Promise You: A friends to lovers romance

by Fabiola Francisco

  “I guess we’ll just have to wait for Taylor to get pregnant then,” I add.

  “Why not you?” I freeze at her words.

  “Um, because I’m not the one who has been in a serious relationship with someone for years,” I shrug, shaking my head as if it was the most ridiculous suggestion. I love kids, but everything with time.

  “What did you do last night?” She smiles wide.

  “I went to the Predators’ game.” I’m careful, squinting my eyes, wondering if she’s heard anything about Dex and me.

  “With who?” She keeps fishing for information.

  I turn my head slightly, looking at her. “Dex.”

  “Ah, yes. I was wondering what was happening there,” she confesses. “When I saw you guys at the album release party, I thought you were together.” She slaps her hand on the counter, and I jump in surprise.

  “Oh, we weren’t together then. It’s still very new, and I don’t want Jason to know yet,” I plead for her to keep it a secret.

  “Why not?” She crosses her arms. “I think he’d be happy.”

  “Because Dex is going to be opening a few shows for them in March, and I don’t want things to be awkward on his first tour experience,” I explain. While Jason doesn’t really interfere in my life or Taylor’s, I know he’s protective. I’m not totally sure how he’ll feel about me dating someone in the industry.

  “I heard about that. That’s great for Dex.”

  “It is. I’m really proud of him.” I relax and smile into my mug before taking a drink of coffee.

  “You like him a lot,” she points out.

  I sigh and nod. “I tried not to, but yeah.”

  As I confess my secrets to Cassidy Rae, my phone rings. “Hey,” I answer when I see Taylor’s name.

  “Hey! When are you coming home?” I furrow my eyebrows. It’s not like her to ask.

  “Is everything okay? I was there earlier, but I came to Jason’s.” I give Cassidy Rae a small shrug when she mouths her question.

  “Awesome. Yeah, everything is great. We’ll stop by there now. Want some breakfast?”

  I look a Cassidy Rae. “It’s Taylor. I guess she and Mike are going to stop by, and she’s asking if we want breakfast.”

  She shrugs. “I can make something.”

  I shake my head. “Yeah, you wanna bring some bagels?”

  “I’ll make coffee here,” Cassidy Rae whispers. I nod and tell Taylor we’ll see her soon.

  “I guess she felt left out,” I chuckle when I hang up. “She sounded way too excited, too. I guess she got a full night’s sleep,” I joke.

  “Hey,” Jason wipes his feet on the small rug in front of the French doors. “What’s up?” He walks into the kitchen.

  “Drinking all your coffee and catching up with Cassidy Rae. Taylor’s on her way.” I lift my mug in the air.

  “Sweet.” He kisses Cassidy Rae on the cheek and fills up a mug of coffee.

  “Hey, your friend Dex is going to open a few of our shows.” He looks toward me once he’s done fixing his coffee.

  “I heard. That’s awesome.” I shake my head as Cassidy Rae bites down her laugh.

  “We haven’t had a chance to talk to him, but Peyton told him he’s managing him.”

  I nod, smiling despite wanting to keep this to myself for now.

  “Can I have a glass of milk, Mommy?” Rae waltzes into the kitchen. God bless the perfect timing of seven-year-olds.

  “Did someone eat a cupcake?” Jason carries her and she giggles.

  “It was a donut! Aunt Reese brought it for me.” Rae squeals as Jason spins her around.

  “You’re spoiling her.” He looks at me.

  I shrug. “I haven’t seen her in a long time. I missed her.”

  Rae’s feet hit the floor as Cassidy Rae hands her the cup of milk. “Drink it here,” she tells her. Rae nods and sips her milk with an easy smile. She’s such a happy kid. No qualms or arguments, especially that a child her age would take advantage of her situation.

  “I’ll grab it,” Jason says when the doorbell rings. Taylor’s voice rings through the house as she walks in, Mike carrying a bag of fresh bagels.

  “Hey!” She hugs Cassidy Rae and Rae, then wraps her arm around my shoulder.

  “What is that?!” I stare at the hand she practically shoved in my face. “Oh my God! Are you getting married?!” I jump from the stool and grab her hand, staring at the diamond ring.

  “Yes!” She exclaims. I hug her, tears prickling my eyes.

  “Congrats! Why did you not tell me?!” I look at Taylor with wide eyes.

  “Mike asked me last night. You weren’t home.” Her smirk is knowing.

  “Where were you?” Jason asks, eyebrows furrowed.

  “Nowhere.” I brush him off.

  “Congrats!” Cassidy Rae jumps in, hugging Taylor and Mike. We each take turns congratulating them, asking Mike to tell us how he proposed. I sigh as I hear him describe the candles and flowers he set up in his apartment.

  “It was so romantic,” Taylor gushes.

  “You didn’t tell us you were proposing,” I point out.

  “I talked to your dad. No offense, Reese, but I didn't trust you to keep it to yourself,” he laughs when I scowl.

  “He’s right,” Jason chuckles.

  Excitedly, we all talk about their engagement and eat breakfast. When Ada cries, Cassidy Rae carries her over, and I beg to hold her. I cuddle that little girl like she’s the most precious thing on earth and enjoy this rare time with my family, my mind wandering every so often to the man who’s sneaking his way into my heart.

  Taylor fights me to hold Ada and I hand her over, figuring being greedy isn’t nice. Instead, I sit with Rae on the living room floor as she draws a picture of her house and family.

  “Are you gonna get married, too?” She looks up at me with that toothy grin.

  “No, not yet.”

  “Why not? Don’t you want a husband?” This girl. I shake my head, amused.

  “Well, sure, but when the time is right. First, I need to be with someone for a long time and make sure we want to be together for our entire lives,” I explain.

  She nods, coloring a flower. “That’s what my mommy used to tell me about Jason. I guess you need a boyfriend?” She stares at me with her brown doe eyes, waiting for my response, and I snort.

  “I guess I do.” She looks at me expectantly again, as if waiting for more from me and I laugh. “You’re way too smart, Rae.” I rub the top of her head, and she laughs.

  “I did get all As in my report card,” she brags.

  “Of course you did. You’re my little genius,” I tickle her until she’s laughing so hard everyone looks at us.

  “Stop,” she cries, snorting. I laugh at her snort, and she tackles me. “My turn!” She starts tickling me until I’m rolling over, laughing like a fool.

  “Okay, okay, let’s call it even,” I giggle.

  “Deal. I gotta pee.” She gets up and runs to the bathroom while I catch my breath.

  “I love that girl,” I say as I stand and walk to the counter and find a text from Dex.

  Dex: any chance my favorite fan wants to come cheer me on at Smokey’s tonight?

  I smile, biting my lower lip.

  “What’s this I hear about you and Dex?” Jason raises his eyebrows, tearing me away from my Dex bubble.

  Before I say anything, Cassidy Rae lifts her hands. “Wasn’t me.”

  I look at Taylor. “Me neither,” she shakes her head.

  When my eyes land on Mike, he grins sheepishly. “Sorry, didn’t know it was a secret.”

  And he didn’t trust me to keep his proposal to myself. I sigh. “It’s not a secret, but it’s really new. I know you’re going to be working with him, and I didn’t want that to be an issue or affect your judgment of him,” I tell Jason, talking with my hands.

  “You could’ve told me. It won’t be weird. I won’t see him much, but yeah, he’ll be on the road with us f
or a few weeks. Seems like a cool dude.” He’s totally trying to act cool, but I know him, and he’s got his big brother hat on.

  I nod. My brother is protective and straight-laced at times. Dex is the total opposite, and so am I. I exhale loudly and smile.

  Now that we got that out of the way, I take Ada back from Taylor before I leave. I’ve got a country singer to support tonight.

  Dex

  Nothing beats looking down from a stage, even a small one at a bar, and seeing Reese’s smiling face singing along with me. In the last couple of weeks, she’s come to as many shows as possible. It makes me feel like I’m walking on water when I see her there. Besides the shows I’ve seen her at, these last few weeks have been hectic, so we haven’t had a lot of alone time. I plan to change that tomorrow.

  Tonight, I’m letting her have her girls’ night while I hang out with Wade and Hunter. It feels good to sit back and relax with a few beers after the pressure of juggling work, my music, and a relationship. When it comes to the relationship, I want to make sure I’m there for Reese through this experience, with her past lingering and all. She says she’s over it, but I know her enough to know it still gets to her, adds to her insecurity that another person she trusts will pick someone, or something, over her. Ain’t no way I can choose a bullshit story over her.

  Before anything happened between us, she had already wormed her way into my life. Now that I’ve held her, tasted her, she’s carved her initials on my heart. Permanent residency.

  “You lost in thoughts?” Wade laughs as he leans back on his chair.

  “Shut up,” I throw a balled-up napkin at him.

  “He’s at that stage where all he thinks about is his woman,” Hunter adds.

  Wade laughs as he looks at him. “You’re still at that stage, so I’m guessing there’s no growing out of it.”

  Hunter shrugs unapologetically. “Hell nah. When it comes to Mackenzie, I’ll never grow out of her.” I nod in understanding. I don’t think I’ll ever feel as if Reese was just a passing fling. She’s a lot more than that. I can see her touring with me, us living together. I’m falling for her fast. Her carefree attitude mixed with the vulnerability she doesn’t show everyone does things to me. Add in the picture of her coming undone because of me, and I’m a goner.

  “You ready to hit the road in a few weeks?” Hunter asks, picking apart the paper coaster they placed on our table.

  “Yeah,” I sit straighter in my chair. “A little nervous with the amount of people that will be attending the shows, but I’m fucking ready. Been dreaming about this since I was a kid.”

  “It’s gonna be great,” Hunter nods.

  “Just don’t forget about your favorite roommate when you’re headlining your own tours,” Wade comments with a smile.

  “Nah, you two have kept me sane and going all these years. You’ve especially kept me grounded.” They’ve been there for me unconditionally for years now, and I’ll forever be grateful to them.

  “That’s what we’re here for,” Hunter says.

  Wade turns his attention to Hunter. “When’s the big day?”

  “May 15th,” Hunter smiles. “I can’t fucking wait.” I’m pretty sure he’s dreamed about marrying Mackenzie since he was seventeen. Detour in life and all, I’m happy to see them together.

  After drinking a few more beers than planned and eating wings, I hop in the car with Wade and text Reese.

  Dex: I missed u today. Tomorrow you’re all mine

  Reese: did u have fun? I’m hoppin into bed already.

  Reese: and I can’t wait to see u tom

  Dex: bed huh? What u wearing?

  Reese: behave

  Dex: come on.. send me a little peek

  Reese: no! lol

  Dex: somethign for me to keep in mind when I’m fallin alseeo

  Reese: are u drunk?

  Dex: no freaking can’t type on these tiny keyboards

  Reese: if you’re that curious you’ll have to come and see for yourself

  Dex: is that a dare? Bc I’ll remind u I got a power range tattooed on my ass so I’m not afraid of a challenge

  Reese: omg stop… I still crack up when I think about it

  “Hey man, can you drop me off at Reese’s?” I ask Wade.

  He looks at me quickly as he drives, shit-eating grin. “Can’t wait ’til tomorrow?” That fucking smirk of his.

  “She just challenged me, and you know I can’t go out like that.”

  “Yup… Ass tattoo,” he laughs.

  “Fuck you.” I laugh with him.

  Next thing I know, he’s making a left and heading to Reese’s place.

  “Thanks, brother. I owe you.” I slap his hand.

  “Don’t mention it. Goodnight.”

  I walk up the stairs and knock on her door. “What are you doing here?”

  Wordlessly, I carry her, gripping her ass as she wraps her legs around me. Heaven.

  “Me and my Power Ranger tattoo missed you.” I kiss her as I close the door behind me.

  “You’re insane. I was going to see you tomorrow.” Her fingers move through my short hair in the nape of my neck.

  “I wanted to see you now, not tomorrow. I wanted to hold you for a little longer.” I’ll be leaving for a month in a few weeks, and these moments with her are precious to me.

  I sit on her bed, keeping her on me, and look down at her attire. “I approve,” I wink. A thin tank top outlines her breasts and short shorts barely cover her ass. I sneak my hands under the hem of her shorts, gripping her ass as I push her onto me. My dick strains against my jeans, and her moan is music to my ears.

  “I love when you go to bed without underwear.” One hand moves to the front, finding her wet. I rub my thumb over her clit, her greedy mouth on mine.

  “I missed you, too. Now, fuck me,” she demands, and that’s one request I can fulfill.

  Reese blows the steam coming from her coffee cup. “Can you stop staring at me.”

  “I could, but I won’t,” I respond with a raised eyebrow.

  “Smooth.” She shakes her head, but I see the smile sneaking up on her face. I hold her free hand across the table at the coffee shop we came to have breakfast.

  “Are you ready?” I check the time on my phone.

  “Yeah, I’ll take my coffee. It’s still too hot to drink.”

  “You’ve been letting it cool down for twenty minutes,” I laugh.

  “I like it room temperature,” she almost sounds offended.

  “Why not order it warm then?” I ask.

  She looks at me with raised eyebrows. “I don’t know. I never thought of that,” she laughs.

  “Next time, I’ll order your drink.” I hold my hand out as I stand to help her up and wrap her in my arms as we walk to the end of the street.

  “Are we seriously going on a tour of the city?” She tilts her head and looks up at me.

  “Yup.” I see the bus a few feet ahead of us.

  “In that?” She points at the yellow school bus waiting for us.

  “You know it. It’s a comedy tour. While we ride to the different places, the two women do stand-up,” I explain.

  “This is awesome,” she moves away to stand in front of me, walking backward with a wide smile. I admire her tight jeans hugging her hips and the fitted, long-sleeve tee. Fucking gorgeous.

  “I thought it’d be fun.” I lean down and peck her lips, and grab her hand, spinning her around, so she’s facing the front again.

  We climb into the bus, taking our seats. Small, string lights hang over the ceiling, and the seats have been upgraded to leather.

  “It’s adorable,” Reese whispers, leaning into me.

  “Glad you like it.” I kiss her temple.

  Reese wraps her arm around mine, scooting closer. My hand rests between her knees, enjoying having her this close. I’ve wanted to be like this with her for a long time. This week, I’ve been working with Hunter on the song she inspired. Although it won’t be on my EP, I w
ant to have it ready. Maybe make it a single, and sing it for her one night.

  The women guiding the tour begin talking, explaining the tour between jokes. Then, we’re off to our first stop. They never miss a beat making us laugh. At one point, they start singing, encouraging us all to sing along with them to an old Toby Keith song. I sing into Reese’s ear, keeping her close, and smiling as I see her humming along.

  My smile grows as I start to sing louder and her eyes widen.

  “Yeah!” Jessy, one of the guides calls out. “Let’s hear it, handsome.” I laugh and keep singing. Reese shakes her head. I motion for her to sing with me and everyone starts to cheer. She’s going to kill me, but ever since Jason joked about her failed karaoke, I’ve been wanting to hear her sing.

  “Come on, sweetheart. We’re all here to have a good time. This isn’t no audition,” Kim, the second guide calls out over the microphone.

  “I’m going to kill you,” Reese whispers and begins singing just low enough for me to hear her.

  “Louder,” someone calls a few rows in front of us.

  She takes a deep breath and shuts her eyes, singing along with me. Everyone cheers and sings along with us. My laugh is drowned by their voices, but Reese glares. I hug her, kissing her cheek.

  “You’re not that bad,” I tease. She shoves me but laughs.

  “I’m terrible.” She hides her face in the crook of my neck.

  “No way. You’re gorgeous.” I kiss her sweet lips and brush her pink cheeks. “Smart.” Another kiss. “Fun.” One more to accentuate my point. “And all mine.” I look into those blue eyes that always strike me.

  Her hand cups my cheek, feeling my scruff. “I like the sound of that.”

  “You better get used to it, because I ain’t lettin’ you go.” She sighs upon hearing my words and holds me.

  We get to our first stop shortly after, touring the Country Music Hall of Fame.

  “You’ll be here one day,” Reese says as we look around the space, pictures of those talents that have been inducted.

  “Not just anyone gets put in here,” I chuckle. Truth is, that’s any musician’s dream, and her belief in me drives me the good kind of crazy.

  “We’ll see.” She stretches out our hands and walks around.