Page 61 of Best of Me

“Like, wear his ring and have his babies good?”

Natalie laughs. “So that’s where Tatum gets it from, huh? She’s been on and on about you and Nate having babies after y’all get married.”

Jenny grins evilly. “Well, if y’all’d just give the kid a sibling like she’s been begging for…”

“Actually…we’re trying,” Natalie confesses.

Jenny and I squeal so loudly that several other patrons turn to stare at us. “That is amazing!” Jenny grabs her sister-in-law’s hands and shakes them over their heads in a little victory dance.

“Yeah, well. We conceived Tatum on the first go, without even trying. It seems to be taking a little longer this time around.” Natalie’s shoulders hunch a little but Jenny’s right there, doing her best to cheer her back up.

“Girl. Babe. Listen to me, it’ll happen when it’s supposed to.” Natalie rolls her eyes and starts to interrupt, but Jenny pushes on. “I know, it sounds like such a line, but I totally mean it. Nothing about you and Alden’s relationship has been a walk in the park—it’s been one battle after another and you two have conquered and slayed each and every one. This won’t be any different and when—that’s right,when—he puts his bun in your oven, it’ll be the best little bun ever!”

Natalie drops her head to her hands. “Oh, God, stop. I know you’re trying to be encouraging, but…”—she shudders—“…just stop. You’re being weird.”

“You love my weird, bitch!”

Sighing dramatically, Natalie agrees. “It’s true, I do. But wanna know what I love more? Chips and salsa and margs! Let’s order.” She signals the waiter over and we all place our order, opting to try their new margarita flight, consisting of one mango, one peach, and one strawberry along with an order of nachos all the way.

The rest of the evening is spent talking, laughing, and making memories that I’ll cherish forever. I’m sure to some it seems childish of me to get so sentimental over something so small, but after spending most of my life friendless and alone, I know exactly what these moments are worth—they’re absolutely priceless.

Three hours, and a few more drinks later, we decide to call it quits. I’m still laughing to myself over Jenny’s antics as I pull out of the parking lot, which is probably why I don’t see it coming.

The sickening sound of metal on metal fills my ears as the car spins. Lights blur as my vision swims. I seem to skid endlessly until, finally, I come to a stop in a ditch.

“Holy…shit…” I gasp out loud just before everything goes dark.

chapter thirty-eight

Duke

I’m counting down the minutes until the end of my shift. It’s girls’ night out for Mallory, which means she’s coming home frisky and with the way she’s been eyeing my cuffs every time I’m in uniform lately, it’s safe to say I’ve got big plans for us tonight.

“Do you ever wonder what they talk about when they all get together?” Nate asks as he signals to turn onto the highway.

“Nah, man, some things are better left unknown. I figure it’s like a woman’s purse—not my business.”

“Even if they’re talking about you?”

I grin. “Especially then. I know how Mallory feels about me. I don’t mind if she talksaboutme, as long as she keeps talkingtome.”

Nate flicks his eyes over me before focusing back on the road. “Look at you; love’s got you sounding wise.” When I don’t respond back to him, he prods. “You do love her, right?”

It feels fucked up saying something about it to him before her, but I’m at the point where I think talking it out might help. “I…yeah, I love her.”

“You told her?”

I rub my hands over my face in frustration. “No. I want to. She’s said it and every time I don’t say it back, I feel like the biggest douche to walk the planet.”

“Damn, bro. She’s not mad?”

I shake my head. “Honestly, that’s part of why she’s so amazing. She’s patient and doesn’t want to rush me into anything—especially given our history. But the thing is, Idolove her. Like, I can see myself marrying her and starting a family with her. I’m just scared. Scared I’ll fuck it all up somehow.”

Nate doesn’t reply right away, but when he does, he kind of blows me away. “You know, at this point, I think the only way you can fuck it up is if you keep holding out. That girl has ripped her heart off of her sleeve and offered it up to you on a silver platter. Everyone can see how y’all feel about each other. Make that shit official, man. Get your girl.”

Nate’s pep-talk resonates with me. I’m so damn ready to get my girl; to claim her and to tell her exactly how I feel about her and then to show her, over and over again. “Damn straight. Just need this shift to end.”

“Only two more hours.”

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