“Gross.” Brady mumbles, pulling me in closer and humming along with the song.
This day couldn’t be more incredible. Liv and Noah are happily married now, even if it did take six weeks of frantic planning to get them here. I’m back in Brady’s arms, the only place I’ll ever want to be. Even Trina’s being carted around by the cop that she hit with her purse the other week. Everyone looks content and happy, which is a breath of fresh air for our little group. The only person missing is Tucker who disappeared just after the speeches.
Just on that thought, I catch sight of him in from the corner of my eye, looking as if he’s making a beeline towards us. His eyes are darting all over the place and his hair which is usually so neat is sticking up left and right.
Just as he reaches us, I pull away, concerned at the look in his eyes.
“Yo Tuck, you ok?” Brady frowns, looking his friend up and down.
“No I’m not fucking ok. She’s here dude.”
“Who’s here?” I ask
“The redhead with the ass.”
My eyebrows rise and Brady lets out a snort.
“Where is she?”
“Over there.” Tucker points to the redhead going back and forth on the dance floor with Luke.
“Lexi Chapman.” I state, smiling at the sweet girl rocking back and forth with my brother.
“You know her?” Tucker looks about ten seconds away from an aneurism and I have to laugh. Looks like playboy Tucker finally fell.
“Um yeah, she went to High School with us. Year below I think.”
“Oh no, I’d remember her. Shit maybe I already banged her and that’s why she hates me.” He looks devastated at the thought of already ruining it.
“You definitely didn’t bang her Tucker. She sure does look different though.”
“She’s not a natural redhead is she?” I roll my eyes at how disappointed he looks.
“Yes that’s her real hair. What I mean is she lost weight. She looks good though.”
“How much weight we talking about?” Brady asks, his hands running up and down my back.
“Well I’m pretty sure you asses used to call her chubs.”
“No fucking way is that chubs!” Tucker's eyes widen and he looks from me to the redheaded beauty across the dancefloor.
“Uh huh.” I nod.
“Well, she ain’t no chubs no more.” Brady states.
“Shit.” Tucker curses before storming towards Luke and Lexi, not even giving us a backwards glance as we stare at his back.
“You think he’s gonna be ok?” I ask Brady, watching as Tucker cuts in and pulls the panicked redhead into his arms.
“Ah, he’ll be fine. Sometimes you just gotta steamroll ‘em Cinders.”
I frown at Brady’s reasoning before letting out a little giggle as all the memories of him doing exactly that wash over me. Yeah, maybe sometimes you do have to steamroll them. After all, I don’t know where we’d be now if my Brady had actually have given me a choice. Sometimes though, the girl just has to take the initiative. She has to pull her big girl panties up and do it for herself.
“Are you gonna miss me when I head back to LA?”
“Course I am. I’d be on the first plane to be with you if I didn’t have to work. I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you.”
“What if I didn’t go back to LA?” I bite into my bottom lip.
He looks down at me and takes a few moments to answer.
“I’d be the happiest man alive. But you got college and I know how much that means to you so I’d never ask.”
“There are nearer Colleges than LA, Brady.”
“Huh I guess there are.” He nods, still quite not grasping what I’m saying.
“I could transfer, be nearer to home.”
“You could but you’re going back next week. I don’t think you could transfer that close Cinders.”
“What if I already did?” I smile slyly at Brady’s narrowed eyes. “What if I transferred weeks ago? What if a certain gorgeous guy’s stepdad helped me transfer and now I won’t be going back to LA?”
“I don’t wanna ruin the moment but are you just asking hypothetical questions or trying to be cute while you tell me that you’re not leaving.”
“A little of both.” I shrug.
“You’re not leaving?”
I shake my head as Brady stands silent and completely still for a few seconds. I know from experience that it all needs to sink in. Just as I’m about to panic, he starts to laugh manically before roughly pulling me in and kissing me with so much passion and love that it takes my breath away.
“SHE'S STAYING HOME!” He screams and the crowd goes wild.
***
We all sit on the designated blankets, watching as the multicolored flashes light up the sky. Noah holds onto Liv, still clad in her wedding dress, as if she’ll float away at any second, his eyes not moving from her face despite the beautiful show above us. Tucker sits next to a laughing Lexi as they look up at the sky, pointing out stars shaped like dicks. Avery is busy talking to Chase, telling him her entire life story and complaining about Annabelle’s working hours as he listens intently, nodding along. Trina and Officer Hansen are holding hands, both giving each other side eyes. I don’t miss the smirks on both of their faces though. And last but not least, there’s us. I lay in Brady’s arms, completely at home as I feel the thumping of his heartbeat at my back. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t thinking of the last fireworks show we watched. We may have missed part of it because we were otherwise occupied in the bed of Brady’s truck but it was the second best display I’ve ever seen. It’s only narrowly beaten by this one.
“I love you Cinders.” Brady’s breath sends tingles shooting through me as he whispers in my ear. “You've got no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
“Me too,” I answer, my eyes drifting closed with how relaxed I feel. “Forever together.”
“Pinky promise?” I open my eyes to the sight of his pinky in front of me.
I sit up straight at the sight of something else on his finger. I look to my left and see Liv and Noah staring at us with huge smiles on their faces. Another glance to the right tells me that Trina and Tucker are doing the exact same thing.
Just as I’m about to grasp whatever it is that’s on his pinky, it’s taken away from me, pulled behind. I sit there numbly with my mouth hanging open as my mind tries to accept what I’ve just seen. No! I must have been wrong. I was probably imagining it. I’m halfway through convincing myself of that when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I turn to see something that could very well give me a very big heart attack. Brady Cooper, my first love, my only love, on a bended knee.
“Cindy Martin.” He beams.
“Oh my God.”
“The first time I met you I decided you were gonna be my princess and I was gonna be your hero. You were the prettiest little thing I’d ever seen and in that moment, I knew I loved you. I promised myself back then that I would make you my wife one day. Of course I was gonna do it with Spidey web and there was gonna be some really cool Mutant Ninja Turtles as my best men, but apparently plans have to change. The point is that it’s time now. I love you more than I ever fucking thought was possible. You're everything to me and I’m gonna spend the rest of my life, till we’re old and grey and surrounded by grandkids showing you how much I love you. So whatcha say Cinders, will you marry me?”
I nod my head for way too long as everything hits me full blast. Brady wants to marry ME. Brady actually wants to marry me. Oh my God, I’m gonna get married!
“Well, answer him then Cindy.” Liv nudges me.
I throw myself into his arms, tears falling down my face onto his white dress shirt.
“I love you! Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Say it again Cinders.” His voice is clogged up.
“I WILL MARRY YOU!”
Everyone shoots to their feet and engulfs us in a huge group hug as I sob into my
soulmate's arms. This is it. This is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life.
Some moments will forever stick with you. It might be the first moment you notice a cute little boy in his Spiderman costume, it might be the moment that very boy kisses you for the first time under the stars, it might even be the moment he tells you he loves you, holding you close. Or it might be this very moment. The moment he asks you to marry him and be his forever.
It doesn’t matter because no matter how many moments Brady and I have, I know we’re forever. Me and him are Forever together and we’re gonna have so many more.
The end… Until next time.
A note from the Author
Well, here we go again. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d be the author of one book, never mind two!
While writing this book a friend asked me if I could describe Brady Cooper in just one word. At the time, I couldn’t answer. Now I can. Brady is one hundred percent a fuck up. I mean that in the nicest way possible of course because no matter the ridiculous situations he finds himself in or the stupid things that come out of his mouth, his heart is in the right place. And isn’t that what all us women want in a man? We want someone who loves us so much they don’t know what to do with it. We want someone who’ll lie in the front seat of a car with a pair of binoculars just to get a single glance at us. Well, maybe not that one but you get my drift. The lobe Brady has for Cindy is undeniable and no matter his methods, it’s been a joy to write.
This book took me seven months to finish. George R R Martin eat your heart out! I used the backspace button so much the print faded and I spent too much time writing and not enough sleeping. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I wouldn’t change a second of it though. Not many people can say they are living their dream, but I can. Not many people look forward to getting up in the morning to work, but I do. And without all the people supporting me I wouldn’t be so lucky.
On that note, onto the next part which is by far the hardest. I hate it because I’m scared of missing someone out so if I do, please forgive me.
First off, thank you to my family and friends, you’ve nudged me in the right direction more times than I can count, listened to my constant complaining and been my biggest fans. I love you more than words can say.
Thank you to my fantastic editor, Laura. You have the patience of a saint and I really don’t know what I’d do without you.
Jen/Jacy, I can’t even describe what a help you’ve been to me. You’ve listened to my late night moaning, helped me out of so many messes and always given a friendly ear. I am so happy I met you and I just know that you’re a friend for life.
I’d be nothing without all my wonderful readers though. A word doesn’t exist unless there’s someone there to read it. Your amazing feedback has given me such a boost, your kind words have brightened so many days. Thank you for taking this ride with me and may we have many more journeys to come.
Finally, the third book which I can reveal for the first time will be titled Forever and Always and will be out soon. For a sneak peek of Tucker and Lexi’s story turn over. Get ready because I’m gonna give you the feels!
Forever and Always
Prologue
Erin
“Once upon a time in a land far far away there lived a beautiful princess. Do you know what her name was?”
“No.” I answer shyly to my Mommy’s question, holding the My Little Pony comforter right up to my chin.
“Well, I’ll give you a clue.” She taps my nose and I giggle, poking my tongue through the gap where my two front teeth should be. Mommy says they’ll come back soon and I’ll be a big girl then. “She had fiery red hair and eyes greener than all the leaves on the trees. She had the cutest little button nose and I think her name sounded something like… ALEXA!”
“That’s my name.”
“Oh, yes it is. Anyway, one day she met a handsome prince whose name was-“
“HOLLY!” I can hear Daddy’s voice coming from downstairs and Mommy sighs. I hope she can finish the story. “HOLLY, YOU UP THERE?!”
“ONE SECOND DREW!” She turns back to face me. “I’m sorry sweetie, we’ll finish it tomorrow night, ok?”
“But who’s the handsome prince? Is he charming? Is he handsome?” I ask.
“Oh my darling, your prince is going to be the most charming, handsome prince you could wish for. He’ll love you forever and believe it or not, that is the most important thing.”
“Forever and always Mommy?”
She smiles a smile that looks exactly like mine. I know because I test it out in the mirror every morning while I’m brushing my teeth.
“Forever and always Alexa, just like Mommy loves you. Even after all the stars fade in the sky and the moon goes to sleep, Mommy will always love you.”
I stare out of the entrance to the huge white tent towards the empty field, blanketed by hundreds, maybe thousands of tiny little flowers. The sun has not quite set yet, instead making its slow descent and bathing everything in a romantic warm glow. The scene is perfect, only made better by the tea lights bunched together on every table and the pillar candles strategically placed around the space, all at different heights.
It’s as if it’s been taken right from a storybook. Two people completely in love having one of the most beautiful weddings imaginable. It really is gorgeous.
That’s why it’s so bad that I can’t help but hope for something to go wrong. I know, I know I’m a terrible person. But there’s seriously not a being alive that doesn’t secretly hope to see the bride trip on her way down the aisle or for the groom to start projectile vomiting all over her pretty stark white dress. The girl sitting at the back with the cackling laugh if ever that does happen? That’s me.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” My Mom sighs for the thousandth time tonight.
“Sure is.” I nod in agreement, looking towards the dance floor filled with couples pressed together and swaying to the sound of Ed Sheeran.
“It’ll be you soon honey. I can’t wait. You should have a wedding just like this one.”
My head snaps round at my Mom's words. I don’t have a boyfriend, never mind a ring. Unless of course she’s expecting me to become one of those strange people that falls in love and marries a tree. Actually, that’s looking to be a very viable option at the moment. I’d have as much sex as I do now which is nada and I wouldn’t ever have to worry about a man answering me back.
“Oh look,” She nudges me in the ribs almost knocking me off the white wicker chair that’s so surprisingly comfortable I’m considering sneaking it home with me. “They’re dancing. Oh look at her dress, isn’t it beautiful?”
“Incredible. I’ll be dreaming about it for the rest of my life.” I roll my eyes. “Hey, you think they’ll have some entertainment on later?”
“Entertainment? Lexi, it’s a wedding!”
“Yeah, I know but I thought they’d at least put something interesting on like a magician or a Power Rangers dance act.”
I bite the inside of my cheek when my exasperated Mother throws her hands up in the air, probably wondering where she found me. I’ve been asking myself that question for the last nineteen years. If we didn’t have the exact same red hair, I’d be looking into adoption records.
“Oh, don’t look now but a very handsome young man is coming over.”
“What, where?” I spin in my seat, so not wanting to hear some weirdo try and hit on my Mom.
“Don’t turn around, just look natural.” I can barely see her mouth move and if it wasn’t for the shifty eyes she was giving me, I’d be convinced there was some kind of tape recorder hidden under the table.
I stare straight ahead, hoping beyond hope that my Aunt Trish comes over and saves me. Of course, she flounced off with some tattooed guy half her age half an hour ago and I haven’t seen her since.
I hear a throat being cleared behind me and I turn around, internally shrinking back when I see who’s there.
“
Um, Hi.” He flashes his perfectly white, straight teeth and looks from me to my Mother.
Now, I know she’s newly divorced and all for living every day to its fullest at the moment, but if she ditches me for Luke Martin who happens to be the same damn age as my sister, I’m gonna pitch a fit. There’s gonna be table flipping and a mighty tantrum at this wedding. Not that I think she’d ever do that but newly divorced Mom is new to me. Who knows what she’ll do.
“Well, hello dear. Luke isn’t it?” She smiles.
“Yes ma’am.” I’m temporarily calmed by the respectful manner in which he speaks to her. You don’t call a woman who you’re hoping to get down and dirty with ma’am.
“How’s your Mother?” I turn away, fazing the boring conversation out and take a sip of my Pina Colada.
As beautiful as this wedding may be, it's also the most boring. I was hoping to dodge it but when Aunt Trish nestled me with doing the bride's hair I had no choice. When someone’s paying you three hundred dollars to simply stick a couple of rollers in and then pin it up, you snatch the money then sit and pretend to swoon over their wedding dress like any broke ass person would do.
“Lexi.” My Mom hisses, another elbow hitting my ribs.
“Yes Mother?” I smile, plastering a wide and completely fake smile on my face.
“Luke was talking to you.” Did I just hear that right? Me?
I look up at him and sure enough his eyes are trained on me rather than my Mother.
“Um, hi.” I sink lower in my seat as if it would make me less visible.
“Hey, I was just wondering if you wanted to dance?” He shrugs his shoulders and I don’t miss his eyes straying a little too far downwards.
“Oh, I-”
“She’d love to!” Before I even have chance to refuse, I’m yanked up from my seat and pushed towards Luke.
“Yeah, I’d love to.” It comes out as more of a threat than an agreement as I shoot daggers from my eyes to my Mom. She ignores it and winks.
He sends another one of those toothy smiles my way and takes me by the hand towards the lit up dancefloor. A dark haired little girl no older than seven is busy spinning around smack bang in the middle of it, her arms outstretched and pale pink satin dress sweeping across the floor.
Forever Together (Forever Love #2) Page 30