Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
He gets out and comes around, opening our doors and she rushes out.
I grin at her, playing along and step out beside her, tugging her to me the second my feet hit the pavement.
“You know,” I tease. “Going to the Drive-In usually requires driving in…” The words slip out playfully, and she smacks my stomach, dragging me forward.
I go willingly, let her lead me into the park and down the long line of cars. I think maybe we’re headed to the few rows on benches near the snack bar but she passes those two and I can’t help but chuckle.
We’re getting funny glances from everyone, looking all sort of out of place, her in her gown and heels, me in my rented tux and loafers.
“You know, I think we can officially say we are the best dressed couple here tonight.” I chuckle, jerking when I smack right into her back, my arms going around her middle to keep her from stumbling.
I laugh, burying my face in her neck. “Why the stop, Angel? Did you change your—”
My eyes lift, and every muscle in my body locks.
Paige spins in my arms, but I can’t look at her. My eyes are stuck.
I blink once. Twice.
My mouth opens but nothing comes out, and this time I do manage to tear my eyes away, meeting her watery ones.
Her lips press into a soft smile. “Surprise,” she whispers.
My jaw clenches and I straighten, arms falling from around her but locking my pinkie around hers to tug her forward with me as I move closer.
Closer to the familiar red truck, the one I sold several months ago.
It’s parked in the best spot in the house, a blanket laid out in the bed, the speakers attached to the side—everything set up and ready.
I swallow hard, staring at it, almost in disbelief.
I turn to her, and I can see her eyes glistening, like she’s waiting for something. I’ve never felt more uncertain and more grateful at the same time.
“You’ve been so selfless, Chase. You’ve been carrying all this weight and hiding it. Protecting everyone, shielding your friends, hurting all alone. Well, they wanted to do something for you, something you would never have asked for but they knew meant more than you’d admit.”
I reach out, my fingers brushing the hood of the truck, and my chest tightens. My heart’s pounding, not sure if I’m relieved, confused, or just overwhelmed.
“They bought it back for you,” she adds quietly, like she’s afraid she’ll break something.
I feel my throat tighten, and I sit down behind the wheel, still shaking a little. This is too much. I don’t even know what to say.
I look up when I hear footsteps. Mason, Payton, Brady, Cam, and Ari. They’re walking up, all of them grinning. And then Deaton is barreling forward, hopping up in my lap and spilling popcorn all over the cab.
A laugh leaves me instantly and I wrap my arms around him. “What’s up, little man?”
“We got you a surprise because we love you!” he shouts, wiggling off me and asking to be put down in the bed of the truck.
Mase helps him up, turning to me just as I climb out.
My throat clogs as they step up, one by one giving me a hug I didn’t know I needed.
Giving me this gift I didn’t know I needed.
Thankfully, no words are necessary, so with a quiet thank-you, they hop in the back, making themselves comfortable.
I look back at Paige, meeting her smile and giving her one of my own.
And as I look out across my friends, I can feel it. The weight I didn’t even know I was carrying lifting off me, the love of my friends settling over me.
This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I’m going to keep this feeling with me. And if anyone ever asks me if I feel like I’m missing, I know exactly what the answer will remain:
Never.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Chase
Six months later
I stand in the doorway, watching her.
She doesn’t hear me at first. Sitting there with her back against the wall, headphones in, and eyes closed, a soft smile on her lips as she loses herself in the music after a long day of work.
The sight is almost too damn perfect, a moment of peace in the chaotic little life we’re creating, just her in her world.
I stand there, just watching as different emotions flicker across her face, curious as to what it is she’s listening to but not enough to interrupt. I love seeing her like this, just existing in the place she has dreamed about for years. She finally gets to spend her days here and I’ve never seen her more at peace.
Slowly, her eyes flutter open. It takes her a second to register the breeze coming from the open door, but when she does, she looks up at the mirror, meeting my gaze. That smile stretching across her face is my prize.