Epilogue
—Kasey—
—Two months later—
“Oh my god, I’m so scared!” I cried, wringing my hands on the steering wheel of my new Audi.
“You’ll do great, babe. You nailed driving around the blockwith me, so town should be a breeze. But if you’re not ready, you can always try another day.”
I sent him a bombastic side-eye. “I am ready. I’m just fucking nervous.”
It had been seven months since I’d been behind the wheel of a car on my own. Seven months since the crash. And a month since my neurologist had cleared me to drive short trips. I’d done a couple with Reed, but this was my first solo outing, even if it was only a couple of miles.
Reed nodded, full of confidence. “You got this, darlin’.”
I looked from him to Simone for reassurance. She gave me a cheesy as fuck grin and two thumbs up.
“This can’t be worse than you learning to drive in Denver,” she teased.
“Oh god, I hope not,” I laughed. “That was terrible!”
Banks scoffed. “From what I’ve seen of Denver drivers, they’re all pretty shit to be honest.”
“Hey!” Simone backhanded his stomach, making him oof.
“That’s right bitch, you get him,” I yelled. “Okay, I’m doing this, guys. See you in ten minutes.”
Reed leaned through my open window and kissed me. “Drive safe. I love you. Pull over and ring me if anything goes wrong.”
“It won’t, and I love you too.”
Holding my breath as he stepped back, I put the car in drive and eased away from the curb. Fuck, it was terrifying, liberating, and exhilarating all at once.
Reed, Simone, and Banks standing on the sidewalk grew smaller in the rearview mirror, then disappeared completely when I rounded a corner, heading for town. Conscious about my speed, I erred on the slower side as I coasted down the final rise before swinging a hard right into the main street.
I passed the police precinct just as Reed’s boss and partner were pulling out in a patrol car.
Within three seconds of following me, their blue and red lights flicked on, and the siren rang out so loud it almost flatlined my pulse.
“Are you fucking kidding me?!” I exclaimed, my voice shrill and pitchy.
Anxiety clamped my lungs and hooked its claws deep, and I fumbled for my phone to call Reed.
“Hey, darlin’. All good?” he answered.
“No, I’m fucking not. Gary just pulled me over!”
He had the audacity to laugh. “Are you serious? Where?”
I eyed the police chief through the mirror as he exited the patrol car. “Do I fucking sound serious, Reed Gatlin? I’m at the top end of Main Street.”
“Fuck, okay, I’m on my way. Hold tight, darlin’, and don’t do a runner—that’ll make things worse.”
“No shit!” I all but yelled as Gary reached the trunk of my car. “Hurry up and get here.”
“Won’t be long, babe.” He disconnected before I could yell more panicked words at him, then I jumped when Gary wrapped a knuckle on my car window trim despite the window still being down.
I felt myself shrink next to his imposing stature.
“Hi, Kasey. New wheels, huh?”
I forced a smile that wavered. “Only a couple of weeks old.”
Gary stepped back to seemingly admire my new car. “License and registration please, sweetheart.”
“Uh, is that necessary? I mean, I’m sure Reed’s filled everyone in that I’ve got my license back.”
His lips pressed into a thin line for a brief moment. “Step out of the car for me, sweetheart.”
My blood pressure went through the roof. I felt it leave my body and fuck off into the sky. “What? Why?”
“Please, ma’am.” He popped open the door and gestured for me to exit. “Out you come. This car was reported stolen two weeks ago, so there are some checks we need to run.”
“Oh my god, stolen? But it’s brand new! Reed bought it for me,” I exclaimed.
Gary shrugged. “Then this will be nothing but a follow-up to check the boxes.”
With my heart lodged in my throat, I swung my legs from the car and followed him.
“Hands on the trunk, please, Kasey.”
My jaw fell in disbelief. “You’re kidding me.”
Gary pointed at his stern face, every part of a chief you’d assume he was. “Does it look like I’m kidding?”
I stared for a few seconds before my heart sank. I shook my head. “No, it doesn’t.”
On the verge of tears, I turned my back on Gary and splayed my hands on the trunk of my brand-new teal Sportback. My feet automatically shifted wider because that’s what happens in the movies.
“Thank you for complying. Wait there a moment for me, Miss Quinn.”
I didn’t dare turn around. Instead, I squeezed my eyes shut and willed them not to cry. So much for a successful first outing.
What felt like five minutes passed before Gary issued another command. “Okay, sweetheart. I need you to put your hands behind your head and slowly turn to face me.”
Complying, I did as he asked, then burst into tears.
It wasn’t him standing directly behind me now; it was Reed—down on one knee, grinning like a fucking fool and offering an open ring box my way.
I pressed my palms to my eyes and burst into tears. “That’s so mean of you,” I sobbed.
Reed’s warm hand connected with my thigh and rubbed soothingly. “Open your eyes for me, darlin’.”
Reluctantly complying, I blinked hard and pressed my shaking fingers to my mouth as Reed gazed up at me with love written all over his stupidly gorgeous face.
“Kasey Quinn, you blew into town on more than one occasion, and each time you stole another piece of my heart. I love you with my entire soul, babe. Will you marry me?”
An ugly snort-laugh escaped. “I want to say no just because of this little stunt, but it’s a yes.”
Reed rose to full height and lifted me into his arms, swinging us in a complete circle.
“I love you but hate you so much right now,” I sniffled.
His deep laugh vibrated against my chest. “I love you too, babe.”
He set me on my feet and gently took a hold of my shaking left hand. I splayed my fingers wide as he slid on the most stunning diamond I’d ever seen.
“Holy fuck it’s huge,” I breathed out.
Reed chuckled again. “That’s exactly what I’d thought you’d say. It was created by the same woman who did Simone’s.”
Simone’s was a classy as fuck teardrop shape with tiny diamonds bordering the entire large centerpiece. My ring was a large oval centerpiece with diamonds adorning the band the entire way around, and it was utterly breathtaking as it caught the sunlight.
Tears re-prickled my eyes. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be lucky enough to find the love of my life, not once, but twice over within this lifetime.
Reed snapped the ring box closed then pulled me into his arms again.
Over his shoulder, my eyes shifted from Gary, who grinned and bowed a little, to Eric, to Banks filming on his phone, and finally to Simone holding Posie and dabbing at her own eyes.
“Christ, I love you, darlin’,” Reed declared with an extra tight squeeze around my torso. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
“You can wife me but never tame me,” I teased.
His hearty laugh had me grinning. “Never. I like you wild.”
I welcomed his lips to mine, kissing him like we had no audience. In the background another round of cheers and catcalls broke out, along with someone honking as they drove past the scene.
Reed smiled and spoke against my mouth. “Kiss me again, Quinn. Let’s call it practice for our wedding day.”
—The End—
Read more of the Gatlin Brothers here!