by Kennedy Fox
Just as I turn my head, Jackson is walking through the door with a smirk on his face. He sees Courtney, and his eyes widen. “Dang, little sis. Didn’t know you were bringing a gun show to the party,” he tells her, looking at Courtney’s sleeveless shirt.
“If you don’t watch it, you might get shot.” She balls her fist up, then pulls Jackson into her arms. The two of them have always had a special relationship, hell Courtney has a special relationship with all of us considering she’s the only girl and wanted to be a part of what the boys were always doing. Evan eventually makes his way over, and for the first time in too long, all the Bishop kids are together. Mama runs over with Dad and stops someone to take a photo of the group of us, with our significant others. The triplets make funny faces, and Jackson plays along, doing the same.
“Now, can we take a serious one?” Mama asks with a smile, but she’s not kidding. Just before the photo is taken, all of us make faces, which only annoys her more. “I knew I shoulda never asked.” Mama thanks the woman and looks at the photo with so much admiration that it warms my heart. She turns the phone around to show us. “Look at my beautiful family.”
Somehow everyone slips away and leaves Mila and me there with Mama. “So we need to start planning that wedding, so I can get some more grandkids out of this deal.”
Mila’s cheeks redden. “Marriage before babies. We’re trying to find the perfect date. And you can go ahead and hand over your plastic ring.”
“Mila, honey. You know I didn’t keep that ring for more than five seconds. But a serious question, how many kids do you want?”
“Mama! Can we not talk about this now?”
Mila laughs. “Four or five,” she answers. “Maybe six,” she adds, and now I know she’s trying to appease her.
Mama nods her head, then pats me on the shoulder. “I knew I liked her a lot.”
Looking down at her watch, Mama gasps. “We need to get this party started now.”
Gifts cover the table, and I already know Mama has several games planned for the party. Just as we’re walking over to where Emily and Evan are opening presents, I grab Mila’s hand.
“Told you so,” I tell her.
“Well, then let’s just elope and start poppin’ babies out,” she teases.
“I can have you knocked up before the Fourth of July.” I wink, and she laughs.
After going through the food line, we find a place to sit and realize we’re right next to Kiera and Trent. I give Trent a handshake and Kiera a side squeeze.
“Hey y’all,” Mila says.
Kiera is over the moon right now wearing a shirt with the words Maid of Honor printed across the chest. “I am so happy for Emily. Finally, my best friend is getting everything she’s ever wanted and deserves.”
We watch as Emily opens lingerie and household items along with gift cards. Evan sits next to her, making a list of everything, and the way they look at each other has me pulling Mila even closer. After the gifts are opened, and Mama’s served the cake, we’re all forced to play games. By the time we’ve made our way around the room for the wedding scavenger hunt, I notice Kiera has about ten plastic rings on her fingers.
“Hold your rings close,” I whisper to Mila. “Kiera is a savage. Look how many she has.”
Mila bursts into laughter then shows me her hands, and she has just as many.
“Oh my God, you are too,” I tell her.
“So the goal is to get all of Kiera’s rings, so then I can win.” She’s always been competitive, but she has a crazy look in her eye that makes me burst out into laughter.
Jackson walks up and shows all the rings he’s stolen from people too. “You’re falling behind a little, brother,” he tells me, wiggling his fingers.
“Looks like you are,” Mila bumps him and shows all the ones she’s gotten.
Kiera walks up and sees all their rings, and that’s when I know the competition is really about to be on. Jackson teases her, trying to get her to say the magic words, but she doesn’t dare. Though Trent is close by, Jackson openly flirts with her, and if I didn’t know better, she’s flirting back.
“You better stop it, Jackson Bishop.” She laughs as he tries to tickle the words out of her.
He looks over at Mila.
“Don’t you dare lay a pinky on her, or I’ll break your fingers off,” I warn with a smile, but I’m not joking.
“Emily’s gonna sure make a beautiful…” Jackson looks at Kiera.
“You’re not tricking me out of this prize, Jackson.” She places her hand on his chest, just as Trent comes up from behind her. I’m standing so close I can hear him whisper the word ‘wedding’ in her ear. Kiera’s face lights up, and she gasps real big then turns around with her hands on her hips. My mouth and everyone else’s basically falls to the floor when we see Trent on one knee holding a black box with an engagement ring inside. She covers her hands over her mouth, and when I see Emily walking over smiling, I knew this was all planned from the beginning.
“Kiera, my love. I’ve waited my whole life to find a woman like you. You make the bad times good and the good times better. You’re beautiful, caring, and my other half—my true soul mate. You make me want to be a better man and being loved by you is my greatest accomplishment. I can’t imagine my life without you in it, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Kiera Young, will you marry me?”
Kiera nods her head and goes to him, kissing him—long and hard. They basically topple over on the ground, and I see tears falling down her cheeks. The whole room erupts into applause. Emily hugs her and tells her congratulations, and I think everyone is just as surprised as Kiera. Totally unexpected.
“Were you in on this?” Kiera asks Emily, wiping her cheeks.
“The whole time.” Emily smiles and looks over at Trent who thanks her again for her help.
“You are so sneaky.” Kiera squeezes her tight again. Happiness radiates from her, and while I’m happy, I’m quite shocked.
I glance around the room, and that’s when my eyes meet Jackson’s. He looks as if he’s seen a ghost, and for him, I’m sure it’s more like a nightmare. His hands are balled into fists, and I can tell he’s steaming. Jackson’s been drinking, as we all have, but he looks like he’s ready for a fight. Since Mila is chatting with Kiera and Emily and the whole crowd, I take the opportunity to step away. Taking a deep breath, I go to him.
“You okay?” His eyes meet mine, and I already know the answer to that.
“Is he fucking serious? It’s rude and tacky to propose during someone else’s party. Kiera deserves better than that shit,” he tells me, his emotions bubbling over. “I should go over there and punch his pretty boy face in.”
I grab his shoulder and squeeze. “Emily knew and even helped with the plan.”
His eyes meet mine, and I know he’s crushed. “I need to get some fresh air.”
“Want me to come with you?” I ask, though I know it might be better for him to be alone, to process what this really means.
“Nah. I need some space right now.” Jackson shakes his head, looks at Kiera who’s happily showing off her ring, then walks out the door.
I suck in a deep breath, and Evan finds me. “Is he okay?”
“No. He’s not.” I put on a smile when Kiera makes her way over to us and tell her congrats.
“I’m so happy,” she tells Evan. “Thank you for this. I’ll never forget it.”
Kiera meets Mama’s open arms, and I glance over at Evan. “You knew the whole time?”
He holds up his hands in defense. “Kiera and Emily are best friends. Happy wife, happy life. There was no way I even had a fight in that. Also, Jackson’s dumb ass has had plenty of opportunities to be with Kiera.” Evan gives me a stern look. “He’s always said it’s too late, and well, now it really might be.”
The party continues, and after a while, Evan and Emily thank everyone for showing up. Once it’s time to go, I look around the room and notice Jackson never returned. Mila
notices too.
“Is Jackson going to be okay?” she asks after we say goodbye to everyone and walk toward the truck.
I suck in a deep breath. “Honestly. I don’t know. I’ve never seen him so distraught before.”
We climb in, buckle up, and Mila looks out the window. “I almost feel sorry for him, but this is kinda his fault.”
“I know,” I tell her with a small smile. “You know, I love you, right?”
“You know I love you more.”
“No, you don’t. There’s no way.”
Before heading home, we pick up Maize from the sitter and spend the whole afternoon being together. It’s moments like these that I love and look forward to every single day. I’m so grateful I found a woman who makes me feel whole again, who loves me with every inch of her being. The thought brings me back to my brother, and I feel sad for him because out of all of us, he hasn’t really experienced love like this.
Or perhaps he has, which is why he’s so heartbroken. He’s probably loved Kiera most of his life but could never admit it.
Once we arrive at the house, I can’t stop thinking about Jackson and the look on his face before he left. I send him a text, checking on him, but he doesn’t respond to it. Ten minutes later, I try calling him, but it goes straight to voicemail, which means he’s probably drinking his pain away or finding someone’s bed to crawl into. I send him one more text, hoping he’ll see it once he turns his phone back on.
John: Dude, call me, okay? I’m worried about you.
The evening fades into night, and after we put Maize to bed, Mila and I hold each other like tomorrow will never come. Our lips mingle together, and soon we’re making love. Being with her so intimately is indescribable. The passion soars between us, and by the time we’re both satiated, we’re exhausted and fall asleep naked.
Rolling over, I nuzzle my face in the crook of Mila’s neck and am woken by the sound of my phone vibrating on the table next to the bed. I peel my eyes open and see an unknown number on my phone and realize it’s nearly two in the morning. I hurry and answer it.
“John?” I hear Jackson ask, or at least I think it’s Jackson.
“Yeah? What’s up?”
There’s a long pause, and he clears his throat. “I need you to bail me out of jail.”
I sit up in bed. “What? Are you okay?”
Mila stirs beside me, her eyes fluttering open, but it’s evident she’s just as concerned as I am.
He sounds like he’s in rough shape, his voice raspy and low, so I ask again if everything is okay.
“I’ll tell you when you get here. Just promise you won’t tell Mama.”
Thank you for reading CHASING HIM! This is the conclusion to John and Mila’s story, but don’t worry because you’ll see more of them and the whole Bishop family in Jackson’s book next!
You can preorder Keeping Him today!
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If you loved the Bishop Brothers then we think you’ll love the Checkmate Duet Series! Each duet can be read as a standalone series. Find them on Amazon here.
Continue reading for the Keeping Him synopsis!
This is the conclusion to John and Mila’s story, but don’t worry because you’ll see more of them and the whole Bishop family in the epic conclusion in Jackson’s book!
Swipe to read the Keeping Him synopsis!
PREORDER HERE
Jackson Bishop is your typical playboy.
Unpredictable, charming, and overly confident.
Growing up in Texas, the ranch life is all he’s ever known. Horses and late night partying are his lifestyles, and all the local girls know it too. Riding lessons aren’t the only things taught at the stables, and he makes sure clients never leave unsatisfied. Everyone knows Jackson’s a wild card, but not everything is as it seems. He may be a womanizer on the surface, but he’s hiding deep feelings about the one who’s had his heart since he was a teen. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as roping her in and claiming her as his.
Kiera Young is well-known for her sassy nature and outgoing personality. Though she’s one of the best horse trainers in the area, she’s never been able to tame her best friend and the man she’s secretly loved since she was fifteen—Jackson Bishop. She’s waited years for him to confess his true feelings but as time goes on, she decides she’s done waiting. Kiera finally meets a man who promises to give her the world, and when he pops the question, she says yes—knowing they’re both ready to settle down and start a family.
Even if her heart beats for another man.
Jackson’s certain he’s lost Kiera for good and has no one to blame but himself. However, on the day of her wedding, he can’t bring himself to watch the woman he loves walk down the aisle to someone else. Kiera’s already having second thoughts and knows she can’t get married without his support. It’s not until she’s at the altar that she realizes she can’t let Jackson go and will do whatever it takes to keep him—even if it means running out on her own wedding.
PREORDER HERE
Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. They share a love of You’ve Got Mail and The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, quirky, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you! They’re looking forward to bringing you many more stories to fall in love with!
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AN ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS DUET
TRAVIS & VIOLA
Checkmate: This is War
Checkmate: This is Love
A FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS DUET
DREW & COURTNEY
Checkmate: This is Reckless
Checkmate: This is Effortless
A SECOND-CHANCE ROMANCE DUET
LOGAN & KAYLA
Checkmate: This is Dangerous
Checkmate: This is Beautiful
BISHOP BROTHERS SERIES
Taming Him
Needing Him
Chasing Him
Keeping Him
BEDTIME READS SERIES
Falling for the Bad Boy
Falling for the F*ck Boy
Falling for the Playboy
Falling for the Cowboy
FIND THE ENTIRE KENNEDY FOX READING ORDER HERE