Epilogue
Ripley
One Month Later
“The rules of Redneck Wrecked are very clear,” I state after everyone at the table downs their second shot in five minutes. I smirk as they boo me, already lamenting the hangovers they’ll be nursing tomorrow.
“You shut your face. I hate this bullshit game,” grumbles Brooks as he takes an extra shot on Margot’s behalf since she’s working early tomorrow. She snuggles into his side, soothingly rubbing his back.
We finally got all the permits and the okay to start site preparation on the B Archer mentioned she’d be stopping in tonight.”
At my mention of Archer, Seth’s fingers dig into my side, and I let out a squawk.
“Oh my God, let it go; it was like a million years ago. You know I worship at your feet,” I say, extricating myself from his grip.
“It was two months ago—” I cut him off with another kiss, this one a little less tame, and he melts into it.
Archer who?
An hour later, I lock eyes with Brooks, his expression is blank, and he’s a little pale.
I guess that’s my cue.
I tap my glass on the table to get our party’s attention. “Okay, new rule, Margot has to take a shot if her boyfriend gets down on one knee.”
There’s a rumble of murmurs around the small gathering, and the music cuts off.
“What?” she asks, her face screwed up in confusion. She’s adorable, Brooks never stood a chance.
Brooks clears his throat, and everyone’s attention swings to him. He’s down on one knee just behind Margot, a black velvet box in his hand. She turns around, and her quiet “oh” can be heard throughout the now silent bar. Seth’s hand finds mine, and he squeezes.
“Shit, I didn’t think about how many of you would be here,” Brooks starts, looking around, but then his eyes land on Margot, and everything about him softens. “Freckles, I love you. So much.”
It’s at this point Margot’s tears start. Her big green eyes well up and spill over. She covers her mouth to hold in the tiny sobs.
“You came into my life and turned it upside down in the best way. Everything about you makes me want to be a better version of myself, someone deserving. Will you let me keep trying to make you happy? Will you marry me?” Brooks’ words don’t waver and are filled with the no-bullshit tone he so often uses.
Margot’s small, surprised, and overwhelmed sobs intensify. The crowd shifts around in discomfort; some people start edging away to give them privacy while still staying within hearing distance. This town is full of nosy gossips.
Brooks turns to me. “Is this normal? I didn’t expect so much crying.” I stare back at him with a small shrug, but I can’t find any words. I’m still holding on to Seth’s hand, and now it feels like a lifeline as I watch the potential end of my friend’s relationship.
Thea wraps a hand around Margot’s shoulder. “Hun, I think you have to tell him now.” Her voice is soft, comforting, and Margot looks at her and nods.
“Brooks, baby.” She clears her throat. “I have to tell you something, and it might change things...”
Brooks’ hopeful face falls, and he stands up, ring box still in hand.
Margot grabs his empty hand with both of hers and takes a big breath. “I’m pregnant.”
There’s a long pause. As if time has stopped, no one says anything; I’m not sure anyone even breathes.
“Fuck,” Brooks says and hangs his head.
Margot looks like she’s about to start sobbing again.
I’m a second away from grabbing her and running out of here when Brooks looks up with tears in his eyes.
The tears are joined by a wide smile. He whoops, making a few people jolt in surprise, Margot included. He laughs, relief pouring off of him.
“That is not what I thought you were going to say. Holy shit. I’m so fucking happy. Is this a yes? Are you going to marry me?”
“I—Yeah, yes. Of course.” Margot’s tears are flowing again, but there’s only joy on her face now. Brooks scoops her up into a wild kiss, and the crowd claps and cheers their congratulations.
Shelley appears with plastic flutes of something bubbly and passes them around.
“Congratulations, you two. This one is sparkling apple cider,” she says, handing a drink to Margot.
“I’m heading out back to take a break, so don’t need anything for the next fifteen minutes.
” She hustles away, dropping her tray on the bar top before disappearing down the hall in the back.
“That was a rollercoaster, wow,” I say, leaning into Seth. He nuzzles into my neck, mumbling an affirmation before his lips brush against my skin.
Full. Body. Shivers.
“Come on,” I whisper, glancing around to make sure no one is paying us any attention. I wind our way around the space, exchanging a few words of excitement for the newly engaged couple before I shove Seth down the hall to the bathroom.
We squeeze in through the door, trying to make as little noise as possible.
He has me against a wall with a hand down my pants before I can lock the door.
I’m about to tell him I’d really like a repeat of the last time he followed me in here when I hear a grunt from the farthest stall.
Seth’s hand freezes, as does his mouth on mine.
He pulls his face away and sucks his lips into his mouth to keep from laughing.
“Fuck, that hurts, you psycho,” a gruff voice calls from the stall. My eyes widen as I recognize the voice.
A woman chuckles. “Shut up, you like it.” There’s rustling, some tinkling of jewelry, and some wet R-rated sounds, and then a masculine moan that goes straight to my cock. It must do something for Seth too because he ruts against my thigh, his dick a steel rod in his pants.
Not ready to put on a show or get caught by the likes of Hayes Mason and his lady friend, I haul Seth out of the bathroom and out the back door of the bar. There’s a mild smell of dumpster and cigarette smoke in the humid air.
“That was…” Seth starts, his words a little slurred.
“So fucking hot,” I finish for him, slamming my mouth to his. We sway with the kiss, and I place a hand on the building to keep our balance.
Seth pulls back and says, “No, I mean, that was Hayes, right?”
“Mmhmm,” I agree and lean back in to take his mouth again.
Again, he extricates his face from mine. “And he was with…”
“Yes, so crazy,” I say between kisses to his neck. “Can I take you home now?”
“Please.”
I peel myself off of him, and we start down the sidewalk with the moon above. Our clasped hands swing between us, and I realize I’ve never been happier.