Page 103 of The Rules We Broke
“No,” he said firmly. “This is a romance. And romances end happily ever after. We’re getting ours—I don’t care what it takes. We’re not going to become our parents, bitter and full of regret.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am, Ellie.”
I wanted to believe him. With everything in me, I did.
But after tonight, I knew his momma wouldn’t go quietly. If she’d spent forty years beside a man who never truly loved her, that was a lifetime of resentment. And she wouldn’t let Brady go without a fight—especially not for the woman who reminded her husband of the girl he once loved. Or maybe still did.
All I knew was, it was going to take a Christmas miracle to get our happily ever after.
And I, for one, was never again going to underestimate his momma.
Chapter Nineteen
Iwokeupthenext morning, on the Sabbath as my aunt liked to call it, still unsettled about the previous night’s events. At least Aunt Lu got to come home today.
Part of me thought about skipping church even though I knew Brady would be there. I didn’t think I would get to see him all that much today. It probably wasn’t the best idea to have him over on my aunt’s first day home, knowing it would agitate her and she needed her rest. See how messed up our situation was?
But if I went to church, it would mean I would have to see Brady’s parents and the rest of the town.
Still, I got up and got ready. Maybe it was the Southern girl in me who couldn’t skip church. I had bought a couple of new dresses the day before, so I had something new to wear. New clothes usually made me feel better, but not today. This uneasiness hung in the air.
As I straightened my hair and applied makeup, I kept staring into my reflection, searching for answers that wouldn’t come.How were Brady and I supposed to make this work? Was it even possible to be together without making everyone—including ourselves—miserable?
As I sat there contemplating, I heard the doorbell. I wasn’t expecting anyone, especially this early in the morning.
I took my time walking to the door, wishing I could hide from the world. But when I opened it and saw Brady—leaning in the frame, suit and tie, signature cowboy boots in place—I couldn’t help but smile. He looked devastatingly handsome, the light scruff on his cheeks giving him that perfect edge of wild and worn.
“Hi, handsome,” I said, trying to sound flirty even though I wasn’t feeling all that flirtatious this morning. “What’s the occasion?”
Without a word, he stepped inside and drew me into his arms. “I wanted to take my girl to church,” he whispered, “and I was worried. About you. About us.”
I sank into him, exhaling hard. “I’m sorry this is so hard for me, Brady.”
He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. “Ellie, quit apologizing. I’m the one who should be sorry.”
“What for?”
“Because I should’ve been man enough to stand up to my family ten years ago. Then I wouldn’t be picking you up for church today—I’d be home helping you wrangle our kids. Or at least making pancakes for you in our own kitchen.”
All lovely, lovely thoughts. It was almost too lovely because I was so afraid we’d never get there.
“Brady, you were a kid. You did what you thought was best at the time.”
“No, I did what my family thought was best. And I hurt you.”
I wished I could tell him he hadn’t. But after what I witnessed last night, I felt sorry for Brady. I could only imagine how much his mother had manipulated him.
“You don’t trust me, do you?”
“I trust you.”
He gave me a knowing look. “Not the way you used to, and I don’t blame you. I know I have a lot to make up for, and that the road ahead of us may not be as smooth as we would like it to be, but I promise you that it will be worth it and that I’m in it for the long haul. I know that if we’re together, we can overcome anything that comes our way.” He lowered his forehead to meet mine, his minty breath wafting between us. “Please don’t give up on us.”
I gripped the lapels of his jacket, breathing him in. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He loudly exhaled, like I’d offered him a lifeline. “I love you.”
