Epilogue
Four Months Later
Trevor
“Addy?” I drop my keys on the counter and head to the bedroom, wondering if Addison’s already gone to bed. The poker game with the guys ran late tonight. I normally like to be home before ten, given how we both have to be at work early in the morning. But I had my first winning streak in ages.
“Oh, my god. You’re so funny.”
“No, you are. I nearly peed in my pants with that last one.” An unmistakable cackle drifts down the hall, and I stop momentarily to wrap my head around the situation. Who is she talking to? The voice is female, but it doesn’t sound like Cece.
“You two are both ridicu─”
“Ha!” Addison squeals in laughter. “Did you hiccup or burp?”
“I think it was both. It made my nose burn.” More laughter lilts from the bedroom, but that wasn’t Addy’s voice this time.
“Oh, Mylanta. The next time I get invited to a Zoom cocktail party with the two of you, I’m going to have to wear one of those Depends.”
Oh, for shit’s sake. When did my girlfriend start drinking and Zooming with my mother? And was the other voice my sister-in-law?
“Now, don’t forget to send me pictures of what you come up with from that treasure box I sent you.”
“Oh, me too.”
“Got it. I’m going to start working on them tomorrow so we can get this show on the road,” Addison says with a slur.
“I look forward to sexting with you, dear.”
What the fuck?
“Texting, not sexting,” Becca corrects before falling into a fit of giggles.
“Well, given some of the cupcakes Addison has in mind, it might be sexting.” Mom snorts. “But that would be something, wouldn’t it.”
My mother and Becca are almost hysterical, but Addison has grown quiet. I carefully push open the bedroom door to find she’s out cold, the phone still wrapped tightly in her hand. Lifting it gently, I raise my finger in front of my mouth, giving the universal sign for quiet when both remaining Zoom callers’ eyes go wide.
“She’s fallen asleep,” I whisper.
“Did you hear any of that?” Becca asks nervously.
I shake my head at them. “What I heard didn’t make a lick of sense.”
“Good,” they both answer in unison.
“Tell Addy goodnight for me,” Mom says entirely too loudly.
“Shhh. Okay, okay. I’m going to tuck her in. You two put away the drinks and go to bed.”
Thankfully Addison is already dressed in her pajamas, so I attempt to lift her and pull back the sheets. As I reach for her phone to set her alarm, she stirs.
“You’re home. I missed you.”
I bend to kiss her on the nose and place her phone on the charger.
“Oh, I love your mom. And Becca. Don’t forget Becca.”
I chuckle. “I won’t forget Becca.” Pushing her hair back from her sweet face, I hope she’ll drift back to sleep so tomorrow morning isn’t too painful.
“We’re planning a surprise party. For your birthday. Oh, you’re going to be fabbergusted.”
I can’t contain my snort. “You mean, flabbergasted?” Addison had to have tied one on tonight. There’s no way she’d want me to find out about her plans.
“That’s what I said.” She attempts to give me a playful shove and misses, rolling onto her side. She blows a frustrated raspberry with her lips and tongue and I almost belt out in laughter. “Your mom sent me this box with all of your favorite things when you were little. I’m going to make some crazy ass cupcakes with them.”
Good lord. I’m not the surprise party kind of guy. My mother should know this. But it’s hard to say no to Addison. Scratching my head, I decide to push for more, given she’s so loose-lipped. I might be able to tolerate this shindig if I’m better prepared. “So when’s this party supposed to happen?”
“For your birthday, silly.” She cackles. Even drunk and ridiculous, she’s cute.
I guess I’m not going to get anything more specific than that out of her.
“It’s going to be great. Your mom and Noah. And Becca and the kids. And Mick and Ava. Even Zach is coming. Alex might come with him. But I hope he doesn’t bring that Ainsley chick. She was annoying.” Hiccup .
“Baby, get some sleep. I set your alarm. But you’ll be miserable in the morning if you don’t get some rest. Do you need a glass of water?”
My question is met with a heavy exhale, and what I predict is her final descent into la la land. I quickly change my clothes and wash up before returning to bed to set my alarm. I’ll have to be up by 5:30 to get a shower before heading to the station.
Lying down, I replay the drunken conversation in my mind. Man. They’re all coming down here for this? I honestly never thought Mom would come to visit. She’s so set in her ways. This is Addison’s doing. I’m sure of it.
Rolling onto my side, I look at my gorgeous, intoxicated angel. A stray lock of dark hair has fallen into her face and dances with each exhale. I lift it up, sliding it over her shoulder, and revel in how lucky I am. At least I won’t have to pretend I don’t know what’s going on for very long. My birthday is only a week away.
Returning to my back, I rest my hands behind my head and smile. I need to do something to show Addison how much I appreciate her for all of this effort. That she’d do all of this for me. Gone are the days when my birthday was an afterthought. Where parties only existed as a platform for my girlfriend to steal the spotlight. The idea would never cross Addison’s mind because she doesn’t need to manipulate a situation to gain attention. People genuinely want to be around her. She’s a ray of sunshine to all who know her. And I’m the one who gets to bask in it every day.
* * *
“Surprise!”
“What? No way,” I exclaim, trying my best to pull off the best acting of my life. Pour Decisions never looked better with all of my favorite people here to greet me as we walked in.
My mother rushes over to greet me, pulling me in for a hug. “Happy birthday, Trevor.” She squeezes me a little tighter and lowers her voice. “And thank you for not letting on to Addy that you knew what was going on. She would’ve been so disappointed.”
I pull back from her embrace, stunned she knew I’d figured it out. I didn’t think I’d had time to mess this up. Noah, Becca, and the boys come over to greet me, and I see Addy talking to Matthew and Dave at the bar.
“Your mom and I figured out a few days later that you probably overhead more than you let on. I think Addison had a few more drinks than we did.”
“You think? That’s the most intoxicated I’ve ever seen her. And you guys weren’t even in the same room.”
Becca giggles. “We adore her. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that last year with you know who, but it was worth it if it brought you to her.”
She’s right.
“Hey, man. Long time no see.” I look up to see Zach holding out a cold one for me.
I bring him in for a one-arm bro-hug. “Thanks for coming. I hope you can stay long enough to go fishing again.”
“Plan on it. I told Alex all about it on the trip down. He’s stoked.” Zach and Alex clink beer bottles before Alex reaches out to shake my hand.
“Happy birthday. It’s no wonder you speak so highly of this town. It’s beautiful, and everyone I’ve met is really down to earth.”
“Yeah. There’s no need for pretense here. It’s simple living.” I can’t say I can picture Alex moving here as long as he’s dating Ainsley.
“Alex. Thanks for coming. Hi, Mick,” Addison greets as she pulls Ava in for a tight hug.
“Oh, I can’t wait for a tour of your bake shop tomorrow,” Ava interjects. “How’s business?”
“It’s good. Sycamore Mountain is small, so I try to get the word out about what we offer to get orders from neighboring towns. We’ve been successful for being such a young business, but I want to push the envelope, you know? I’ve been thinking about trying some new concepts. I’d love to appeal to the women who throw garden parties. Maybe create cupcakes that would pair well with floral arrangements. Maybe collaborate with a flower shop nearby. But the only one in Sycamore is more of a greenhouse. The owners are older, and I don’t anticipate they’re interested in trying anything new.”
“That’s a great idea,” Ava says excitedly. I wish you could meet the girl from the flower shop Mick found. They create the most beautiful bouquets. And they’re all unscented because of my migraines. I can’t handle the pungent fragrance of many of the flowers.”
“Yeah, that place is a real find. You’d love Tuesday. She’s been working there for a while, but she’s only part-time. I think she’s still in college. I bet she’d be excited for the opportunity to join forces with you though. She seems like a real visionary.”
“Holy shit. I know Tuesday,” Alex interrupts. “That’s my best friend’s little sister. They aren’t kidding. She’s so creative. And a really sweet girl.” This girl must be something else. Alex is grinning with pride. “It’s a shame you two aren’t located a little closer together.”
“Yeah, it’d be tough to try a collaboration in two different states. Hopefully, I can find my own Tuesday.” Addy laughs.
What a small world. I notice Jason walk in and walk over to greet him. “Thanks for coming.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He brings me in for a hug, and I actually start to feel a bit emotional. What a difference a year makes.
“Hey, did you guys get a cupcake?” Addy asks as she hands Jason a wrapped confection with mounds of icing atop it.
“Are those boobs?” Matthew asks.
Addy giggles into her hand, and I know he’s hit the nail on the head. “I made cupcakes of all of Trevor’s favorite things.”
“Uh oh,” I blurt.
“I can’t wait to see these.” Alex laughs.
Everyone heads to the table by the bar, where nearly a hundred decorated cupcakes appear on display—some I can pick out right away. One appears to have spaghetti and meatballs on it. That was my favorite meal growing up. And is that a… baseball card made of sugar? A row of cupcakes with edible baseball cards with my little league picture on them.
“That’s the baseball ring you kept in your pocket for nearly a year after your team won the tournament,” Mom says, pointing out a row of chocolate cupcakes decorated in bright blue buttercream with a toy ring perched in the center.
There are several with computers for my IT job and dozens with either red helmets or black boots.
“Is that a binky?” Ava grins.
“Yes.” Mom laughs. “We had to get a thumb guard after we took that away.”
Jesus . “Okay, okay. They don’t all need to know every embarrassing moment.”
“Darn. I should’ve come up with one for your school play.”
I shoot Addison a glare and am met with utter joy staring back at me. “And what is that?” I ask, pointing to the row of cupcakes that look like animals of some sort.
“That’s Mr. Whiskers,” Addison says teasingly.
“My stuffed cat.”
“Yup.” Addy snorts.
I can hear my mother cackling behind me. “We couldn’t leave the house without it.”
“I wondered if there was going to be any pussy on these cupcakes,” Zach mutters behind me.
Addison spins to face him throwing her head back in laughter. This give Jason an in. He quickly steps forward and removes a plastic ring from one of the cupcakes before putting a small wooden box in its place.
“What’s this one stand for, Addy?” Jason asks.
Addison is nearly doubled over in laughter at Zach’s remark but straightens and looks over the table, puzzled. “Which one?”
“This one,” he says, pointing to the cupcake with the small dark, shiny box. “Is that his treasure chest?”
“I didn’t make that one,” she says, appearing perplexed. Her gaze moves from Mom to Becca, who are each looking blankly at the other. She reaches for the cupcake and lifts the lid of the box. “It’s empty.” Finally, she turns to me in question, and I shakily drop to one knee.
Why’s my mouth suddenly so dry? “Addy, you’ve already done so much for me.” I have to pause to swallow the lump in my throat. Why’s my mouth suddenly so dry? “But would you make my birthday the best one yet… and marry me?”
Shrieks of oohs and aahs come from all of the guests, and I can practically feel the joy radiating from my mother. Yet my focus is squarely on the beautiful girl standing before me with her hands covering her mouth in shock. Tears stream down her gorgeous face as she stares at me, bewildered. She made this too easy. Inviting everyone dear to us to share in this moment. And there would be no greater gift than knowing every birthday from here on out will be spent with her.
Addison leans forward, cups my cheeks, and gives me a chaste kiss as the bar grows silent. You can hear a pin drop in Pour Decisions right now. “Not that I’d say no, but where’s the ring?” The sassy little wench snickers.
“Oh. Shit.” In my nervousness, I completely forgot. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the platinum solitaire engagement ring. It’s a miracle I haven’t lost it. I’ve carried it with me everywhere since the day after that drunken Zoom call with my mother. “Jeez. Let’s try that again,” I mutter quietly. I clear my throat and try to ignore all of the laughter around me.
“Sassy. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” She squeals, practically knocking us both to the ground as she collides into me for a hug.
Everyone erupts into cheers, and Jason helps us stand before giving us congratulatory hugs. The rest of the evening is a bit of a blur. Thank goodness I was able to chat a bit with all of my friends before popping the question. Because all I want right now is to take my fiancé home and spend the rest of the evening showing her how much I love her.
We say our goodbyes and promise to meet our friends and family for brunch in the morning before heading out for the night. As we stroll to my truck, fingers entwined, I lift her hand to my lips and kiss it just above where her ring sits. Seeing it there does weird things to me. Churning a pride and love so deep it’s hard to believe it’s real.
“I can’t believe you did this, Trevor.”
“Well, you did all the hard work.”
“I know. That’s what I mean. I did all of that work to surprise you, and you had to go and top me.”
I chuckle. “You want me to take the ring back and do it on a different day?”
“Well, obviously, it’s too late for that now.” She sneers.
What? Is she serious?
“Are you upset I did it during your party?”
“Yes.”
Frozen in place at her reply, I admit I’m speechless. I thought this would’ve made her happier than doing it, just the two of us. It seemed like the perfect opportunity. Hell, she seemed to be excited a few moments ago.
“So I think I should be allowed to give you birthday spankings when we get home to make up for it,” she says, attempting to keep a straight face while nearly drawing blood from her bottom lip as she bites down on it.
Oh, this sassy little number.
“That would make our engagement perfect? Letting you have your way with me? Because if that’s all it takes, I’ll happily oblige.” I pull her hand and continue walking until we’re up against my truck. “I’m not sure what effect it’ll have on me. But I assure you, nothing gets me harder than seeing your ass get pink with each slap of my palm,” I say, rubbing my quickly hardening cock through my pants, her hand still enveloped in mine.
Addy licks her lips as her gaze drops to my dick. She shifts from foot to foot, rubbing her thighs together in anticipation. “You’re right. I’ll take the spankings for you. That’s what a good girl would do. Think of you before me,” she says, peering up at me through her lashes.
I snicker, knowing full well this little minx will be soaking wet and begging for me to fuck her after a few swats against her creamy skin. Leaning in for a kiss, I trail my finger up her thigh until I reach her panties. Just as I suspected, they’re soaked. She’s not fooling anyone.
“Awe. That’s nice of you, sass. My naughty girl is always thinking of me.”
And from this day forward, she’s all mine.
Keep reading for Alex and Tuesday’s story.