hospital on
May 12 at 11am. I was put into a room immediately. Four
hours later, my 6 pound baby girl was born at 3pm. It was
so quick that I was able to do it without any drugs. After
just a few pushes, I heard crying. The most beautiful sound
ever. As soon as she was placed in my arms, I knew. I
knew that this moment was going to be forever imprinted
into my mind.
Now Logan is staring at us with such a proud
expression.
“Well Dad, what should we name her?” I ask him.
The look on his face is priceless.
“I’m a dad. I mean, I know I’m a dad, but April,
I’m a dad," he goes on, in a state of shock.
I laugh at him and nod my head. "Yes youare.”
“How about we name her Amaya Rayne
Mathews?" His eyes are glowing as he asks this.
I look at her and ask, “What do you think? Amaya
Rayne? Do you like that?”
She opens her sparkling blue eyes wide and blinks
a couple of times before she shuts them again.
“Amaya Rayne Mathews, It’s," I say as Logan
leans down to kiss me.

I have heard stories about how most babies stay up
all night, and the parents get so tired that they can't
function. Not us. It’s the one time in my life that I wouldn’t
mind staying up all night, but Amaya sleeps through the
night. The boys have the rooms upstairs, just in case she
does cry, she won't wake them up. Logan has gone into
remodeling mode. He was able to add a small nursery
downstairs next to our room.

Gran gave us the bookstore as our wedding gift,
and it’s doing extremely well. Everything is wonderful. I
was blessed with the boys, I found love with Logan, and
now I have found the missing piece that I didn’t know was
missing until Amaya was born. I know there is going to be
a day when she is older that something bad is going to
happen. I feel them around sometimes, lurking in the
shadows, but they can’t get close. It doesn’t matter though.
Like the day I had to protect Mathew, I’ll be there for her.
So will Logan and her three over protective brothers.

Every story comes from somewhere, an
experience, a dream, an idea that’s taken off and
completely consumes you until you are writing it
down. Part of April is based on experiences from my
own life, then fantasized and formed to be what It’s
now. Entrelacen, though based on reality, came to be
when I was talking to my friend Heather. After
working on me for months, I finally decided to give it
a try. What could it hurt? With the support of my
friends Heather, Christina, Emma, and Rachel
Entrelacen was able to take on a life of its own. To
Katie Woodard a long-time friend who took the time
to edit Entrelacen making it what It’s, thank you.

Thanks to my mom and my three boys for
allowing me time to actually sit down and write, if not
for them this wouldn’t be possible. I’ve always been a
firm believer that everything happens for a reason and
when one door closes another door opens. So here’s to
closing the door on the past and opening the door to
the future with each of them. I love each and every
one of you and couldn’t be more proud of y’all.

To Emma Hart who is the creative genius to
the Cover Art, it wouldn’t have been that amazing
with you. You have some amazing talent in designing
covers as well as in writing what goes between them.
Thank you for everything, including hearing me freak
out constantly about this book, and giving me the
courage to move forward.

To Rachel Walter and Christina Pryor, I want
to thank you both for being there each day dealing
with my second guessing and constant sharing of
teasers. You’ve both provided me with a great deal of
support and I couldn’t be more grateful.

To Heather King, if not for you none of this
would have been possible. You are the one who
convinced me to step out of my comfort zone and try
something I’ve always dreamed about. You dealt with
the hundreds of emails asking “is this ok?” and never
complained. Late night chats about this book and so
many others. So thank you for being you and for
making me see dreams can come true.

But the two most important thanks I need to
give out is to a few authors and you. Thank you
Tiffany King for writing about issues that truly impact
lives today, you are one of the reasons why I decided
to write Entrelacen. You inspired me in ways that I
didn’t even know were possible. Thank you M.
Leighton for being so amazing and taking the time to
actually hold conversations with me. For making me
fall in love with reading all over again. To Danielle
Sibarium for always being supportive and willing to
help me in any way you can. That truly means more to
me than you know. That leaves you. The one taking
the time to read this right now. Thank you, reader, for
taking the chance on me and reading about something
close to my heart. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as
I enjoyed writing it.

Dani Morales is a native Texan currently residing
in Las Vegas, Nevada with her three boys and her mother.
She adopted the boys in December of 2011 and loves
spending every minute playing with them. On her spare
time you can find a book in her hand or sitting in front of
the computer typing out stories that run rampant in her
mind.

If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a
review, however short. Telling other’s you enjoyed the
book is also greatly appreciated.

http://www.danimoralesauthor.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/danilove413
http://www.facebook.com/DaniMoralesAuthor

Here is an exclusive excerpt from Rachel Walter’s
The Soul Mate Series, the first book True Connection. This
book is set to release the Summer of 2013. Enjoy and be on
the lookout!

True Connection
Jazzy Williams is not your average coffee-loving
teen. She's struggling with her grief, her famous uncle’s
fans, an overprotective big brother, and a depressed
mother, all while trying to make friends at her new school.
In the first week, she meets a gorgeous green-eyed hottie
who turns out to be more than just some high school crush
-- he's more than human. And she unknowingly enrages a
dangerous breed of immortal who wants her soul and life
as payment. With the help of supernatural friends and
protectors, Jazzy thinks she's safe until what remains of her
family is put in danger. Does Jazzy have what it takes to
save her family, life, soul, and
soul mate
, or will all be
lost?

Two months, four days and twelve hours ago my life
was perfect, whole. But now? Now it’s shattered and
missing some important pieces.

These are the thoughts running through my mind
as I look at my alarm clock. I’m awake ten minutes before
its set to go off. It was set for two hours before school
starts anyway. My
new
school.

It’s April, and my brother and I had to move to
Lupiterra with our uncle. Nine weeks away from the end of
the year. But this isn’t just any school, though. This is
Lupiterra High School, our old school’s rival.

At our old school, Penn Wood, I was on the
volleyball team and my brother was on the football team.
We used to be the Warriors.
Now we’ll be the Trojans.
At Penn Wood, Lupiterra is known as Birth
Control High or Condomville.
I roll my eyes as I get out of bed.
A rhythmic tapping on my door lets me know my
uncle is done in the shower and if I want to beat my
brother, I should probably hustle.
I grab undies and bra from my dresser drawer
before reaching in my closet for my sister’s favorite band
tee and some skinny jeans. Then I run to the bathroom.
After blow drying my hair, I check over my
appearance in the mirror and tuck the front of my shirt into
my jeans. Checking my hair once more, I run my fingers
through and pull it up. “Looks like a damn blonde rat’s
nest,” I growl and leave it down.
As I look over my face, I sigh at the bags under my
eyes. Grabbing my foundation, I apply enough to hide the
bags then put the rest of my make-up away and leave the
bathroom.
“Mornin’,” my brother Henry mumbles as he
sneaks past me to get in the bathroom.
I go back into my room and grab my schoolbag,
iPod and phone. Before leaving my room again, I pause at
last year’s family photo on my desk.
My family was whole then.
The doorbell pulls me from my thoughts, and I
glance atthe clock. That would be my cousin Alex’s nanny,
Miss Jaynie.
I run down the steps to let her in. She’s in her
forties, has the most amazing southern twang and makes
the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had.
I smile as I open the door.
“Mornin’, Sugar!” she grins and kisses my cheek.
“Good morning.” I smile and follow her into the
kitchen.
The smell of coffee brewing makes my mouth
water and Leland, my NHL superstar uncle, hands me my
favorite cup. I grin at him.
Leland had this girlfriend almost two years ago,
“Psycho Sammy” – she hated my mom, and no one knew
why. She ended up telling Leland that he and his sister
were “freaks of nature” and siblings shouldn’t be
that
close, twins or not. After she left my uncle we thought
we’d never see her again. Turns out, Leland got her
pregnant. After she had Alex, she dropped him off, and we
haven’t seen her since. Leland said he saw her a few times
for legal things, but she never asked about her child.
“Are you excited for today?” Miss Jaynie asks. I
snort.
“She and Henry have some not-so-nice things to
say about this school,” Leland says, shooting me a look.
“Yea, well…” I shrug.
Miss Jaynie laughs, but doesn’t say a word.
Henry comes running into the kitchen and grabs an
apple.
“You ready?”
“I guess.” I shrug and we say our goodbyes.
“I’m sure you’ll have a great day!” Miss Jaynie
winks. I smile and close the front door.
We walk to Henry’s Dodge Charger in silence but
as soon as we get in, he starts talking.
“Jazzy, if today sucks - well we know it will, but if
it’s too much for you -find me and we’ll leave.” He says.
“I know. I love you, too.” I grin, and he laughs as
he backs out of the drive. The song that comes on the radio
reminds me of “Psycho Sammy.” “Hey, bud?”
“Hmmm?”
“Do you think we’re weird?” I ask, fiddling with a
loose string on the strap of my bag.
“Well, I’m not sure what you mean, but you know
you’re strange and you know I’m awesome. Does that
help?”
“That doesn’t really help at all,” I deadpan.
“Fine, what do you mean then?” He gives me a
sideways glance and raises a brow.
“Well, you remember Psycho Sammy? She said Mom
and Leland were weird and…”
He interrupts me. “We’re not discussing that crazy
lady again. Why are you thinking about her anyway?”
I suddenly feel stupid for even thinking about it
and bringing it up. I never thought we were weird, but
we’re going to Lupiterra now, where no one knows the real
us. They only know the Williams’ on the field and on the
court.
“I was just thinking you and I are a lot like Mom and
Leland.” I shrug. “We’re always together, run with the
same circle of friends... You know when I’m about to freak
and I know you. We have the same relationship Mom and
Leland do. You know the ‘ungenetic twins’ thing. Is it
weird that we’re like this?” I hold my breath waiting for
his answer as he drives.
He finally speaks after what felt like hours.
“Sophie always said we were freaks. She couldn’t
figure out why we finished each other’s sentences and
never really fought. Well, nowhere near as bad as you and
her or me and her.” I nod slightly, remembering how our
sister used to tease us. Remembering her.
‘Please Sophie, make it. You’re strong, just hang
on. They’ve got you now.’
Memories from
that
night begin
to swim in my mind, as if it were happening all over again.
I pinch my leg to clear my head and refocus on
Henry.
“I don’t know why we’re the waywe’re, but I
don’t want to change it.” He smiles at me quickly. “I think
that if Mom and Dad wouldn’t have adopted me, I
would’ve found you somehow, a hockey game, maybe.”
He grins. “But you’d still be my best friend.” He shrugs.
“When we find the person we fall in love with, they’ren’t
gonna act like Sammy. They’ll be more like Dad, and be
okay with it. Accept the fact that we’re siblings, and we’re
very close, ‘freaky close’ even. But no, I don’t think we’re
weird. This is our normal. Who cares what anyone else
thinks?” He shoves my arm with his elbow and grins.
I shake away memories of Dad putting his hands on
our shoulders to keep us in our seats at our uncle’s hockey
games. We’d be so into the game that we would argue with
the refs and other players.
I can’t think about them right now.
“You know what, Stud?” I hold in my laughter
from using the nickname. “For a teenage boy, you are
rather wise sometimes.” I smile and wink. “You can also
be kind of girly.”
“Shut up, Beautiful.” He laughs.
A little more than two years ago, Henry and I were
fighting over something. We were being incredibly mean
and calling each other nasty names. Mom got the shits of it
and told us to complement each other and then we had to
hug on the couch for half an hour as punishment.
We just stared at each other for a long time. I
couldn’t think of anything nice - I was still mad at him. He
finally said, “You’re a beautiful sister.” Not to be outdone,
Iresponded with, “You’re a studly brother,” and the three
of us laughed through our punishment. Since then, I’m
Beautiful and he is Stud.
He drives through the student lot and finds an
empty spot.
Great we’re now on birth control premises.
After checking in at the main office, Henry and I
part ways.
The halls are plastered with pep-squad
paraphernalia, posters reading “We’re The Trojans!”,
“Mighty Mighty Trojans!” and the like. I would love to
stop by the drug store, spend a good chunk of change on
that brand of birth control, and glue them to the posters.
But I won’t mess up my education and get into trouble for
a stupid prank.
Besides, what’s high school without ‘peppy’
posters and school spirit?
With a sigh, I walk into my first class of the day.
First and second hour are fairly boring, and I get
loaded with work because my old school and this school
don’t follow the same curriculum. My favorite class is up
next: Acrylics. I talk to the teacher, Mr. Becker, first and he
says that everyone is finishing up the last project but I can
get started on the next one.
My seat is between a jock type guy and a goth girl. I
glance at what they’re working on as I set up my canvas.
The girl is painting a rose bush, and the guy is painting
something that looks diseased.
The next assignment is landscape. I tap my pencil to
my chin. I could do a beach, a forest… I’ll do the lake
behind my uncle’s! It’s beautiful back there, and I can do it
from memory.
Class is about halfway over when I hear the girl
say, “Hey, that’s the back of my house, but the roof has
more of a slope to the right from that angle.” I still my
hand and look at what I’ve drawn so far: trees on the other
side of the lake and the backs of four houses. She’s right the third house to the left, the roof needs adjusting.
“Hi, my name is Delilah, but don’t call me that. I’m
not a valley girl. Call me Skeeter.” She smiles. “You’re the
new girl, Jasmine, right?”
“It’s Jaz. Nice to meet you.” I smile at her and I go
back to working on my sketch. Maybe I came off as rude
because she makes an annoyed noise. Jock Boy starts
chuckling.
“Don’t let Skeeter get to ya, Jaz. She doesn’t
understand people when they’re in a creative zone,” he
says when I glance his way.
Okay then. Jock-boy looks like he forgot his
‘creative zone’ at home, but who am I to judge?
“At least I have a creative bone in my body to get it
into a zone, Derik. Your lilies look like they have the flu,”
Skeeter says. This actually makes me laugh, outside of my
head. I think Skeeter and I’ll be great friends.
The silence in the room ceases to exist when Jock
Boy, aka: Derik, says, “Do you know that from how you’re
drawing that, it looks like you’re looking from Leland
Jefferies’ backyard?”
I inwardly groan. Why didn’t I just do a beach or a
river? Ishould’ve known someone would recognize this.
Skeeter figured it out earlier, too.
“Do you know who Leland Jefferies is?” One of
Derik’s friends yell from across the room.
“He plays for the NHL! Oh, that’s hockey,
sweetheart.” Derik explains.
I roll my eyes.
What an idiot!
I put my canvas and pencil away. Having heard
Derik, several of his friends come over and start talking to
him about my uncle and his stats. Apparently they know he
has a twin sister and say she’s a “hottie”. But thank
goodness they don’t remember his nieces and nephew.
“So, how did you get to see where Leland Jefferies
lives if you’re the new girl?” one of Derik’s buddies asks.
I ignore them and go talk to Mr. Becker, who allows
me to leave early to run to the nurse. Of course, I’m not
actually going to the nurse. I just need to escape. I notice
everyone staring at me as I grab my bag and head for the
door with a flame-red face.
I’m about half way down the hall when I hear
footsteps behind me. When I look over my shoulder, no
one is there. Maybe I just hear the echo of my own
footsteps. But the whole way to the locker room I can feel
eyes on my back and hear footsteps behind me. I just need
to get through this next hour and I’ll have a whole sane
hour with my brother.
After gym I go to the cafeteria hallway and find a
bunch of people standing around. I search the sea of faces
for my brother. He’s surrounded by a bunch of girls. Go
figure, new school equals new ‘fan club.’
Someone grabs my arm and halts my progress
towards my brother, and I let out a very girly scream. It’s
Derik. I put an annoyed mask on my face, look at his hand
and back up to his face, hoping he’ll get the message to let
go. But luck is not on my side today, and he pulls me close
to him.
“Sweetheart,” I cringe at him using a term of
endearment in reference to me. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed
you in art. Would you allow me to make it up to you?” He
smiles, puts his other arm around my shoulders and moves
his other hand from my arm down to my hands.
“How exactly are you planning on doing that?” I resist
the urge to roll my eyes.
“I’m about to make you very happy,” he says with a
smug look on his face.
“By letting go of me, right?”
“No, I’m gonna let you sit with me at lunch. You can
be
my
new girl. You’re so beautiful. You deserve to sit with
me, the starquarterback. We’d be a power couple.” He
squeezes me closer to him, letting his hand roam a bit.
I roll my eyes this time. “No thanks, but I’d be forever
grateful if you removed your hands,” I snap.
He shoves me away from him.
“Do you know…” he says through his teeth. He
pauses then restarts. “You had your chance. Now you get
to choose from all the parasites, losers, and players that are
around here. I bet you’ll be going after the new guy now,
too. I know his type. Just look at him.” He points to Henry.
“All those girls think he’s perfect, but he wouldn’t know
how to treat a girl unless she was wrapped in pig skin. Go
on sweetheart, beg me. I’ll save you the heartache and you
can sit with me.” He finishes his speech with a look, like
he actually expects me to drop to my knees and beg.
Looking around, we now have an audience, so
whatever I say won’t go unnoticed.
I fake smile. “Derik, you’re not God, and I really do
feel bad for anyone who chooses to listen to the verbal
diarrhea you spout off. You know nothing about me or the
‘new player.’The only begging that will be heard will be
from you, if you ever choose to touch me again. Are we
clear?”
I can hear a few gasps and snickers as I turn to leave,
but slam right into Henry’s chest. Seeing the anger on his
face, I’d guess he heard me.
This should be interesting.
“Is there a problem here, Jazzy?” Henry asks me as he
stares Derik down.
“Don’t think so anymore. I may have taken care of
this one on my own, but you’re more than welcome to
check for yourself.” I smile as he gives Derik a glare that
would make the devil duck for cover. Derik backs away
and goes into the cafeteria.
“Come on, let’s go get lunch.” Henry puts his arm
over my shoulder and leads me out to his car. On the way
out, I notice his little ‘fan club’ giving me the stink eye.
We get out to the car, and Henry grabs my arm and
starts inspecting it.
“Henry, I’m fine. He was just being an ass.” I pull my
arm away.
“If he touches you again Jazzy, let me know. I’m
talking a bump in the hall, a tap on the shoulder, I don’t
care. I don’t like him. Stay away from him.”
“No worries, brother dear. I only have one class with
him so far, so outside of that I can’t imagine spending any
real time with him.” I smile. “Oh I do know something that
will make you happy, though,” I say as he drives down the
road to the McDonald’s.
He laughs a little. “What’s that look all about? You’re
not going ‘Evil Twin’ on me, are ya?”
“I just happen to know that Derik is on the football
team. That’s all,” I say around a fake yawn.