“The longest,” I reply. “Um, Lor? What do I need to do for Braxton? I’ve got to find a way to apologize and show him just how sorry I am. Even if we can’t be—” I choke on the next word, “together, I need him in my life as a friend. I can’t lose him, Lor. I can’t—” I begin sobbing through labored breaths.
Lorelei runs her fingers through my now smooth hair. “Tell him that. Be honest with him.”
“Is that enough? I feel like I need to make a grand gesture or something.”
She smiles softly and meets my eyes through the bathroom mirror. “You’ve always been enough for that man.”
My heart thumps, thumps, thumps right out of my chest.
“I hope you’re right, Lor. When are you going to find yourself a man?”
She scoffs. “Like I have time for that. You know I’m not a romantic.”
“So? That doesn’t mean you can’t have love.”
Her phone buzzes, then she shoots a text back to someone. She nods silently to herself as she slips her phone into her pocket. “Let’s get you home.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Braxton
Iwakeuptothe sun setting, kicking myself for sleeping too long. I had planned to take a short nap before going to find Hadley at the hospital. Picking up my phone, I realize why the alarm I set never woke me up—my phone died. Searching through my bags thrown haphazardly across my floor, I finally find the white charger and plug it into my phone.
What’s gotten into me? I’m an organized, meticulous person…even when I’m exhausted. I’m not the person who forgets to plug in his phone. I can only blame it on things not being right with Hadley, and I need to fix that pronto.
After my phone gets juiced enough to turn on, I send a quick text to Lorelai. I trust her with my secret plan more than Lucy. Only moments later, Lorelai replies, first berating me for being so late but then telling me the plan’s a go. I pat the pockets of my black suit pants (yes, I’m still in my wedding day attire), checking to make sure it’s still there. The band of Mom’s ring meets my finger, and I grin like a fool.
It still doesn't feel real.
I dig through my bags once more to find and slap on fresh deodorant, find my toothbrush, then head to the bathroom to brush my teeth. My heart is continuously beating like a wild racehorse, no matter how many times I scold it to calm down. Maybe it’s too early? Maybe she really doesn’t want me anymore after Chesapeake?
No, I don’t subscribe to that. Hadley was just angry and tired and confused. She loves me, I’m sure of it. And we’ve been soulmates since I was nine and she was seven. It’s rare to find the one your soul longs for that young, but we did. And I’m not wasting another moment without her by my side in the eyes of the town, the law, and most importantly, God.
I finish my light grooming session before jumping back into my truck once more to drive to Hadley’s house.
Gosh, I miss when we used to live only minutes apart. The drive is still a short one to her house, but it’s nothing like being able to walk over whenever I wanted. We spent so much time in her current house when it was still her grandmama’s. Baking, wrestling, watching movies, and staying up as late as Grandmama (she insisted I call her that too) would let us.
That’s why it’s the perfect spot to ask for Hadley’s hand in marriage.
I pull up and snag the key from under the hide-a-key rock. I text Lorelai to let her know I’m here, and I thank her again for persuading Hadley to go to their place instead of here.
Stepping inside, I quickly get to work setting up the house like I need it. Dad calls me as I’m stuffing ammo inside the old tire swing Hadley and I used to play on.
“Hey, Dad,” I answer.
“Hey, son. What’s this I hear about you going back to school for your architect license and joining Michael’s company?” I can hear the smile in his voice.Guess you got your way after all, old man,I laugh while shaking my head.
“The timing was right,” I comment.
“Well, good for you. I’m proud of you.”
I tighten my grip on the phone. “Now you’re proud of me? Because I got a job thatyouapprove of?”
Silence stretches on, and I loosen up, regretting my harsh tone. It’s the lack of restful sleep.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” I finally admit.
“It’s okay, son,” he says. “I’ve always been proud of you. You stepped up when the family needed you. I’ve just been thinking it’s your turn to not have to make sacrifices. That’s why I've been pushing you to get a different job. Offshore didn’t make you happy.”
