Page 124 of The Rules We Broke
I looked up.
And sure enough, every Jackson head had turned our way. Some were staring. Some, possibly, glaring. Benjamin and Kendra gave me sympathetic smiles that felt like whispered apologies.
Before I could answer Caroline, Brady scooped her up in his arms.
“Where’s my hug, darlin’?” he asked.
She wrapped her arms around his neck like she’d been waiting all week for it.
He set her down gently, then reached for my hand.
I took hers, too.
And just like that, the three of us walked toward the pews under the watchful eye of half the congregation. Heat rose in my chest. Pressure built in my lungs, shallow and tight. Brady’shand squeezed mine—his silent reassurance—but it didn’t settle me this time.
Beau’s family filled the pew in front of his parents. Benjamin and Booker’s families were behind. And that meant one thing. We were about to sit with his parents. Smack in the middle. Surrounded on all sides—by hostiles in designer clothing and judgment wrapped in diamonds and pearls.
I kept my eyes on Brady. It was the only way to steady myself.
The glances weren’t subtle. Especially not from their wives—Rachelle and Sherrie, who both made sure I felt their scrutiny like badge pins through fabric. And then there was his momma. Her expression suggested she was mentally choosing which side dishes to choose when serving me for lunch.
She sat at the end of the pew. Brady’s daddy was beside her—but not close. That space between them spoke volumes.
“Good morning, y’all,” Brady said cheerfully as we stepped into what felt like the inner circle of hell. Murmured greetings answered him—polite and perfunctory. Except from his momma. She offered nothing. Not even a blink.
Caroline tugged on my arm, bright-eyed and brave. “Can I sit with you, Miss Ellie?”
“Of course, sugar,” I said, my voice warm but thin. “As long as it’s okay with your parents.”
Kendra nodded from the pew behind, her smile full of quiet encouragement. I managed one in return, though inside I felt dangerously close to tears—or a full sprint in the opposite direction.
Brady took my hand and led me deeper into the pew jungle. If his momma could have tripped me, I genuinely believe she would’ve. His daddy, at least, offered a small smile as we passed. Caroline hugged his neck sweetly and settled in beside him.
I ended up next to Caroline—Brady took the end. I’d wanted that spot myself, but switching now would have been tooobvious. Besides, I was already here. The commitment had been made.
As we settled in, Brady offered proper introductions. The group responded with manners—a small gesture, but more than I’d expected. Then the twin girls turned and surprised me.
“I love your boots,” one said.
“Where’d you get them?” the other asked.
I blinked, stunned. It wasn’t peace, but it was a moment. A small victory.
And in this fiery furnace, I’d take it.
The service was about to start, so everyone faced forward. Everyone except me.
I glanced to my side, watching Isaac with Caroline. He slipped a Tootsie Roll from his coat pocket and handed it to her. She smiled and kissed his cheek, utterly charmed.
Then he looked at me. And before I could stop myself, I smiled back. I think it was his eyes. I saw Brady in them—steady, kind, quietly complex.
Without a word, he held out another Tootsie Roll. For me.
I took it, stunned by the gesture. Stared at it in my hand, forgetting to even say thank you.
Brady kissed my temple, gently snapping me out of the moment. I turned to him. The way he looked at me—I felt like I was his entire world.
Benjamin leaned in from the other pew and whispered, “Okay, lovebirds—save the sappy looks for after church.”
