Chapter 43 Arden
ARDEN
“Yo! Baby mama! Time to go!”
Excuse the what…
With my hair halfway curled, I walk into the hallway and find Deacon dressed in a bright pink shirt that says Baby Security, dark jeans, cowboy boots, a black Stetson, and a huge smile on his face.
“Did you call me baby mama?”
“Yep.”
“Technically you are,” Jude says from the barstool at the kitchen island, a cup of coffee in his hand.
“Yes, but I am not his baby mama,” I hiss at Jude who only smirks and takes a sip of his drink.
“Semantics,” Deacon says and did he just puff up his chest?
Today is already so weird I don’t know how much more I can handle.
“Well, that’s great. I have to finish my hair and then we can go. Jude, can I talk to you for a second?” I ask, not waiting to see if he’ll follow me.
Because he always does.
And I love that about him.
“Happy baby shower day, Tennessee,” he drawls, leaning his shoulder against the doorjamb as I pick up the curling iron.
“What exactly is your brother doing?” I keep my voice low, meeting Jude’s eyes in the mirror.
“You were upset that there wouldn’t be one person just for you.” The words are measured but honest. “I wanted to make sure that you had someone besides me, because you know I’m only ever yours.”
“I already did my makeup,” I cry, actual tears streaming down my face as I look helplessly up at Jude.
His smile is soft as he sets his mug on the counter and pulls a tissue from the box, carefully dabbing at the wetness as he speaks. “He helped the girls plan it and I’m pretty sure when I finally ask you to marry me, he’s gonna try and elbow Ellison out of the maid of honor spot.”
I laugh. “That would definitely be an epic battle,” I admit, not disputing that he said when I finally ask you to marry me because I want it to be okay to want that for us.
“Your silence doesn’t mean I can ask you now, right?” he teases as I fist his shirt and pull him down for a kiss.
“No, but maybe someday.”
“Definitely someday, Tennessee. Now finish getting ready because my brother has been taunting your friends about how good his outfit is, and if I have to hear any other details, I’m afraid this eye twitch will be permanent.”
“Dramatic as ever, Country Rhodes.”
“Arden?”
“Yeah?”
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Now take your sweetness and get out of here.”
“Anything for my baby mama.”
“Out!”
“You’re really not going to tell me anything that’s happening?” I ask Deacon as we head toward Ellison’s house and the apparent location of the shower.
“It’s low-key. There are no games, just socializing, and if you want to open gifts you can and if not, I’ll put everything in the back of the truck and you and Jude can open them later.”
“Thank you for doing this—all of it. I know I’m being ridiculous. It’s just that I only had my mom growing up and now, during the most important moments of my life, she’s not here and I can’t even call her because I’m still so mad.”
“First,” he says, glancing at me, “you never have to apologize to me for how you’re feeling.
I’m sure Jude’s told you about our growin’ up and so I get it.
The people that mean the most to you, you want to hold on to tight.
But also,”—he wraps his hand around my fingers and squeezes—“we’re not perfect but we love you and you’ll never be alone. ”
“What is with you two?” I croak out, hunching over and digging through my purse until I find the little packet of tissues I saw Jude slip in here before I left.
“It’s part of our charm.”
“Can you pick different days to be charming? This mascara is waterproof, but all things have their limits.”
“I’ll try,” he says, pulling into the driveway that’s already full of more cars than I recognize. “Jude will be over in a little while, but if you give me the look before then, I’ll haul you right out of here, all right?”
“You know,”—I turn in my seat to look at him—“I thought Jude was kidding when he said you might try to fistfight Ellison to be my maid of honor, but I think he might be on to something.”
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of me to go around.” He winks as he pushes open his door. “But if nothing else, I better get an invite to the bachelorette party.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m a great time. Penis lollipops and crowns for everyone.”
“I can hardly wait.”