Nate laughed. “She would text you. I bet she wants a report back too, huh?”
Austin grunted. “Yup. Predictable, that one is.”
“I guess I’ll have to ask you to cover for me then.”
“You gonna give me a good reason I’m lying to my sister?”
“I hope so. Listen, I know your favorite pastime is busting my balls, but I’d like for you to be serious for two seconds here.”
“That was two seconds,” Austin deadpanned.
“I’m going to ask Dani to marry me,” Nate told him, going for broke.
“And you’re telling me on the phone? Bad form, man. I thought we respected each other more than that.”
“Listen, you’ll have to give me a break here. I’ve been nervous, and I was thinking I wouldn’t ask her for a while, but after talking with your mom and Reece, I think it’s—”
“Wait. What?” Austin asked cutting him off. “You talked to Ma?”
“Well, yeah. Usually a guy would ask the dad if it’s okay to marry their daughter, but Dani doesn’t respect your father, so I wanted Laura’s blessing.”
“What did my niece have to say?”
“Nothing you would like.”
“Humor me.”
Nate sighed. “That I could play mommies and daddies with Dani.”
“Shit.”
“It’s not what you think it means.”
“I don’t want to hear it, bro. Listen, you treat my sister better than anyone ever will. She loves you and heaven knows why you love her, but fuck, it works. So, you can marry her. I’d threaten you, but I think you’d kick your own ass.”
“So is that a yes?” Nate asked.
“Welcome to the family.”
11
Nate Larson and his girlfriend Danielle King were spotted out in Chicago this weekend. Some say they didn’t look too happy. That leaves us wondering if the honeymoon phase is over and there’s trouble in paradise. Danielle is the sister of Nate’s bandmate, Austin King. That could get dicey if things go south.
* * *
Dani looked around and over at Nate, who was driving them out of the city. Maybe they were going back into the city. Hell, she never knew where they were when she was in Chicago. They could go in circles, and she’d never realize the difference. Nate told her once that the city was easy to navigate and understand once you got the hang of it, but she hadn’t reached that point.
“Where are we headed?” she asked.
“To eat.”
Nate fidgeted beside her. As the buildings passed them by, Dani wondered what was going on with him. He’d been acting strange all night. She had heard him on the phone that morning talking with Sarah. It had turned into a big fight when Dani got mad. If he hadn’t snuck off to call Sarah, it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal. But when Dani found him off in a corner whispering and then changing the subject when she came in the room, she was suspicious.
The argument got heated and ugly fast. Thank goodness his parents had Reece over visiting Cooper. The things they’d said to each other were horrible, and she still hated that she’d overreacted. However, when she thought about the relationship he had with Sarah, she always got insecure. Dani could call it for what it was. This was all her fault. But now Nate was upset, and she was mad that she couldn’t make things right.
“Listen, I’m sorry about earlier, but—”
“When you put a ‘but’ in an apology, it usually means you’re full of it,” Nate said cutting her off. “Why can’t you just be sorry? Why does there have to be any kind of follow-up to that?”
Dani sat stunned. This wasn’t the man who loved her unconditionally. Her Nate would never act like this. “What about you? You’re the one sneaking off making phone calls all the time. What do you expect?”
“We already went over this. Do you want to fight again?”
“No, but I don’t get it.”
“I’m trying to propose to you,” Nate all but growled. “If you showed up with a ring and I hadn’t called your brother, he’d kick my ass. I called Sarah because I needed her help to set everything up for tonight.”
Well shit. “Oh.”
“Yeah. You’re wondering why I’ve been nervous the past several days? That’s why. Sorry I couldn’t be all smooth like all the other guys around, but it’s a big fucking deal, and I wanted it to be right. I wanted to make sure everyone important in your life was on board. Now that the cat’s outta the bag, I should give you the ring, and we can be done with this whole stupid mess.”
“Nate—”
“Just… don’t. I think maybe we should call it a night.”
Nate was going to ask her to marry him? That’s why he’d been all out of sorts. He’d been on the phone trying to talk to Austin and arrange a nice night out for her, and because she couldn’t let it all be, she had ruined it.
“If you’re still up for it, I’d like to go to dinner,” she told him.
“Yeah, all right.”
Nate tossed and turned in bed. He’d always promised himself that he’d never go to bed angry, and he’d broken that promise. He wasn’t angry at Dani anymore, more disappointed and hurt. No matter how much they talked about the situation, it always took a turn downhill. That’s when Nate decided it might be best to let it go for the time being and talk about it later. He was certain both of them were caught up in the middle of it too much, and they weren’t thinking right.
It sounded good in theory, but as he lay next to Dani, not talking to her, not touching her, his world had shifted out of place, and it made him uneasy. He wished they could go back in time and get a do-over, but those didn’t happen. So now he was stuck being miserable until he could figure out where they were going from here.
Glancing at the clock, he saw it was getting close to six. There was no way he was going back to sleep, not like he’d gotten any, anyway. Quietly he got up out of bed, careful not to disturb Dani, and made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He made himself a cup of coffee in his parents’ single-serving coffee maker, waited for it to brew, and took it to the outdoor patio. It was still cool, but with his sweats and the jacket he’d grabbed, he’d be okay. He hoped it’d help him clear his head.
He wasn’t sure how long he’d been out there, but his coffee was gone, and he was getting cold when the door behind him opened. He didn’t have to look to know it was Dani.
“You’re going to freeze out here.”
“I’m used to it,” he told her.
“You don’t live here on a regular basis anymore, and you can’t tell me LA is cold like this.”
“Yes, Mom.”
She sighed. “I don’t want to fight anymore. I didn’t want to in the first place.”
Nate finally looked over at her, and she looked as bad as he felt. “Really?”
“Believe it or not, I was more hurt than angry.”
“Me too,” he admitted to her.
Dani came over and crawled into his lap. She had brought a blanket out with her, and she wrapped it around them. Nate pulled her close. Even if they were at odds, he still loved her, and he wanted things to be okay between them.
“Last night was awful,” she said after they were situated. “Can we talk about this so we don’t have to do that again?”
“I’m not sure where to start anymore.”
“I talked to Mom just now. She told me I was a dumbass and needed to check myself.”
Nate chuckled. “I can’t see Laura saying dumbass.”
“Oh, she’s been known to say it from time to time when the situation calls for it.” They sat quietly for a moment before Dani continued. “You really asked my mom for permission to marry me?”
“And Austin and Reece too.”
Dani sat back a little so she could look him in the eye. “You asked my daughter if you could marry me?”
“I wanted to make sure she’d be okay with it, well, as much as she can at this age. It’s important that all the people in your life know that I lov
e you and want to give you the best life you can have.”
“I’m so sorry I ruined everything. I’m not good with relationships, and I’ve been trying to open up more, but it’s still hard for me,” she admitted. “I heard you talking with Sarah, and it made me wonder if I wasn’t enough. You two are so close, so open with each other, and she gives you things I can’t.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he told her. “You give me everything I want and need. If I had to go through life without you, there would be no one else. You’re one of a kind. I get why you’re guarded, why you keep things inside, but I see the love in the things you do every day. The way you care for Reece, always ordering my favorite pizza even though you hate it, and the way you’re so selfless. You always put Reece’s needs above your own when it comes to her extended family. You stuck by my side when I was on tour when it would have been easier to call it quits. I love that you’re a fighter when your heart is involved. If that doesn’t show you know how to love, that you do love, I’m not sure what does.”
“You see all that in me?”
“I do. I wish you would see it too.”
“Nathan Elliot Larson, you are the most amazing man on this earth. If I looked the world over, I would never find anyone else like you. I’m not sure why you picked me and my daughter, but we would be honored to have you. Will you marry us?”
Nate sat stunned looking at Dani. He wasn’t sure what just happened. He had planned a whole romantic dinner, a nice walk where they would overlook the skyline of Chicago, and then he’d get down on one knee. But this woman with her hair up in a messy bun, sitting on his lap, wrapped in a blanket said it all.
Dani chewed on her bottom lip looking unsure. “I guess it’s too soon, but I really mean all that.”
“No, I mean, no, it’s not too soon. I will absolutely marry you. You surprised me, in a good way. Dani, do you mean this? You want to get married?”
“I want it more than anything. There’s no one I want to be by my side as I raise Reece, no one who would understand and honor Chris the way you do. You make me feel loved even when I don’t deserve it. You were the one who showed me I didn’t have to go through my life alone, and I like living my life with you.”
“I like living life with you too.”
“So is that a yes?” she asked.
“You bet it is.”
Nate’s hand wrapped around Dani’s neck as he brought her in for a kiss. After spending the evening not touching her, he had to show her they were okay. Her soft lips met his, and they parted as he pulled her bottom lip into his mouth, lightly sucking on it. Much before he wanted to, he gave her a light kiss and rested his forehead on hers.
“I’m going to get so much shit for this,” he said with a smile.
“Never a dull moment with us.”
12
Racers got the surprise of a lifetime when Innominate band member KT Parker showed up at a local 10K race in Texas this past weekend with his girlfriend Megan James. The pair ran the race and KT stayed behind to sign autographs after he crossed the finish line. Megan finished four minutes before him and was seen cheering him on as he finished the race.
* * *
Dani couldn’t believe she’d ask Nate to marry her. Of all the crazy things she’d done in her life, that wouldn’t have been on her radar. He hadn’t given her the ring yet. He’d tried, but she told him to keep it. Nate deserved a do over. He had tried to plan something special for her, and it was ruined. She wanted him to have the chance to do something if he wanted to. She’d be happy no matter what he did. He could toss it to her over the bed, but that wouldn’t be his style.
“Knock, knock,” Amy said from the door of the room they were sharing.
Dani looked up from making the bed and smiled. “Hey.”
“Doug and I were thinking it might be fun if we all went to the park today. Reece seems to enjoy it, and it would be nice to spend time together with everyone.”
“I’d like that,” she told Amy. “What did Nate say?”
“I haven’t even said anything to him. He’s down there playing with Reece, and if I even mentioned it, she’d get really excited.”
“You know her so well. She would have already been out the door and half way there by now.”
“That’s how Wil was all the time. You better not mention something unless you were ready to go.”
“I just need a couple more minutes, and I’ll be ready.”
Nate’s mom smiled at her. “Great. I’ll pack up some snacks, and we can go when you get finished.”
When Dani made her way downstairs, she found Reece and Nate sitting together, reading a book. Their backs were to her, so they hadn’t seen her come in the room. She took the time to watch the pair, Nate sitting with his feet up in a recliner, and her daughter sitting on his lap, resting against his chest. As she watched the pair together, Dani thought about how perfect he was in her life. She never thought she’d find someone for herself, someone she’d trust enough to let in because they would have to love her daughter just as much as they loved her. Nate not only had shown her he loved her unconditionally, but he also loved Reece like she was his own.
“Why you sad, Momma?”
Nate looked back from where he was sitting with a concerned look on his face.
“I’m not sad, baby. I’m happy,” she told her daughter as she wiped away the tears. “You want to go to the park?”
“Play park?”
“Yup.”
“Yay!” Reece yelled as she jumped up from Nate’s lap and ran out of the room. He was sure she was headed to get her shoes.
“You okay?” Nate asked as he came up in front of her and pulled her into his arms.
“Perfect.”
His eyebrow rose as he looked over at her. “Why’d you look so sad then?”
“I’m not sad. These are happy tears. You with Reece—it warms my heart.”
“Being with her makes me happy.”
“Hug!” Reece yelled as she hugged both their legs.
Nate reached down and grabbed Reece, pulling her up in his arms. “You still need a jacket. Let’s go get that so we can go.”
Dani watched as the pair made their way toward the mud room to grab her jacket.
“They’re quite the duo. Aren’t they?” Amy asked.
“You should see them back home. The two of them will sit and draw or read together.”
“We ready to go?” Doug asked from the door. “We aren’t getting any younger.”
Reece ran through the house and grabbed onto Doug’s hand. Without a word, the pair turned and left for the park. It looked like Reece was working her way into all of their lives.
“I’ve been worried about you, son.”
Nate looked over at his dad. “Shouldn’t it be the other way around? You’re the one who took a bullet.”
“You giving me a hard time?”
“Maybe,” he told his father with a smile.
The two of them watched as Dani, Reece and his mom played on the playground, laughing the whole time.
“I wasn’t sure you realized what you were getting yourself into,” his father admitted. “I didn’t see you with a woman who had a child. It’s not that I don’t hope for you to have kids someday. I just thought they would come after the relationship.”
“Me too, Dad,” he admitted.
“What happens when the father of that little girl comes back and wants to be a part of her life? You said not to worry about it, but I’ll always worry.”
Nate hadn’t told his parents anything about the situation Dani was facing with Ron and Georgia or Tom. He had always taken his cue from her, and Dani was always private. He wanted to give his dad something though.
“Can you trust that I have this all under control?”
His dad grunted. “I’d feel better if you clued me in.”
“It’s not my story to tell, but if something comes up, you’ll be the first I tell.”
“Unc Nate!
” Reece yelled. “Look!” Nate looked over to see her swinging all by herself.
“Told you! I knew you could do it,” he yelled back at her. “Keep going.”
“It’s so surreal watching your kid be a parent. I wasn’t ready for this.”
Nate smiled at his dad and slung an arm around his shoulder. “Me either, but she’s pretty amazing. I never thought I wanted kids this soon, but having her in my life is just right.”
“Will you promise me that if you guys need anything, anything at all, you’ll call? I don’t care what it is.”
“Sure, Dad.”
“Don’t just humor me,” Nate’s father said. “I mean it. My bullshit meter is going off here, and I sense there’s something big.”
His father’s gut was the stuff of legend. It’s what made him so successful in his business. It’s why the guys in his group hired his company to supply their bodyguards. His dad was the best, and he knew when things weren’t right. He employed guys who were the same. It also made being his son really hard because he was always onto Nate if he was acting up or planning something.
“It’s fine, everything’s okay. I’m looking forward to getting a little down time, and I’ll figure out what’s next.”
His dad raised an eyebrow. “I thought you already figured that out.”
“Well, yeah, I mean the simple part, sure. Now there’s all the logistics. I’m being pulled in so many directions, and I haven’t found a balance yet.”
“That comes with time. I don’t think anyone gets that all figured out.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” he said with a smile.
Nate laughed as he watched Dani and Reece slide down the little slide and then run around chasing each other. His dad was concerned something big was coming, and he should listen, but after the morning he and Dani had, nothing would bring down his mood. She wanted what he wanted, and they were happy. Nothing could happen that would dim their mood. When they got back to Nebraska, he’d come up with a plan to officially tie Dani to him. Nothing was stopping them.
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