Page 192 of Ride the Sky

Davis studies us for a beat then says, “Looks permanent.”

I look at Fallon. “I guess we have an announcement.”

“I guess we do.”

Ruby claps a hand over her mouth.

Ford rubs his brow, turns to Reese. “If I’m forced to watch them break up, I’m killing them both.”

Fallon takes a shuddery inhale and shrugs. “We hate each other’s fuckin’ guts, but we’re not real great with anyone else, so we decided we’re gonna grit our teeth old-married-couple style and ride this bitch into the grave.”

“Wow,” Reese says. “Romantic.”

Charlie rolls his eyes. “So, you’re staying married.”

I grin and slip Fallon’s hand into mine. “Yeah. We’re staying married.”

Ruby whoops triumphantly. “Hell yes.” She bounces off Charlie’s lap, so happy she’s practically vibrating. “Pay up.”

Grumbles sound, and then everyone slaps wads of cash into her hand.

“You assholes bet on us!” Fallon exclaims, delight and shock in her voice.

“It was Fairy Tale’s idea,” Ford complains. “She gets real violent when it comes to romance.”

Charlie looks proud of his wife.

“End of summer,” Ruby crows. “I knew you two always wanted to smooch.”

“Yeah, well.” Fallon grins up at me. “I kinda love him, even if he is an idiot.”

I haul her against my chest and kiss her hard. In front of everyone.

Whoops and hollers come from our family. The entire bar.

I pull back and cup her face in my hands. “Love you back, baby.”

“You two just healed all our little hearts,” Reese says, beaming. “I hope you know that.”

“Y’all are gonna drive each other absolutely fuckin’ insane.” Ford slings an arm around his wife’s shoulders, lifts his beer and grins. “Congratulations.”

Charlie gives me a nod. “Yeah, man, congrats.”

“We’re so happy for you,” Dakota says, tears in her eyes.

“Hell.” Davis rubs his jaw, sits back to kick a boot up on his knee. “That’s an announcement if I ever heard one.”

Their words, the sincerity in them, have joy blooming inside my chest.

“Thanks,” I say gruffly.

It hits me then; I finally have what I’ve always wanted.

Fallon.

This woman who never has me doubting myself, who always fights for me. We’re together. Sure, there’s plans to make and shit to figure out, but we have a future. A life where we grow old together on the front porch in rocking chairs and bicker until our last breath.

We raise our shots in cheers then shoot them down. The jukebox cranks out Dolly Parton. We take our seats around the low cocktail tables.

---