AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What? Are you saying that you, Ophelia, and Madeline don’t?”
“Never said we didn’t.” She reached over her head to the back of the couch, opening up her phone and pulling up her messages. The circle of pinned messages hit me. Her mom, Jillian, a group that was named “Bridesmaids” and then . . . me. “We started it during the wedding and just kept it going. What?” her voice changed as she tilted away from me, no doubt taking in my expression.
“I’m pinned to the top?” I asked, keeping a hiccup down. “We don’t text that much.”
“We will,” she calmly said once she closed her phone down. “I expect that our new group chat is going to continue when we get back to Oregon. Don’t you think?”
I kissed her temple. “I hope so.” Setting my phone on the arm of the couch, ignoring chimes from the incoming texts, I shifted my body and wrapped my arm around Jamie. “Don’t you think we should tell your family my real name? I know we don’t have an official label yet, but even you can admit we haven’t been faking for a while now.”
“I will”—she settled into my side—“soon. It’s just a little embarrassing. Faking a boyfriend so my family will stay off my back, only to start really liking the fake boyfriend.” She laughed. “Madeline would have predicted this.”
“Are you saying we are officially a book trope?”
“I’m saying . . . Madeline called it.” Stretching her back she kissed my jaw, only to leap off the couch. “I’ll tell them, and then when Bennett and the guys come in, they can call you Elliot instead of Daxton.”
A knock on the door shifted her attention. Leaving me in the living room, she went to the kitchen, opening the door seconds later. “Hey, Dustin,” I heard her. I twisted my back and looked at Jamie and her nephew.
“Hey, Aunt Jamie, is Daxton here?”
“I’m right here, bud.” I stood from the couch, folding my arms. “What’s up?”
He swallowed. “I was wondering if you would show me . . . if you would want to . . . I mean . . .”
“Yea.” I smiled. “My guitar’s upstairs, I’ll go grab it.”
“Really?” His eyes sparkled as his gaze followed my every move.
My eyes met Jamie for a moment, noticing the smile on her lips, before I dashed up the stairs.
An hour later, Dustin had my guitar on his knee, his arm draped over the side with the pick sturdy in his fingers. He was a quick learner, and picked up the cords easily. Once he had the first few down, I moved on to a song—one he requested—one that wasn’t quite ready but he picked it up and was able to begin playing withease. He wouldn’t sing the lyrics, but knowing that would help him keep the tune, I sang softly.
“She painted their beauty, but little did she know – the love in my world was continuing to grow. Sunflowers bloomed beneath her skilled hand – the golden light enchanting a love so grand . . .”
Dustin stopped playing and looked at me, his eyebrows furrowing. “Is that . . .” he mumbled. “Did you write this for Aunt Jamie?”
I gave him a soft nod, hoping I could trust him with this secret. I knew Jamie had heard some of the lyrics, and she had heard the cords, but I still hoped to surprise her. My hope was to sing it in its entirety on Thursday. Bennett had gotten the guys on board, and they had been practicing the melody. It was a slower song than Bennett wanted but for Jamie, but she needed a song that I could sway her too, one I could whisper in her ears as we danced. I smiled softly.
“Don’t tell her, okay?” I asked.
Dustin nodded and his focus went back to the strings. My phone dinged as he continued to play. I stood, leaving him in the living room, the strumming and soft hum filling the room.
Jamie:Hey look, using your pin in my messages.
I chuckled.
Me:And you’re only in the house with your mom. You could come over here you know.
Jamie:And miss out on using the pin, nah. How’s Dustin?
Me:He’s playing a song, humming the tune.
Jamie:What song?
Me:Wouldn’t you like to know.
Jamie:*angry emoji* Tell me, or I’ll tell my mom what you got her for Christmas.
I shook my head and looked towards Dustin, his eyes still focused on his fingers.
