Fighting For Our Forever: The Beaumont Series: Next Generation

by Heidi McLaughlin

  Dhara sits down next to me. “Jamie, I love you. You’re my best friend. But I want you to hear me and absorb what I’m telling you. Ajay Ballard is head over heels in love with you. I promise you that those stupid little thoughts you’re having are very misplaced. That man will not do anything to intentionally hurt you ever again.”

  “I know,” I say quietly, still cuddling his shirt. “I can’t help it though. I read things.”

  “Stop reading the shit on the internet.”

  “You do,” I point out.

  “That’s because I’m a fangirl. I read so I can pretend I’m there and part of the scandal.”

  “Dhara!”

  She shrugs. “It’s all a fantasy, J. I would never be the woman to break up a marriage. Ever. I’m not that person, I don’t care how famous the person is. That’s not how I roll, but I pretend. I picture myself married to guys like Liam Page because it’s an escape from reality when the truth is that I met the guy and couldn’t even form a sentence. Like, my rock God was standing in front of me, shaking my hand and smiling, and the only thing I could do was swallow. Fletcher saved me. He said everything to Liam and the other guys that I’ve wanted to say for years. It probably took me an hour, if not longer, to finally find the courage to move from the spot I was standing in and mingle. But by the end of the little party, I was comfortable.”

  “And more in love?”

  “Yeah, with what he shares with his wife. She walked in and bam! The whole room shifted on its axis. I want a guy to look at me the way Liam looks at his wife.” She nudges my hip with her elbow. “The way Ajay looks at you when you come into view. From the time we were kids, I’ve been jealous of you both. I knew early on what love at first sight was. It was Jameson and Ajay, two souls destined to be together, come hell or high water. You’ve already been through hell and he’s going to be your ark to get you through the high water.”

  “When did you become so philosophical?”

  Dhara smiles. “Let’s go, seriously we have hair and nail appointments this morning.”

  “They’re not even open yet.”

  “They will be by the time we get to Wilmington.”

  “But Ajay—”

  Dhara tugs on my arm, pulling me upright. “We’ll be back before he even gets to town. Come on, get dressed and wear that shirt. I want to beat traffic.”

  Until today, I have never been to a salon that has black drapes over their mirrors. The stylist says it’s because there was a death in the family, and they were in mourning. Add this oddity to the fact that the salon sign says they’re closed, cell phones aren’t allowed, and no one asked me what I wanted my hair to look like. I’m fairly confident that when I leave here, I’m going to look like Frenchie from Grease and all Dhara can say is that I look beautiful.

  She does, of course. Her hair is done in a French twist and her make-up looks flawless. From what I can tell, mine is curled, braided, twisted, and pinned. After this, I’m not so sure she can be my best friend anymore. Who brings their bestie to a place like this knowing full well they’re seeing the judge today? Mine, that’s who.

  “Close your eyes,” the stylist says to me. I do, reluctantly.

  “What’s going on?” I ask anyone who is willing to give me a straight answer.

  “We’re being pampered,” Dhara says. “Enjoy it.”

  “I feel like this is a set-up.”

  “It is,” she laughs.

  “What?” I turn my head quickly. “Shit, sorry,” I tell the woman working on me. She doesn’t say anything but mutters a few expletives that shouldn’t be repeated in public. “Dhara, you need to start talking, immediately.”

  She sighs. “You’re such a buzzkill. Ajay is taking you out to dinner tonight and he thought you’d like a day at the spa.”

  “This isn’t a spa,” I say through gritted teeth. “A spa means a massage, a mud bath, a mani and pedi. For all I know I look like Bozo the clown.” I glance at the girl working on me and cringe. “Sorry.”

  “Well I needed my hair done, so this was an easy solution.”

  “Yeah, for you.”

  “Eh, whatever.”

  “What do you need your hair done for?” I ask her. “Are you finally going to tell Fletcher how you feel about him?”

  Dhara doesn’t have a witty comeback and when my make-up gal steps away, I turn and look at her. She’s brooding and acting like she’s engrossed in the magazine that she’s flipping through… likely one she’s already read.

  “Fletcher loves you, Dhara. And I have a feeling you feel the same way. I think it’s about time you both take a step forward before it’s too late.”

  “Late for what?”

  “He’s leaving, D. He was offered a job in Raleigh and plans to take it. He wants you to go with him.”

  “And what? Be his roommate?”

  I laugh. Leave it to her to play clueless. “To move with him. Don’t play dumb with me right now, I’m sitting in this chair and don’t have a single idea of what I look like.”

  “You’re beautiful,” she tells me.

  “And you’re biased and avoiding the elephant in the room. Fletcher loves you and you love him.”

  “As a friend.”

  I shake my head slightly. “I don’t buy it one bit. He’s your guy. He’s your go to, the one you call for everything. He stays at your house almost every night, sleeping on the couch because he wants to be close to you when he has a perfectly great apartment of his own. You have dinner with him five out of seven nights. Meet for lunch, breakfast, and go shopping. You’re in a relationship without being in a relationship.”

  “What we have is perfect.”

  “What you have is nice. It’s far from perfect. It’ll be perfect when you tell that boy how you feel, but first admit to yourself that you’re in love with him.”

  “So, what if I am?” she asks defiantly. “If he’s moving, what difference does it make?”

  “It matters because he wants to build a life with you, and if he were to leave, you’d be devastated.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “You’re all done,” my stylist says. I’m tempted to ask for a mirror but am sure I’d be told no. I stand and go over to Dhara.

  “I know because you haven’t said anything about Evelyn and I moving. You haven’t cried, complained, or told me to stay. You’ve helped me pack and each night gone back to Fletcher. If he leaves…”

  I study her for a minute, looking for any sign in her eyes that my words are getting through. She closes the magazine and gives me a soft smile. “If I tell you that I love him will you drop this?”

  Shaking my head. “Nope. I want you to tell him.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Then you’ll finally understand the heartache that I went through when Ajay left, and believe me, Dhara, you don’t want to experience that.”

  She doesn’t say anything, except “thank you” to the staff. When we get outside, there’s a limo parked in front of the salon with the driver standing by the door. “Let me guess.”

  Dhara links arms with mine and says, “It’s best that you just play along.”

  Left with no choice, I climb into the back and settle in. I am somewhat familiar with Wilmington and figure I’ll know where we’re going after we start driving, but as luck would have it, the windows are covered.

  “Let me guess, it’s a secret?”

  “Of course,” she says. “Your boy is pulling out all the stops for a nice romantic dinner.”

  I want to be upset, but I can’t. If he’s putting in an effort like this, I’m going to enjoy it, even if I’d rather be at home waiting for him. We’re not in the car for long when it’s put into park and the back door is open.

  “Close your eyes and don’t peek,” she says, taking my hand and pulling me from the car. I do as she says, trying to be good for Ajay, but it’s damn near killing me not to open them. She tells me when to step, when to turn and finally when to open my eyes.


  We’re in a room with no windows, but there’s a mirror and a dress side-by-side. “Dhara,” my voice breaks as I say her name. “What’s going on?”

  “Well, if I had to guess, I’d say someone is getting married today!”

  I look at her, willing my tears to go away. “Explain please, before I have a breakdown.”

  She leads me over to the vanity and sits me down in front of the mirror. I look at myself, with my perfect make-up and my long hair done just the way I’ve dreamed. My hand covers my mouth as she hugs me from behind.

  Dhara moves to my side and touches the dress hanging there. “For years, I’ve watched you mark dresses, hair designs and wedding ideas, knowing that if you were to ever get married again, you’d want your fairytale. Well, I’m here to say that your dreams are about to come true.”

  “How?”

  “Ajay,” she says. “He wanted to give you something new to start your life together over with. We’ve been planning this for weeks and let me tell you, Josie Westbury — that’s Liam’s wife in case you didn’t know — has some serious pull when it comes to weddings. Ajay asked Mrs. Harrison, your mom and me to pull this together.”

  As if on cue, the door opens and my dad, dressed in a tuxedo, steps in. My mom follows and Evelyn is behind her, dressed in a matching gown. “Oh my,” I say as tears start to fall. “Ajay did all of this?”

  Dhara and my mom nod. “We helped, but it was his idea. He wanted you to have your fairytale wedding, something he couldn’t give you before.”

  “May I come in?” Katelyn asks as she peaks her head in.

  “Of course,” I tell her. I stand and give everyone in the room a hug. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You have to say, ‘I do’, Mommy.”

  I kneel and look at my daughter. “I think I can do that.”

  34

  Ajay

  Quinn stands in the mirror, adjusting his bow tie. There’s a smirk on his face, one I can’t decipher, as he looks back and forth between his sister and me. To outsiders we’re nothing more than a band, a group of people who get together and perform. But to me, we’re family. They’re my family. Keane and his daughter, Chandler, Dana, Hendrix, Elle, and Quinn… we’re unconventional but it works for us.

  Elle looks me in the eyes and smiles softly. I haven’t asked her what she’s thinking or even what her thoughts are about Whiskey and me, but I’ve seen her with Evelyn and she’s a natural. Quinn and Elle’s entire family have taken me in and welcomed my girls with open arms; it’s like we’ve always been this close-knit group, like they’ve been my family from the beginning. It’s taken me a long time to accept that blood doesn’t make a family. Love is all you need.

  The door opens and Harrison and Katelyn walk in. One look at the woman who has become a mother to me and my heart lurches. She dabs at her eyes and comes over to me and Elle but pushes her daughter out of the way. “I’m so proud of you,” she says brushing her hands over my shoulders. “This is going to be the most perfect day.”

  “I hope so. I’m waiting to hear from Dhara to make sure everything is okay.”

  “It is,” she tells me. “I’ve seen her and Evelyn, and oh my… Oh Ajay, they’re just so beautiful.”

  My throat tightens. “She’s here?” I don’t know why but there’s a part of me that thought she wouldn’t come, that being with me wasn’t what she wanted. I know what I’m feeling is relief, but it’s more than that and it’s hard to describe.

  Katelyn nods. “And dressed. The church is filling up and Chandler looks so cute handing out the programs. The quartet is already playing, and the flowers are lovely. I’ve never seen whiskey colored roses until today. I don’t know how Josie finds these impossible colors.”

  “You did an amazing job, Mom.” Quinn kisses her on the cheek. “Maybe you and Aunt Josie should go into the wedding planning business.”

  She shakes her head. “I only plan weddings for my kids, that’s it. Two down, two to go,” she eyes Quinn and Elle. Elle holds her hand up, showing off her ring.

  “I’m one step closer than Quinn.”

  “Hey,” he says. “We haven’t been together that long. You and Ben, Noah and Peyton, and Ajay and Jamie have known each other for years. Years!” he throws his hands up in the air and we all laugh.

  “Well, at least Ajay is making me a grandma.”

  Elle and Quinn’s eyes go wide and there seems to be an intense standoff between the James’s. I want to step away but am intrigued with what’s going on. Harrison stands next to me, watching the three of them battle it out via staring contest. Katelyn raises her eyebrow, challenging her children.

  “I’m not married yet,” Elle stammers.

  Katelyn tilts her head and looks at Quinn. He tugs on the collar of his shirt and asks, “Is it hot in here?”

  “Nope,” I say. “It’s a cool sixty-five.”

  “Feels like it’s eighty,” Quinn says as Harrison laughs in the background.

  “Feels like you’re dodging the question,” Katelyn says.

  “I don’t believe one was asked, Mom,” Quinn fires back. “Besides, shouldn’t you be having this conversation with Peyton and Noah? They’re at least married.”

  “Do you think you need to be married to have children?” she asks them.

  Quinn shakes his head. “No, ma’am,” he says quietly. “But her parents would appreciate the gesture and I want to respect their wishes.”

  Katelyn steps forward and sets her hand on Quinn’s cheek. “You’re such a good boy, Quinn.” He leans into her hand and tells her thank you. She goes to Elle, who has a sudden fascination with her fingernails. “And you?”

  “Mom,” Elle says sternly.

  Katelyn laughs. “I’m only messing with you both. I know when you’re ready, it’ll happen but until then, I’ll spoil Evelyn.”

  “I think she’ll like that,” I add.

  She turns and looks at Harrison. “You’ve been awfully quiet while I’ve given them grief.”

  He shrugs. “I’m just damn happy that my family is happy.”

  “We are happy, aren’t we?”

  The group of us nod and Katelyn tells us that we need to finish getting ready. Quinn’s my best man. The decision to ask Quinn over Harrison wasn’t easy. They’ve been there for me in different ways and I’m close to both of them. But having Quinn right next to me feels right.

  Keane, Hendrix, and Dana come in. The guys are in black suits and Dana is in a knee length dress, all chosen by Elle to match the bridal party. When Dhara asked me what colors I wanted, I blurted out Whiskey, meaning that she should decide, but that would be near impossible if I were to keep this wedding a secret. Dhara explained that Pinterest would save our asses, whatever that meant, and got to work picking out the attire for everyone. All I know is that Dhara and Josie worked magic, and that I’m going to owe them both until the day I die. Dhara’s words, not mine.

  “It’s time,” Keane says. “Mrs. James, if you’ll allow me to do the honors?” He holds out his arm and Katelyn goes to him, but not before stopping at me first.

  “Do you have your vows?” she asks.

  “Memorized,” I tell her, pointing to my head.

  She adjusts my lapel and straightens my boutonniere. “And the ring?”

  “In my pocket, Mom,” Quinn adds.

  “And Saul took care of your divorce, making sure it was withdrawn?”

  I nod. “Yes. Elle’s sneaky way of having Whiskey sign a non-disclosure agreement worked perfectly.”

  Katelyn smiles. “While I wouldn’t usually condone that tactic, in this situation it was perfect.” I wink at Elle, who grins back. She’s the best manager a guy like me could ask for.

  “Okay, I guess we’re all ready then! In a few minutes I’m officially going to have another daughter and be a grandma. I’m not sure if this day could be any more perfect.”

  Me neither, but I’m not about to count my chickens before they hatch or is it count my eggs? Eithe
r way, I’m not counting on anything until I slip a ring onto Whiskey’s finger and marry her in front of our friends and family.

  We follow Keane out of the room and when I step into the church, I’m taken aback. The pews are filled with people I’ve known for years, people who shouldn’t give a rat’s ass about me, but they do… or they at least care for Whiskey and Evelyn.

  “I can’t believe Elle pulled this off, getting everyone here without alerting Whiskey,” I say to Quinn.

  “When Elle puts her mind to something, anything is possible. My sister is a force to be reckoned with when she wants something.”

  No truer words have ever been spoken when referring to Elle James. I know she moved mountains to get her brother to join Sinful Distraction. We would’ve been good without him, but having him makes us incredible. And all of her efforts gave me a best friend.

  The music shifts and people turn toward the double doors. Once they open, Dhara walks toward the alter, a huge smile on her face as her eyes are laser focused on Fletcher. If they’re not together soon, Whiskey is going to lock them in a room. It’s all she talks about — how they love each other but are too dumb to realize it themselves.

  My eyes are on the doorway when Evelyn steps through. I quickly glance at Katelyn, who is dabbing her eyes, but go back to watching the little girl that I’m going to raise as my own. Her hair is pinned up, making her curls bounce as she walks toward us. When she reaches me, I kneel so that we’re eye level.

  “Aren’t you the prettiest girl in the room?”

  She shakes her head and looks over her shoulder. “Mommy is, just wait until you see her,” she whispers.

  The music switches and the vibe in the church changes. Everyone stands and I’m forced to move from where I’m standing so I can see my bride coming down the aisle.

  “Damn,” I say aloud as Whiskey makes her way toward me. Her dress is tight around her chest, poofy at her waist, and according to Dhara and Elle, this is her dream dress. I don’t know anything about fashion or wedding dresses, but I do know that Whiskey looks fucking hot, beautiful, and drop dead gorgeous in it… and I can’t wait to take it off her later.