Page 119 of The Rules We Broke
She narrowed her eyes. “What about them? Don’t let them stand between you and your happiness. I did that for far too many years.”
Aunt Lu’s words played on a loop in my head all night. Not just her advice—but the weight behind it. The years she’d spent letting other people shape her choices. I wasn’t going to do that—not with Brady. Not with us.
By morning, I knew exactly what to give him for Christmas.
I called Kendra and asked if she and Caroline could come stay with my aunt for a few hours even though I knew how busy the Saturday before Christmas was. And the older Jackson brothers were already rolling into town, but she didn’t hesitate.
A couple hours later, they arrived, buzzing with curiosity. Everyone wanted to know what I was up to. I gave them my best mysterious smile and said I’d explain later. Brady deserved to hear it first.
Still, judging by the look Aunt Lu gave me, she already knew.
I drove to Brady’s house as fast as I could without breaking any major laws. My fingers gripped the steering wheel. My heart hammered with anticipation.
As I pulled into his driveway, the view spread out like a sigh. The porch, the craftsmanship, every small detail of his home—it was all him. And I loved every inch of it.
I got out, walked to the door, and knocked.
Excitement building in my chest. And some nerves. I was about to change my life in a big, big way.
He answered the door quicker than I expected—still in a T-shirt and jeans, but I could tell I’d caught him mid-shave.
A streak of shaving cream clung to his jaw, framing that smile I adored.
“Darlin’, what are you doing here?”
I stepped in without answering, reached up, and wiped the shaving cream from his face with the pad of my thumb. His skin was warm beneath my touch, freshly scrubbed and still damp from the steam.
I didn’t wait another second.
I leaned in and kissed him hard—fingers tangling in his shirt, heart pounding so loud I swore he could hear it.
He responded like I’d just flipped a switch. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me in so close my toes nearly liftedoff the floor. He tasted of mint and adrenaline and something completely Brady.
My back met the wall. His hand cupped the side of my face, anchoring me in the moment.
This wasn’t a polite hello. This was one of those soul-stirring,forget my last name, forget the time, forget the plankind of kisses.
When he finally pulled back, breathless and grinning, he whispered against my lips, “On second thought, I don’t care why you’re here. Let’s do this all day.”
Still wrapped in his arms, I smiled. “Sounds perfect. But first—I need you to come somewhere with me.”
He cocked his head. “Alright, darlin’, let me finish getting ready.”
He kissed my forehead—slow and sure—before disappearing down the hall.
I waited by the door, heart jittery and eager to get going. One glance around his house confirmed what I already knew. I was making the right decision.
It wouldn’t be easy—but when was doing the right thing ever easy?
It didn’t take him long. Once he returned, still adjusting his cuffs, I grabbed his hand and led him to my car.
He tried to veer toward his truck, but I steered him back.
“I’m driving,” I said.
Still the gentleman, he opened my door with a smirk.
“Where are we going?” he asked as I backed out of his drive.
