38. Judd
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
judd
Amelia hasn’t stopped staring at the ring on her hand since we left the cemetery. She wanted to video call Hazel and Charlie as soon as we got back to the Jeep, but I convinced her to wait until we got home. I didn’t want her catching on that they were already at our place, setting up for Amelia’s surprise birthday/our engagement party.
“I can’t believe you put all of this together, even getting the girls to trick me into picking out my own ring.”
I grin. “Not going to lie. I thought you might get suspicious when they took you into the jewelry store.”
“I probably would have if I had been sober, but thanks to Hazel and her break-up with Jason, I was tipsy enough to not give it a second thought.”
Amelia told me all about what happened between Hazel and her shitty ex-boyfriend when she came home last night. I messaged Hazel later, telling her she didn’t have to help set up for the engagement party if she didn’t feel up to it. She messaged me back, saying she wasn’t going to let Jason’s wandering dick get in the way of celebrating me and Amelia.
“What do you think your parents are going to say?” she asks, picking at her nails.
I lay a hand over hers. “They’re going to be extremely happy for us. They already think of you as family. This,” I say, holding up her hand with my ring on it, “just makes it official.”
She blows a breath through her lips. “You’re right. Are we going to tell them tomorrow at Sunday dinner?”
I smile, knowing it’s going to be sooner than that. “Whatever you want, Shortcake.”
Once we park, Amelia takes Bruno out to do his business while I grab the bag Charlie made. I meet her back at the elevator and we ride up together.
Amelia leans back against the elevator wall, letting out a contented sigh. “This has been the craziest, best day I’ve ever had.”
I tower over her in the elevator, bracing an arm above her head and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear with the other. “And to think, you hated me only a few short months ago.”
“I wouldn’t say hate, ” she says, running her hand softly over where my new tattoo is. “It was more strongly dislike.”
“Well, I’m glad I was able to win you over.”
She gives me a wicked grin and grabs the lapels of my jacket, pulling me closer. “Did you though? Maybe I’m just using you for your big dick.”
I close the distance, capturing her lips in a deep, slow kiss. She snakes her hands around my neck and tugs at the short strands of hair, making me growl into her mouth.
The ding of the elevator brings me to the present, and I pull back just as the doors open and shouts of ‘Surprise.’ surround us.
Amelia jumps, letting out a surprised squeal. She stands there, looking back and forth between me and the room full of people. “What are you all doing here?”
Charlie and Hazel step forward, each taking one of Amelia’s arms and pull her out of the elevator and into the living room. “We’re here to celebrate you and your fiancé,” Charlie tells her.
“And your birthday, of course,” Hazel adds.
I step out of the elevator looking at the decorations Charlie, Hazel, my mom, and Lucy set up. Next to the entrance is a balloon arch with gold and pink balloons with a banner that says ‘Congratulations’ in the middle and ‘Happy Birthday’ below that. Streamers in the same colors as the balloons are strung throughout the room. Meat and cheese trays, fruit trays, and a variety of other types of finger foods are laid out across the kitchen island.
Everyone who was at Thanksgiving, plus Coach Dixon and his wife, are there to celebrate with us. Mom and Dad come up to us first. Mom pulls Amelia into a hug while Dad pats me on the back. “Congratulations, Son. I knew when you brought her to the house, that was it,” he says, giving me a wink.
“Thanks Dad.”
Mom moves over to me while Dad trades her, hugging Amelia. “Oh Juddson. I knew you two were meant for each other.”
I give Mom a hug. “Thanks for always being there for me, Mom. I don’t tell you how much I appreciate you and what you’ve done for me over the years enough. I love you.”
Mom cups my cheek. “Of course, Judd, that’s what parents do.”
Hazel and Charlie drag Mom and Amelia off to the rest of the women to fawn over my beautiful fiancée and her ring. I head over to where the guys are. “Congrats, little brother. Now you can stop hitting on my fiancée,” Kessler says, slapping my back, then pulling me into a hug.
“Thanks, Kess. And not a chance,” I say, returning the hug.
Kessler shakes his head and laughs, then looks around and lowers his voice, “I also wanted to tell you, Lucy and I went to look at Ruby yesterday. We’re going to adopt her. Lucy fell in love the minute Ruby laid her head on her lap.”
“I knew she would be a perfect fit.”
Kessler nods. “We’re going to take Hudson to meet her tomorrow and sign the official papers.”
“That’s great, Kess. I’m glad Ruby will finally get a home.”
I move onto Reese and Brent both humming ‘another one bites the dust’.
“You just wait, you two are going to fall hard for someone and I’m going to be there every step of the way telling you ‘I told you so’.”
Garrett holds his hand out for a shake. “Can’t say I ever thought you’d find someone to put up with your dumb ass, but I guess I’ve been proven wrong.”
“I love you too, Garrett,” I tell him, returning the shake.
I look around and spy Hudson and Kade on the couch.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell the group, walking over to where the boys are. Hudson sees me first and gets up from the couch to give me a hug. “Mom says I’m supposed to tell you congratulations.”
I laugh and give him a hug back. “Thanks dude. I know this isn’t fun for you guys, but it means a lot to have you here,” I tell both him and Kade. They just shrug their shoulders, quickly returning to their game once they’ve greeted me.
Looking around, I spot Amelia over near the drink table. Making my way over there, I sidle up to her. “Excuse me miss, has anyone told you you’re the most beautiful woman here?”
She giggles and takes a drink. “Sorry, but I’m engaged,” she says, holding up her left hand. The ring looks like it was made just for her.
“Who’s the lucky guy?” I ask, looking around the room then back at her.
She flaps her hand at me. “Just some cocky baseball player. You wouldn’t know him. He’s not even that good.”
I snake an arm around her waist, pulling her to me. “Oh, is that so?”
“Okay, you two, you can celebrate later,” Charlie says. “It’s time for a toast.” Charlie grabs a glass of water and turns towards our small group of friends and family. “If everyone can grab a drink. Judd has something he wants to say.”
Charlie directs us to stand in front of the arch while everyone grabs their drinks. Once everyone is settled, she gives me the go ahead.
“I just want to start by thanking everyone for coming today. I know it’s a busy time of the year, with Christmas and Kessler and Lucy’s wedding a week away, so thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us.” Turning to Amelia I continue, “Amelia, thank you for trusting me with your heart. I know it wasn’t easy, but I am so grateful you took a chance on me.”
“Well, you didn’t exactly give me a choice. Everywhere I looked you seemed to pop up,” she quips.
“Like a bad penny,” Kessler adds.
The group chuckles.
“Jokes aside. You are the absolute best thing to happen to me this year, and I can’t wait to see what the next fifty-plus years bring. I love you.”
“Kiss her!” Mom shouts.
I lean down, giving Amelia a tender kiss. Her blue eyes look into mine as I pull back. The promise of forever reflecting back at me.
“A toast,” I say, lifting my glass. “To finding your puzzle piece.”