Keeping Him

by Kennedy Fox

  “Ready?” His cocky smile has butterflies twirling around my stomach. He bends his arms and puts his fists into his shoulders, mimicking a pair of wings. He then runs around in circles, flapping his pretend wings as he screams ‘bwak-bwak-bwak, I’m a chicken’ over and over until I’m bent over laughing so hard, I’m crying.

  Jackson looks absolutely ridiculous, but I can’t deny how much he makes me laugh on a daily basis. Whether we’re screwing around or actually working together, I know it’s always going to be a fun time.

  “There,” Jackson pants, coming to a stop in front of me. “Three minutes of naked humiliation. Happy now?”

  I swallow hard, willing myself to keep my eyes above his neck because sneaking a peek lower is far too tempting.

  “Mildly,” I quip. “Though I’ve changed my mind.”

  “On what?” he barks.

  “A junk punch isn’t enough to get even for all the shit you’ve done to me.”

  “Are you kiddin’ me? I’m standing naked here. What else do you wanna do to me?”

  So damn much. Bad, bad, bad.

  I pinch my lips together, flashing an innocent look as I eye the fire behind him. “Gotta get home. Curfew!” I walk out of his reach, moving farther away while he starts to put the pieces together.

  “Where are my clothes?” He looks down to where he left them, then searches the rest of the area. “Kiera! Goddammit! Where are they?”

  “I decided to bend the rules a little. Felt the consequences were too lenient.” I nod my head to the fire that’s effectively using his clothes as fuel.

  Jackson finally gets the hint and spins around to the large flames. I run faster, putting more distance between us as I look over my shoulder to see whether he’s chasing after me.

  “You’re dead, Kiera Young! DEAD! You know I’m going to get you so much worse!” he shouts.

  Running, I laugh as loud as I can, knowing he’s going to have to walk into his house butt-ass naked. I can only hope Mama Bishop or one of his brothers are still up to add to his misery.

  Turning around in his direction, I cup my hands over my mouth and shout back, “Don’t worry. Shrinkage is normal in the cold!”

  I squeal the moment Jackson comes charging for me. Bolting as fast as I can back to the house, Jackson eventually catches up to me and tackles me to the ground. Our bodies hit the grass with full force, both of us laughing as we catch our breath.

  “So, am I still a fish?” I ask, breaking the silence.

  “No.” He chuckles. “You’re a goddamn bull.”

  “A bull?” I turn toward him with a questioning glare.

  “Yeah. A fuckin’ savage. Chewed me up and spit me out.” He laughs as if he’s actually impressed. God, I love the sound of his laughter. He’s always looking for a good time, and when he’s laughing, I know he’s having the time of his life.

  “Hmm,” I say. “Well, guess that’ll teach you—mess with the bull…”

  “You get the horns,” he finishes for me, rolling his eyes at my proud victory.

  “That’s right.”

  I feel Jackson’s stare, and when I turn to face him, I catch him looking at my lips, and wonder if this is finally it. I’ve dreamt of kissing Jackson for as long as I can remember, but instead of making a move, I’ve watched on the sidelines as he’s flirted with and dated all my friends.

  “Miss Whitman,” he blurts out, taking me by surprise.

  “Huh? What about Miss Whitman?” I’m so confused.

  “The answer to my dare.”

  “Your dare? Wait, what? You liar!” I scoff, reminding myself to not look at his dick.

  “I don’t lie, Kiera. You know that.”

  “You do not have a crush on Miss Whitman, the librarian! She’s like fifty!”

  “So? She’s hot!”

  I mimic a gagging noise and lean up on my elbows. “You’re a pig.”

  “You’re just jealous,” he fires back, and my cheeks instantly burn.

  “No, I think you’ve mistaken my disgust for jealousy. She wears her glasses on the tip of her nose!”

  “Yeah, it’s sexy as hell.” He whistles a catcall.

  Leaning over, I shove him. “Stay down in the mud where you belong, pig.”

  “C’mon, you know you wanna join me!” He opens his arms with a mocking smile. “Gotta take off your clothes, though.”

  I stand, stepping away from him so he can’t reach out and grab me.

  “In your dreams, playboy!” I continue walking backward, putting much needed space between us.

  I’m almost back to my four-wheeler when I hear him yell out once more. “Only the naughty ones!”

  Chapter One

  Kiera, Present day

  I can’t believe it’s almost time.

  As I stare at my wedding dress hanging in my old bedroom, I know this is really happening. I’m finally getting married, and hopefully soon, we’ll have kids and the family I’ve always dreamed of. Trent isn’t a perfect man, but he’s sweet, kind, and ready to settle down.

  The past two years together have been filled with some great memories. Trent travels a lot for work and often works long hours, but it’s part of what brought us together. As an equine vet, he’d been my family’s vet for years before we started dating. Since I train horses, I saw him frequently, but nothing happened until we ran into each other at a Bishop wedding two springs ago. He asked me to have a drink with him, and sparks instantly flew between us.

  Smiling, I think back to those early days of Trent and me dating. They were so easy and effortless. I was smitten by him so fast that I missed the signs of deception, but we were able to work through them to get to this point. Every relationship goes through hardships, and everyone has their flaws, but I’m ready to move on to the next chapter in our lives.

  I’m ready.

  “I still can’t get over how gorgeous your dress is,” my matron of honor and best friend, Emily, says from behind me. The sound of her voice makes me jump since I didn’t hear her come in.

  “It really is, isn’t it?” I beam, glancing at her over my shoulder as she comes to my side. “I could stare at it all day.”

  “Well tomorrow, everyone’s going to be staring at you. You getting butterflies yet?” Emily loops her arm through mine and rests her head on my shoulder. She just married into the Bishop family, which means our friendship has grown even more since college.

  “I’ve had butterflies since the day Trent and I started dating,” I admit with a smile.

  “Aww…” Emily teases. “I’m so happy for you.” Emily turns so we’re facing each other; her hands rest on my shoulders. “I want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of and more. You deserve to be happy with Trent,” she tells me as if she needs to coach me through this.

  “I couldn’t have done this without you. After so many decisions and numerous headaches, it’s finally here.” I chuckle at that last one. “I’m so glad you’ll be up there with me.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world, Kiera. You know that.” She pulls me in for a hug, and I suck in a deep breath, trying to keep myself together and not cry.

  “I love you,” I tell her.

  “I love you.” She pulls back, already tearing up. “You ready to do this? Pastor Montgomery is ready to start, so we need to get lined up.”

  “Yep.” I wipe under my eyes. “Ready as I’ll ever be!”

  Emily leads us out of my parents’ house where my mother has proudly deemed it set up as the wedding party headquarters. Being that we’re in west Texas and it’s the middle of October, the weather is just perfect for an outside wedding on my parents’ ranch. It’s not too hot and uncomfortable for us to have the ceremony and reception on top of the hill with one of the best views of the land.

  Everyone is huddled together near their trucks, waiting to drive the short path to where the ceremony is being held. Trent spots me and immediately walks toward me with a gorgeous smile on his face. He’s tall with
brown hair and brown eyes and is the perfect combination of tall, dark, and handsome.

  “You look beautiful,” he whispers as he cups my face and presses a soft kiss to my lips. My stomach does somersaults every time he says those words because I know how strongly he means them. He makes me feel like the prettiest woman alive by how attentive and sweet he is toward me.

  “You’re looking mighty handsome yourself. I love this blue color on you,” I tell him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in for another kiss.

  “Think we can tell everyone to do the rehearsal without us and sneak away to one of the barns for a quickie?” He winks, licking his lips as his eyes gaze down at my white, curve-hugging dress.

  I laugh at his eagerness but swat his hand away as he tries to cop a feel. “Nice try. We’ll show up tomorrow having no idea what we’re doing.”

  “Oh, I will. You walking down the aisle to me is all that needs to happen. The rest we’ll figure out.” He grabs my hand and presses a sensual kiss to my knuckles.

  “Alright, lovebirds,” Emily cuts in with a knowing grin on her face. “Save it for the honeymoon. It’s time to get going.”

  “You’re riding up with your best man,” I remind Trent. “Then the other groomsmen are riding up with Jackson.”

  Trent’s face hardens when I mention Jackson’s name, though that’s his typical scowl whenever he hears it. To say the two don’t get along would be an understatement. Trent was the Bishops’ vet too, so he had to play nice to keep their business, but it’s no secret the two have been frenemies ever since we started dating.

  “And you’re riding with me and your father,” Emily says, grabbing my hand out of Trent’s and leading me toward her truck.

  I turn around to look at him just as he cups his mouth and shouts, “Love you!”

  Smiling wide, I mouth, “Love you!” before I’m spun back around and pushed toward the passenger side.

  “You’re going to make me nauseous,” Emily teases, making a gagging noise. “But I’m so damn happy for you guys.”

  “That means everything, Em. Thank you.” I pull her in for a hug and squeeze.

  “I’m really happy for you. You deserve this more than anyone. I can’t wait for you to get pregnant so we can be pregnant together!”

  “Wait, what?” I gasp, taking a step back. “You’re pregnant?”

  “Shh! We haven’t told anyone yet.”

  “Oh my God!” I whisper-shout, giving her another squeeze. “I’m so happy! How’d Evan take the news?” I chuckle. Her husband is also an ER doctor, but he takes life way more seriously than she does, and I always enjoy giving him shit for it.

  “He’s really excited.” She beams. “He’s hoping for a boy this time, but I already have a feeling it’s another girl.” She laughs.

  “I hope it’s twins!” I chuckle. The Bishops have a history of multiples, which means anyone breeding with a Bishop boy has a chance to have twins or more.

  “Oh God, please don’t say that. I mean, we’ll be happy either way, of course, but I can barely handle Elizabeth and her terrible twos.”

  I snicker at that because Elizabeth is only eighteen months, but she gives her parents a run for their money with Emily’s sassy attitude and Evan’s moody behavior.

  “Elizabeth is going to have so much fun with a sibling so close in age,” I tell her as I open the door and hop in. “When are you announcing it?”

  “Probably in a few weeks. I want to get checked out again, and right now is about you, so I don’t want to take any excitement away.” I’m about to tell her she’s crazy considering Trent proposed to me at her wedding shower, but I know Emily was also behind it. She’s been rooting for us since day one.

  “That means your baby and River’s baby girl will be pretty close in age too!” Rowan was born in June and is only four months old, but I get excited knowing my best friend’s kids are going to have cousins close in age. I didn’t have much family close by, other than my cousin Addie, which is why the Bishops were an essential part of my life growing up.

  “Yep! So many Bishop grandkids.” Emily chuckles. “But I’ll probably need some help so people don’t get suspicious when I’m not drinking anything. I can’t say I’m breastfeeding anymore, so I’ll need an interference.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure I can figure something out.” I flash her a wink before shutting the door. My dad hops in the back behind Emily, and once the three of us are buckled, we drive the short distance up the hill.

  My bridesmaids are riding together in a couple of other trucks, filling up the flatbeds as they all jump in. Trent’s from a large family, and the Bishops have been my family for as long as I can remember, so we ended up with ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen. Then, of course, Elizabeth is my little flower girl, and she’ll be walking down with the ring bearer, Riley, who’s three. He’s Alex and River Bishop’s son, and ever since the two of them have been together, I’ve grown closer to River, and we’ve become good friends. Alex is the youngest Bishop brother but, surprisingly, was the first one to get married. River works at the same hospital as Evan and Emily as a pediatric nurse. It’s safe to say, everyone knows everyone in this small town.

  That also means everyone knows everything about you.

  Your secrets, scandals, and drama.

  Though it can be stressful at times, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was born and raised here, and I can’t wait to raise my own children in Eldorado.

  “You nervous, Kiki?” my dad asks, using the childhood nickname he gave me. He places a hand on my shoulder with an encouraging squeeze.

  I cover his hand with mine and smile at him. “A little,” I admit. “But I’m really excited it’s finally here.”

  “You’re gonna be a beautiful bride but, more importantly, a spectacular wife and mother. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Dad…” I choke up. “You’re not supposed to make me cry before the rehearsal!”

  Emily laughs with him, and after a few moments, we arrive at the bottom of the hill where we park.

  “River and I made you something,” Emily tells me while digging around the backseat. “River wanted to incorporate some of her Midwestern wedding traditions, so she made you a rehearsal bouquet with all the ribbons and bows from your bridal shower gifts.”

  She holds it up, and it’s actually really awesome looking. Strings of ribbon hang like vines, and then big, fat bows mimic flowers on top. “That is the coolest thing ever!” I grab it from her and hold it to my body. “I love it! Thank you!”

  “Thank River. It was all her idea! In fact, she made me dig through five trash bags to grab them all after your party.” She shivers as if the memory makes her cringe.

  I tilt my head back and try to hold myself together. “Y’all gotta stop giving me reasons to cry.”

  With my dad standing next to me, he holds his arm out and smiles. “Ready, Kiki?”

  I loop my arm through his with a bright, cheeky smile. “Ready.”

  My wedding coordinator, Jessica Hart, flags me down with my mother, and Pastor Montgomery is next to her. Jessica’s glowing at five months pregnant and has a huge smile on her face. I met Jessica four years ago when she moved here from Florida to be with Dylan, who works on the Bishop’s ranch. She’s an event coordinator and was dying to help me with wedding plans as soon as we got engaged. Since we only had six months to get everything together and she did such a great job with Emily’s wedding, I was more than happy to have her help.

  “Kiera! You look amazing as always.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I think everyone’s here, so we should get started soon. There’s a lot to go over.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I say just as a loud muffler roars behind us. I see Jackson’s truck pulling up with a handful of groomsmen in the bed of the truck. They’ve all more than likely been drinking, which I know is going to piss off Trent.

  They jump out and are shoutin’ and hollerin’ like a bunch of idiots. I spot Trent walking up wi
th his parents and head toward them.

  “I thought you were going to talk to him,” Trent immediately says in a hushed voice, his jaw clenching with anger. “If you insist on him being in the wedding, he needs to act like a fucking adult.”

  “Trent…” I whisper. “I will.”

  “When? You’re running out of time,” he reminds me.

  Inhaling a deep breath, I nod. “I will at dinner, okay? Promise.”

  Jessica rounds everyone up, and as I look around noticing how many people are here for us today, it makes me want to tear up all over again. We’re so blessed to have these people in our lives, supporting Trent’s and my relationship. My mother has already handed out handkerchiefs, knowing the majority are criers.

  “Mom,” I say with a low groan.

  “I’ve been crying all day; I can’t help it.” She dabs under her eyes, and I feel like an emotional mess right along with her.

  “Well, you’re going to cry yourself dry if you don’t slow down,” I tease. “Plus, you’re supposed to be in the front row, waiting for Dad and me.”

  “I know. I’m goin’.”

  “Alright, let’s get the bridesmaids and groomsmen in order and lined up,” Jessica announces with a notebook in her hand. “Emily and Todd, you’re at the very end.”

  Trent’s oldest brother stands next to Em, and the rest of them follow Jessica’s instructions until all twenty of them are lined up correctly. Next, Jessica tells Trent and his parents when they’ll walk down and lead them to the end of the aisle with Pastor Montgomery.

  Riley and Elizabeth stand in front of me, both of them getting antsy and tired. My father kneels to their level and distracts them, making my heart soar at how great he is with kids. Since I’m the only child, my parents have been waiting on me for grandchildren.

  “When the first couple is about halfway down, the next couple in line will start walking and so on. The matron of honor and best man will be the last ones down before the ushers roll out the aisle runner. Then Riley will walk Elizabeth to where Mrs. Bishop will be waiting in the second row and seat them. Once everyone’s lined up in the front, the music will switch, and that’ll be your cue, Kiera.” Jessica steps closer toward me. “I’ll make sure your train is straight and tell you when to go.” She winks at me.