by Jillian Dodd
There’s movement on the stairs. I hurry over to the sink to wash my face.
“Good morning.” Lakelyn looks a little dazed, a little sleepy, but extremely happy when she joins us. “What’s for breakfast?”
If only all of life’s questions were so easily answered.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
A huge crush.
Carter
We said our good-byes to Vale’s family on Sunday, and then AJ, Vale, and I flew back to LA.
I tried to get her to keep the ring, but she insisted on giving it back. She said she wanted to think about everything without the pressure. Without having to sit and stare at it.
But I have a sneaking suspicion the real reason she gave it back. Because she wants a real proposal. Not one we made up.
And she deserves it.
Although she wants to think about what her life will look like if we are together, I don’t have to do that. I already know I want to be with her. To love her. For a very long time. And I hope that she will come to the same conclusion.
Fortunately for me, I haven’t had much time to sit around and ponder life. It’s been a crazy week and a half. Signing AJ. The big announcement. Talking to companies about possible endorsements. Talking to all the teams about him. Going over more than just his stats, like what he brings to the team from a leadership standpoint. You’d think you would only have to focus on the teams with the first few picks in the draft, but you never know when a team is going to trade up for a pick.
AJ flashes a smile from his side of my desk. “This all feels so surreal. I can’t believe I got married and left my bride the next day to come out here. It’s been a whirlwind.”
“You’re lucky you graduated in December. Otherwise, you’d be trying to study for finals in the midst of this.”
“I’ll be honest, I’m getting a little nervous. Not so much about when I get drafted or where, but being on TV. I know I told you I took acting classes when I was young, but this is different. I won’t be acting. This is my real life. My future.”
“Lakelyn and I will be right by your side the opening night of the draft,” I say with a grin, “as will your parents.”
“You’re right,” he says, taking a deep breath.
“But just in case you’re still freaking out, I have a little surprise for you today.”
His eyes get big, like he can’t take much more uncertainty right now. “What kind of surprise?” he asks tentatively.
“While I do my job and talk you up all day, you’re going to hang out with my brothers and their wives—Cade and Palmer, Cash and Ashlyn—and a few other special guests. Some friends of ours.”
“What kind of friends?”
“Well, let’s see. Palmer’s brother is Pike Montlake.”
“Holy shit,” he says.
“Yep. And Palmer, you might know, was on a TV series with Ashlyn and Jennifer Edwards—”
“Who is married to Danny Diamond!”
“And who happens to be in town. Also in attendance will be Harper and Maddox Harper.”
“I’m speechless. Really, Carter.”
“All these guys have been exactly where you are now. Other than Danny, who got drafted as predicted, the others went off plan simply because the teams keep what they want close to the vest. It’s all part of the teams’ draft strategies.”
My intercom buzzes, and my assistant says, “Ashlyn is here to see you now.”
“Oh jeez. Ashlyn Roberts? Take a deep breath, AJ,” he says to himself. “I had a huge crush on her, growing up.”
Ashlyn breezes in. “So?” she says. “Does fate still say you’re an idiot?”
“Probably,” I say with a sigh.
I haven’t heard from Vale since I dropped her off at her place and she told me she needed time. When I asked how much, she said she needed some space and would call me when she was ready to talk. Then she took off the ring and gave it back to me.
Not wanting to be ambivalent while still respecting her wishes, I sent a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, just signed with my name.
And although the florist said they handed them directly to her, she hasn’t said a word to me.
If it wasn’t for AJ sitting in my office, I might almost believe I’d dreamed the whole wedding weekend.
“Ash, this is AJ Barnett. AJ, meet Ashlyn. And please, try to take it easy on him,” I warn.
“Ah, come on, Carter. You know we will. I mean, we will probably drill him about his, uh, recent nuptials. About certain members of his family.”
I roll my eyes as she pats AJ’s forearm.
“Come on, big guy. Let’s get you ready for the draft.”
She turns back to me. “Question.”
“Yes?”
“What’s he wearing?”
“We haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“Perfect. I have to stop to pick up a dress on our way home. Why don’t you let me get him all fixed up?”
“I didn’t even stop to think about what I’d wear. I don’t want anything flashy, like some guys wear. It’s just not me, and I’d get a truckload of shit about it from my family.”
Ashlyn sizes him up and looks at me. “I’m thinking a well-tailored suit, navy blue. A fun tie. Tennis shoes?”
“No way,” AJ says. “Not with a suit.”
“I like your style. Dress shoes it is. Plus, that will give us time to talk.”
What did I get myself into?
“Uh, look, I don’t have time to tell the family this, so you’re going to have to do it. AJ, Ash, take a seat real quick.”
“What’s up?” Ashlyn says.
I sit back down in my chair, hands clasped behind my neck. “I’m sorry in advance for what I’m about to tell you both. I don’t normally lie, but—”
AJ smirks at me. “You finally gonna fess up that you and Vale weren’t really engaged at my wedding? That you only pretended to be, so her dad wouldn’t be so hard on her? I knew you had planned to propose to her on New Year’s Eve, but that when you got there, she was kissing someone else, and you left. And I know that when she called you a few days later, you told her you weren’t interested in her anymore. I also know that neither one of you has gotten over it.”
I rock back so hard that it almost tips the chair over.
“I don’t understand,” I say to AJ. “You knew?”
“I know now,” he corrects, taking a seat. “Lakelyn overheard Vale tell their mom about the fake engagement the morning after the wedding.” He looks sheepish, slightly embarrassed. “I knew the part about what had happened on New Year’s Eve. We sort of pieced it all together. We didn’t know your family didn’t know though. Sorry.”
“Mrs. Martin did give me an extra-tight hug when we left now that I think about it,” I say.
“We won’t tell anyone,” AJ assures me.
“Speak for yourself,” Ashlyn says. “I can’t keep secrets from the family.”
I roll my eyes.
AJ looks at Ashlyn conspiratorially and says to her, “Vale also said she loves Carter and wants to marry him. But that she doesn’t know how to combine their lives.”
“Sounds like she needs some convincing,” Ashlyn says with a big grin.
I tent my fingers under my chin, thinking. “It sounds like I need to explain a few things to the Martins first.”
“Getting her father’s blessing before you propose again would be a big gesture. What a happy coincidence that we’ll be stopping in Iowa on our way to the draft to pick up Lakelyn. Maybe you could carve out some time to visit a certain farm.”
Ashlyn narrows her eyes at me. “We need in on this too. Come on, AJ. Let’s go get you all gussied up for the draft. You can talk sports with the boys, and then we can plan out Carter’s life for him.”
This causes AJ to laugh. “I thought I was going to be all starstruck over you. But you’re funny. Let’s go.”
“Look, I’ve got some calls to make. I’ll touch base with you later.”
The
second they leave, I call my parents.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Back on a plane.
Carter
The professional draft in New York City was an exciting event, as always.
Ashlyn had AJ and Lakelyn both dressed appropriately, and our stop in Iowa went well.
AJ ended up going to LA when they traded with Atlanta to get him for the fourth pick overall.
Lakelyn is thrilled, knowing she’ll be living near her sister, and AJ, Ashlyn, and Cash have become fast friends.
Which brings me to where I am now.
Back on a plane.
This time with most of my family.
They are raucous and excited, but I’m just a nervous wreck.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Girl’s only.
Vale
It’s Saturday, and I’m having a lazy morning. I got up, got ready, got coffee, and then came back to the house I’m leasing to figure out my plans for today. High on the list is spending the day at the beach.
Possibly a specific beach, where a certain Crawford brother lives.
I think it’s about time I give him my answer.
I’m throwing a towel and a few essentials in a bag. If things go the way I hope they do with Carter, I won’t be coming home tonight.
Although I should probably call him and not just show up.
But at the same time, if fate wants me to tell him today, he’ll be there.
The doorbell rings, and I open my front door to find my little sister and Ashlyn Roberts standing there.
“What are you doing here?” I ask them.
“Did you really not watch the draft?” Lakelyn says.
“Oh no,” I reply, feeling bad. “I’ve been busy with work and all. Did it go well?”
“Hell yeah!” Ashlyn says, throwing her arm around Lakelyn. “We get her here in LA with us!”
“Wait a minute. How do you two know each other?” I ask.
“Oh, I can answer that,” Ashlyn says, holding up her hand like she’s a student in class. “AJ was nervous about the actual draft process itself. You know, going to the Big Apple. Being on television. Trying to not look disappointed if he didn’t get chosen at a certain spot, to a certain team, that kind of thing. So, Carter set up a little get-together with me and Cash, Palmer and Cade, Harper and Maddox, and Jennifer and Danny Diamond. We all got along famously. Oh, and I also helped him pick out the suit he wore to the draft, and he helped me pick out a dress for Lakelyn to wear. Show her, Lake.”
Lakelyn pulls out her phone and flashes a photo of her and AJ. They are such a handsome couple. And Ashlyn did good. AJ’s suit is tailored to perfectly fit his large frame, and Lakelyn looks stunning.
“Do you think we could come in?” my sister finally asks.
“Sorry. I, well, you surprised me, is all. Of course. I’m sorry the place is kind of messy. The cleaners don’t come until tomorrow, and I still haven’t unpacked.”
“Are you filming?” Ashlyn asks.
“Not for two more weeks,” I tell her. “Just photo shoots for the role right now. A few other jobs. Trying to get everything done before all that starts.”
“So, you’ve been busy,” Lakelyn observes.
“Uh, yep,” I say even though it’s not really true.
I have been working but not as much as I’m making it sound like. I’ve been practicing controlled breathing, doing yoga, working, and then coming home, cooking dinner for myself, and doing some soul-searching. Trying to make thoughtful decisions about my life.
Carter hasn’t called. Probably because I told him not to.
He did send a gorgeous bouquet of flowers but didn’t sign them with anything other than his name.
Part of me wants him to show up at my house, sweep me into his arms, and kiss me, so we can live our happily ever after.
The other part of me is glad he’s giving me the time.
I’ve needed it to try to unravel my thoughts. My goals. My life.
Three days ago, I had an epiphany and figured it all out. The moment that everything had gotten messed up.
I’d wanted to have kids my whole life. I loved babysitting for the neighbors. And I was like the Pied Piper when kids were around. They were always drawn to me. And I loved it.
It wasn’t until my senior year in high school when Trent was pushing to get more serious, when he wanted to name our babies and plan our life, that I freaked out. I knew then that I wanted to go away for a while. College. Something. I wanted to see the world. A world that didn’t include him. I think I knew deep down that he was always only going to be my high school boyfriend.
And when he pressured me for bigger commitments, like sex, all I could think about was that there was no way I was going to risk my dreams for a few moments of pleasure with a man who wasn’t my true love. Add that to the fact that I thought my mother was just a workhorse to my dad and was stuck in a situation she didn’t want to be in, it’s no wonder I held on to my dreams so tightly. It killed me when my father didn’t support me. But even that hadn’t stopped me.
And in that moment, I knew that I wasn’t going to allow those old fears to hold me back any longer. I knew exactly what I wanted—to be with Carter. To figure out a life together.
I considered going to his house right away to tell him of my decision, but I decided to wait. To make sure.
The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him again.
So, I took some time. And during that time, I planned it all out. I thought about what it would be like, being married to Carter. Where we might live—preferably Carter’s Malibu beach house. Our wedding. Believe it or not, I’m even thinking of asking to build a vacation home on the family farm.
I’ve thought if I want kids and, if so, how many. And I could see Carter and me with kids—a boy and a girl. I’d even like to get a dog.
And I am pretty sure that I’m going to ask Carter to marry me.
The doorbell rings again.
“That must be them!” Lakelyn yells out and then swings open my front door, revealing my older sisters, Brooke and Raine.
“You’re here too?” I ask, thrilled to see them.
We hug. They get introduced to Ashlyn, and then Lakelyn says, “We’re holding an intervention.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means, you have probably been sitting around for weeks, thinking about Carter Crawford,” Ashlyn says. “I’m married to a Crawford, so trust me, I understand the appeal. But things weren’t easy for me and Cash either. It’s hard to give someone your heart, even when you love them. It’s scary, right?”
“It is,” I agree.
“So, we’ve decided that we’re taking you on a girls’ weekend!”
“We’re going to drink. Spa. Eat all sorts of food. And dessert with every meal!” Lakelyn yells.
“Really?” And I can’t help but grin.
My sisters are here. Ashlyn is here. A girls’ weekend sounds perfect.
“Yes, really,” Brooke says. “You need to pack quick. Our driver is waiting for us.”
“Where are we going again?” I ask Ashlyn as we’re in my room and she’s pulling outfits out of my closet.
“Just up the coast,” she says.
Once I’m packed and ready to go, we load up in a black SUV and get driven to a small airport that caters to private planes. The same one Carter uses.
Actually, I think, as we drive out onto the tarmac, the jet that we’re heading toward looks a lot like Carter’s.
Could he be on it?
My heart starts to race with excitement.
But all I can seem to mutter out is, “Um …”
“To answer your question,” Ashlyn says, “yes, we’re borrowing Carter’s plane. But don’t tell him.”
I laugh out loud. I know her and Cash’s story.
I raise an eyebrow at her. “From what I understand, you’ve borrowed his plane before.”
“You bet I did.” She turns to my sisters. “You proba
bly haven’t heard my and Cash’s love story, but we met at a wedding. Harper and Maddox’s wedding, specifically. I knew Carter. We were friends, and Cade was my agent, but I had never met Cash before. At the wedding, my boyfriend broke up with me. I got drunk. Cash showed up. Called me hot ass in that sexy, deep voice of his, and next thing I knew, we’d hooked up, gone to Vegas, and gotten married.”
“You what?” Brooke says.
She’s by far the most sensible of all of us kids. Never got into trouble.
“It’s true!” Ashlyn gushes. “We decided at the wedding—well, I decided—that it was going to be a no-names night. We made up names for each other. I was Hot Ass, and he was Sexy. Those were the names we used in our wedding vows!” she hoots. “Anyway, we had a sexy-as-hell wedding night, and then I snuck out in the morning. Even though I was already in love with him, I had no clue who he was. And get this,” she says, slapping Raine’s arm, “he told me he was from Seattle—which was where he had been working but he had just taken a job with Cade as a junior talent agent. And his first job was to babysit me.” She laughs some more. “And … and … Cade told him he absolutely under no circumstances was to sleep with me. After we’d already done it so many times.”
“Wait!” Brooke says. “You got engaged on that talk show, right? His whole family was there?”
“Yes, we did. I was a bit of a mess when we met. Had some issues from my past that I had to work out.”
“And he did that adorable video of you sleeping and said he didn’t Vegas love you—that he loved you.”
“Actually, he said, ‘I have a confession to make. I don’t just Vegas love this girl. I’m madly, impetuously, stupidly, happily, crazy in love with her.’ ” She clasps her hands together dreamily. “Aren’t love stories so romantic?” But then Ashlyn laughs again. “At least they are once they work out. While we were trying to figure our shit out, it was kind of a nightmare. I didn’t know what to do. He seemed too perfect to be true.”