“And weren’t you the one who not that long ago said this game was, and I believe the exact quote was, ‘fucking ridiculous’? Yes, my dear brother, I believe that was you,” Mav teases.
“Yes, I did say that. But in my defense, I had signed my life away to this woman just a few weeks before that, so pardon me if I wasn’t in the mood for a drinking game.”
“Don’t blame that on me!” Amanda says. “I will no longer be blamed for the times you wanted to be an asshole.”
It seems like so long ago that Amanda came into my garage, setting off a course of events I still can’t believe were real.
I thought I was going to need to testify against Big Al and The Kings, but it turns out a trial wasn’t even needed. They all flipped on each other, and Big Al had no choice but to plead guilty. But then he cut his own deal, bringing down the head of the gang, telling the cops about a lot heavier shit than just running a chop shop. No one is expected to see the light of day for a very long time.
Our second location is not only up and running, but it’s thriving. Hell, it might be busier than our original location, which is still doing well on its own.
And as for Tori and me? We couldn’t be better.
We’ve had a few rough patches in the last six months, but when you put two stubborn-ass people together, there are bound to be a few fights. Though sometimes I think she picks fights just so we can make up.
I’m not complaining.
“Never have I ever kept a huge-ass secret from my best friend.”
I laugh as I give a toast to Jaxson, who still isn’t over the fact that everyone at some point knew about Tori and me except him. Tori realized I told Maverick, and she told me she filled in Annabelle and Scarlett just before she went to Wisconsin.
Tori figured Jaxson knew about us, given all of that. But apparently, his fiancée neglected to tell him, using some excuse about sisters over misters, so when Tori and I came into the bar holding hands when we got back from Wisconsin, we realized he was the only one surprised.
You’d figure after six months he’d have gotten over it.
“I’m sorry, man. I really thought Annabelle would’ve told you.”
“Apparently my wife is a phenomenal secret-keeper, which makes me wonder what else she’s keeping locked up in that vault of hers,” he says, placing a kiss on her neck, and sending her into a fit of giggles.
“My lips are sealed,” she says with a smile.
Annabelle does know one more secret, but she won’t have to keep it in for long.
Because it’s about to be revealed right now.
“All right, everyone. Last question,” I stand up, making a big spectacle. “Never have I ever been proposed to while playing a drinking game in front of our friends.”
Everyone looks at me as I drop down to one knee. Tori’s eyes are huge and I’m pretty sure I hear squealing behind her from the girls.
And maybe Ben.
“Victoria Brennan, from the first time I met you, I knew you were something special. Then I got to know you, and I realized you were going to be a handful. But it was a handful I couldn’t imagine not having in my life. I love your smile, your wit, and even your smart mouth. You are unapologetically you, and I want to spend the rest of my life making ridiculous bets with you and watching endless hours of ‘Golden Girls’ reruns. And loving you. Tori, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?”
Apparently when you propose at a crowded bar, it gets real quiet, real quick. I didn’t take that into consideration when I planned this out.
Then I realize what I’ve done. For the second time in my life, I’ve rendered Tori speechless.
“Tori! Say something!” Annabelle whisper-yells.
“You haven’t said yes!” Scarlett follows.
“For the love of God, say something or I will!” That’s Ben. I’ve come to really like him.
“Yes! Yes! A million times yes!” Tori says, jumping off her chair and falling into my arms.
I place the ring on her finger and kiss my girl like I’ve never kissed her before as cheers ring out around us.
I’ve never claimed to be a good man. The roads in my life haven’t always been the easiest to navigate.
But if those are the roads I had to travel to get where I am today, I’d steal a hundred cars and drive every one of them to end up here.
Read the rest of the South Side Boys Series
Damaged-Book 1
Wrecked-Book 3 (Coming December)
Redemption-Book 4 (Coming February)
Also by Alexis Winter
Hate That I Love You: Castille Hotel Series Prequel
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Castille Hotel Series
Business & Pleasure: Castille Hotel Series Book 1
Baby Mistake: Castille Hotel Series Book 2
Fake It: Castille Hotel Series Book 3
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Make Her Mine Series
My Best Friend’s Brother
Billionaire With Benefits
My Boss’s Sister (PRE-ORDER NOW!)
My Best Friend’s Ex (Coming this January)
The Friend Agreement (Coming this March)
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Mountain Ridge Series
Just Friends: Mountain Ridge Book 1
Protect Me: Mountain Ridge Book 2
Baby Shock: Mountain Ridge Book 3
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Claimed by Him: A Contemporary Romance 6 Book Collection
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**ALL BOOKS CAN BE READ AS STAND-ALONE READS WITHIN THESE SERIES**
About the Author
Alexis Winter is a contemporary romance author who loves to share her steamy stories with the world. She specializes in billionaires, alpha males and the women they love.
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If you love to curl up with a good romance book you will certainly enjoy her work. Whether it's a story about an innocent young woman learning about the world or a sassy and fierce heroin who knows what she wants you,'re sure to enjoy the happily ever afters she provides.
When Alexis isn't writing away furiously, you can find her exploring the Rocky Mountains, traveling, enjoying a glass of wine or petting a cat.
You can find her books on Amazon or at https://www.alexiswinterauthor.com/
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Broken: South Side Boys-Book 2 Page 19
