Love is a Drum Beat (Rockstars Anonymous)
Page 19
Then came the bridesmaids, women who became part of Rockstars Anonymous over the years. Each of them had tears in their eyes—even Melanie.
Drew leaned forward. “You must look awful to have the girls crying.”
Dax smiled at Ben’s quiet “shut up, Drew.”
The moment they’d started planning the wedding, Jo announced who’d be walking her down the aisle. He’d been skeptical, but when the music changed and Jo stood at the end of the aisle with an arm tucked into Noah’s arm and her other hand holding Ali’s, he knew it was right.
The audience on either side of the aisle stood while Jo walked down the carpet laying over the sand. Behind them, the waves crashed on the rocks, a constant churning much like Dax expected falling in love to be. But it wasn’t. Instead, it was simple, beautiful. They fought… a LOT. But they always made up. They sometimes needed space, but they always came back to each other.
The trio reached Dax, and he couldn’t help beaming at the radiant Jo. “You’re beautiful.”
Noah passed her hand to Dax and patted him on the back before taking his place alongside the other guys. But Ali wasn’t so easy on him. She crooked her finger, so he’d lean down. “Be nice to Mom. Okay, Daddy? Always just be nice. Oh, and pick up your toys so she doesn’t trip on them.”
He didn’t laugh. That would have embarrassed her. Instead, he wrapped her in a hug. “I love you, squirt.” His mom came forward to lead Ali to her seat.
A pained look flashed across Jo’s face.
“Are you okay?” Dax asked.
She nodded, but she didn’t look okay.
“You sure?”
“I’m trying not to cry.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he pulled her in for a kiss.
“Not supposed to do that yet,” Drew hissed.
Dax didn’t care. “I love you.”
She sucked in a calming breath. “Can we get on with this already? I kind of just want to be married.”
The crowd chuckled as did the minister who stood in front of them with sandals on his feet. Dax hoped Drew didn’t see or he’d complain he had to wear real shoes.
The minister began with the formal wedding stuff, but Dax tuned it out, giving Jo his full attention. She stuck her tongue out, and he laughed.
“Dax.” She urged him to do something.
“What? I’m sorry, I just can’t stop staring at my beautiful fiancé.”
Jo’s face flushed, and she squeezed his hands. “You’re supposed to say your vows.”
“Oh.” He’d tried memorizing vows like he did music, but they didn’t stick. Now, he had to think of something. “Jo Jackson, I have loved you for so long I don’t remember what not loving you feels like. We’re a forever trio, you, me, and Ali. I fell in love with you slowly, listening to your every word, watching how you saw the world. And I fell in love with Ali all at once, because it wasn’t only her. It was us, our family.”
Jo wiped a tear and started. “Dax Nelson…” She took a deep breath. “You once told me you didn’t want to be a perfect man, only a good one. It’s a philosophy I’ve watched you live your life by. You’re the best man I’ve ever known, and I get to call you mine. But you got something wrong. You are perfect. Maybe not to the rest of the world, but to me, you’re perfect and good… because you’re perfect for me, for our daughter. I will prove it to you for the rest of our lives.” Her eyes found Ali. “We both will.”
A tear ran down Dax’s cheek as they finished the ceremony and were told to kiss. This time, he took care. It was the first kiss with his wife after all.
And there’d be a million more.
Ali ran toward them as they started down the aisle with their family and friends cheering. Dax scooped her up and put her on his shoulders as he led Jo to the rest of their lives.
Thanks for reading the Rockstars Anonymous series.
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About Michelle
Michelle MacQueen is a USA Today bestselling author of love. Yes, love. Whether it be YA romance, NA romance, or fantasy romance (Under M. Lynn), she loves to make readers swoon.
The great loves of her life to this point are two tiny blond creatures who call her “aunt” and proclaim her books to be “boring books” for their lack of pictures. Yet, somehow, she still manages to love them more than chocolate.
When she’s not being terrorized by her niece and nephew, Michelle is usually lounging in her ridiculously large bean bag chair creating worlds and characters that remind her to smile every day.
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