Page 98 of The Other Fork in the Road

“Can I go play football with those kids?”

“Go for it but don’t get dirty. I brought some jeans you can put on in the truck after the rehearsal so you don’t ruin your clothes.”

Madison’s eyes lit up. “This is the rehearsal dinner?” She laugh-snorted.

“Want a beer?”

“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Grant was playing with the kids as we walked through a crowd to see Zoey doing a keg stand, with Austin holding her legs, as the group cheered her on. She appeared to fit right in, outside of what I imagine were her five hundred-dollar jeans.

Another cousin, Jake Miller, grabbed the D.J. microphone. “Okay, Daisy wants everybody in the wedding party inside the church. The rest of us will party on!” The crowd went wild as my Aunt Zakari and Uncle Dontavius started a line dance with the whole place joining in.

A remarkably quick run-through of who walks where, and we were back in the parking lot where card tables and chairs had been set up, and a buffet table of burgers, brats, and sides awaited.

Zoey grabbed Madison’s hand. “Shot time, baby.”

Madison took the shot; they clinked and downed one and then another. Ten minutes later, Madison and Zoey were leading the Electric Slide as my wild-ass family followed. I sat back in my chair, beer in hand, knowing this woman had my heart.

CHAPTER21

MADISON

My attempt at sleep consisted of visions of Grant and Jax sitting with me inside my she-shed, Jax holding me against a wall somewhere, kissing me the way he does, and how the hell I would ever be able to leave HIM. And, of course, there’s Grant. How could I just walk away from that little guy? Somehow, I did manage to fall asleep, and I woke to the sun streaming onto my pillow when Daisy burst into my room with a full head of curlers, a hot pink robe, and high heel slippers.

“Today is the day I’m marrying your Daddy!”

She disappeared as quickly as she arrived, leaving a wonderful perfume trail behind her.

I quickly checked my bank balance; still shitty. I’d probably have to bum a ride with Zoey to make it home the next day. I jumped in a hot shower and pulled on a pair of Zoey’s jeans that made my tush look good, a super-soft Lisa Yang black sweater, and the CELINE Bulky lace-up boots that I was thrilled I’d forced Zoey to buy. I couldn’t stop smiling at my own reflection as I swiped on my cheap-ass mascara.

Then it hit me like the many walls I’d run into over my lifetime; Maybe Icouldstay? Maybe? Planning my events and working with the hotel marketing team long distance. I already did a great deal through Zoom and emails. Would it really be too difficult to pull off?

I was damn good at my job and had my vendors and contacts in place. But would Jax actually be okay with me being gone a week at a time in Paris or Miami? My “home” life was not traditional by any means, and I’d always loved that.

My mom would flip, and Zoey would lose it, given that we were like a little team and saw each other all the time. Maybe it wouldn’t work?

Jax’s face popped into my mind’s eye, and the bottom line was fate put this man in my life. I would be insane to let him go. Right? But the Hot One had only known me for a hot minute. What if I stayed and he realized he wasn’t into me, and my heart got crushed? AGAIN.

My brain felt like my junk drawer was being dumped onto a trampoline.

After a few curls in my hair, I bounced down the stairs, and not in a cute way. In true Madison fashion, I slipped and bounced on my ass toward the living room. Seems the CELINE boots were more dangerous than my tap shoes. My dad met me at the bottom of the staircase and helped me up.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, you should know by now, this is how I roll.” I shrugged.

“Come on, I made us a little breakfast.”

He took my hand and led me to the kitchen. There was a vase of white flowers, two bowls, and a box of Captain Crunch in the center of the table. His gesture hit my heart. This god of all cereals was something we ate together when I was little. I was touched he remembered.

We ate and laughed as he told me more about his family and the “passionate” people we came from. How his father was a hot head and that my grandmother was on a plane, heading to California for a new job, when my grandfather stopped the plane by punching out a guy at the gate. He entered and professed his love for all to hear. Yes, she decided to stay, and yes, he was detained by airport security for some time.

“I think Zoey didn’t fall far from the tree, right?”

I nodded.

“But you’re a little different. Always have been.”

He knew.

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