Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
I nudge him. “Hypothetically.”
“Oh, well, in a hypothetical situation, I wouldn’t make you sign one.” He kisses my cheek.
“Thank you! My point exactly,” Cameron says. “I knew my boys would see it my way.”
“Speaking of your boys,” Harley prompts. “You wouldn’t happen to know where Mason is, do you?”
Cameron looks at his phone which is most definitely not ringing. “Oh, shit, I have to take this.” He walks toward the house with his phone pressed to his ear.
“I’ll get it out of him,” Harley says with determination.
I love the dynamic between Cameron and Harley. I like that Cameron isn’t bitter I didn’t choose him. That says a lot, and it makes me realize no matter what I would’ve chosen, I would have been okay, but going with Harley, I know I’m getting the type of family environment I could’ve only wished for.
Ryder’s arm around me squeezes tighter. “You all right? No regrets?”
I smile at him. “None at all.”
Kaylee bounds up to us and tugs on my hand. “We’re ready.”
Chase is behind her.
My nerves kick up a notch.
“Ready for what?” Ryder asks.
“My gift to you.”
“You got me a gift? This party is for you.”
I put on a confident face even though I’m shitting bricks. “Let’s go, guys.” I usher Kaylee and Chase toward the middle of the backyard, grabbing my guitar from where I stashed it under the cake table earlier.
As we take our positions to perform the song we’ve been practicing together, I take a deep breath.
I look out at the small group, and doubt begins to cloud my mind.
This is a mistake.
This is the worst.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Ryder’s smiling.
Harley looks confused.
My brother is just plain trying not to laugh at me.
He won’t be able to contain it soon.
“Okay,” I croak and then clear my throat. “Some of you probably don’t know how Ryder and I met.”
“Oh, I told everyone I know,” Ryder cuts in.
“Thanks. No, really, thank you. Anyway, I might have said something about boy bands being lazy, cliché, and, well, sucky.”
Brix puts his fingers in his mouth and lets out a loud whistle. Harley elbows him.
“While I still think their songs are a bit cliché, I’m not ashamed to admit I was wrong about the other two. Ryder’s one of the most hardworking people I know, and I can’t wait to begin this journey with him. Both professionally and personally.” I glance at my brother and Brenna. “Oh, by the way, I’m moving out.” I don’t give them a chance to react before I strum the opening chords to a song that should burn in hell. “Ryder, this one’s for you.”
The kids start with the Ooh, ooh, oohs.
I join in with the first verse, and everyone in the backyard erupts into laughter.
Yes, I’m singing an Eleven song.
And I’m not spontaneously combusting. Who knew?
Because I like you. Ooh, ooh, ooh. I like you.
My soul is dying.
But as I lock eyes with Ryder, I realize I’d sell my soul ten times over for that man.
I think I might’ve been a little bit in love with him since the moment he didn’t get offended at the rude, jealous comments I made the day we met.
I fell a little more when I saw him with his daughter.
Was completely enamored by the time he helped me with my demo.
Now?
We may not have said the actual words to each other yet, but I’m so in love with him it’s been hard to keep it in until I thought he might be ready.
And maybe he’s still not ready.
But it’s too late now.
The kids sing the last chorus—the one we changed.
Ooh, ooh, ooh. I love you.
I love you.
I love you …
The song finishes, and while everyone claps and cheers, Ryder’s eyes remain locked on mine.
I try to approach him, but my feet refuse to move.
He didn’t even blink at the notion of me moving in, but this? This is huge.
This is massive.
I want to put the words back in my mouth—take them back and continue to wait for him to catch up—but they’re out there now.
The world blurs around the edges as if tunnel vision is kicking in and only letting me focus on Ryder.
He’s the one to approach me.
My guitar drops to my side as I rest it against my leg.
Ryder stops so we’re toe-to-toe, his face a mix of fear and awe.
“I might’ve changed the words,” I rasp.
He huffs. “I like your version better. Especially if it was directed at me.”
Damn it, I wish I could read him better. I don’t know if he’s shit-scared right now or begging for me to answer truthfully.
“It might have been.”
He takes my hands. “Just in case it was, I love you too.”
A relieved whoosh leaves me. “Thank fuck for that.”
Ryder leans in to kiss me.
“Swear jar!” Kaylee’s little voice interrupts us. Of course it does.