Page 126 of The Rules We Broke
I swallowed hard. “You’re not saying itcouldn’tget worse.”
He squeezed my hand, warm and sure. “Darlin’, I wish I could promise that. But the only thing Icanpromise you is that I love you. And you’re right—your aunt deserves the truth. Today, I’m going to give her some.”
I tilted my head. “What do you mean?” Did he know something I didn’t?
“I mean, I’m done playing games with our families. It’s insane that you have to be so worried about coming to dinner at my parents’ house, and your aunt refuses to call me by my God-given name. So we’re ending this nonsense starting today.”
Apparently, his daddy’s invitation had set a fire under him. I liked it. A lot.
“She’s going to know exactly how I feel about you. And she’s going to say my name. And come Christmas Eve, you’re going to get the answers you’ve been waiting for.”
I blinked, stunned—and maybe a little breathless. “Wow. Not gonna lie, that’s kind of sexy, Brady Jackson.”
He gave me that impish grin that always undid me. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
I bit my lip thinking of all the possibilities. Those would have to wait.
But first things first—we had to face my aunt. No doubt she’d already heard what had happened at church.
She was propped up on the couch when we got back, her phone in hand, looking like she’d just finished fielding calls from half of Kaysville. Judging by the narrowed eyes and tightly pursed lips, none of them were congratulatory.
I let go of Brady’s hand and sat beside her, kissing her cheek.
She said nothing.
“So . . . you heard?” I ventured.
Aunt Lu didn’t answer me. She just turned and gave Brady a look that could wilt.
“Aunt Lu,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice even. “Sitting with the Jacksons and spending Christmas Eve with them doesn’t mean I love you any less.” I needed her to understand that.
Her lower lip quivered—just for a second—before she stiffened and replaced it with a grimace.
“Why didmy daughterhave to fall in love with you?” she asked Brady, the words hitting harder than any shout. She didn’t give him time to respond. “I know why,” she muttered darkly. “Damn Jackson men.”
My heart twisted.
Brady didn’t hesitate. He sat down beside her—brave or foolish, I wasn’t sure—and reached for her hand.
She let him take it.
Shelethim.
“Luanne,” he said, quiet but sure, “I think it’s time we laid it all out.”
She didn’t respond, but she didn’t pull away either.
“So, here it is. I love Ellie. And I want to marry her. I’ve wanted that since I was sixteen years old. I’ve made mistakes. Big ones. And you have every right not to like me—or my family. You don’t know how sorry I am for all of it. But I’ve already lost ten years, and I’m not losing one more.”
“We don’t need anyone’s permission. We don’t need anyone’s blessing. But it matters to Ellie. You matter to Ellie. So I’ve been trying—really trying—to earn that. To earnyou.I want to be part of your family, Luanne. And more than anything, I want to make Ellie happy. So, what do you say?”
He looked her straight in the eye.
“Can we let the past be exactly what it is—the past?”
Wow. That quite honestly took my breath away. I watched as my aunt contemplated his words, squeezing the life out of his hand. That gave me some hope.
Before she spoke, she sat up taller and poised herself. “Well,Brady Jackson, that was quite the speech.”
