by M. E. Carter
“Dammit.”
Laughing, I smack her ass as I cross the threshold to my room and my bed.
Epilogue
Aggi
1 year later
“Are you sure I look okay?”
I glance anxiously in the mirror, smoothing down my dress and turning this way and that. I bought this green halter dress just for tonight. It makes me feel like one of the pink ladies in Grease. Except green. But the effect is still the same. Adeline Snow is out in full force and she looks fierce. I think.
Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe she looks like a clown. This is the brightest red I’ve worn on my lips in a while.
Spencer wraps his arms around my waist from behind and kisses me on the neck, right on the spot that always makes me relax. It usually makes me horny as well, but not today. Today I’m too amped up.
“You look amazing, Aggi. Like any man’s wet dream.” I cringe because, ew. That sounds messy. “Now let’s get a move on,” he continues with a slap to my ass, making me squeak. “The driver’s waiting and we can’t afford to be late today.”
Walking quickly, but not so fast that I stumble in my peep toe heels, I grab my black clutch and we make our way out the door. Spencer has pulled out all the stops today with a black Lincoln Town Car and driver to match. He holds the door open for me and I’m grateful because it means Spencer has both hands free to ensure I get into the car safely.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like it’s my big day.
Once we’re situated comfortably and the driver has pulled out into the road, I retrieve my new smart phone from my clutch to check my emails.
Yes, I said smart phone. Spencer finally convinced me to ditch my beloved flip phone when we moved to LA, mostly because of the GPS. Nothing would surprise us less than if I got lost in Los Angeles and ended up in Compton overnight.
Plus, I need to be able to check my emails a few times a day to make sure contract negotiations are going well. Switch Stance ended up being my most popular book to date, hanging out in the number one spot of the New York Times Best Seller list for twelve weeks. Very quickly, the movie rights were sold to a big production company and a screenplay is in the process of being adapted.
Who knew that the one book I resisted writing for so long is the one book that resonated with people so much? I never would have guessed so many people have as many insecurities as I do. But I suppose that’s what happens when you can’t get out of your own head long enough to notice that what others present is not always what they really feel. You have to dig a little deeper for that information.
Hence, why we are temporarily located in Los Angeles. Until the movie is either wrapped or scrapped, this is where we are based. The rest of the time we spend at his home in Lexington. I like it there. He was right; it’s quiet and peaceful and calming for my brain. It’s helped me get my flow back. I still write about extreme sports, but a lot of my stories are about what happens in the off-season when the athletes aren’t surrounded by teammates and not the competition aspect. It’s a big change, but the readers have embraced it so far.
Pulling up the internet, I see no new emails, thank goodness because I can hardly think straight right now. But there are quite a few text notifications, including from the moms.
Jan: I can’t wait to see pictures of tonight. It’s like you’re living in one of your books. SWOON! Love you.
Mom: Your rank has risen by 14.2% today. Clearly the anticipation of tonight’s ceremony is having a positive marketing affect. Well done. I love you. Love, Mom.
I smirk. While I’m getting used to using a smart phone, my mother is just now learning the appropriate way to text. Must be a family trait.
Donna, on the other hand, is just trying to keep herself calm. All three of her texts are full of shouty capitals.
Donna: OHMYGOD I JUST LISTENED TO YOUR NEW AUDIOBOOK!!
Donna: WHO IS THIS NARRATOR AND WHERE DID YOU FIND HIM???
Donna: I NEED HIM!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HOOK ME UP WITH HAWK WEAVER FOR MY NEXT BOOK! AND MAYBE FOR MY BED!!
I snort a laugh and show the texts to Spencer, who also snorts a laugh. What Donna doesn’t know, and I’ll never tell, is “Hawk Weaver” is my own dear best friend, Todd. Yes, the same Todd that was too small to play any team sports in high school and can’t nail a British accent to save his life is being lusted over by the glamorous Donna Moreno because of his deep, sexy voice. He’s going to get a kick out of that. And possibly strut around like a peacock for the foreseeable future.
Her excitement shouldn’t surprise me, though. Multiple times I’ve seen his name on “Top Narrator” lists, and he’s only completed the one project so far. If Donna’s response is any indication, I’ll have more people messaging me about how they can contact the man behind the sexy voice, so maybe it’s a good thing he decided to create a persona.
Once Todd finished voicing that first book, he came up with the grand idea that he needed a pseudonym “to keep the ladies from getting too close.” His words, not mine. So he chose to combine the names of his two favorite skaters, Tony Hawk and Gregg Weaver into the perfect persona for his new career. Spencer got a kick out of that.
Me: Remind me when I get home and I’ll send you his contact info. I have to look it up.
Donna: Oh! I forgot about today! Have fun and tell Spencer I said good luck!
Tossing my phone back in my clutch, I reach over and grab Spencer’s hand.
“You nervous?”
He drags his gaze from the window and turns to smile at me. He looks calm on the outside, but I know him, and his confidence is waning a bit. “A little. So many of the people I’ve admired are going to be there. It’s all surreal, ya know?”
I squeeze his hand and smile back at him because I do know. Every day I get to spend with the man of my dreams feels the same way. “You deserve this, babe. I’m so proud of you.”
Leaning in, he gives me a soft kiss on the lips, only pulling back when we feel the car come to a stop, allowing me an opportunity to wipe the red lipstick off his face.
The door opens, and I look deep into his eyes. “You ready?”
He takes a spine-stealing breath and nods. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Then let’s do this.”
Stepping out of the car first, my very hot boyfriend turns and extends his hand, helping me out and to my feet. We smile and wave to the crowd, the flash of cameras all around us, as we make our way to the front of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.
•••
Spencer
As much as I prepared myself for tonight, I couldn’t have known how overwhelming it all would be. The ridiculous red carpet, the interviews, and the number of handshakes I’ve had to endure is something I assumed only Hollywood actors had to deal with. I’m just some kid who happened to be good in a halfpipe and made a career out of a sport I love. Now, as I look around the room filled with men and women I have admired most of my life, the only person I want to find is my girl.
The last year with Aggi has been a roller coaster. After she showed up at my house with her manuscript of our love story, we spent a few days holed up in my house in Lexington before her phone started ringing off the hook. Finally, I set her up in my office with her laptop and more coffee than I’d ever seen a person drink. She worked her way through her edits and rewrites before submitting her final draft to the publisher. From that moment on, it was chaos. The book blew up and our relationship was front and center. Everyone had a slight glimpse into our life.
Both of our careers took off. My foundation received more and more recognition for the work we were doing with the skate parks and rec centers, but it was the new outreach for children with special needs that put us on the map. Celebrities, athletes from all over, and even politicians wanted to get involved. It’s been overwhelming, and yet it justified and confirmed my choice to retire was the right one. Then, about three months ago, the invitation for tonight came.
Induction in the
Skateboarding Hall of Fame. My ultimate childhood goal reached. Tonight, as I accept the honor, the girl of my dreams is with me to share the moment. It’s possible she’s more excited about this night than I am. I foresee a little bit of fangirling on her part as she meets more skateboarding royalty.
Of course, Kate is here and driving me crazy. The day after Aggi appeared at my house with her manuscript, I called Kate and called off the private detective work she was doing. Her rant about giving up on what could be and my happy ending was cut short when I surprised her with Aggi on the screen. Her squeal damn near blew out my eardrums, but it was worth it to show her I had in fact found my happy ending. One of the greatest moments of the last year, though, was the day Aggi and I visited Kate and her family and Aggi confessed her true identity as they shared a bottle of wine. Her mind was blown, and it was spectacular.
I tap the small velvet box in my jacket pocket. I’ve been carrying this around with me for weeks. Waiting for the right time to pop the question. There’s no doubt in my mind that Aggi and I are forever, and this ring is the final piece we need to make it official. Mostly for everyone else. We know who we are.
Still scouring the room, a group of people disburse a few feet away, and like a vision from the heavens, my girl appears. I swear she gets more beautiful each and every day. As she learns to believe in herself and see herself through my eyes, she blossoms. I’ve always been proud of her, but the way she’s embraced the craziness of the last year I stand in awe of her.
Her eyes find mine and a sweet smile greets me. I take a few steps toward her, maybe this is the moment I’ve waited for. Just as I touch the box through my jacket, a hand grabs my forearm.
“Mr. Garrison, it’s time.”
Shit. Another missed opportunity. I look up at Aggi who smiles and waves me off. It’s time for my induction. I follow the woman to the stage as she begins gesturing for everyone to take their spots. Aggi, moves her way to the front and whispers “I love you” at the exact moment I think I may hurl from nerves. Saying those three words back to her, I take a deep breath and wait for my turn to speak.
Taking my place at the podium, I look around the room before speaking.
“I still cannot believe I’m here. Some days I feel like I’m still a five-year-old kid on Christmas morning. That Santa sure was a sucky board buyer.” The crowd laughs and I look at Aggi who is probably wanting to tell me “I told you so” since she suggested the small joke at poor Santa’s expense. “I never dreamed that morning I opened my first board that it would all lead to this moment. The last twenty-five years of my life have been a whirlwind. I’ve traveled the world, met some of my idols, many are in this room tonight, and suffered injuries I wasn’t sure I’d recover from. Above it all, I’ve been given opportunities. Not only opportunities to see and participate in amazing events but to give back. Without this sport and this career, I wouldn’t be able to give back through The Garrison Foundation.”
Clearing my throat, I find my girl in the audience. Her eyes are glassy, and her smile is wide. Speaking only to her, I continue. “I never believed in fate and destiny but then last year something amazing happened. I went on a getaway with my sister and met a woman who threw my boring black and white world into a sea of color. I began to see life and the world through different eyes, and because of her I’m a better man. To the world, she is Adeline Snow, New York Times Bestselling Author. To me, she’ll always be the sunshine in my days and the inspiration for my tomorrows. I love you, baby. Thank you for believing in me.”
The applause is deafening as I look down at the woman I love. Gone is the armor of a persona she used to hide behind. Sure, to the world she’s still Adeline Snow. They can have that version of her. I’ll take Agnes Sylvester, the quirky, talented, beautiful, and caring woman who will be my wife and share my life forever.
Not all happy endings are written, some are lived.
Acknowledgements
As with any book, there are a ton of people to thank. We could thank each other, but one of us would be uncomfortable and the other one would cry. It’s up you to decide which is which. And frankly, it depends on our old ass hormones and who has been drinking. So we’re gonna skip that part and get to the good stuff.
Kiersten Hill, Megan Addison, Marisol Scott and Kate Spitzer for keeping our secret locked up tight and giving us the first round of feedback. Spencer and Aggi thank you for that.
An extra special shout out to Megan and Kate – Megan for all the phenomenal graphics and Kate for being in the car and helping us brainstorm while we road tripped through Texas. However, you get points off for not telling us there was fudge because you were too engaged in the story line.
Alyssa Garcia from Uplifting Designs for knocking this cover out of the skate park. You didn’t just deal with one crazy this time. You dealt with two! And you did it with grace.
Our editor Karen Lawson for double checking how to do the elipses. Who knew there were so many options? And by the way, thank you for checking our words and making sure they weren’t just the two of us sharing inside jokes.
Amelié Vahle for using those eagle eyes to make sure we didn’t miss anything. Hope we sparked some flashbacks and brought up some good memories with the husband!
M.E. Carter’s mom for reading through and finding last minute mistakes BEFORE it got published this time. (I should have done that with the last 10 books. Lesson learned.)
Andrea Johnston’s husband for answering questions about old school skateboarding and punk rock music. Who knew that trivia would come in handy someday?
One more thing…. Alyssa Garcia didn’t just design the cover. She supported our commitment to donate money to charity so much that she donated her formatting services. DONATED! For that, we can never thank you enough.
Lastly… readers, bloggers, authors, friends, we tip our skateboards to you for all the love we’ve received with this project. Our whole goal was to use what we know to give back to our communities. But that would have been in vain if it weren’t for all of you and your excitement. We’re thrilled to be a part of a community that wants to work for the greater good right along with us. We love you.
About the Authors
M.E. Carter and Andrea Johnston are romance writers who have come together to bring you a fun sports romantic comedy! Combining their sense of humor, beliefs in love, and sarcasm, this writing duo has crossed over two of their most popular series - the #MyNewLife and Country Road Series with the sole purpose of bringing laughter and love to their readers while tapping into their charitable hearts.
Find Andrea Johnston on...
Website
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Find M.E. Carter on...
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Other books by Andrea Johnston
Country Road Series
Whiskey & Honey
Tequila & Tailgates
Martinis & Moonlight
Champagne & Forever
Bourbon & Bonfires
Standalones
I Don’t: A Romantic Comedy
Life Rewritten
The Break Series
The Break Series
Spring Break
Summer Break
Winter Break
Other Books by M.E. Carter
Hart Series
Change of Hart
Hart to Heart
Matters of the Hart
Texas Mutiny Series
Juked
Groupie
Goalie
Megged
#MyNewLife Series
Getting a Grip
Balance Check
Pride & Joie
Amazing Grayson
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