“Song?” he mumbles, then gently nips my chin. His lips trail down to the side of my neck, while I gently run my nails up and down his back.
“Song. We’ll have our first dance. What’s our song? Do we even have a song?” I moan when he picks up the pace, his hips now slapping into mine. “Oh God,” I gasp, and rise up to meet him.
“Every song is our song.” He stops moving, stands to his full height, and drags me closer to the edge of the bed so my hips tilt down a bit, then begins to move again. When he does this, I let out a loud moan. He’s so deep it hurts, but it’s a good hurt.
“Sugar,” I say breathlessly. “We have to pick a song,” I mumble, but at this point I don’t care even if we sing, Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
“First song I ever sang to you was by Judas Priest. Want to make that our song?” he jokes and smiles while still moving inside of me, but easing up a bit.
“As lovely as that sounds, no,” I whimper when he moves his hand between us, his thumb finding my spot and circling. “I’m close,” I breathe.
“Let go,” he orders, and increases the pressure while he slams inside of me. And on his command, I fly over the edge.
“When you come, so beautiful,” he mutters, as he watches me, slowly bringing me down.
When I come back around, he drops on top of me and rests his forearms beside my head. He keeps my eyes, as his thrusts become erratic and frantic along with his breathing. Finally, he drops his face into my neck as he growls my name through his release. When our breaths even out, he lifts his head and gazes down at me.
“I love you,” he says with a satisfied smile.
“I love you too.” I reply softly, then I remember something and giggle. “Our song, I’d suggest your big hit Why, but it doesn’t seem to fit anymore.” His smile grows, and his dimples pop out.
“No, it definitely doesn’t fit, and thank fuck for that,” he grumbles, and his face goes serious. “This is going to happen, right? This isn’t a dream?” he begs me to tell him this is real.
“It’s going to happen,” I whisper, and reach up and run my fingers through his hair then rest them on his shoulders. “And, I hate to add to your pressure, but you need to pick a song to dance with your mom to, as well. I have to pick one for me and Dad, too.”
“Okay. We’ll figure it out,” he vows, then gives me a gentle kiss before he slides from me, leaving me feeling empty. After we clean-up, we settle into bed. I’m so excited that it’s difficult to fall asleep, but with Max’s warmth surrounding me, I eventually drift off.
12
The next morning, I wake with Max’s big strong arm draped across me. I snuggle into his warmth and close my eyes, but then I remember the day before and excitement bursts from me. I not only have my wedding dress, but my reception dress, too. I don’t want to wake Max, but I’m on the verge of imploding, so I struggle to lift his heavy arm and free myself, so I can go downstairs and start a pot of coffee while doing a happy dance around my kitchen. Max grumbles his objection, but releases me and falls to his back, still asleep. I slip from the bed, grab some clothes from my dresser and hurry into the bathroom.
I quickly go through my morning routine, then dress. I make my way back into our room to retrieve my phone from my nightstand to check the day’s weather, but stop to admire him. He hasn’t moved from his back, and the sheet and comforter are resting low on his waist, almost giving everything away. One of his arms is thrown above his head and the other is rests across his abs. I unwillingly pry my eyes from his beautifully sculpted body, and rush out of the room and down the stairs.
I head into the kitchen, and as the coffee is brewing, I open our French doors and go stand on our back porch. The sun is up, and the birds are chirping as my handsome man sleeps upstairs. Somewhere in the distance cows are mooing and a dog is barking, and my body relaxes because I can’t believe how perfect it all is. Its home.
In the next half hour, everyone wakes and we all settle in the kitchen for coffee. Abigail decides to treat us all, and make Nick’s favorite breakfast, biscuits and gravy. This is most likely her attempt to make amends for teasing him over the bikes last night. They’ll head back to Lubbock today, because Abigail’s attending summer courses so she can finish up her degree early and, unfortunately, she has class tomorrow. When Nick confessed he was only holding off on asking her to marry him because of school, she registered for the maximum hours allowed so she can finish up as soon as possible. They’re officially engaged now, but haven’t set a date. Soon, another McGinty wedding will be in the works. and I can’t wait. But for now, responsibility calls all of us.
Max and I have to go back to work tomorrow too. Every morning, Max and I wake up together. We both work in San Antonio, so we ride in together. The drive is a long one, but worth it. We knew with living out in the country, a long commute would be the one sacrifice we’d have to make. Each day Max drops me at Dan’s Grocer, as I go in an hour before him, and Grandma picks me up when I get off, because he gets off an hour after I do. This gives us precious time to spend together. Now that I’m not there all the time, the family constantly stops in to make sure Grandma’s okay, and she is. She stays busy with the church and their charities. Some Wednesdays, Max and I stay and have dinner with her, then attend the evening service at church. Some Sundays, we make the early drive in and attend the morning service with her as well, along with the rest of the family.
After breakfast, Abigail phones Chase and asks if Nick can borrow his trailer so they can get the bike back to Lubbock. Chase agrees and says he’ll head over soon, so we take our coffees outside and relax on the porch to wait. I sit down in the one of the rockers and place my coffee on the wooden table between them, with Max sitting in the other rocker. Nick and Abigail kick back on the porch swing.
Now that it’s obvious Nash has a thing for Raleigh, Chase seems to be the last man standing, as far as finding someone. I have a feeling Nash will cave and admit how he really feels for Raleigh soon. Chase is definitely the most private of all of us, and I’ve never met any girl he dated outside of high school. Even then, it was only when he went to prom that I saw him with someone. If you ask him a direct question about his private life he won’t lie to you, but he won’t divulge anything voluntarily either. I saw him dancing with Bella’s sister, Victoria, at Holloway’s family day, and I was pretty sure I saw a spark between the two of them, but haven’t had a chance to ask him what that was all about. Between Bella’s problems with Tad Kearny, and all that happened with Garrett’s family and the wedding, there just hasn’t been time.
Chase pulls up about a half an hour later in his second pride and joy, next to his bike, a 1957 Chevy pickup. He was thirteen years old, when he ran across the rusted frame and engine while he visited our dad at a worksite. The owner told him it had promise, and he would sell it to him for five hundred dollars, but Dad wasn’t convinced. I remember Chase mowing lawns that entire summer, but still wasn’t close to making enough to buy that old truck. But Dad witnessed how hard he was working, and told him if he came up with two-hundred and fifty dollars, he’d match it. And he did. He’s spent well over a decade working with our dad and grandpa to bring it to what it is today, a shining teal with chrome bumpers and wheels. He mostly brings it out to car shows, so if he’s driven it here today, he’s probably come from one. Normally, it’s stored under a tarp in his garage because, other than his bike, he drives one of our dad’s company trucks.
Last year, Chase decided it was time to stop crashing between Grandma’s, Dad and Violet’s, and the tiny loft apartment he rarely spent time in. Violet said he got the fever to have his own home while doing some remodeling on Jesse’s home, and helping McGinty construction build mine. Now he owns his own home, not far from Jesse and Allie. Chase’s is stone like mine, only the stone on his is tan and brown, with a slightly different pattern. It’s a beautiful home with circular drive like Grandma’s, only his is cobblestone. Rumor has it, Jake and Kore are looking to purchase a parcel of
land near them as well.
Chase pulls up and parks next to Max and Nick’s bikes. The door opens and out he steps, greeting us all. “Morning y'all.” He waves.
“Morning,” Nick replies, as he and Max walk down the porch steps. “Sure do appreciate this.” They shake hands. “Don’t want to take her on a long road trip until she shows me all her ins and outs,” Nick explains.
“No problem, and that’s a good idea. Plus, I had it with me. Was coming back from a car show out at College Station with a buddy of mine. Took his restored Camaro, and he got an offer he couldn’t refuse, so the trailer came back empty. I had just dropped him off when the runt called,” he says loud enough that Abigail can hear him.
“Hey!” she exclaims, all smiles at our brothers’ term of endearment for her, then walks down to him with me right behind her. Abigail shared that Chase calls her at least twice a week, and she texts him almost every day. I know she misses being near him, and I guess he feels the same. I love that they’ve remained close. Abigail lightly slaps him on the arm, which causes him to chuckle and pull her into a one arm hug.
His phone goes off and he lets go of her, so he can pull it from his back pocket. He views the screen and a smile like one he’s never had before, spreads across his face. Both, Abigail and I, not even trying to be slick, move closer so we can peer at the screen. It’s Victoria. Both, Abigail and I, gasp at the same time and Chase freezes. His eyes cut to Abigail, then to me, and he sighs before he hangs his head.
“I knew it!” Abigail shouts, and dances around in a circle.
“Me too! They were dancing really close at Holloway’s,” I add.
“Reeeeally close,” Abigail throws in for extra effect, and then we make kissy faces at him. Chase ignores us as best he can, and answers the phone. Both, Abigail and I hush, as we want to eavesdrop.
“Hey baby,” Chase murmurs, and Abigail and I gasp again. He listens for a few moments, while the four of us gather around to listen unabashedly. “I’m just going to drop off the trailer and head over. Abigail and Nick have to head home anyway. I’ll be there in about an hour.” He smiles as he listens to whatever Victoria is saying in return, but then grasps onto Abigail and I standing directly in front of him and he frowns. “Love you too,” he murmurs, hangs up and then sighs. Love! Abigail and I begin to batter him with questions, when he shakes his head and holds up his hands to halt us. “Hang on you two,” he scolds.
We both take on a one hand on the hip, toe tapping stance, while we wait for him to spill. Not on why he’s with her, because Victoria is beautiful. She has gorgeous, long blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. The times I’ve been around her, I’ve found that she’s genuinely nice. From what Bella’s told me, she’s also a great friend, sister, and a gifted nurse. No, we know she’s great. What we want to know is why he hasn’t told anyone and has kept her all to himself.
“We were just waiting until after the wedding,” he admits, and my back goes straight.
“Why?” I ask, confused.
“Because, you and Blue...you deserve nothing to take away from your day. It needs to be all about the two of you,” he again tries to explain.
His reasons make me sad. I don’t want anyone not be with whom they want to be with openly because of me, especially if that someone is the person they love. Jake felt that way with Kore, and kept it from me too. He worried I would have flashbacks of my days in recovery from being attacked. Kore was my nurse while I was there, but I never associated her with my injuries. When she showed up in Lubbock, at his request, we talked it out and I’m so happy for them. I thought my brothers would know I want nothing more than for them to be happy too.
“I wouldn’t have minded Chase,” I mutter, now sad.
“I know. I guess now that you know, I’ll tell you, we’ve been seeing each other for a while, but it just got serious. And when I say, ‘just got serious,’ I mean in the last forty-eight hours. We had planned to let everyone know after the wedding,” he clarifies.
“Well, now we know, so you don’t have to wait. Tell the family. Tell the world,” I narrow my eyes on him, and order softly.
“Yes ma’am.” He laughs, and walks around to the back of his truck to unlock the trailer. “It’s not like everyone isn’t going to know in the next hour now anyway,” Chase calls back, referring to when I alerted everyone that Jesse and Allie were making a plan to run off and get married at the courthouse, without the entire family there to support them.
“Hour,” I scoff, completely unashamed. “I’ve had practice. I’ll have everyone calling you in the next thirty minutes, Chase.” I whip around and give him my back, while I strut my behind back into my house to grab my phone.
I swing open the screen door, and hold it up high so Chase can see it. “Time me! I’m going for a new record,” I snap playfully.
Abigail, Nick and Max laugh, but a very loud groan erupts from Chase. First call I make is to Grandma, then Violet. They’ll keep him busy while I send a group text to the others. I prance back outside, pleased with myself, and observe Max and Nick transferring the trailer to the back of Nick’s Jeep. They lift it over the trailer ball, before lowering it to settle. Nick then secures the locking lever, and all this happens while Chase is on the phone appearing frustrated. I giggle softly, a little evil sparking through. That’ll teach him to keep things like this from us.
Once the trailer is ready, Nick strolls over to his bike and lifts it up before he kicks back side stand. He pushes it over to the trailer, while Max lowers the ramp. Chase finally gets off his phone, shoots me a glare, then helps them walk the bike up the ramp. The bike is huge and heavy. It’s as big as Max’s Road King, and is almost identical. Max’s is black with gold trim, while Nick’s is silver with black trim. Both bikes are beautiful. Chase pulls some straps from his truck, and they work together to secure it. When they’re done, Chase gives out handshakes and hugs. Mine, complete with grumbles and mumbles. He climbs back in his truck and heads off to get Victoria, then head over to our dad’s and Violet’s for an impromptu brunch.
Pleased with the outcome, the rest exchange goodbyes with grins. Before Nick and Abigail can drive off, I walk over to Abigail’s window, with Max right behind me, to remind her about next weekend. “Don’t forget to come down late Friday or early Saturday. We have to go get dresses for the party.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. I’ve already searched online and found the perfect place at La Cantera. Sexy stuff,” she mutters quietly to me, but loud enough for the guys to hear. I glance up in time to catch Nick blink nervously at Max, before he gives Abigail his attention.
“I thought we were just going to hang out and drink some,” Nick says. He appears concerned and panicked, because he knows Abigail loves to dress super sexy and it drives him nuts. He begins to try and reason with her. “I mean you won’t need to dress up for that. Jeans and a nice blouse will work, right Blue?” Nick’s eyes beg Max to agree. I peak at Max, right as his eyes bug out. “Blue, come on, man,” he moans.
Max glances down at me, smirks, then looks back at Nick. “Brother, the more you complain, the less she’ll wear,” he cautions, and he’s right. Abigail loves to rile Nick up.
“Honeysuckle, it just going to be the family and a few friends, but us, me and girls, still want to dress up. I’m in school or out on the ranch all day. I rarely wear anything but jeans, boots and t-shirts, with flannel shirts. Don’t get me wrong, I love that. Just, once in a while I want to toss the jeans aside and be a girly girl. Sometimes, I want to be a sexy girlie girl.”
“Fire, why didn’t you say something. I’ll take you out every night to fancy restaurants, so you can wear those dresses I love so much.” Nick appears a bit wounded. “You can wear them around the house all day. Study in them. Help me in the barn in them. I’ll buy you more,” he promises.
“Nick, I don’t need that. You have to know I don’t,” she chides gently. “It’s just fun to dress up, but most of all, and you have to know this too, I do i
t for you and only you,” she replies softly, almost shyly and it’s absolutely genuine.
Nick leans over and kisses the socks off of her, and when he pulls back, he puts his finger under her chin and waits. Abigail’s eyes flutter open and Nick grins at her dazed expression. “I know. You have to know, I know,” he whispers. Abigail smiles and gives a slight nod.
“Alright then, we’ll see you late Friday or early Saturday. It’s just going to depend on what’s going on with the running’s. Link, Delta, Huck, Star, Darcy and Levi, and even my parents, and Lina and Red are coming. We’re taking over a bed and breakfast not far from Holloway’s, right on the river,” Nick informs us. I’m so excited to see everyone again. With one last wave, Nick heads down the drive.
Max takes me by my hand and tows me behind him back into the house, and closes the door. He doesn’t let me go until we’re in the kitchen. He lifts me by my hips and plops me on the counter, then pushes my legs apart so he can come closer. I lay my hands against his chest and wait, seeing he has something on his mind. When he finally speaks I sigh.
“Do we go out enough?” He stares at me, worried. “I mean we go out, but…” I’ve heard enough, so I cut him off with a kiss. A long, hot kiss. My arms wrap around him, as his slide to my hips and he yanks me forward.
“Sugar bear, you’ve never disappointed me. Never,” I swear, when I break our kiss. “We can go to a formal military ball, or grab a taco from a truck in sweats. As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters,” I assure him. “If I ever want to dress up and go out, I’ll tell you,” I promise.
“Okay, love. Hang on to me,” he orders. He scoots me closer, then lifts me up by my butt. I yelp in surprise, then I lock my legs around his waist and arms around his neck. “What do you say we go for a ride?” He walks through the house and starts up the stairs, all the while holding me in his arms.
“I’d love that, but I need to toss in a load of laundry in first,” I tell him when we reach our bedroom. I give him a quick kiss and he lowers me to my feet. I make quick work of separating our clothes and rush downstairs to the laundry room. I throw Max’s uniforms in, then hurry back to him. “I’m ready,” I call out when I walk back into the bedroom to grab my purse and a hair tie. I pull my hair to the side and braid it, then secure it with the tie. Max is staring out the window, so I walk up behind him and slide my arms around his waist.
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