“God, Jackson. Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure it all out later. It will be a little weird working with my dad, my brother, and my boyfriend, but I’m sure I’ll survive,” I assured him. “But you have to promise to be nice to Luka. No pulling any big-brother crap in the work place. Save that for after hours, okay?”
“Not sure I can agree to that, Aubrey,” Jackson replied. “The dude is sleeping with my baby sister.”
As we laughed together, it dawned on me that this was going to change Kaylie’s world in more ways than one. “If you move back to town, what about Kaylie’s dancing?”
“The show she was in just closed its doors a couple of weeks ago, so the timing is good for her to make the move. Dance will always be a part of her life. She loves it so much, so I’m trying to talk her into opening a studio here so she can teach,” he explained.
“Lucky for you, I know a bank that would probably give you a loan for that,” I teased.
Jackson laughed at my joke. “That you do. Although the head honcho may be a little pissed at me.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Because Kaylie and I decided we don’t want a big wedding. She wants simple, and I want my ring on her finger as soon as possible. I don’t think Dad will care so much, but Mom is not going to be happy that we don’t want the traditional wedding and reception thing,” he said.
I thought about our family vacations to Mexico over the years and inspiration struck. “Beach wedding,” I whispered.
“What?” Jackson asked.
“Remember when I was in fifth grade and you were going into middle school and we took that trip down to Ixtapa?” I asked. Jackson nodded his head, so I continued. “And we watched from our patio as a couple got married on the beach. The sun was setting and it was so romantic.”
Jackson’s eyes lit up at the idea. “Best of both worlds. Kaylie and I can get married at the beach and she can have her first vacation with us as a family. Fucking brilliant idea, Aubrey.”
“And the parents won’t be mad at you because they will absolutely love it,” I said, pointing out the obvious. “Plus, it will make a great post-graduation trip for Luka and me so you can get to know him better.”
“Aubrey, the last thing I want to do is get to know your boyfriend better during what would technically be my honeymoon,” Jackson disagreed.
“Honeymoon?” my dad said as he joined us.
I listened as Jackson talked to our dad about my idea for him and Kaylie to get married in Mexico before he went upstairs to check on Kaylie. It was probably going to be awhile before they came back down because he now needed to convince her that this was a great idea since my mom walked up in the middle of the conversation. There was no way out of it now.
“I hope you know that, even though we’re happy about the baby and Kaylie and Jackson’s coming back, your mom and I are just as excited about your graduation,” my dad told me.
“I know, Daddy. But you have to admit this changes things a little, and I should talk to Luka about what he wants too. He knew how much I wanted to be here to help you, but now Jackson will be able to do that,” I explained.
Luka joined us, and I filled him in on everything I’d just learned. When we’d talked about what to do after graduation, he’d struggled with the decision we’d made. He’d only agreed because he knew how much it meant to me. Now that the situation was different, I owed it to him to consider other options.
“Well, sir,” Luka said. “If Jackson being here means that Aubrey can be more flexible about where we live, I’d like her to at least consider Chicago since that’s where my family is. I’m not saying that’s what we’ll decide is best for both of us. Just that I want to have a serious conversation about it. Later. When we’re alone.”
“Did I hear you say Chicago?” Luka’s dad said from behind me.
Luka sighed before turning around to face his dad. “Yes, Papa. I want Aubrey to think about us coming back since she doesn’t need to stay here now that her brother is home to help her dad at the bank. I know it’s a change of plans since we both had jobs lined up here, but—”
“Luka,” his dad barked out to interrupt him. “You both come to Chicago. We will figure it out.”
My parents both glared at us, but I knew they’d agree with whatever decision I made—just like they had when all my brothers graduated. Luka and I had lots of different options and families who would support us no matter what we decided. We could stay here and work at my dad’s bank or go to Chicago to find new jobs to be near his family. Although we’d started the day with one plan for our future that now might change, we knew one thing for certain. Whatever we did, we’d do it together wherever we ended up.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My boys – Thank you for not complaining too much about the piles of laundry & carry-out meals while I was writing. I love you!
Mom – Thank you for always supporting me and inspiring me to live my dream.
Mickey – I am so grateful to have found an editor like you! Thanks for putting your mad editing skills to good use for me. This book seriously wouldn’t have released on time if you weren’t so amazing!
Melissa – I think I might have mentioned this to you before, but I seriously love the covers you designed for this series!
Midian – Thank you for your insight & offering up some of your precious reading time to help me out.
Love Between The Sheets Promotions – Thanks for your help getting the word out about my books. Natalie has been great and you all have done an amazing job pimping me! The bloggers that work with you have been so generous with their time and efforts on my behalf.
FBGM girls – You know who you are and you damn well know why I love you so much!
Readers/Bloggers – Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a chance on me. I would not be living my dream right now if it weren’t for all of you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I absolutely adore reading - always have and always will. My friends growing up used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing.
I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.
When I told my mom that my new year's resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me "About time!"
Connect with me online!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rochellepaigeauthor
Twitter: @rochellepaige1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7328358.Rochelle_Paige
Website: http://www.rochellepaige.com
coming soon
from Rochelle Paige
Winter Wedding: the follow-up novella featuring Drake and Lexi’s wedding that will wrap up the Blythe College series
Winter 2014
Fortuity: a stand-alone novel
Fall 2014
Sucked Into Love: the first book in the Bachelorette Party series where you will learn more about Josie who you just met in Outside the Box
Winter 2014
Outside the Box Page 16