Epilogue
EPILOGUE
POKER
Your happiness is the only thing that matters to me.
One week later…
“She’s gonna freak out.”
I grin at Screamer as we carry my purchases out of the pet store. Chaos, the
Great Dane Meri fell in love with at the animal shelter, is walking regally by my side on his leash. I’m surprised he’s being so well behaved because the giant shit is still in his puppy years.
“I can’t wait to see her face,” I admit. “She’s been talking about him nonstop since she shot Malcolm. It was so hard to keep it a secret from her, but I wanted to wait until I knew the fence would be built.”
“Where is she today while the guys do that?”
“Addison, Ember, and Wren went with her to see Conrad’s family, and then they’re taking her for a spa day to hopefully get her to relax a little.”
“That’ll definitely keep her away from the house long enough,” he says. “She already had it partially fenced.”
“My thoughts exactly. And if it’s not complete before she gets home, we can work on it through the night. I already talked to the guys about it.”
“And we’ll get the dog door installed, too.”
That was the first thing on my list for the pet store. As soon as that was in my cart, I let Chaos lead the way. He’s now the proud owner of way more toys than any one dog needs, but I have a feeling it’s only the beginning of his life in the lap of luxury.
We get the dog and everything loaded into the club's SUV, and it’s not twenty minutes later we’re pulling into Meri’s driveway.
Our driveway.
I moved in with Meri permanently the day after the shooting. We’re adults who know exactly what we want, and that’s each other, so why wait?
I clip the leash to Chaos’s collar and lead him inside. He drags me through the house toward the back door like he knows exactly where to go. The sliding doors are open to the deck, and I let go of the leash just as he launches himself outside.
“Holy shit,” Journey comments with a chuckle. “That’s not a puppy, it’s a horse.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter. “But Meri fell in love with him, and I’d be lying if I’m not halfway there myself.”
“Addison called about ten minutes ago,” Crow says as he walks toward me. “They’d just left Conrad’s house. She said Meri’s holding up as well as can be expected. Now they’re going to have her pampered. It’ll be late by the time they get back.”
“Good. I hate that I didn’t go with her, but she insisted on going with the old ladies.”
“She’s gonna be one of them,” Journey reminds me. “It’s good that she’s letting them in like this.”
“I know.”
During the last week, Meri and I have talked a lot about the future. I blurted out a proposal when she was licking me like a lollipop one night, and as soon as she finished me off, she said ‘yes’.
Do I wish I would’ve done something more romantic? Yes.
Am I upset about the engagement? Absofuckinglutely not.
I have the rest of our lives to give her romance.
Hours pass, and it’s not until the sun begins to set that headlights fill the air, and I know my girl is home. The fence was finished twenty minutes ago, so we all head inside, leaving Chaos in the yard.
Don’t bark and spoil this.
When Meri steps through the front door, she immediately seeks me out. Her eyes land on me, and her face lights up. She runs, launching herself at me, and I catch her easily.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi. Have a good day?”
“Yeah, for the most part. It was hard with Conrad’s family. I set up college funds for the kids and told his wife about them. She was shocked, and I’m not sure she’s totally okay with it, but all Conrad wanted was his family taken care of. As soon as I said that, she thanked me.”
“It’s gonna take her time, but she’ll figure out her new normal.”
“Yeah.”
“How was the spa?”
“Oh my God, it was soooo good.”
I make a mental note to ensure she has spa days on the regular. Especially if it puts this look on her face.
“Um, why is everyone here?” she asks me.
“Club business,” I lie. “They’re all leaving, right guys?”
“Oh, um…” Crow clears his throat. “Sure are. Let’s ride, boys!”
“They didn’t have to leave,” Meri chastises as soon as we’re alone.
“Yeah, they did. I’ve got plans for you, babe.”
Her pupils dilate. “You do?”
I grab her hand and drag her to the sliding doors. “I do but close your eyes.”
She obeys, and I open the door. Just as I’m guiding her out to the deck, Chaos barks, ruining my grand plan.
Meri squeals, running to the Great Dane, and drops to her knees to roll around in the yard with him.
“Is this for real? Is he really ours?”
“It’s real. As of today, Chaos has a forever family.”
“Ya hear that, Chaos? You’ve got a forever family.”
The dog barks in response.
“Why do I get the feeling that any other plans I might have had for tonight just got tossed out the window?”
Meri looks over her shoulder and grins. “Because you know I’m not going to be able to stop snuggling this baby. And that’s okay, right?”
“Yes, babe, it’s okay.”
“Good.”
I move to sit beside her in the grass. “Are you happy?”
“Deliriously.”
“Then fuck plans. Your happiness is the only thing that matters to me.”