by Nicole Dykes
“I heard you were doing just fine and I came to find out your secret.” Wow. I love this man’s honesty.
“I’m doing fine? Who the hell said that?” I demand.
He stands up straighter from leaning on the car. “Landon. Amelia. I’ve heard nothing but how good you are doing back in Dallas.”
I cock an eyebrow at him, trying to figure him out. “And that bothers you?”
He studies me and then closes the gap of space between us. His chest nearly touches mine. “Hell yes, it bothers me. I’m all fucked up and you’re doing just fine. Did I not mean much to you?”
I can’t help the smile that comes over my face. He’s been messed up by me leaving? Time to stop being stubborn and allow myself to be vulnerable. “I haven’t been fine. Not even close. I’ve missed you every day.”
I’m about to add that I’m scared to death though and know that he wont be able to move to Dallas and that I’m not sure what I can do in Hollis, but I don’t get a chance to get any of that out because I’m suddenly back in Brady’s warm embrace with his lips on mine. I kiss him back and let every worry melt away. In that kiss, he tells me that it’s all going to be okay, that we will get through it together.
Somehow it’s all I need.
Epilogue
Brady
“We’re going to be late.” Lilly whispers over her shoulder, but I don’t stop. I know she’s close and I’m almost there too.
I grip her bare hip, digging my fingers into her flesh as I push myself into her, finishing as she tightens around me. This is what I had been missing while she was gone to Dallas. Her being here with me. Me holding her. Me touching her. Her.
Hollis sucked another one in. It’s been three weeks since I found Lilly at that gas station. Three weeks and we’ve been inseparable. Lilly has decided to enroll in college in Redbud with Jade and Casey and major in Education. Turns out, she does enjoy working with children, just not in the medical field. I kind of like the whole sexy teacher idea.
“We’re going to be late.” I say, smiling, finally slipping out of her warmth and climbing off the bed. “I can’t believe Madden is proposing tonight. Jade is going to flip.”
“She’ll be happy. Surprised, but happy.” Lilly replies, rising from the bed and heading to the bathroom.
After she’s washed up and we’re both dressed, we head to Jack’s. It seems like any other Saturday night. Same local patrons, same music. We join Madden, Landon, Keegan and Amelia at our usual table. My heart only pangs for a moment at the thought that Caleb is missing. He’s still avoiding my calls and I haven’t heard from Avery since Christmas. She said he was different. I wanted that for him, but I wonder just how different he is.
“You nervous?” I tease.
“Of course not. She’s going to say yes.” Madden answers, confidently. “I mean, she is going to say yes, right? Right?”
I laugh, causing him to look at us nervously. Lilly elbows my side and I slip my arm around her. “She will definitely say yes. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
I look over at her and then tell her to come dance with me. When we reach the dance floor, she slips into my arms like she was made to be there. Patsy Cline croons “Crazy” and my head tells me I am. I’m crazy for even thinking of saying anything to her. Everything has been so perfect these past few weeks.
“Lilly…”
“I know, Brady.” she cuts me off.
I smirk at her. “You know what, Lilly Benson?”
Her emerald eyes sparkle up at me and she smiles as she inches closer to me. “I just know.”
She presses her lips to mine, letting me know that she knows I love her and I don’t have to say it. Not yet anyway. She feels the same way. This is how we work. This is us and I love us.
I taste Lilly, enjoying the feel of her in my arms and enjoying knowing that she’s not going anywhere. We might have started out thinking this was temporary, but we brought out the best in each other.
Lilly breaks the kiss and whispers, “She said yes.”
I realize then that everyone is cheering and Jade and Madden are locked in an embrace. I lead Lilly over to congratulate them. Jade’s blue eyes are filled with tears as she looks at the diamond on her finger. Everyone is clapping, including Casey and Derek, although I believe it’s just a mask of happiness Casey is wearing.
“Brady.” Lilly says, nudging me. “Brady, I think…”
“What the fuck is the celebration for?”
I turn towards the door, instantly recognizing the voice, but when I see the man standing there, I know he’s different. I look at Avery and she gives me an apologetic look.
Caleb’s back.