“Holy shit! This is literally the best news ever!”
While Addison and Harper continued to squeal and jump around in circles holding each other, I glanced back over at my brother. “So, what about you? How will you make living in Texas work?”
Archer chuckled as he watched our girlfriends. “I can do my job from anywhere. Hell, I’ve been splitting my time between Boston and California for the last seven months. I already talked with Dad. I’ll be remote mostly and fly in when I’m needed, but I’ll at least try to get out to California once a month.” He turned his attention back to me. “I’m tired of being on opposite coasts from her. I want her with me all the time.”
I nodded. “I know the feeling. That’s really cool, Arch. I’mhappy for you guys. Regarding my house, it’s yours…in eight to ten months.”
Archer put his fist out for me to bump. “I can find us something temporary in the meantime. Thanks, big bro. We can talk logistics about the house tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate!”
Harper released Addison. “Oh! Speaking of celebrate, I totally forgot the champagne in the car. Let me get it really quick. I brought it so we could toast to your new house and us moving here!” Harper quickly ran off to the car. Once she returned with the bottle of champagne, she began pouring the bubbly liquid into four red Solo cups.
“Look at us, so classy,” Addison said as she took the red cup that Harper handed to her. “And seriously, I think we have a champagne problem or a celebrating problem. I think I’ve celebrated with champagne at least five times this year alone.” She laughed.
“Nah, that just means you’re doing it right. I’ll always take me some champagne problems," Harper said with a wink while bumping her shoulder against Addison’s.
Once we all had a cup in hand, Harper raised hers, and we all followed suit right there in our soon-to-be living room. “Here’s to us! Who knew that two besties could land a couple of hot-as-hell, rich-as-fuck brothers? But here we are. So, really, cheers to us, Addi!” Archer and I just shook our heads in laughter as we clinked our plastic cups together.
This was not the life I ever thought I’d live, nor wanted… It was better. So much better.
Bonus Epilogue
Addison
A Few Weeks After That
The wildflowers were blooming, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and Dean was complaining per usual as we took our weekly trail ride together down to the river on our farm property. Dean decided to buy out my loan with Walker (he made sure not to withhold this truth from me), but surprised me by putting the farm in my name and my name alone. I insisted we both should be on the deed, but he refused.
Spring had sprung, and the farm had never looked more beautiful. Once we made it to the river, Dean hopped off Waffles, adjusting his jeans. “Fuck, this horse is so uncomfortable at the trot. Plus, he hates me and is way too small for me.” Coal came along as well, always trotting diligently alongside the horses, occasionally running off to sniff the scent of an animal.
I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’ve been telling you for months that if we were going to keep doing this trail ride thing, we should probably start looking for a horse for you.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I just didn’t want to spend the money with everything we have going on with building our house.” He was sometimes the cheapest billionaire I knew. Dean started to lay out the blanket as I set up the picnic. We tried to come out here once a week just to get away from all the craziness of every day and talk.
Settling on the blanket, wine in hand, Dean let out a long exhale, staring out at the river as Coal happily played in the water. “We have a pretty great life, don’t we? We’re really lucky.”
I nodded, watching the wildflowers blow lightly in the breeze. “It doesn’t get much better than this.” We spent the next hour simply enjoying each other’s company and discussing our plans for the house. Once it was time to start packing up, I had my back turned away from Dean, folding up the blanket. I turned around and was instantly stunned to find him down on one knee, holding a stunning diamond that winked back at me. I dropped the blanket I was holding. “W-What are you doing down there, Adler?” I barely sputtered out.
He chuckled. “What does it look like, James? I’m fucking proposing to you.” He took my hand in his. “Addison James, the minute you walked into my life, I was a goner. I tried like hell to resist you, but when you’ve found the person that you were meant to be with, it’s next to impossible to ignore that feeling. I didn’t think relationships were for me. I didn’t think marriage was in my future, or love for that matter, but loving you is easy, sweetheart. Will you marry me?”
I could barely see him through the tears filling my eyes. Thelove I had for this man was fierce and something I felt deep within my bones. I knelt with him so I could wrap my arms around his neck, placing a kiss on his lips. “Yes, forever yes.” He wrapped his arms around me, pulling my mouth back to his and pulling me up with him as he stood. Once he set me down on my feet, he slid the beautiful diamond ring on my finger. I held my hand out in front of my face to admire it. “Wow, this ring is gorgeous.”
Dean smiled. “Look at the inside of the band.”
I pulled the ring back off, and there on the inside of the band was a little horseshoe engraving. I looked back up into his dark eyes. “I love it.”
We got back on our horses and made our way back to the farm when I noticed a lot more cars in the drive than usual. I turned to look back at Dean. “What’s with all the cars?” He shrugged. “Don’t know. Guess you’ll have to go find out.”
My heart rate picked up with excitement. We hopped off our horses right outside the barn, and as we led them in, I was hit with a loud “Surprise!” nearly freaking Cash out. Once I got him settled, Dean looked at me with apologetic eyes. “Sorry, baby, didn’t really think that part through, did I?”
Levi walked up to take the horses from us. “Congratulations, you two. I’m really happy for you guys.” I pulled him into a quick hug so he could untack Cash and Waffles and get them away from all the craziness. Once I was free of my horse, I was finally able to take in the scene. There in the aisle were all of our closest friends and family. They had some drinks and snacks set up in the lounge and tack room area, and some music playing.A giant “Congratulations!” banner hung across the stalls. My heart felt so incredibly full.
After making the rounds and hugging everyone, I was able to make my way over to my parents. My mom and dad pulled me into a big hug. “Honey, we are so happy for you guys. You deserve the world, and we both know that Dean will give it to you,” my dad said with choked-up words.
My mom wiped at the tears falling from her eyes. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m just so happy. I cannot wait to start wedding planning! My first wedding!”
I chuckled. “Slow down, Mom. I just got engaged. Let me breathe for a minute.”
Weston walked over with his phone in hand, playing the live stream of the game that Walker was currently pitching in. It was still pretty early into the new season, and the team was stacked. They looked good this year, really, really good. “Walk’s up again for the fifth inning.” We all gathered around Weston’s phone to watch the inning while the rest of our guests were chatting and enjoying the food and drinks.
