Not About Love (This Love Book 2) (34 page)

My husband.

Everything still felt so surreal. Seeing Boyd waiting for me in an elegant dark suit had had me close to tears. It was a miracle I was able to hold them back, and I wasn’t the only one who was a mess. As I got closer, I read the same emotion in his eyes. When my father placed my hand in his, Boyd gave me a gentle squeeze and a wink.

At that moment, we could have been alone for all I knew.

No one else mattered—well, maybe just one other person, and he made sure we heard him. In that, he was just like his father.

Just as we started exchanging vows, our son decided to start blabbering, rather loudly. We all exploded in laughter. Our little Jax was eight months old and quite the handful, but he was the light of my life.

Our life.

Before he was born, I never could have imagined I would love someone as much as I loved him. He was the perfect mix of Boyd and me. He had red hair and fair skin, but the eyes were his dad’s—and the personality, too. I smiled at the little boy I saw in the mirror, held by my best friend. He looked so damn cute in his big boy outfit of soft gray flannel baby pants, a vest with a white button-down shirt, and a burgundy bow tie. I was the happiest I had ever been, yet the knot in my throat wouldn’t go away.

“Doesn’t Mommy look beautiful, Jax?”

“Stop it…you’re going to make me cry,” I said, holding up a finger under each of my eyes to catch the tears that were threatening to ruin my makeup.

“What’s up with you?” Ella asked. “The worst part is over. Now it’s all fun and games. You look like you’re on the verge of tears! Is everything okay?”

I exhaled nervously and frowned. I looked at myself in the mirror and adjusted my dress again.

“No! Everything is wrong! My boobs are too big.”

“No, they aren’t, you moron.”

“I look fat.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You look gorgeous. Boyd loves you, and he loves your curves. You look like a glamorous movie star in that wedding gown. Come on, stop it with the nonsense,” she pleaded.

Tears pricked my eyes. I sniffled and tried to wipe them away.

“Ally…is everything okay? I’ve never seen you like this. What is going on?”

“I’m pregnant!” I blurted out as hot tears slid down my face.

“Again?” Ella asked, a shrill of surprise in her voice. “It’s only been eight months and you…”

“Yes, I know…I’m still nursing and everyone says how it’s hard to get pregnant when you nurse…well, apparently not for
us
.”

“Man!” she said, staring into space, still in shock.

“I’d watch out for that Rivers sperm if I were you…”

She snapped out of her shock and nodded in agreement. “Definitely. Not until the time is right.” Jax started babbling baby sounds and she said, “No, sorry, not ready to give you a cousin just yet! But you’re going to have a brother or a sister!” Her eyes widened in excitement as she said it. Jax started laughing, and in that moment, Leanne opened the door.

“Here you are! I’ve been looking for the two of you everywhere! Ella, you’re needed on stage and you”—she pointed her finger at me— “are supposed to get ready for your first dance.”

“Sorry. We got sidetracked,” Ella replied.

“Honey, come on, it’s time. Do you need help with anything?” Leanne stopped when she noticed me drying my tears. “Is everything okay? What’s wrong?” When I didn’t respond, she turned to Ella for answers.

“Everything’s great. Wonderful. You should tell her, Ally.”

“Tell me what?” Leanne asked, worry clouding her lovely face.

“I’m pregnant,” I hesitated, hanging my head in shame. I didn’t have the nerve to look her in the eye, and her arms squeezed me before I could even look up.

“Oh, my goodness! Bless you, darling girl! You’re making us so, so happy!” She took a step back and looked at me. The expression on her face was the epitome of glee.

“Does Boyd know?”

“I haven’t told him yet. I just found out yesterday.”

She clapped her hands together and then hugged me again, kissing me on both cheeks.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you!” She then turned to Jax, took him from Ella, and lifted him up, cheering, “You’re going to be a big brother, little man! Your nana is so excited!” We all laughed, including Jax. I crossed my fingers all the giggling and laughing wasn’t going to backfire. No one liked regurgitated milk.

“I’ll take him and give him to your mom. I’m supposed to dance with the groom after you! Say bye-bye to your mama, handsome boy.” She made him wave and then said, “Come on, you two. Everyone is waiting. The groom is getting nervous.” She winked, and I laughed at her words.

“We’ll be out in a second,” Ella told her, and Leanne left.

Ella turned to me. “Come on,
Bertie
, dry your tears. Your man is waiting.”

We stepped out into the ballroom a moment later. Ella joined Lou and the band on stage, and I found my groom. He was talking to my father. I stepped up next to him, and he turned my way.

“About time, Bertie. How much longer were you going to make me wait?” he asked with a smile. Then, without missing a beat, he gave a signal to his brother.

He led me to the dance floor as Lou announced us as Mr. and Mrs. Rivers. Boyd had said he wanted to choose the song, and he’d wanted it to be a surprise, so I had no idea what he’d picked. As the first notes began to play, I recognized it immediately.

“Once again,” I smiled. “You’ve done good.”

He grinned and said, “I’ve done good with
you
.”

He had chosen Chris Stapleton’s cover of “Tennessee Whiskey.” He lifted his arm, and I placed my hand in his as his other went to my waist. I smiled, almost forgetting for a moment what had been on my mind all day.

“What was taking you so long, Red?”

“Why does it matter? Are you that impatient to show off your dancing skills in front of everyone?”

“I’m impatient to hold you in my arms as man and wife.”

“Oh, Boyd,” I said, my voice choking with emotion. His words were sweet and smooth, but paired with the events of the day and my new set of pregnancy hormones, they wrecked me. His arms circled my waist, and I looked into his eyes, pursing my lips. I looked down, attempting to gain some composure. For a moment, I almost forgot people were looking at us.

“What is it? Are you already regretting saying
I do?
”

“No,” I replied, avoiding his eyes.

“Then what is it? There shouldn’t be a frown on that pretty face of yours, not now of all times.” He was right. I had hoped I could keep the news to myself a little while longer, but he had the right to know.

“I’m pregnant, Boyd.
Again
.”

I looked up at him through my lashes. I was still wrapping my head around the news myself, and I hated to unleash the bomb right then, with everyone watching us. He frowned, his eyes fixated on me in confusion. My heart sank. I opened my mouth to say something, but I was distracted by the lazy grin that stretched across his face.

“You’re pregnant?” His eyes were glowing with excitement, and he bit his lip, trying to hold back a laugh. “Is that why you’re such a mess?”

I nodded, avoiding his gaze.

“Seriously? Bertie, look at me.”

I did as he asked, and when I looked at his face again, I sighed, relieved. Maybe this wasn’t such bad news after all. He looked pretty fucking happy.

“What? Did you think I’d be mad about it?”

“The timing isn’t right…” I shook my head, thinking about what this would mean for us. Jax was only eight months old.

“Timing is never right. You can’t live your life by a timeline. You can’t wait for the perfect time in your life to do things. Life happens, and thank God for that, cause let’s be honest—if little Jax hadn’t pushed his way through, maybe you and I would have never figured out we belong together.”

He was so good with words when he wanted to be. I let out a sigh of relief and relaxed in his arms.

“I love you, Boyd.”

“I love you, too, Bertie. It’s you and me and our children from now on. We’re a family, and there’s no more sacred bond than that.” A tear fell from my eyes, but from then on, I’d just be smiling. I glanced at our baby, who was in my mom’s arms. Little Jax was going to have a brother or a sister. He wasn’t going to be an only child like me. He was not going to grow up alone. The realization made me feel ten thousand times better. I was being ridiculous, fretting over nothing.

As the bluesy notes of “Tennessee Whiskey” filled the room, I glanced at my best friend up on stage with the band and my brother-in-law.

I smiled at her, and she gave me a not-so-subtle thumbs up. The ring on her finger shone even more brightly under the stage lights.

“By the way, I don’t think you could have picked a more perfect song.” He grinned upon hearing the words, and he looked so unabashedly happy that it was impossible not to vow to myself to make him happy for the rest of his life. Sure, I knew there would be times we would fight, but I knew we would always kiss and make up.

“It makes me think of you,
wife
,” he replied proudly. He lifted me up with his strong arms and spun me around, making me lightheaded. Everyone in the ballroom cheered. When he stopped, he held me so my face was level with his. I kissed him gently, but he responded with hungry kisses of his own. We both ignored the echoes of “woohoo” erupting around us and didn’t stop until the notes of our first dance began to fade.

The End

First off, thanks to the readers! I know you have many,
many
options to choose from, so I feel honored you decided to read my book. Thank you.

Thanks to my family for their unwavering support, even when this dream of mine takes up so much time. I love y’all.

Samantha Leigh, once again, thank you for designing a gorgeous cover! It’s everything I wanted.

My fabulous editor, Caitlin at Editing by C. Marie: I loved working with you and I hope I can do it again and again!

Marieke: THANK YOU for correcting my Dutch!

Thanks to my BETAS! Mae Wood, Beverly, Lucie, Roanne, Dina, Mari, Faye, Mandi, Crystal from Book Loving Fairy. A special thank you to Emily and Michelle for going the extra mile.

My proofreader, Julie Deaton: I loved all your notes and laughed-out-loud at your comments. Thank you so much for your help! I’m so glad you loved Not About Love!

Tracy, thank you for always being there for a friend. My love for you is endless.

Lauren, I miss you. When are we going to the movies?

Cassie Graham, you’re the sweetest and I feel so lucky I get to call you my friend. Hamilfreaks for life!

Zeia Jameson, Mae Wood and ES Carter, thank you for always being just a message away. You’re the first peeps I found and you will always have a special place in my heart.

All the ladies of the HAPPY HOUR group on Facebook and especially the tireless Kandi Steiner: I’m in awe of you guys and I feel so lucky to share a place with you.

My
Friday Night Dinner Ladies
(when plans don’t fall through): I love y’all, but we have to be more CONSISTENT. Do you hear me, Erin? LOL.

ALL THE LADIES of The Manuscript Minxes: WHERE would I be without you? I would be alone and desperate. You’re THE BEST Facebook group I ever stumbled on. I love how we keep growing and encouraging each other.

Thanks to the bloggers who rock my socks off and work tirelessly to promote the work of indie authors. A special thank you to Give Me Books, Southern Belle Book Blog, Abeautifulbookblog, Schmexy Girl Book Blog, Typical Distractions, Aaly and The Books, Obsessed with Romance, Reviews by Reds, Reading in Sarah’s Corner, MustReadBooksorDie and Book Junky Girls. Thank you for supporting me!

I hope I’m not forgetting anyone, but if I am, please forgive me: I’m nothing but a scatterbrained author, after all.

This is just a small selection of the music I listened to while writing
Not About Love
.

You can play the entire playlist on
Spotify
!

Gold
– Arum Rae