Epilogue 1
epilogue 1
FORD
S aturday nights looked much different than they had a few months ago, and I was so here for it.
My nieces and nephews were bouncing off the walls. Literally. Ashton’s boy, Tristan, kept karate kicking his older brother Theo. Theo would jump out of the way and Tris would hit the wall, fall backward on his butt, get up and do it over again.
Sophie, Maddie, and Anna’s daughter, Belle, were pirouetting in the back of the room, practicing ballet. Little Jane was trying so hard to mimic their moves but she kept ending up in tears.
The adults wandered in and found their seats. Meaning, they kicked a kid off the couch and sat down. Peyton and I snuggled on the bean bag chair. The only people missing were Mom and Dad.
The TV displayed a full screen graphic Charlie had made of a shooting star. But unlike Peyton’s tattoo, which had numbers on the tail, this one sported the words: Cash Dupree: The Greatest Hit You Never Knew You Wrote.
For a girl who liked to give my son a lot of grief, she’d done something very selfless by planning an entire evening to help fill in the blanks for all the memories we’d missed out on.
“Ahem,” Charlie, standing in front of the TV, spoke above the hoopla. “Granny and Gramps should be here any minute. Can we settle down, please?”
“See what she did there? Seddledowne?” Cash said to Griffin and Liam, seated on either side of him on our carpeted basement floor. “You’re killing me with the puns, Chuck.”
“Shut it, BPE,” Charlie clipped.
“I don’t have Big Perm Energy,” Cash protested. “These curls are real!”
She put her hands on her hips and quirked a brow. “Quit trying to cosplay your own father. We get it, you’re Ford Dupree’s kid. Whiskey and Women DNA unlocked. Big whoop.”
Cash’s gaze skittered to me and Peyton, panicked.
I tilted my head and mouthed, you’ve got this .
Cash glanced back at Charlie and rolled his eyes. “I don’t need to unlock my own DNA. I was already all this.” He gestured at himself.
“All this?” Charlie released an impatient breath. “And still no facial hair. Relax, Fun Size. You’re still too short for the roller coaster.”
Cash’s ears turned red.
“Ouch,” Peyton whispered with a wince. “Do we need to step in?”
“Mom and Dad swooping in to kiss his boo-boo. Definitely not.”
“Charlie.” Christy shook her head. “That boy is about to hit full-blown puberty. You’re going to have to eat those words. He is going to be a looker .”
“He already is,” Holden said.
Cash’s head bobbed, preening at the compliments.
“Sure, sure,” Charlie said, expressionless. “I’ll worry about it when he stops shopping in the kids’ section.”
“Seriously?” Tally said, not looking amused at all. “You were raised better than that.”
“No stress, I’ve got this.” Cash settled back against the base of the couch, hands resting at the back of his head, secure and comfy. He eyed Charlie for a second. “You know, you roast me more than Starbucks. All this teasing? It’s giving ‘secret admirer’ vibes.”
Silas, Holden, and Ashton hooted.
Charlie patted a fake yawn. “Whatever you say, king of the booster seat.” Man. I had to give it to the girl, she could dish it.
But then, Anna cupped her hands like a megaphone and yelled, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks!”
For a second, I thought Charlie might not speak Shakespeare but then I remembered who her parents were. Yup. Her cheeks turned a beautiful rosy pink.
“Oooh,” I laughed.
Cash pressed a finger down as Peyton yelled, “Cha-ching!” triumphantly.
Cash turned to us with delighted eyes. I pushed my fist toward him. Fifteen feet away, he thrust his fist toward me for an air-bump.
Thanks, Dad, he mouthed.
I hoped I never got used to him calling me that. You’re welcome.
Peyton snuggled into my side even more. “Maybe we shouldn’t have let him get the faux hawk. With the curls, he looks so much like you.”
“You make it sound like a bad thing.” I scoffed. “I thought you liked my pretty face.”
“I do.” She laid the back of her wrist against her forehead and swooned. “It’s my favorite. Could look at it all day.” A groove formed between her eyebrows. “I just don’t want him to lose his own identity because of who his dad is.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple. “We’ll keep him grounded.”
“Yeah.”
Finally, Mom and Dad walked in. “Sorry, we’re late. We had to deliver a calf that was breech,” Dad said.
Holden threw his hands up. “You coulda called for help.”
“We had it under control.” Mom smiled. “But thank you, sweetie.”
Once they were seated in the center of the bigger of the two couches, Charlie tapped her invisible mic. “We’d like to thank you all for coming this evening. Does everyone have their presentations ready?”
“We do!” Sophie shouted, holding a rolled-up poster board.
“Ours is a PowerPoint,” Ashton waved a flash drive in the air.
“We planned a skit,” Blue said.
“We’re going to win,” Maddie squealed. “We made a Get To Know You game.”
“It’s not a competition,” Charlie spoke into the air mic.
“Everything’s a competition!” Blaze shouted. His dad grinned proudly.
Charlie rolled her eyes and laughed. “Those sound great. But first, a word from our sponsor.” She gestured to me and found a seat on the arm of the couch.
Peyton squeezed my hand. “Good luck.”
I pushed to a stand and took Charlie’s spot in front of the TV. I glanced around at my family, each giving me their full attention. Then I gazed down at my wife, who was more rapt than anyone.
“So,” I started. “Life has thrown me some spectacular curveballs recently.”
“Is that what we’re calling your secret love child?” Ashton heckled.
I clicked my tongue. “Put the fries in the bag, dingus.”
Cash hooted. “I taught him that.”
“An-y-way.” I shot my brother a baleful glare. “Life has thrown some spectacular curveballs recently,” I repeated. “And now I’m choosing to throw a few of my own.”
“Cryptic much?” Holden asked.
I pulled the TV remote out of my pocket and began my own presentation.
The first slide said,
Dad, when did you last have your heart checked?
“Two months ago,” Mom hollered. “He’s in perfect health.”
The next slide said,
Good, because I have big news and…
The third slide,
I don’t need any deaths on my conscience. (We all know how Gramps likes to sneak off to McDonald’s for a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit every Saturday morning.)
Mom gasped. “Excuse me?”
Dad groaned. “Really, Ford?”
“We are having a conversation about your arteries when we get home, Bo.” Mom snapped.
“Your heart will thank me in ten years, Pops.” I clicked to the next slide—a picture of me on stage with Travis, Grady, and Hank at our last concert. “I’ve lived the dream with these guys. Could not be more grateful. But…” I pressed the remote again.
A montage began to play—of me shoving a gas station hot dog into my mouth, me sleeping on the tour bus, me staring out of the bus window with a bubble caption above my head that read: I missed Blaze’s football game. Another that read: I missed Maddie, Sophie, and Belle’s recital. And another: I missed Tristan’s pre-school play. Ending with: I missed Mom’s birthday.
The montage continued and I commentated, “I’ve spent years chasing stadium lights, living out of suitcases, and eating gas station burritos. 5 out of 10, would not recommend. And while Whiskey and Women has had an unforgettable run…”
A family picture of me, Peyton, and Cash popped up that we’d had taken last week.
“Awww,” my sisters-in-law and Anna sang in unison.
“I’m getting an 8x10 of that, right?” Mom asked.
“It’s upstairs on the counter,” Peyton answered.
Everyone calmed down again.
With the family picture still on the screen, I continued, “Suddenly, the stadiums don’t feel as important as being there for late-night chats, awkward dad jokes, and listening to Cash’s morning shower concerts.”
“Probably shattering all the glass in the house.” Charlie snorted.
“Don’t knock it until you’ve heard him sing,” Peyton said. “His voice is fire, ” she trilled as she raised her hands to the roof.
“Please stop with the Gen Z slang, all you old people,” Bowen muttered. “You’re embarrassing yourselves.”
The picture of me, Hank, Travis, and Grady reappeared. But after a few seconds, the other three faded from the picture.
“So,” I began again. “While Whiskey and Women has been the ride of my life, I’m ready for something new.”
“Shut. Up,” Cash said, and I couldn’t tell if he was happy or horrified. “You’re done being a country music singer?”
“Did you seriously not see that coming?” Griffin asked Cash.
“Oh, hell no,” I said.
“Ford!” Peyton snapped.
“Sorry.” I chuckled. “Oh, heck no. But Whiskey and Women is done. I’m a one-man band now. Ford Dupree, beginning and end. Metaphorically speaking. I’ll still have two guitarists, a keyboardist, and a drummer. But yeah.”
Like I was a bullseye, question-arrows hit me from every direction. Would I lose money? Could I do it without the other three band members? Were Travis, Grady, and Hank angry with me? Did this mean I could take “Ride Me Like a Highway” off the air and stop selling it? That one was from Mom.
I held up a hand. “Patience people. All will be answered in good time.”
They quieted back down.
I swear I knew my family so well it was ridiculous. Because the next slide said,
Do Grady, Hank, and Travis hate me?
Another click.
Eh. Grady and Hank may or may not have cussed me out. But they find me “too stifling anyway”—and they’ve already found another band.
The picture of just me on stage reappeared and Travis came back into view—with the caption: Travis has agreed to be the drummer for Ford Dupree, The Man, The Myth, The Legend, though.
“Humble much,” Holden muttered.
“Two Grammy’s,” Cash coughed.
“That’s my boy,” I said as I clicked to the next slide.
Mom, no, “Ride Me Like A Highway” is not leaving streaming services. Sorry.
“Well, why not?” she asked with a humph.
I pursed my lips. “Because you can’t disappear a song that so many people love.”
“Think how many souls you’d save by taking that Satan song down,” she said like this was a real consideration.
“People are in charge of their own souls, Mom,” I said. “My song is not responsible for them.”
She huffed. “While we’re on the topic of saving souls?—”
“ Jenny ,” Dad chided.
“No, Mom,” Ashton said, hot under the collar. “You’re not going to give Tally a hard time about coming to church.”
“Excuse me for being worried for her immortal soul,” Mom said, looking hurt.
Tally appeared completely unbothered. “My soul's doing just fine. I'm more worried about your soul right now,” she said evenly. “With all the passive-aggressive energy you keep flinging at me.” Her expression softened. “I know you love me and want what you think is best. But let me worry about my immortal soul.”
Mom sunk back against the couch, thoroughly censured. The room went painfully silent.
Peyton and I shared a mortified look. I cleared my throat uncomfortably and flipped to the next slide.
Will Funcle Ford be poor now?
The next slide replied,
No. I already have my first single finished and ready to release in two months.
Everyone congratulated me. But I wasn’t done. This was the secret I’d been keeping for weeks. I clicked the remote again.
And…
Peyton and I have started a new production company called Backroad Studios. We’ll produce my music, along with up and coming artists and…
MOVIES.
“No way!” Ashton yelled with downright glee.
“Yes way.” I grinned.
Another slide.
We’ve already picked our first script…
Under that, new words appeared.
Well, a script yet to be written…
Another line popped up.
Based on one of our favorite spy romance book series…
A buzz of whispers broke out.
“Are you serious?” Tally fanned her face.
I grinned and flipped to the next slide.
Spy vs. Sigh by Ashton and Tally Dupree
The roar of cheering was almost as deafening as a stadium full of fans. But I wasn’t done yet.
Jack Steele will be played by…
Click.
A picture of me in a black suit, holding a gun, appeared.
The kids all cackled.
Click.
And Raven Nightshade will be played by…
Click.
A picture of Peyton slid into place. She was wearing a slinky black dress, looking hot , also holding a pistol.
I glanced at Ashton, who seemed completely sideswiped, and Tally, who was trying not to cry tears of joy.
“If you guys are okay with me and Peyton reprising those roles?” I shrugged. “I mean, you kind of have to be. The investors have agreed, as long as I play Jack. And after filming Doomsday for Two , I’m not kissing anyone but my wife. Ever. So…”
Peyton beamed at me. I hoped she never stopped looking at me like that.
“Yasss!” Tally squealed, coming to a stand. “Oh my gosh, yes! Peyt, you’re going to be perfect.”
“Can Peyton even act?” I heard Silas whisper to Lemon. He should never attempt to whisper. His deep voice didn’t allow it.
“I mean, she acted like Cash wasn’t Ford’s kid for thirteen years,” Holden said. “And we all believed it.”
“Mmhm,” Mom hummed.
“And she married Ford and pretended it was a real marriage and everyone believed that,” Ashton hollered.
“What?” Mom’s eyes bulged. “It wasn’t real? Are you two living in sin? Do we need to have another wedding?”
“Really, Ash?” Absolutely no good would come of Mom finding out it had been for show in the beginning. I looked at Mom. “It was a real wedding and we are not living in sin.” I glared at Ashton, who only held his hands up as if to abdicate himself from all wrongdoing.
Peyton looked over at Silas. “My mother was the Drama Club director my entire life. Also, I was a beauty queen, hello. Yes, I can act.”
“And she always earned the lead role in the plays in high school,” Ashton said with a bob of his head. “I only ever got stage manager.” But then he scowled and chewed on his bottom lip, clearly not sold yet.
I cleared my throat, drawing their attention back to me. “Jack and Raven are known for their explosive chemistry and we have that.” I pointed back and forth between Peyton and myself. If there was anything I was confident of it was that.
“Facts,” Anna said.
“This decision wasn’t made solely by us. There were plenty of professionals involved,” I said. “And Peyton’s a better actor than me.”
“Actress,” she corrected.
“Yes, actress. Sorry. Also, Ronny Don has been trying to make money off of her for years. He’s over the freaking moon. So?” I asked my brother.
He looked up at me from his spot on the floor. “You really think we can do it justice?”
Tally smiled at him but spoke to me. “His biggest fear is turning it into a movie and having it turn out terrible like other book to movie adaptions. Like Eragon .”
“ Or Percy Jackson ?” Cash added.
“ Inkheart ,” James said in his usual quiet tone.
“ The Time Traveler’s Wife ,” Christy added.
Lemon nodded. “ Message in a Bottle. The Choice . ”
“No pressure or anything.” Silas laughed.
I frowned at my family. “Not helping.”
“Be the Holes of the spy romance world,” Blue said. “That’s a great adaptation.”
“The five-hour BBC, Pride and Prejudice ,” Tally added with a smile.
“ The Hunger Games! ” Griffin yelled out.
“ The Twilight Saga ,” Christy said like Gollum in Lord of the Rings .
“Ooh.” Tally’s dark eyes twinkled. “That’s Ash’s favorite.”
Ashton made a noise of complete disgruntlement.
“Not the first Twilight movie though,” Christy amended. “So cringe.”
“Mom,” Liam said, disgusted. “Don’t use our slang.”
“Do you want me to stand in the sunlight, shirtless, and sparkle for you, babe?” Holden asked Christy like Liam had never spoken.
She clicked her tongue. “You’re too tan and ripped. Sorry. I like my vampires pasty white, with their abs painted on.” She winked. “But you can walk around shirtless in the house anytime. That’ll do just fine.”
“Now that’s cringe,” Bowen said. “Are your parents always like this?” he asked Liam.
“Yes,” Liam said, with no expression whatsoever.
“ The Notebook ,” Mom said, bringing up the rear as usual. “That one’s my favorite.”
“It’s everyone’s favorite,” Anna laughed and all the females started tittering over Ryan Gosling.
Peyton stared up at me and laughed, fully aware of my exasperation with my family’s tendency to always get off track.
“Can we focus please?” I clapped my hands. “We won’t mess it up,” I said to Ashton.
His left eyebrow was high-fiving the ceiling. “How can you be so sure?”
I sighed. “Because. Most of those movies that everyone just named, failed for one reason and one reason only. Which is?” I looked at my wife.
She sat up straight like her elementary school teacher had called on her. “They took a beloved book, changed the plot and characters, and slapped the book title back on it.” She threw her hands out. “All those readers had high expectations and then they were fed drivel and expected to be thrilled about it. Of course those movies flopped.”
“Correct,” I said.
“So you wouldn’t change the plot?” Ashton asked dubiously.
I bit back a smirk that so desperately wanted to break free. “I’m not changing anything,” I said. “You’ll have to ask the screenwriters what they have in mind.”
“Pfft.” He fell back against the couch like he knew it was too good to be true.
“Who are the screenwriters?” Tally asked.
“You two,” I said in a duh voice. “Who else would we get to write it?”
Ashton looked gobsmacked. His hands shoved into his hair but there was a tiny smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I don’t know how to write a script.”
“Guess you better figure it out.” We had professional screenwriters who would help. But I was enjoying watching him sweat for the time being. I walked over and held out my hand for a shake. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”
Tally bounced on her knees, ready.
Ashton eyed my palm like it might bite him.
When he took too long, she shoved him out of the way and shook herself. “We’re in!”
“Hey!” he yelled from the floor, still on his side.
But no one cared. Everyone was out of their seats hugging me, Peyton, and Tally. Tristan didn’t forget Ash though. He took a running start, leaped, and jackknifed his dad right in the groin.
Fifteen minutes later, after Ashton recovered and we’d laughed and planned out our next steps—and Sophie, Maddie, and Belle had passed out boxes of popcorn they’d been delegated to prepare—we settled in for the presentations.
Back in the beanbag chair, Peyton snuggled against my chest. She glanced at me with a furrowed brow. “I don’t like something that you said earlier.”
“What?”
“Shhh,” Charlie scolded us. “We’re finally starting the Cash Dupree: The Greatest Hit You Never Knew You Wrote event. First up, the S’lemon family.”
Silas laughed. “Who told Chuck about the terrible ship name Anna made up for us back in middle school?”
Anna and Blue’s twins, Blaze and Belle, grinned at each other as they timidly raised their hands.
Everyone laughed.
Silas, Lemon, and their four kids walked to the front of the room. Lemon held a small floral box.
Sophie, their youngest, proudly held up the poster board. “We, the Silas and Lemon Dupree family would like to present Funcle Ford with…” Her three brothers made drumroll sound effects as Lemon walked over to me. Silas hit an invisible cymbal and made a “crash” noise as Lemon laid it in my hands.
I popped the lid open. “Pictures,” I announced to everyone. “Of Cash.”
“Specifically, of his birth,” Lemon said. “I know you weren’t there.” She fanned her face, blinking back tears. “But I was. And I’m going to tell you about every minute of it. Your wife was a freaking rockstar. Eleven hours, no epidural, Cash was turned wrong. She was seriously a beast.”
Peyton had already told me, along with a zillion other memories. But I couldn’t wait to hear Lemon’s version.
“A beast who had to get a C-section in the end because her baby’s head was too big.” Peyton laughed.
“He gets it from his dad,” Holden hooted.
Everyone followed suit, throwing out their own jabs.
While they were at it, I whispered in Peyton’s ear. “What part of what I said earlier did you disagree with?”
She gazed into my eyes. “The part about being a one-man band.” Then she placed my hand against her ribcage, over the shooting star tattoo. “You have not, nor will you ever be, a one-man band, 3673. Maybe you didn’t know it. Maybe you thought no one cared. But that’s never been true. Not since the minute I met you.”
I picked up her hand and put it over my Only She Can Save Me tattoo. “Same, baby. Same. And from now on, wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be.”
She booped me on the nose. “Is that so?”
“That’s so.”
“Promise?” she asked with a sly grin.
“Yes,” I answered confidently, because I would. No matter where it was.
“Well, then.” She pressed a kiss to my lips. “I’m going to be at church tomorrow morning.” She shrugged. “So I guess you’ll be there too?”