by J. L. Drake
Then I saw her balancing a tray on her hand and shoulder, moving awkwardly through the people.
Lowering the tray, she started to pass out the plates to a family of four. She smiled and laughed when they pointed to her stomach. She must have felt me, because she suddenly looked over, and her face dropped and her hands flew to her belly.
Thankfully, the place wasn’t busy yet, because this was going to happen right now. I hurried over and blocked her path in case she went into flight mode.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” rushed out of my mouth a little sharper then I meant to.
She started to say something, but instead she shook her head, trying to control her emotions.
“How? I mean, you had a…” I gestured vaguely in the direction of her belly, thinking of the IUD she’d gotten while living at the clubhouse.
She shrugged. “Must’ve lost it. There were a lot of…blurry days in my life back then.”
“A boy, huh?” She nodded. “You name him yet?” She nodded again.
“Brandon,” she whispered. My first name, and it was my ticket to move forward.
I reached in my pocket and pulled the box open, setting it on the empty table next to her.
Her eyes went from the engagement ring to me. She started to cry.
“I’ll say this one last time.” I leaned down and showed her I was finished with this game. “Toss any shit you have at me, Lexi, and I’ll keep taking it because that’s what people do when they love someone.”
“Keith,” her chin quivered, “I…”
I took her hand and stepped closer, breathing her in. My tears got the best of me, but I didn’t care. I went with the truth.
“You think all these years I was trying to save you, but really, you were the one saving me.”
She slowly leaned over and picked up the box and removed the ring, placing it in my hand. I was waiting for the icy walls to shoot up.
A sob followed by a laugh broke the silence. She brushed her flushed cheek. “You held onto this for eleven years. How can I say no to someone who has loved me for that long?”
She held up her hand, and I slipped the ring onto the finger of my first and only love’s left hand.
The place broke into cheers, and I kissed her breathless.
“I don’t care where we live, here or there. No more time apart. Promise?”
“Promise.” She looked up at me like she was seventeen again. “Take me home?”
“Which home?”
“Your home.”
I buried my head in her neck, and I broke.
My hand found her tummy and I rubbed a first hello to my son. “I love you, Lexi.”
“I love you too, Keith. Always have, always will.”
BEFORE YOU GO…
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Ana Armstrong
Ariana McWilliams
Mary Drake
Gordon Drake
Erin Smith
Corporal George Myatt
Paul Mick
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. L. Drake was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to Southern California where she now lives with her husband and two children.
When she is not writing she loves to spend time with her family, travelling or just enjoying a night at home. One thing you might notice in her books is her love of the four seasons. Growing up on the east coast of Canada the change in the seasons is in her blood and is often mentioned in her writing.
An avid reader of James Patterson, J.L. Drake has often found herself inspired by his many stories of mystery and intrigue. She hopes you will enjoy her books as much as she has enjoyed writing them.
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