Текст книги "Faithful"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

“Oh god, Mom. What a dirty, rotten bastard,” I said.

She laughed and agreed.

“When was the last time you saw him, Mom?” Jefferson asked.

“About a year ago.” She smiled. “I was on a date, believe it or not!”

Jefferson and I both laughed.

“With my counselor.” She held up her hands. “I know! I know!”

“How did you feel when you saw him?” I asked.

“Free—like his hold on me was finally broken.” She shook her head. “I need you both to know something though. I have no doubt in my mind that at one time, your father was just as much in love with me as I was with him. And I truly believe he loved you both. But now, I have someone in my life who is my prince. He literally rescued me. Just like in my story, Ellie.”

We talked for a bit longer before making our way back to the house. Garrett invited my mother over to his house to meet Emma, Jack, and Grace and to spend more time with the kids. Since we were all going out, Luke and Alex were going to stay with them tonight.

As we sat in Emma’s kitchen, I watched as my mother talked with two of the most important women in my life, and a sense of calm came over me. My mom was holding Alex in her arms when she looked over at me and smiled. I got up and walked over to her.

“Grace, could you please hold Alex for a bit?” my mother asked as she turned toward Grace.

Then, she held out her arms for me, and I walked right into her embrace.

“I’m so sorry for all the pain and hurt I caused you,” she whispered into my ear.

“I love you, Mom. I really do love you.” I pulled away from her and smiled.

She laughed while she wiped the tears away from my face as I did the same for her.

“I love you, too, Ellie Marie Mathews. I love you so much. Thank you. Thank you so much, baby girl, for giving me a second chance. You have no idea how much I need you and your brother.”

Jefferson came into the kitchen and took a good look at us before he walked up and wrapped his arms around us. “Mom…”

“Yes, Jeff?”

“I forgot to tell you. You’re gonna be a grandmother again.”

“What are you smiling about over there?” Ari asked, reaching for my hand.

“The look on my mom’s face when I told her she was going to be a grandmother again.”

Ari started laughing. “Yeah, it was priceless. I’m so glad she finally made the move to come and see y’all, Jeff.”

I smiled as I thought about Ellie. I knew how she had dreamed of this moment, especially when she’d found out she was pregnant. I remembered the day we’d walked along the river when she told me how much she wished our mother could help her through her pregnancy because she felt so scared. My heart had broken for her. She’d had Grace there, but it hadn’t been the same thing.

“I can’t wait to see Amanda! I feel like I haven’t seen her in so long! I wonder if she’ll have the baby before she graduates,” Ari said.

“I just hope everything works out for them with the move. I hate that they are moving to Florida.”

Ari grinned. “We’ll have a place to visit now, I guess.”

I glanced over and smiled at her before looking straight ahead.

“Okay, why in the hell is Gunner not going? It’s a damn green light!” Ari said.

After sitting there through the whole green light, I jumped out of my truck and ran up to his. I was about to knock on his window when I saw that he was kissing Ells.

What in the fuck?

I banged on the window, and they both jumped.

Gunner rolled down his window. “What’s wrong?”

“You just sat through a damn green light while you were sucking face with my baby sister, you douche.”

Gunner gave me that damn smile of his. “I can’t help it if I sweep your baby sister off her feet, dude,” he said with a wink.

Ellie started laughing as Ari honked the horn.

“Fucker!” I jogged back to my truck and jumped in, shaking my head. “Stupid romantic ass.”

Ari started laughing as Gunner punched it when the light turned green again, and we made our way to Luckenbach.

As soon as we pulled up and parked, Ari jumped out of the truck and ran over to Ellie. I knew she had been dying to talk to her. Gunner smiled and gave me another wink.

Bastard. Thinks he’s all romantic and shit. I can be just as romantic as his ass. “Keep on smiling, dude. I’ve got my game on tonight,” I said as I slapped his back.

Gunner started laughing. “Yeah, okay…if you think you’ve got what it takes to outromance me, dude, bring it.”

“Oh, I will. I am! You wait and see.”

I turned around to see Heather with a big-ass smile on her face as Ari and Ellie attacked her. They each grabbed her arm and started heading into the dance hall. I watched as they walked by. They were talking so damn fast that my head was spinning from just trying to figure out what they were saying.

Baby…twins…cribs…wedding…

Gunner turned to me, and he looked just as confused. I shrugged my shoulders and glanced back to see Josh walking up with the biggest damn smile I’d ever seen on his face.

I stuck out my hand to shake his. “Congratulations, Daddy!”

Josh laughed. “Twins! Can you fucking believe it? Twins.”

Gunner started laughing as he slapped Josh on the back. “Let’s buy you twin beers.”

When we walked in, I saw Scott right away. “Ah hell. What’s Scott doing here?”

Gunner shook his head. “Dude, he’s not after Ari. He never was. He just likes fucking with you.”

“How do you know that?”

Gunner looked over toward Scott and then back at me. “Look at who he’s watching like a hawk. He can’t keep his eyes off her.”

Josh and I both noticed at the same time, and then we both asked, “Jessie?”

“Yep. He stopped by the other night, and we had a few beers. He opened up and said he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since the night he drove her home after they dropped off my drunk ass.”

“Really? Jessie, huh?” I said with a smile on my face.

“Dude, Ari is so head over heels in love with you. You ain’t got nothing to worry about,” Josh said with a chuckle and started toward the bar.

After about four beers, I was feeling pretty good. Ari was having fun, and Ellie was so damn happy that my heart was overflowing.

That was when I saw the bastard talking to the DJ. What in the hell is his romantic ass up to? “Ah hell…what’s he doing, Josh?”

Josh looked over toward Gunner and shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know.”

Gunner started to walk back toward us, but he was focusing only on Ellie.

“Holy hell, Ellie. That boy is looking at you with nothing but love in his eyes,” Amanda said.

I glanced over at Brad and Amanda. She was sitting on his lap, and his hands were on her belly. I smiled, thinking about how far they had both come in the last few weeks.

Then, Kenny Chesney’s “Because of Your Love” started to play. Gunner walked up and reached for Ellie’s hand. “Dance with me?”

Ellie smiled and stood up as he kissed the back of her hand. As they were heading out to the dance floor, Gunner turned around and winked at me.

I watched while they were dancing, and Ellie buried her face into his chest. I had to hand it to him. He made my sister happy. I grinned just a bit at the thought of my best friend and sister being so in love with each other.

“He loves her so much,” Ari said from behind me. She put her arms around me and kissed my cheek.

“I know he does.”

“He’s so sweet with the way he’s always sweeping her off her feet.”

Wait. What?

She moved around and sat down next to me, facing Amanda and Heather.

“Did Ellie tell you how he packed up everything the other day and took her and Alex to the river for a picnic?” Heather asked.

The other two sighed.

I looked over at Josh, and he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Then, I glanced toward Brad.

“Don’t even try, dude. He’s got us all beat,” Brad said.

Fuck this shit. I stood up and walked over to the DJ. I can be just as romantic as Gunner.

I asked the DJ to play a certain song, and he gave me a thumbs-up. When I went back to our table, I noticed Brad and Josh laughing at me.

Bastard friends.

Ari tilted her head at me and smiled. Gunner and Ellie were standing there, talking to Heather, when I sat down.

Leaning down, Gunner whispered in my ear, “Hope you picked a good song.”

I snapped my head around to him. He started laughing, and I was just about to curse his ass out when “Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church started.

I jumped up and pulled Ari to me. “I love you, Ari.” I kissed her with as much passion as I could. When I moved away, I picked her up and carried her out to the dance floor. After I slowly let her down, I kissed her again. “This song is for you, baby.”

I saw the tears building in her eyes. She grabbed the back of my neck and brought me in for another kiss. Her low moan moved through my body like water.

She pulled away from my lips and looked up at me. “I love you so much. You have no idea how much I love you.”

I smiled at the love of my life as I wiped away the tear rolling down her face. “I think I have a pretty good idea. I love you, too, baby…so damn much. You will never know how much I need you. My life would be nothing without you and Luke.” I placed my hand on her stomach as I looked into her beautiful green eyes. “And our baby girl.”

She buried her head in my chest as she started crying. Then, she began laughing as she looked up at me.

“What if it’s a boy?” she asked with a wink.

I shook my head. “Nope. I feel it in my soul. Our baby girl is sending us her sister.”

She looked into my eyes and smiled. “I feel it, too.”

We finished off the dance and then danced to the next song.

Afterward, we walked back toward everyone. Gunner was sitting there with that damn smile on his face. I smiled right back. Take that for romance, you ass.

Brad started laughing.

“What? I totally had that,” I said as I gave Brad a dirty look.

Brad shook his head and whispered something into Amanda’s ear. Amanda got up and moved to another chair as Brad started walking up to the DJ.

I glanced over toward Gunner.

He started laughing. “Dude, what the fuck did you start?”

I grinned and shrugged my shoulders.

Brad turned and came back with a big-ass smile on his face. He walked up to Amanda and held out his hand. She looked up at him as she put her hand in his.

He pulled her closer to him. “Will you dance with me to the next song?”

Amanda smiled and reached up to kiss him. “Of course I will.”

Just then SafetySuit’s “Never Stop” started playing as Brad led Amanda to the dance floor.

I looked at Gunner.

He just started shaking his head. “Fucker…that’s a good song.”

Gunner looked at Josh, who was taking a drink of his beer as he shook his head.

Damn it.

“Look at those two cutting it up out there!” Ellie walked up and sat on Gunner’s lap.

Sitting down next to me, Ari watched Brad and Amanda dance. “I’m so glad they worked things out. I pray that Brad stays strong.”

I couldn’t pull my eyes away from Ari. She was so beautiful.

She looked back at me as she tilted her head. “They’re gonna be okay, right?”

“Yeah, baby. They’re gonna be okay.”

Scott walked up and reached out his hand toward me. I stood up and shook it. He reached for Gunner’s hand. “Hey, Gun.”

“What’s up Scott?” Gunner said with a wink.

“Hey, Scott. Listen, I’m really glad you’re gonna make it to the wedding,” Josh said, standing with a smile.

Scott grinned and looked at Heather and then back at Josh. “You know it, dude. Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you that the office furniture you made me is great. I’ve gotten so many compliments on it. I also gave out your phone number to a few people.”

Josh nodded. “I really appreciate that.”

“You’re very talented, Josh. I see you going really far with this.” He looked at Heather and gave her a big smile. “Congratulations. I heard you’re having twins.”

Heather smiled and blushed.

“So, who all is heading to the beach for the wedding?” Scott asked.

“It’ll mostly be just family and friends along with a few business associates that I’ve known since my dad ran the business.”

“Is Jenny helping to plan it?” Scott asked.

When I looked over at Gunner, he smiled and winked at me. We both knew where this was going.

Heather smiled. “Yes! She’s amazing. I mean, only Jen could put together a wedding in just a few short weeks.”

“An out-of-town wedding to top it off!” Josh said with a laugh.

Scott smiled. “So…is Jessie going to be there?”

Heather perked up a bit as she snapped her head over toward Ellie.

“Yep, Dewey also,” Heather said.

Brad and Amanda came back to the table as I noticed Josh walking away.

“Hey, Scott. Damn, man, it’s been a long time.”

“Hey, Brad. Shit, it has been. How are you doing?”

Brad looked over at Amanda and put his hand on her stomach. “Pretty damn good!”

Scott glanced at Amanda’s pregnant belly and laughed. “I’d say so.”

Brad and Scott talked for a bit as I looked around for Josh. He was talking and laughing with the DJ.

Ah, so the little bastard is going to have his hand in the romance department this evening.

Gunner reached up and handed Scott a beer as Scott sat down.

Then, Gunner turned to me. He leaned in toward me, so only I could hear him. “Does he think he stands a chance?” Gunner looked out at Josh.

I laughed. “I guess he does. This should be interesting to watch.”

Gunner and I both sat back and started to drink our beers as we watched Josh talking to the DJ.

“He’s probably asking the DJ to recommend a good song,” Gunner said with a chuckle.

Brad sat down as he started laughing. “Think so? This is gonna be good. Gotta give him props for trying though. I think I have both of y’all beat with my song.”

Gunner and I both looked at Brad as he smiled and took a sip of his Coke.

“Ari cried,” I said.

“Oh, come on, dude,” Brad said.

Scott asked, “What in the hell are y’all talking about?”

Gunner looked over at the girls and saw they were deep in conversation. “We have a little romance contest going on. Trying to see which one of us can outromance the other with our song choices.”

Scott’s mouth dropped open. “That’s fucked up, y’all. Do the girls know what you’re doing?”

At the same time, Gunner, Brad, and I all said, “No.”

Josh shook the DJ’s hand, and as he started to walk back toward us, he had a cocky-ass smile plastered on his face.

Poor guy. He really doesn’t stand a chance.

He walked right past us and up to Heather. He took her hand and pulled her up to him. “I have something special just for you,” Josh said before he kissed the back of Heather’s hand.

Gunner muttered, “Pesh,” under his breath.

Ellie smacked Gunner on the back of his head. “Knock it off.”

Just then, the DJ asked for everyone’s attention. “Listen up, y’all. I’ve had a special request from one very lucky man in the house tonight. He’s getting married in a couple days.”

Everyone started to clap and whistle.

“Ah hell,” Gunner and I said at the same time.

Brad and Scott started laughing.

“Josh, bring your beautiful future bride out onto the dance floor,” the DJ said.

Josh started leading Heather out to the dance floor. As he passed us, he smiled and winked. “Watch how it’s done, gentlemen.”

“Little bastard!” Gunner called out, earning another slap on the head from Ellie.

We watched as Josh walked Heather out to the middle of the dance floor. Her face was bright red, and when he kissed her on the cheek, all I heard were oohs and aahs. Someone handed Josh a microphone, and then he got down on one knee.

Brad, Gunner, and I all leaned forward.

“What in the hell is he doing? He can’t ask her to marry him. He’s already done that!” I said.

Ari smacked me on the shoulder. “Be quiet for Christ’s sake!”

“Holy hell, she’s already crying, and he hasn’t even started talking yet,” Brad said.

“Heather, I never in my life thought I could be as happy as I am in this very moment. The idea of spending the rest of my life with you just about brings me down to both knees. I cannot wait to make you my wife. I want to make all your dreams come true. I want to be the best husband and father to our unborn babies as I possibly can.”

Josh put his hand on her stomach and then kissed her belly as Heather brought her hand up to her mouth. He looked up at her and smiled.

“Is he crying?” Scott asked.

“Bastard,” Gunner, Brad, and I said at the same time.

“Shh!” Ellie, Amanda, and Ari said at the same time.

“Princess, I want to be your everything.” He stood up and took Heather in his arms as Keith Urban’s “Your Everything” started to play.

“Oh. My. God. If that is not the most romantic thing ever!” Ellie said.

Gunner snapped his head around and looked at her.

I was still staring out at them. They were the only two dancing as everyone stood around and watched.

“Holy hell, that just swept me off my damn feet! Heather is so lucky!” Amanda said.

Brad choked on his drink.

Ari walked around and sat on my lap. Her eyes looked like they were filling with tears as she watched them dancing.

Jesus H. Christ. Is she about to cry?

“So incredibly romantic…wow. Heather really is lucky.” She turned to me and smiled. “I think Josh won by a landslide. Don’t you think, babe?”

Scott busted out laughing as I just looked at her.

All I could do was let out a small laugh before I grabbed her and brought her in for a kiss. I pulled slightly away from her lips. “He certainly did.”

When she gave me that drop-dead beautiful smile of hers, my heart started racing.

“I love you, babe.” She captured my lips with hers.

I kissed her and poured as much love into the kiss as I could. When she ran her hands through my hair, I wanted to just rip off her clothes and take her right here and now.

“Get a fucking room. This is a public place.”

My heart stopped the moment I recognized the voice.

Ari slowly pulled away and looked at me. “You might want to make sure I don’t lay eyes on that bitch, or I will kick the shit out of her. Pregnant or not.”

As I looked to my left, I saw Rebecca walking off in the other direction with—oh fuck!—Victoria.

How in the hell did those two hook up again? Have they even seen each other since college?

Victoria was watching Josh and Heather dance.

As the song ended, Josh dipped Heather and kissed her. The whole place went crazy, clapping and hollering out.

When I glanced back at Ari, she was staring at me, and then we turned and looked at Heather walking back with Josh. She looked so happy, and I knew exactly what Ari was thinking because I was thinking it, too.

“How did she find out we would be here, Jeff?” Ari said with anger in her eyes.

“I don’t know, baby, but we’re not going to let them ruin this night.”

Ari stood up as she glared at Victoria and Rebecca. “No. No, we’re not.”

When Heather walked up to us, I could tell she was flying high. I smiled as Ellie gave Heather a big hug, and the tears started to build up in Heather’s eyes again.

“I just can’t believe how perfect he is!” Heather said as she wiped away a tear.

“Who would have thunk it? My little manwhore, Josh,” I said with a wink.

When Jennifer Lopez’s “Dance Again” started, I looked out and saw Rebecca, Victoria, and some other bitch dancing.

I think I’m going to puke.

“What in the fuck are they doing here?” Amanda said.

Shit! I was hoping my girls wouldn’t notice them, but considering the bitches were dancing like sluts right in front of us, it was hard to miss them.

I glanced over to the guys. I smiled because none of them were even looking out toward the dance floor. I also noticed when Jessie was walking up, Scott was following her every move. Interesting.

“Do they think they are getting the guys’ attention?” Ellie asked.

“I might be six and a half months pregnant, but I can still kick some ass,” Amanda said, swinging her hands all around.

I peeked over at Heather.

She grinned as she looked back at me. “Lady Marmalade.”

I smiled at her and shook my head. I turned to Amanda and laughed as I glanced down at her stomach. “Can you Lady Marmalade…with that stomach of yours?”

“Fuck you, bitch. I can move better now than I ever have before. Bring it.”

Ellie started jumping up and down. “Yes! I love that song!”

Then, Heather did something I never thought I would see. She went out to the dance floor and walked right between Victoria and Rebecca as she made her way to the DJ. I glanced over toward Josh, who was watching her. As she came back, she purposely cut between the dancing slut group again. Victoria never took her eyes away from Heather as she made her way back to Josh with an evil grin on her face. He took her in his arms and kissed the living shit out of her. Victoria stopped dancing and walked off the dance floor.

Hells yeah, I’m going to buy some kick-ass outfits for the twins to show their mama how proud I am of her!

I noticed when Heather whispered something into Josh’s ear. I saw his whole face blush.

Wow. That boy has it bad for her. There is no doubt about it. My little manwhore is no more.

When the DJ announced “Lady Marmalade,” Ellie and Amanda both let out, “Eeeppp,” as they headed toward the dance floor. I walked up to Heather and hooked my arm in hers.

“Let’s show these bitches how to really dance, like the sluts we’re not but they are,” Heather said.

Josh and Jeff tilted their heads as they just stared at her.

“Don’t listen to her. She’s just trying to be a badass.” I looked at Heather and smiled. “Baby steps, sweets. Baby steps.”

We walked onto the dance floor right when Lil’ Kim began singing. Ellie started dancing, and then Amanda, Heather, and I followed suit. I turned and smiled at Jeff as he watched us dance. Using my finger, I motioned for him to come and dance with me.

Jeff got up and walked right up to me. He grabbed me, pulled me right into him, and started grinding on me. I laughed as I watched Josh, Gunner, and Brad get up and start dancing with us.

Jeff laughed as he leaned in toward my ear. “Jesus, Amanda can move that pregnant stomach, can’t she?”

I looked at Amanda and smiled.

Ellie grabbed Jessie as she was walking by and dragged her out onto the dance floor. I looked around for Scott, but I wouldn’t dare go get him. Jeff would have a heart attack.

Then, I saw Heather run over and pull Scott out to the dance floor. She so strategically put him right next to Jessie. When Jessie turned around and saw him there, she blushed, and he smiled.

“Do you think Scott likes Jessie?” I asked Jeff.

He looked over toward them. As he turned back to me, he smiled.

“Yeah, I thought so, too!” I said.

Brett Eldredge’s “Don’t Ya” started to play. I watched as Josh grabbed Heather, and they took off two-stepping. Gunner picked up Ellie and spun her around before they went back to sit at our table. Amanda and Brad took off dancing.

I looked at Jeff and winked.

“I’m reading your mind, baby!”

Jeff walked up and took Jessie’s hand. “Two-step with this cowboy,” he said.

Jessie started laughing.

Scott gave me a smile and shook his head. “He’ll beat my ass!”

I laughed as he took me in his arms, and we started dancing.

Scott and I only danced around the floor one time before Jeff brought Jessie right up next to us. I saw Jeff’s smile a mile away, and I had to giggle.

“Partner switch!” Jeff yelled as he spun Jessie right over to Scott.

“Wait! What?” Jessie said.

Scott smiled and held out his hand.

The moment he swept her away, I jumped into Jeff’s arms.

“Take me home and make love to me, cowboy.”

“It would be my pleasure. Let’s blow this place, and take advantage of a free night.”

I raised my eyebrows up and down as he took my hand and led me off the dance floor.

Ellie smiled as we walked up. “Heading out, I take it?”

“Yep, but I have to piss like a racehorse again,” I said as I grabbed Ellie’s arm to go with me.

Heather came up behind me. “Oh hell, so do I. I’ll go, too.”

“Me, too! This kid, I swear, is camped out on my bladder.” Amanda kissed Brad before joining us.

While we started making a beeline to the restroom, Ellie and Amanda were taking bets on whether Heather or I would deliver first.

“That’s not fair,” I said over my shoulder as I walked into the restroom first. “Heather is having twins. She’s gonna pop before me.”

When I turned around, I came face-to-face with Rebecca. I instantly balled up my hands into fists. Then, I looked over at Victoria.

She looked down at Heather’s stomach. “You sure got knocked-up fast.”

I went to say something, but Heather stepped in front of me.

“Hello, Tori. Your eye healed nicely,” Heather said.

Victoria looked over at me and smirked. “So, how far along are you?” Victoria asked Heather.

Heather just stared at Victoria.

“I heard you and Josh were getting married. Did he get you pregnant and feel sorry for you?”

I saw Ellie coming up from the side, but Amanda grabbed her and started laughing.

“Holy shit, Victoria. This is your dark alley, sweetheart. If you were smart, you would just keep your mouth shut and take you and your lying whore friend here and leave,” Amanda said.

Rebecca let out a gasp and started to walk over to Amanda.

I stepped in front of Rebecca and pushed her back. “You take one step toward her, and I’ll make sure you’re limping out of here, you fucking bitch. I’m so sick of you and your bitch-ass friends doing nothing but causing drama. You lost.” I looked at Victoria. “You both lost something you were never even in the running for. So, move on, ladies, and go find your own men.”

Rebecca looked at me and laughed. “Come on, Tori. They’re not even worth it.”

Victoria started to leave, but then she stopped right in front of Heather and grinned. “I bet you’ve never even given him a blow job before, have you, Smeather?”

The next thing I knew, Heather reached back and then knocked the hell out of Victoria. Rebecca screamed and jumped out of the way. She looked at me like I was going to punch her. She stepped back and then took off for the restroom door.

Victoria grabbed her jaw and glared at Heather. “You bitch!”

Heather walked up to her and gave her a push, causing her to fall back into the sink. “If you ever so much as get within ten feet of me, Josh, or any of my friends…I’ll make sure I break your goddamn nose next time.”

I stood there, stunned. I looked back at Ellie and Amanda. Ellie’s mouth was hanging open, and Amanda had a smile as big as the Texas sky. I looked back at Victoria.

“Don’t worry. I have no intentions of being anywhere near you or your crazy-ass friends!” Victoria started to walk off, and she made sure to stay as far away from Heather as she could.

The moment the restroom door shut, Heather grabbed her hand. “Oh my god! Oh holy shit! I think I broke my hand!”

Ellie went running over and looked at Heather’s hand. “Oh no. It’s swelling. Josh is going to kill us!” she said.

“Oh. My. God! I’m getting married in two days, and I just broke my hand!”

I walked over and turned on the cold water. “It’s okay, sweets. It’s your right hand.” When I turned around with a wet paper towel, Ellie, Heather and Amanda were all staring at me. “What? It’s not like it’s her left hand for Christ’s sake.”

When we walked out, Josh was making his way toward the restrooms. He took one look at Heather holding her hand, and he ran right up to her. “What happened?”

“Oh my god, Josh! I punched her! You would have been so proud of me. I threatened her, too!” Heather said proudly.

Josh looked like he was stunned. He glanced over at me, and I just shrugged my shoulders.

“I think she broke her hand, Josh. We need to get her to the hospital,” I said.

“Wait. Who did you punch?” Josh asked as Jeff, Gunner, and Brad walked up.

“Baby, are you okay?” Brad asked Amanda.

“Oh hell, I’ve never been better! Ari told off Rebecca and pushed her against the wall, and then Heather pulled out her inner bitch and knocked the hell out of Victoria. It was one of the best moments of my life.”

I looked over at Jeff. The smile that spread across his face made the butterflies in my stomach take off. Shit, I want him so badly. I smiled and winked at him.

“My feisty mama!” Jeff walked up and grabbed me.

“Only you would get turned-on by that, Jeff,” Gunner said. He turned to Josh. “Do you want to leave and take Heather to the hospital in Fredericksburg?”

Josh smiled as he looked at Heather. She blushed as she started to laugh.

“My little Rocky!” Josh said. He kissed Heather, picked her up, and carried her out of the dance hall.

We all spent the rest of the night sitting at the Fredericksburg hospital while they X-rayed Heather’s hand. Heather quickly came down from her high when the idea of wearing a cast on her hand during her wedding hit her full force.

When Josh and Heather walked out, her hand was wrapped in just a bandage, and we all let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s just a bad sprain,” Josh said with a smile.

I glanced over toward Ellie, and we both laughed. It seemed like just yesterday when that had been Ellie.

Jeff stood up and walked over to Josh. He slapped him on the back. “Well, let’s get you two home and rested up. We’ve got a wedding in two days.”

“Whose idea was it to go out tonight? I’m never going to be able to drive to South Padre Island tomorrow,” Brad said with a yawn.

“Brad, are y’all sure you want to stay at the hotel tonight? You can stay with Heather and me,” Josh said as he looked back at Heather and smiled.

“No, dude. We appreciate it, but I got my girl a nice room at the Inn on Barons Creek.” Brad smiled at Amanda.

Josh grinned, looked around at everyone, and then took Heather in his arms. “Alright, y’all, let’s get some rest, so we can head out tomorrow. I’ve got a very important date with the woman of my dreams in a couple days.”

Once we walked into the house, I headed over to the sofa and collapsed onto it. I was so tired, so hungry, and so proud of myself for not beating the living hell out of Rebecca.

When Jeff leaned up against the wall and smiled at me, my heart dropped to my stomach, and I had to push my legs together.

I love him so much.

“No baby in the house, and it’s the middle of the night, so no Garrett knocking on our door.”

He started to walk over to me with nothing but pure passion in his eyes. He dropped to his knees and pulled me to him. After I wrapped my legs around him, he stood up and began walking us toward our bedroom. I put my arms around his neck and just held him as tight as I could. He smelled so good, and I just wanted to lick every part of his body.

He made his way over to our bed, and he slowly began to place me onto it. When I was lying down, I looked up at him and smiled. He’s so damn handsome. I still had a hard time believing he was really all mine.