by Kacey Shea
Epilogue
Austin
“I don’t think we have enough food. Maybe you should run to the store.” Jayla bites her lip and stares at the spread of dishes taking up the entire square footage of our kitchen island. The last thing we need is more food, but I’m not dumb enough to say that aloud.
“Jay, your mama will be here any second and you know she’ll bring more than you asked.”
Her hands go to her hips and she sighs. “You’re right.”
“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” I step up to my girlfriend and capture her lips in a kiss. “And our house.” I glance around taking in all the decorations, the spread of food, and the presents piled around the tree. I kiss her again. “You did an amazing job.”
“I’m just nervous. I want everyone to have a good time.”
“They will. We’ll all be together. That’s what matters the most.” It’s our first time hosting anything, let alone a major holiday. Tomorrow everyone is doing their own thing, but we wanted to get together for Christmas Eve, and since Jay wanted her family and friends to feel comfortable and included, she volunteered our home.
Our home. Damn, I love the sound of that. We moved down to Oceanside a few months after I finished recording the latest 3UG album. We looked all over, but finally decided on this location. She wanted a place close enough we could drive to our friends’ homes, but far enough no one was stopping by all the time. I’m pretty sure that mostly included her mother, but I was game. I’m happy wherever Jayla is, and I have to admit I like the chill vibe of this seaside town.
The doorbell rings and Jayla straightens, glancing around the room one last time before she strides over to open the door. I hope she’s ready for this.
Shouts of greeting flow through our home. Familiar voices that make this day feel all the more special. I make my way to Jayla’s side as Trent, Lexi, Opal, Leighton, and little Axl parade through the door. I’ve never been one for babies, but damn, that kid’s cute.
“Merry Christmas, motherfuckers!” I say in greeting.
Opal narrows her eyes. “You have got to stop doing that. He’s gonna start repeating words soon.”
“Here,” I say, stealing the little bugger from her before everyone else does. “What, no baby equipment today?”
“It’s all in the back of the SUV.” Leighton smirks.
“Give me that.” Jayla scoops Axl right out of my arms. “How’s my sweet boy today?”
“Careful. You let your girl hold him too long and she’ll start getting ideas,” Trent teases, but the joke’s on him. I can’t wait to start a family with Jayla. “Wait. Hold up.” He stops, his gaze bouncing from Jayla to me and then back to Jayla.
“What?” She raises her brows.
“Are you two wearing matching Christmas sweaters?”
Jayla blinks and cocks her head. “Yeah, so?”
“No fucking way!” Trent bursts into laughter.
“Language!” Opal chides.
Trent cringes and shoots the baby a look. “Sorry, little man.” He turns to me and his eyes widen. “Are these the sweaters from last year? The ones that light up?”
“Hell yeah,” I say and press the button to make mine flicker to life. “They’re freaking awesome.”
“Thank you.” Opal blows me a kiss for my effort at censorship.
“Jayla”—Trent shakes his head—“I expect this ridiculousness from Aust, but you lose major street cred. Matching sweaters?” He repeats as if it’s not the coolest thing. Okay, so maybe he has a point, but I like being festive, and Jayla likes it too.
“We do a lot for the ones we love, yeah?” Jayla raises her brows. I love that she doesn’t take shit from anyone, least of all my bandmates.
“Touché,” Trent agrees.
“And what exactly, have you had to do for me these days?” Lexi hands him a bottle of beer from the fridge and twists the top off her own.
“For one, I didn’t pitch a fit when you didn’t name your label after me.”
She rolls her eyes. “Trent Donavan Records was never on the table.”
“It should’ve been. That’s all I’m saying.”
Opal laughs and joins her sister. The pair make the most unassuming label execs in the biz. You’d never know by looking at them, but Detour Records is setting a precedence for new standards in indie representation. With them, it’s all about quality music, equality, and strong relationships with their talent as much as their partners.
“Hey, speaking of work, did we get everything worked out with the Hurley brothers?” Lexi turns to Opal. “I want them signed before someone else gets to them.”
“No shop talk today.” Trent wraps his arms around Lexi. “This is Christmas.”
She tilts her head back to meet his stare. “And what, baby Jesus doesn’t care about our company?”
“Please don’t talk about baby Jesus like that when my mama gets here,” Jayla pleads.
“Okay, okay. No business talk.” Lexi holds up her hands.
The doorbell rings.
“Speak of the devil.” I wink at Jay and run to grab the door before she yells. For the next hour we welcome a slew of guests. Mama Lou, Jayla’s brother Desmond, his wife Lina and their boys Zachariah and Josiah. Aaliyah and her new boyfriend. Kalise. Trent’s mom Deb and her boyfriend. Sean and Jess, late as usual. Even our band’s Hollywood friend Cora Bentley and her new man pop by for a little while. Our house is full, stomachs fuller, and joy flows readily as the beverage fridge empties.
* * *
“What’s wrong, buggerhead?” I’m surprised to find Brianna’s wide brown eyes peeking up at me as I come into my room. It’s way past her bedtime, not that her dad would notice. He’s out with my mom at some party.
“Do you think Santa comes to this house? Mom says he won’t.” She grips her blankie in her hand, and her little lip trembles. It’s a sight that always does me in. I hate she even worries about shit like this. Kids her age shouldn’t have to, but her mom is probably right. My mom stopped getting me presents after elementary school, and Brianna’s dad doesn’t think about anyone but himself. The only reason Bri spends every other weekend here is so he doesn’t have to pay child support. I know it’s so because I’ve heard him boast about it to my mom a hundred times. I don’t know why my mom falls for losers like him. They both disgust me.
“Hey.” I tussle the curls on her head and lead her back to bed. I give in to a smile, knowing she’ll have at least one present to open, and pleased with myself for swiping one of the stuffed animals left under the giving tree at my school yesterday. Yeah, stealing it wasn’t my finest moment, but at least I didn’t shoplift. People left those things intending them to go to a child in need this Christmas, and I think Bri fits that bill as much as any other. “I know he will. Promise.”
“You sure?” she says through a sleepy yawn.
I stroke her back, lulling her back to sleep. “I’d never lie to you.”
“There you are.” Jayla slides open the back patio door, balancing two glasses of wine. She passes one to me.
We clink the rims in a silent toast. “Sorry, I needed some air,” I say, taking in the horizon from our upstairs deck. The sunset burns through the haze of clouds, creating an array of oranges, yellows, pinks, and blues that light up the sky. “Your family still here?”
“No, Desmond finally dragged Mama from the kitchen.” Jayla shakes her head, but there’s a trace of a smile on her lips. As much as her mother drives her crazy, she loves her. “I told her she didn’t have to help clean, but you know how she is.”
I take a sip of the wine and chuckle. “That I do.”
Jayla rubs her hand across my back. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just thinking.” My gazes goes to the horizon once more, watching as the sun disappears beneath the ocean. Today has been wonderful. Having our friends and family together to celebrate was like stepping foot into a life I always wanted but never expected to have. Being a part of Three Ugly Gu
ys has taught me family isn’t always blood, sometimes it’s the people you choose. I consider myself a lucky man to be surrounded by so much love. I only wish I had Brianna here too.
“You miss her,” Jayla says with compassion and understanding.
“I wish I could find her.” I reach for Jayla’s hand and take comfort in her touch. “Or know she’s safe.”
“I do, too.” Jayla leans her head on my shoulder. “We’ll keep looking.”
“Maybe there’s another way.” I clear my throat and turn to meet Jayla’s stare. I’ve been thinking on this a lot lately, and not only because it’s the holidays. “I’m not giving up hope. It’s just, I’ve spent so much money and energy looking for Brianna, and it hasn’t done any good.”
She takes our wine glasses and sets them down. With both hands free, she kneads the tension from my shoulders. “But you didn’t know that. You had to try.”
“Yeah.” I nod and release a deep breath. “And if I could trade money to find her, I would in a heartbeat. I think it’s time to face the reality that it sucks, but this is how life works sometimes.” I take a step back and turn to face Jayla. “I want to open a home. With your help.”
Her gaze turns earnest. “What kind of home?”
“A place for lost girls. We could provide treatment. Mental healthcare. Teach healthy life skills and decision making. Self-defense, too.” The idea pours from my lips, unsure of her reaction, or if a passion project like this would even interest her. Just because it excites me, doesn’t mean it’s for her.
Jayla wraps her arms around my neck. “I love it.”
“It’d be a safe haven, you know? A place full of hope. The kind of place that could’ve rescued Brianna.”
“I love you.” Her smile is wide and her eyes are full of unshed tears as she peppers gentle kisses on my mouth. “Your heart.” Another kiss. “Your mind.”
I wrinkle my nose and press my cheek against hers and make a joke so I won’t cry. “My body too? Tell me you love my body.”
“Everything.” She laughs and steps back to find my gaze. “I love sharing my life with you.”
I didn’t think it possible, but I love her more now than when I woke this morning. Her capacity to love and accept me as I am pushes me to be the best version of myself. I was planning to wait until tomorrow, but the weight I’ve been carrying around all day gives me the incentive to do it now. “You hoping for any big presents from Santa?”
Her grin turns rueful as she narrows her gaze. “You think I still have time to write a letter to the jolly old guy?”
“Depends,” I tease. “Whatcha gonna ask for?”
“Well”—she taps her finger against her chin—“I was hoping I’d get a rock star under my tree this year.”
“I know a guy. I’ll make it happen.” I reach out and rub my hand along her hip. “But only if you’re on the naughty list.”
“Hmm.” She shakes her head and laughs. “I think you have it backward.”
“I apparently do everything backward. Like let the only girl I ever loved get away.” My gaze sobers.
“But she came back.”
“And I’m the luckiest man in the world.” I clasp her left hand in my right and drop to one knee. “Or at least, I hope I will be.”
“What?” She gasps, her eyes wide. Hell, yes. I’ve surprised her.
She looks around and then meets my hopeful stare. “Where’s the fireworks? The big flashy gesture?”
“I decided you were right. We don’t need all that.”
She tilts her head, pursing her lips. “Can you repeat that one more time, the part about me being right?”
“Well, we need a little extravagance.” I chuckle and reach into my pocket, producing the ring I picked out last month with Kalise and Aaliyah’s help. I don’t know what prompted me to put it in my pocket this morning, but I’m glad I did. This is much more romantic, and the moment feels right. I hold out the diamond band, offering her not only a ring, but my heart. “Jayla Ashanti Miller. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
She mashes her lips together, her chin nodding furiously before a smile takes over her face. “Yes, yes, I will.”
I slide the ring on her finger and push to my feet, unable to stand the space between us any longer. Pulling her flush to my body, I capture her lips the way she’s captured my soul. As our mouths seal together, I vow to do my damnedest to deserve every moment she gives me. Jayla holds my heart. She’s my second chance. My home. She’s my favorite song on replay, and our future, my greatest album.
Thank you for reading Jayla and Austin’s story. If you didn’t get enough of these two, click here to gain access to a bonus epilogue and a glimpse into their future.
I hope you enjoyed this book! If you haven’t read the rest of the Off Track Records novels, they are available now in Detour, Derail, and Hinder. There’s more rock stars! Find out what happened to Three Ugly Guys’ original drummer in Uncovering Hope.
Please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. Reviews are an excellent way to support the authors and books you love!
Acknowledgments
I could not write the books I do without the support of my family. Joe, Abby, JD, and G I love you. Thank you for your encouragement, and for being my biggest fans.
When it comes to getting a book ready it takes a village, and I wouldn’t be able to do this without the support of mine! To Kerry for reading everything I write, including my text messages when I’m feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. This writing thing is so much more fun with your friendship. Viv, Rikki, Amy, Rachel, Megan, Amie, and Danielle thank you so much for beta reading. Your insight and feedback helped me get these characters just right. Thank you for loving my Ugly Guys!
To my editor, Brenda, I’m so happy we found each other! Each book you push me, and I think after ten books together we’ve got a pretty great thing going. Thank you to Chrissy, Erin, and Melissa my fabulous proofreading team who literally find all my flaws. You are amazing and generous.
Najla thank you for the design of Replay and recovering the entire Off Track Records series. I’m in love with these covers and they fit the books perfectly. Thanks to Ellie for being my dealer of this fantastic cover photo of Graham Nation shot by Gilbert Pereda. It’s gorgeous and so fitting for Austin’s story.
To all the readers and book bloggers who have taken a chance on me, loved these characters, and supported my work thank you. I get to do what I love because of you. Thank you for your time and energy. For reading my books. For the teasers. For recommending my books to your friends. I appreciate you more than I can ever put into words.
Also by Kacey Shea
Sports Romance
The Perfect Comeback
Firefighters
Caught in the Flames
Caught in the Lies
Rock Stars
Detour
Derail
Hinder
Replay
Uncovering Love Series
Uncovering Love
Uncovering Desire
Uncovering Hope
Uncovering Love: The Wedding
About the Author
Kacey Shea is pen name to a mom of three, wife, and USA Today bestselling author who resides in sunny Arizona. She enjoys reading and writing romance novels as much as her son loves unicorns, which is a lot.
When she's not writing you will find her playing taxi cab to her children while belting out her favorite tunes, meeting friends or family for food and to share laughs, or sweating it out in the gym. Kacey finds that picking up heavy weights repeatedly is good for her mental health as much as it is for the physical.
She has an unhealthy obsession with firefighters. It could be the pants. It could be the fire. It's just hot. On occasion she has been known to include them, without their knowledge, in her selfies outside the grocery store.
Kacey one day aspires be a woman hand model in a sexy photo shoot. You know, the wo
man's hand raking across the muscular back or six pack stomach of the male fitness model. Yep, that hand.
Until that day comes she will continue writing sexy, flirty romance novels in hopes to bring others joy!
Kacey enjoys interacting with her fans so please feel free to stalk her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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