Page 151 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Then we’d take down the banner and be less excited,” Layla said. “But we’d all still be here to support you because we love you.”

Lucas’s eyes teared up, and right there in front of everyone, he gave her a sweet peck on the lips that made her cheeks pink up. As she stepped out of his arms, he looked at her father and said, “Sorry, Mr. Braden.”

Hugh laughed. “It’s all right, Lucas. Congratulations. We couldn’t be happier for you.”

Lucas beamed, his gaze returning to Layla, who looked extra cute in a gray shirt with My Boyfriend Kicked Cancer’s Butt emblazoned across the front in ’70s-style pastel colors, a black miniskirt, gray tights, and black boots. His eyes lit up, and he said, “That’s a great shirt.”

“I’m glad you like it,” she exclaimed. “I got you a cool shirt, too.”

Her little brother, Christian, shouted, “Now, Layla?”

“Yes, Christian.” As Christian ran over waving a black T-shirt, she said, “He’s been asking all day when he could give it to you.”

Christian shoved it into his hands. “Look at it, Lucas!”

“Thanks, buddy.” Lucas held up the shirt, pride shining in his eyes as he turned it for everyone else to see. Remission was written across the chest in white, and Accomplished was angled across it, printed like a stamp, in red.

As cheers rang out, he pulled the T-shirt on over his long-sleeve shirt and held his arms out, showing it off, earning whistles and catcalls from Dare and Cowboy. He hugged Layla again, and everyone converged on him.

Juliette and Seeley made their way around the room, their hearts overflowing as Lucas was showered with love and hugs and happiness, and they were, too.

As the night wore on and everyone ate and mingled, celebrating Lucas’s good fortune, Juliette got swept away by the girls. They were gathered around her, chatting about everything from Lucas and the party to Sully’s upcoming wedding and Sasha’s lack of a wedding date. Six months ago, Juliette never imagined their lives would look like this.

She glanced across the room at Lucas, huddled together with Layla and their friends, with smiles on their faces and snacks in hand. A few feet away, Seeley was laughing about something with the guys. These people had become her and Lucas’s family.

She was still so overcome with emotion, she didn’t think as she picked up a fork and tapped her wineglass, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Um…Hi,” she said with a little laugh.

Seeley lifted his chin, silently asking if everything was okay.

She held his gaze, answering all the questions in his and everyone else’s curious expressions. “Sorry to interrupt. I’ll only be a minute. These last few months have been a little crazy, and I feel like we’ve barely had time to breathe. Lucas and I were alone for a very long time, and we went through some really difficult situations. But we got through them, and I know there’s nothing the two of us can’t get through. I mean, look at my incredible son. He is so freaking brave and smart and strong. I got really lucky to be his mom.”

She looked at Lucas and said, “I couldn’t love you more, Lukey boo.”

“Mom!”

Laughter rang out. “You’re never living that down, Lukey boo,” Dare shouted, and more laughter rang out.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry…Rodeo.” Juliette looked at the faces of the people who had been there for them every day since she and Seeley had come together and said, “As I was saying, while we can get through anything, we couldn’t have gotten through these last few months as well or as loved as we have without all of your support. There are no words big enough to express how much that means to me. Thank you for welcoming us into your family and loving us enough to be our soft place to land. We truly appreciate each and every one of you.”

“Yeah,” Lucas said. “Thank you all so much.”

Juliette lifted her wineglass and said, “Here’s to all of you, for helping us stay strong and sane during what I hope was the hardest thing we’ll ever have to go through.”

“Here! Here!” Tiny called out, sparking another round of cheers.

As everyone clinked glasses and drank, Seeley’s dark eyes held hers, and he strode toward her, mouthing, I love you.

It was hard to believe they’d been together for five months already. What a roller coaster it had been. But their love was stronger than their battles, and she knew that no matter what life threw their way—illnesses, disagreements, Lucas playing one of them against the other—nothing could ever tear them apart again.

Chapter Forty

EVERYONE HAD BEEN on such a high, the party ran late into the night. They’d cleaned up but had left all the happy decorations in place. Lucas was too tired to check on the horses with them, and when Doc and Juliette got back to the house, he was nowhere in sight.

“He’s probably asleep,” Doc said.

“I hope so. It’s midnight.”