If only I knew what was waiting for us…
To be continued…
EPILOGUE
VIOLET
In spite of my short conversation with Jagger the morning after his fight, I gave him a week of recovery before twisting his arm into telling me some of the finer details about what he’s been up to in The Drift. At first, he didn’t want to give them to me. He wanted to keep me safe, as he put it. I told him he’d always keep me safe. He didn’t deny that part. Instead, he opened the can of worms and filled me in. Not going to lie, it was pretty eye-opening, and I have a feeling they’re in for a bumpy ride. No,we’rein for a bumpy ride. Never thought I’d say those words. That I’d lump myself in with the Harden brothers. I always figured The Drift was my home. In a way, it still is, but it feels more like a distant memory with bittersweet moments I look back on than a tangible place I want to visit. Nope. It’s like what I told Jagger during his fight with Ethan.
He’s my home now.
And if it wasn’t for Lexie or the future Harden events I know will take place in Drift territory, I’d be happy to stay on Harden grounds with Jagger, his family, and June for the rest of my life. Speaking of June, our girl met someone. They aren’t official or anything, but he’s a schmexy fireman from a good family, andit’s been nice knowing I can stay at Jagger’s without feeling like I’m completely failing as a roommate.
Which brings me back to now. Kissing the tip of my nose, Jagger murmurs, “I have something for you.”
“Oh?”
“Stay here.” Climbing out of his bed, he rummages through his underwear drawer with his back muscles on full display and a pair of sweats hanging low on his hips. A bruise takes up part of his side. It matches the fading marks on his face.
Still sexy as hell.
I sit up a little more on his bed, letting the sheets pool at my waist while trying to sneak a peek at whatever he’s searching for. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“Patience.”
My lips bunch on one side, but I stay quiet.
Slipping something behind his back, Jagger faces me again but doesn’t move closer. Why does he look…guilty?
“Is there a problem, Mr. Harden?”
He rocks back on his heels while his hand stays firmly behind him. “Promise you’ll accept it.”
“Accept what?”
“The thing I’m about to give you.”
Talk about an ominous turn of events. Hell, I can feel his nervous energy all the way from here. What in the world would this man have to give me? Let alone make me promise to accept? Yeah, something feels fishy.
My brows pull as I watch him from across the room. “Are you serious?”
“Promise me,” he pushes.
He wouldn’t…he wouldn’t ask me to marry him, right? Not that I would even necessarily say no. Long engagements are a thing, and I know he’s my forever, but still. He wouldn’t. Would he? It’s not my birthday. It’s not Christmas. It’s not even close toour anniversary. So…why is this man acting so strange? Twisting the sheets in my lap, I blurt out, “Okay, you’re officially freaking me out?—”
His dry laugh cuts me off. “It’s not a ring,” he promises, moving toward me.
Dammit. The man knows me too well.
The mattress dips as he sits down and kisses my forehead. “Although, with the look on your face, I’m not sure if I should be offended.”
“Trust me, you have nothing to worry about,” I reply, but I don’t miss the way he’s still very much keeping something behind his back. Seriously, what is he hiding from me?
“Good, because one day, that’ll come, too. Just not yet.” The promise leaves a swell of butterflies in my stomach. “Right now, we’re talking about a different surprise, which I’d love to give you, but only if you promise you’ll accept it.”
Rubbing my lips together, I peek up at him. The slight wrinkle of his brow from a minute before is missing, and the crinkles around his eyes have deepened. He isn’t nervous anymore. He’s…excited? Or amused. That’s definitely a possibility. Hmm.
“We don’t have all night, Vi.”
