Epilogue
EPILOGUE
JOHNNY
There used to be nothing I looked forward to more than Saturday nights at Peakside. Being surrounded by all my friends with endless drinks and loud chatter was what I thrived on.
Things change, though. They alter, and the events and hobbies you loved most in the world take a step back to make room for something even better. For me, that’s Aurora and our nights together. Whether we’re finishing another home project in the house she refuses to give up or making love beneath the stars behind mine, I feel like the luckiest fucker in the world to be able to call this my life.
That’s not to say I don’t still love joining my friends at the bar, but now, I don’t have to show up on my own. On nights like tonight, I get to keep my arm slung over her shoulders and play with her hair in the same booth at Peakside where I saw her for the first time.
I take another swig of my beer and twirl a chunk of blonde hair between my fingers while listening to the girls gush over Anna’s engagement ring for the thousandth time tonight.
Brody and Anna got back to Cherry Peak yesterday for a small two-day break before the final stretch of tour. It only took Brody a few hours at home to get down on one knee and ask her to be his wife. He even used the fluffy cow he bought her when they first started dating, which, if I didn’t know that she’d have said yes regardless, is almost cheating, considering how cute Banana is.
Anna kept the engagement a secret until tonight when Poppy spied the giant square diamond on her finger. It’s been a mess of loud squeals and plans for a bachelorette party since.
“We could go to Vegas and hire one of those police stripper crews for a private showing,” Poppy suggests, still holding Anna’s hand halfway across the table.
“What about firefighters instead?” Anna asks.
Poppy gags at the same time Brody and Garrison say, “No.”
“Considering my brother is a firefighter, I’ll have to say no to that one. He’s ruined the fantasy for me,” Poppy says.
I chuckle, taking another swig of my beer. Garrison pins me with a sharp look. “Why are you laughing? Knock it off and join our side.”
“You’re a territorial bastard,” I tell him. “Rory can get a striptease from a fake cop because she’ll be coming back home to ride a real cowboy.”
Brody scoffs, and Rory flicks at my wrist. Her cheeks are my favourite shade of pink, so I kiss the one closest to me for good measure.
“This comin’ from the man that threatened to beat Loren’s ass for callin’ her by the same nickname everyone else uses?” Brody asks. The damn asshole.
I set my beer on the table and stab a threatening finger at him. “Loren’s different. And I’m going to smack Tommy’s ass for tellin’ you about that in the first place.”
“Okay, get back on track. Fucking men and their possessiveness,” Bryce mutters over the rim of her drink.
“I, for one, cannot wait until we get to see you get possessive over someone, Bryce. We’ll never let you live it down,” Brody grumbles .
She just shrugs, unbothered. “It won’t be happening. I don’t get jealous.”
Poppy bursts into laughter, the latest gulp of her cocktail spilling out from between her lips. Garrison’s there with a napkin, patting her lips dry in the blink of an eye.
Aurora drops a hand to my thigh, her fingers spread wide before she strokes her thumb over the denim and looks at Bryce. “Everyone gets jealous.”
“Not me.”
“I’d love to test that theory,” Poppy says, recovered from her laughter.
Bryce brushes her off. “I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
“So, no to the male strippers for the bachelorette party?” Anna asks, grinning.
Her fiancé—shit, that’s new—palms the back of her head. “Anythin’ else, Buttercup. Choose anythin’ else. I’m beggin’.”
“You guys are so lame, but fine. I’d claw someone’s eyes out if they tried stripping in front of Garrison, so I guess it’s fair,” Poppy says, glancing over at her boyfriend with a look that has me immediately looking away, feeling like I’m interrupting.
It’s always like that between them. I’m happy for them, especially now knowing how it feels to be in love with someone who turns your entire world upside right.
Those two will be the next to get engaged, and I’m hoping Rory and I will follow. It’s only been two months, but I’ve never been surer of anything in my life than I am about her. We’re not rushing, though, and I like that. I’m loving getting to know every single little thing about her as we spend every day together.
She’s found a life here, and I’m content giving her all the time she needs to live it to the fullest before taking that next step.
“Yeah, I would have to agree. It’s hard enough watching Brody get pawed at when he’s onstage, and those women have their clothes on,” Anna says .
Brody’s grin grows at her statement. “I’ve only got eyes for you, Buttercup.”
“Yeah, you better.”
“Or what?”
Bryce makes a gagging noise in her throat before starting to shove the two of them out of the booth. “I’m never sitting here again if you can’t keep it in your fucking pants. Ew. Let me out.”
Brody laughs and steps out of the booth before helping Anna. Bryce scurries along the bench and jumps down before beelining it for the bar. We watch her go with knowing smiles while Brody and Anna stay standing beside the table.
“Anyone up for dancing?” Anna asks us.
“Yes, please!” Poppy’s eyes light up at the mention of dancing, and it’s only a second before she’s tugging Garrison out of his chair.
He doesn’t argue with her, instead taking her hand and leading her onto the dance floor. Although he’s still stiff and hard-shelled to most, the guy’s so different from how he was when he showed up here the first time.
“Do you want to dance?” Rory asks once we’re alone, the only two at the table.
“Fuck yeah, I do.”
I help her up and immediately drape my arm over her shoulders before leading us away from the table to where everyone else has gathered. Both couples are smiling and spinning, but the moment Rory moves from beneath my arm to flat against my chest, I don’t give them another thought.
“I’d dance with you anywhere,” I say, holding her around the waist while taking her hand and starting to lead her in a simple two-step.
“Even between tables again?”
“I think that’ll always be my favourite spot for dancing.”
She holds my gaze, her eyes soft and light. “I prefer where we are right now.”
“Why? ”
Her smile is timid but oh so fucking happy. I know I look the exact same because I feel it.
“Because here, everyone knows you’re mine. And I’ve never wanted to make a statement so publicly in my entire life.”
The only thing I can think to do is kiss her, creating another statement that no number of words could beat. One of many, many to come in our life together.