Epilogue
NOLAN
OCTOBER
For my birthday, Bethany insisted on a night out, pulling me from my comfy couch. When I agreed, I expected it to be a family affair.
It’s not.
Our four kids are at home. I’ll admit it’s nice to know I can go out with my wife and not have to worry about the kids.
My wife. I still can hardly believe it.
Following my proposal, Bethany pushed for a wedding the very next weekend. It wasn’t a big affair. We invited those close to us. Mostly, our family and a few friends. Her parents were invited but made up some excuse about why they couldn’t come. I’m not sure that was such a bad thing. Whenever they’re around, the tension in the air can ruin a good day.
Finn and Felix gave their mother away, one on each side. Kellie carried the rings and walked down the aisle with Mollie, who insisted she be the flower girl. Alicia was the maid of honor, and my sister was my best woman.
Wade officiated it. He already had his license and volunteered to do it when he heard of our plans. And since we got married in our backyard, it made sense.
Jodi was our coordinator, who made sure the ceremony went off with a bang and then later stayed with the kids so we could have a proper honeymoon night away. Our real honeymoon will have to wait. But our plan is to take one next summer when I’ve built up enough vacation to take a full week.
It all seems so surreal. I wasn’t sure we’d ever get to this point. Most mornings I wake up and expect to realize it’s all been a dream. Thankfully it’s not.
Having reached our destination, I park. This isn’t what I expected. I’m not sure why. I was instructed to dress comfortably. I thought we’d be dining at a restaurant, where a few of our friends would join us. Knowing Bethany won’t explain, because she’s refused to do so since we left the house, I climb out of my truck and walk around to get the door for her. Once I have it open, I frown. “Why the hell are we at a roller rink?”
With a light touch, she pats my face, her hand lingering for a moment. “Because we are having an adult birthday party here.”
“Here?” I huff.
“Yes, Mr. Grumpy, here.” She pushes me out of the way and climbs out.
After she grabs the large tote and a few other bags from the back, she heads for the front door. They look heavy. And because I’m not the kind of man who would let his woman carry more than him, I take them from her. A protest forms on her lips, but my glare stops her. She realizes it’s a lost cause and resumes walking.
“I’m not sure you should be skating? You’re still healing.”
Pulling the door open to the concrete brick building, she glares at me. “Fuck that. I’m fine.”
“But you’re wearing a long dress.” I point out the obvious and then frown even more. “Do you have underwear on?”
With a dramatic roll of her eyes, she tells me what I already know. “No.”
I reverse my course and head back to my truck. No fucking way is she skating without underwear. I can see it now. She’ll fall and flash all our friends. Hell no. I’m the only lucky bastard allowed to see her perfect pussy.
“Nolan, get back here.”
“No.” I glance behind me. “Not until we go to Target and buy you some underwear.”
When she lifts her skirt, prepared to expose herself to me, I nearly drop the bags I’m holding. Underneath her dress, she was secretly wearing a pair of black shorts. Not exactly underwear, but good enough. “Satisfied?”
“No.” I say, walking back toward her and then hold the door with my foot. “Why didn’t you just say that?”
She pats my face again, making me grunt. “Because it’s so much fun messing with you.” Rising onto her tiptoes, she kisses me, instantly brightening my mood. “Come on. Everyone is waiting on us.”
As soon as we enter the main rink area—that smells like dirty old socks and stale popcorn—a crowd bigger than I expected yells, “Surprise!” And it’s accompanied by several loud pops and confetti as they shoot them at us before they start singing. Not great either, might I add.
Several faces I recognize and a few I don’t fill the large rink. My guys and their significant others are here. Some of Bethany’s colleagues have come as well. I don’t know all of them yet, but it won’t be long before I do. And, of course, Jodi, Cora, and Alicia are here.
Cora walks up to me with Stormy strapped to her chest, smiling. God, she is such a good mother. “I know that look.”
“I don’t have a look.” I lean down and place a kiss on Stormy’s curly head. “Tell your momma she’s crazy. Where’s Mr. Moneybags?”
My sister gives her head a shake and points behind her. “He and Dillon are playing DJ tonight. They are gonna take turns being on baby duty while we skate around and act like teenagers again. Plus, Geoff told me he doesn’t know how to skate and said he’s too old to learn now.”
An idea pops into my head as Bethany takes the bags from me. “I don’t know how to skate either. I’ll hang out with them.”
Geoff’s grown on me. I’m still a little skeptical of him, but so far, he’s proven to be a great dad and companion. When he man’s up and asks my sister to marry him, then maybe I’ll admit I like him. But probably not . To change his reputation from just being the one who got my sister pregnant, he needs to walk down the aisle with her, unlike the previous prick who broke her heart.
“Liar.” Cora rats me out. “You’re the one who taught me how to skate.”
I grunt and cross my arms.
“Nice try, birthday boy.” Bethany all but skips away laughing. “Your skates are over there. Put them on or later tonight, I’m not giving you your special present. You know, the one you’ve been begging for, but I told you I only did that on special occasions.”
Fuck.
My dick goes hard instantly. There’s no way I’m not skating now. And she better be talking about what I think she’s talking about or later there will be hell to pay. You don’t tease a man with that.
“Dammit, wife.”
Placing her hands over her ears to block us out, Cora turns and walks away. “I did not hear that.”
I hate to admit this, but after about fifteen minutes—how long it took me to remember how to skate—the night turns into one of the best of my life. It was nice doing something with the guys from the firehouse outside of work. We don’t do that enough, and when we do, it’s usually with our kids. Don’t get me wrong, family time with them is great. But hanging out with my men like this allows them to let loose. And since this is an adults-only party, there is beer. Jodi was smart and is limiting it to three beers—one an hour—since we all have to drive home later. Don’t need anyone getting a DUI or causing an accident.
After an hour, I need to take a break. My feet hurt, and I won’t be surprised if I develop a blister. I grab a beer while I take a breather. My sister zooms past me with Rylee—who also now lives across from us, our tenant. Those two are showing off, skating circles around most of us. I can’t help but notice how a few of the single guys are watching Rylee, and she’s eating it up. Flirting with as many of them as she can.
Bethany flies up next to where I’m sitting and falls onto the spot next to me. She’s winded but has the most stunning smile on her face. “I forgot how much work skating is. You having fun?”
Slipping my arm behind her, I pull her closer. “I am. We should do this more often.”
“Go skating?” She tilts her head up so she can look at me. “Is that a smile on your face?”
“Shut up.” I purposely frown but can’t hold it. “Sure, but that’s not what I meant.” With a smile, I wave at everyone who seems to be having a good time. “This. A night out with our friends. And not just because it’s someone’s birthday.”
“I like that idea. Jodi and I will have to see what we can come up with, since we can’t throw those swinger parties anymore.” She laughs at her own joke then lets out a solid huff. “Speaking of Jodi, have you seen her? The last time I saw her was when she took a spill and Wade helped her up.”
I shake my head and then do a quick look around the rink. Come to think of it I haven’t seen either of them since then.
We spot them at the same time.
Jodi’s face is scrunched up in a ferocious grimace, her eyes blazing with a fury that would make most men cower. Words tumble from her lips in a torrent, her finger a rigid pointer directed at him, yet his face is a blank canvas as he stares at her unbothered.
“What do you think he did?” I almost feel sorry for him, but I know Wade. He often rubs women the wrong way with his bold behavior and snide remarks, creating tension.
Bethany tsks. “Not sure. But whatever it is, Jodi’s not having it.”
Just then, Wade roughly grabs her face and slams his lips to hers, the action jarring and unexpected. She puts up a fight, but soon her resistance fades and she yields. After she’s been kissed into submission, he stops.
“What the fuck?” Bethany whispers, sounding just as shocked as me.
A few seconds stretch into an eternity as they stare, the air thick with unspoken words. He says something and waits a few beats before he stands and walks out.
“My thoughts exactly,” I finally say, now that my jaw is no longer on the ground. “You don’t think?”
Jodi stares at the dark door for a beat before grabbing her phone and then starts typing. Rising, she gathers her belongings and leaves without looking back to see if anyone is watching.
The door barely closes when Beth’s phone vibrates in her pocket. She pulls it out, and we both read the text.
JODI:
I’m not feeling great. Gonna head home. I’ll come by in the morning and grab Nicky?
BETHANY:
Or I can bring him once everyone gets up.
JODI:
That’s not necessary. I’ve got a few things I need to do, so I’ll just come get him first.
BETHANY:
If you’re sure?
JODI:
I am. Thanks.
BETHANY:
No problem. Let me know if you need anything.
“You’re not gonna ask her about that?” That surprises me. Usually, she’d be right on that. Those two tell each other everything, and I do mean everything.
I hadn’t even finished speaking when my phone buzzes. Retrieving it from my pocket, I notice a message from Wade as it vibrates in my hand.
WADE:
Great party, man. Happy birthday. Got called in, you know how it is. Have a good night.
ME:
I do. Thanks for coming.
Bethany tilts her head and tosses me a sassy look. “Not gonna ask him about that?”
“Hell no.” I reach for her hand, my fingers brushing against hers before I pull her to her feet. “I don’t want to know. That’s his business.”
Besides, I know my wife will only let this go for so long before she gets the tea. If Jodi doesn’t confess, she’ll bring it up and force her to. Which is why I let it go. By tomorrow morning, if what we think happened, happened, she’ll know.
“Let’s skate.” I spin her around so she’s skating backwards. “So, about later…”
Bethany’s laughter turns to a yelp as we tumble to the ground. After I make sure she’s okay, I join her laughing.
Best birthday ever, even with the dull ache promising a colorful bruise on my ass. It was all worth it. The way she smiles up at me with so much love makes every one of them worth it.
I love this woman so much, and I’m so glad my grumpy ass finally got up the courage to learn how to live again. One thing’s for certain. Life with Bethany will never be boring.
Thank you for reading Bleeding Hearts! I hope you loved it!
Want to read Cora’s story? Click HERE !
Maybe you’d rather read about Alicia and Dillon in Unavoidable .