Tequila & Tailgates (A Country Road Novel - Book 2)

by Andrea Johnston

  “Please don’t go.”

  “Today or home?”

  “Both. I’m unbelievably sorry, Ashton. I know I fucked up. Let’s just take it one day at a time. You don’t work tonight, right?” I shake my head. Fucking tears better not fall or I’ll kick my own ass. “Good. Just stay. Hang out with our friends and have a good time. You don’t even have to talk to me. Oh, and I’ve invited Minnie, the girl I hired for the office. You can watch Owen make an ass of himself. You’ll have fun. I promise. Okay?”

  Looking down at our hands, I pause before answering him, allowing myself enough time to suck down the emotions I’m feeling right now. Emotions that not only have me confused but slightly nauseous.

  “Which one was Minnie?”

  Smiling, he releases my hand. “The one with too much experience to work for me. She had the great cover letter about life changes. I think you’ll like her. She’s about your age and she doesn’t take Owen’s shit. And he’s absolutely determined to convince her she needs to go out with him. It’ll be fun to watch him change his tune today.”

  “Change his tune?”

  “Trust me, it’ll be fun. Now, I have to go finish the backyard and get that corn ready.”

  “I’ll do the corn.”

  “Does that mean you’re staying?”

  “For the cookout.”

  Jameson was right. As much as it pains me to admit it, he was. I’m having a good time and Minnie is fantastic. She and Piper bonded instantly over their love of romance novels. She even knew about those stripper books and the pink-haired author who Piper stalks on social media. Emma Hart is her name, in case I need that for my next book purchase.

  Minnie’s ability to put Owen in his place was just the perfect cherry to the awesome sundae she provided. Well, it wasn’t necessarily her doing per se, it was more the fact that she arrived with two children under the age of four; her nieces, Arizona and Cali, who she has temporary custody of. She hasn’t offered up the reasons for having the girls and none of us have asked. The reasons don’t matter, it simply shows us the type of person she is.

  Owen had mentioned to me before she arrived how “smokin’ hot” she was and that he could tell she has been playing hard to get. Each time he mentioned her, Jameson would shut him down, reminding him to not be a dick. Twinges of jealousy might have reared their ugly head with each of those instances. Then, she walked in the door and the twinges were smacks to the face. Tall, blonde, beautiful, and everything Jameson has ever been interested in before me. Adding to that her obvious intelligence, kind heart, and great sense of humor, she’s the whole package. Watching Jameson check on her and making sure she is having fun is killing me.

  “Hey, you okay?” Piper asks me.

  “What? Of course,” I reply through a forced smile.

  “Uh-huh. Are you sure you don’t want a drink? At least a beer?”

  “Nah, I’m good. Not feeling it today.” My response is to her although my attention is on Jameson across the yard, offering to take Minnie’s empty plates.

  “He’s just being a good host and looking out for his employee.”

  “If you say so.” Doubt laces my semi-snarky response.

  “What happened with you guys?”

  “Nothing. How’s wedding planning coming?”

  “Nope, you are not changing the subject.”

  Piper is like a dog with a bone when she wants to be. Normally I’m the aggressive one but when it comes to me and my ability to shut down and deflect, she is quick to call me on my shit.

  “I’ve caught him at least fifty times looking your way, Ash. Poor guy looks like a lost puppy dog. And, you look miserable. Plus, I’m a little worried you may scratch poor Minnie’s eyes out, so don’t tell me “nothing”. Spill.”

  “I would not hurt Minnie. She’s a sweetheart. Just let it go, okay, Piper?”

  “I don’t like it but, okay. We will talk about this, I know something happened and whatever it is, you’ll work it out. Ben and I were talking the other day and what I’m about to say comes from a place of love, you know that right?”

  Turning my body so I’m facing her now, I wait for her to continue. “I love you always. You are my best friend in the world; your spirit and kindness are the greatest things about you. But, the person you’ve been the last few months while living here? She was the best version of you. Jameson makes you the best version of you. Don’t let your head get in the way of that.”

  Rising from her seat, Piper leaves me alone with my thoughts. Minnie’s niece, Arizona, is playing on the grass nearby and I’m a little jealous of the simplicity of her life. Poor thing has no idea that one day a boy will come along and flip her entire world upside down. I just hope she can handle it all a lot better than I have.

  My cell phone begins vibrating in my pocket while simultaneously ringing. Looking at the screen, I see that it’s Julia, Jameson’s sister. That’s odd. She only has my number from the one time Hope used my phone to call her after Jameson’s lost its charge. Swiping the screen to answer, I offer a hesitant greeting.

  “Hello?”

  “Ashton?” It’s not Julia, it’s Jameson’s mom.

  “Mrs. Strauss?”

  “Liza, sweetie. Yes, I’m sorry to bother you, but is Jameson with you? I have been trying his phone for an hour and he isn’t answering or responding to text messages.” Rising from my chair, I don’t see Jameson anywhere in the yard so I head toward the house to find him.

  “Yes, we’re having a cookout. His phone must be in the house. I’ll find him. Is everything all right? You sound upset.”

  “It’s Julia.” Sobbing replaces any more words as I hear the phone being shuffled. As I’m walking through the kitchen to find Jameson, he’s walking down the hall from the bathroom. A smile takes over his face as he sees me, but it’s immediately replaced with a look of worry as he takes in my own expression. I mouth to him that it’s his parents on the phone as his father begins telling me where they are and what is happening.

  “Okay. Yes, I understand. We’ll be in there as soon as we can. I will. Okay, yes. Both of our phones.” Tapping the end call button, I place the phone in my back pocket.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Your mom called my phone. She said you weren’t answering yours. Jameson, it’s Julia. She’s in the hospital. Your dad said that Hope was with her and she wouldn’t wake up.” Tears are falling as I take his hand in mine and squeeze. I can see tears in his eyes and my heart breaks for him. “Hope called 911 and they rushed her to the hospital. They’re going to perform a C-section.”

  “Is she going to be okay? Ashton, she has to be okay.”

  Reaching around his waist, I wrap him in my arms. “She’s going to be okay, she has to be. You go get your phone and whatever else. I’m going to tell Piper we’re leaving.” Looking up at him, my heart is in a million pieces for this man. I cannot imagine what he’s feeling right now. Placing my hands on either side of his face, I force him to look at me. This is a gesture he’s done to me more times than I can count in recent months. Forcing me to see him, to trust him. “She’s going to be okay, believe that. I’ll be right back.”

  After speaking with Ben and Piper privately and explaining the call I received, I accept the keys Ben gives me. With a few hours’ drive ahead of us, Piper’s car is far more comfortable for Jameson than my little one. Once I get Jameson in the car, I send up a little prayer that Julia and her baby are safe and that the man next to me doesn’t have to face a loss that I know will kill him.

  We didn’t speak for most of the drive to the hospital. I hummed and even sang a little along to the music, but otherwise it was a somber and quiet drive. Jameson didn’t comment on the small snippets of singing I was doing, which only showed me how worried he was. Once we pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, we both got out of the car. Neither of us speaking, we walked to the front desk and got directions to the women’s center. I hated thinking of what we may face when we made it to Julia. />
  As the elevator begins carrying us to our destination, I distract myself from the tension in the car by watching the digital display above the door as we passed each floor. The minute our floor is signaled, I reach for and take Jameson’s hand, offering a squeeze of support. Instead of letting go of my hand as he exits, Jameson strengthens his hold. I note how much smaller my hand is than his, the callouses gently massaging my softer palm as our hands slightly swing with each step. Turning the corner at the end of the hall, we spot his parents and Hope sitting at a children’s-sized table with a puzzle. A television is on in the distance with a generic laugh track filling the somber mood of the room. Spotting us, Hope runs directly for Jameson, who releases my hand to scoop her up.

  “Uncle J! Mama had my brother! Grammy says that I’m brave and I got this sticker, isn’t it cool?”

  Leave it to Hope to be her usual happy-go-lucky self and keep us all in check. Jameson hugs her as his mom approaches me with a smile. Whispering in my ear, she offers her gratitude for bringing Jameson here.

  “Hey, kidlet. You are very brave. Who gave you this awesome sticker?”

  “The fireman. He said I was so brave, he thought I must be at least ten years old! Isn’t that funny?”

  “So funny! You’re a big sister now!”

  “Yep. I can’t see my mama or Noah but my daddy showed us pictures and he looks funny. His face was like this.” Normally Hope is a fast talker, but an excited Hope makes it almost impossible to keep up with. She’s scrunching her face and giggling at the same time.

  “Hey, did you see who’s with me?”

  Turning her attention my direction, Hope lets out a squeal and untangles herself from Jameson’s arms. Running toward me, I squat down to catch her as she leaps in my arms. A few kisses and hugs and Hope is officially over her part of our welcome and returns to the puzzle.

  Allowing Jameson and his parents a few minutes to talk, I sit down with Hope and get to work. I mistakenly assumed this was a children’s puzzle since it’s on the kid’s table. It’s not. The picture on the box is an English countryside and, if the number of zeroes I counted is correct, five thousand pieces. How long do the Strausses plan on being here?

  “Hey, Hope, how about we see if they have any hot chocolate in the machine? Ashton, would you like anything?” Mr. Strauss asks me, the stress of the day evident in every movement he makes.

  “No thank you, sir. I’m fine.”

  Taking each of Hope’s hands, Jameson’s parents walk away. Jameson sits in a large chair nearby. Dragging my little chair closer to him, I hesitate to speak. He appears to be processing whatever his mom just told him. Leaning back with his head resting on the back of the chair, he holds his hand out, palm facing up. I place my hand in his.

  All of this is a very bad idea for me. I didn’t even hesitate to get him here; the entire drive I tossed around the reasons for that in my head. I’m a good friend, he’d been drinking, I could help with Hope. None of the options I allowed myself to consider is the one that hit me like a ton of bricks the moment the elevator doors open.

  I love him.

  “My parents said we can stay at their house tonight since it’s late.”

  Pushing down my personal admission, I turn my attention to Jameson. A small smile graces my face as I nod. Taking back my hand, I place both hands in my lap.

  “How’s Julia? The baby?”

  “Julia is sleeping; she’ll be here for a few days. Noah is good. Dad said he’s going to be fine.”

  “That’s a relief. I’m glad they’re both doing well.”

  “Thankfully, Stephen wasn’t far from the house when he saw the ambulance go by. He said he had a bad feeling so he hightailed it home. Julia was being taken out of the house when he arrived. He said Julia hadn’t been feeling well. A bad headache or something. He only went to the store for ice cream, Ash. What if she hadn’t taught Hope how to call for help?”

  “But she did, Jameson. Did they say what happened?”

  “Preeclampsia. Mom said it can be very dangerous. She’ll be here for about a week and Noah will probably be here at least two weeks.”

  Standing, I move the small chair back to the table. “I’ll just go call Ben and Piper and make sure everything is handled at the house. Be right back.” I’ve made it three steps before I hear my name. Turning toward Jameson, I watch as he stands and takes a few tentative steps toward me.

  “Thank you.”

  “Of course.”

  “I just … I’m really grateful.”

  “It’s no biggie. I’ll be back.”

  After speaking with Piper on the phone and a quick stop by the restroom, I return to the waiting area to find Jameson sitting with his parents, Hope cuddled up in his lap and close to falling asleep. I cannot imagine how exhausted her little mind and body must be.

  “Ashton, here, sit.”

  “Thanks, Liza, but I was actually wondering if you would like for me to take Hope home. She looks a little exhausted and then you all can stay here as late as you like.”

  “That’s a good idea. We’ll take Hope home and just stay there. That’d probably be better for her anyway. Do you have a seat for her in the car?”

  Twenty minutes after the Straussses agreed to let us take Hope home, I veer onto the highway and toward Stephen and Julia’s house. Hope is fast asleep in the backseat and Jameson is excessively yawning in the passenger. It isn’t long before I follow his lead and am yawning. Looking at the clock, I note it’s not too late, but my late night at work, the slight anxiety I had all day, and the stress of this evening has taken its toll on me.

  Pulling into the driveway of the house, I leave Jameson to gather Hope from the backseat while I fish the keys Liza gave me from my purse. Unlocking the door, I enter the house and place my things on the entry table. Jameson follows me in the house, but he must have woken up Hope when he took her out of the seat because she talking to him. Instead of going to her room, he sits on the couch with her on his lap. She’s retelling him the story of finding her mom asleep and being scared. I take the spot next to them and she crawls from Jameson into my lap. Letting her curl up into me, I begin to lightly rub her back while she finishes her story.

  At some point, I must have fallen asleep, because I only awaken when I feel Hope shift in my lap. Looking over toward Jameson, I see him staring at us. Seconds tick by as we stare at each other. Each heartbeat is a reminder to me that I’m in too deep with this man. Far too deep.

  Jameson reaches for Hope as he whispers, “Let me put her to bed. I’ll be right back.”

  Not knowing what to do with myself, I stand and look at photos placed around the room. Most of the photos are of Hope, but there are a few with multiple family members, including some I don’t recognize so I assume they are Stephen’s family. Picking up a frame that has a picture of Jameson and Hope playing with bubbles, I run my finger across the glass, tracing his smile.

  “That was Hope’s fourth birthday.”

  Startled, I jump a little before placing the frame back on the shelf. Jameson is standing in the doorway, leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed. He looks exhausted. The last few hours seem to have aged him a little. These pictures confirm what I knew, he loves his family.

  “Speaking of pictures, you have one of me in your living room.”

  “I do,” he says, walking toward me.

  “Why?”

  “Why do I have it or why do I have a picture of you?”

  “Yes,” I reply, walking away as he approaches the spot I was just standing. Sitting on the couch, I await his response. Instead, he takes a seat next to me. Very close to me.

  “Well,” he begins while taking a piece of my hair between his fingers. Allowing him to continue, I rest my head on the back of the couch while turning in his direction.

  “I took that picture of you one day at the lake. You and Piper were four wine coolers in and laughing about something ridiculous. I had been on a photography kick and had my camera ne
arby hoping to get a few shots of an epic catch. You were laughing so loud, that crazy loud and annoying laugh you have. Don’t look at me like that. You know it’s annoying.”

  I concede.

  “Anyway, I looked in your direction and without thinking, took the shot. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it until weeks later when I was downloading the memory card. That picture came up on the screen and I saved it to print.”

  “Why? It’s weird, don’t you think?”

  “No, I don’t. You look beautiful and uninhibited in that picture. Your smile could light up a thousand skies. That’s how I see you always and I wanted it in print.”

  “Jameson,” I begin, but he puts a finger to my lips, stopping me.

  “Don’t. If you want me to take it down or you want it for yourself, that’s fine.”

  I’m unable to respond before he leans forward and places a chaste kiss on my lips. I don’t kiss him back.

  “I can’t.”

  “I know. Ashton, I am going to continue to apologize to you for everything I’ve done to hurt you. Four years ago, two weeks ago, all of it.” Putting his hand on the side of my face, fingers in my hair, Jameson looks in my eyes. Tears begin to well as I struggle to find a way to respond.

  This is that moment in a book or a movie. The moment that the girl tells the boy she loves him. The moment that the couple gets their happily ever after. That’s the problem. This isn’t a book and it isn’t a movie. This is my life and this is where I rebuild the wall around my heart. This man broke me once and I’m on the verge of letting him do that again. I can’t. Won’t.

  “I want more, Ashton. I don’t want us to just be there to help the other relax. I don’t want to only spend time together late at night without anyone knowing. I want us to see where this goes. Take a chance on me, Ashton.”

  “I can’t, Jameson. I’m not strong enough to do this. I’m sorry,” I say, letting the first tear fall as I stand from the couch. Walking away, I realize I have no idea where I’m going to sleep, but it doesn’t matter. It’s only a few steps down the hall before I locate a guest room. Closing the door behind me, I lie on the bed and cry myself to sleep.