He scrubs his face and I notice the fading of the cuts on his knuckles. I assume it’s from that night and my stomach turns. In a flash, he has me in his arms and he crashes his lips against mine. The second our tongues collide I let out a soft moan. He sinks his fingers into my hair and deepens the kiss. It’s all-consuming and I melt into him.
When he pulls away, he wipes the tears that run down my cheeks. “I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. I should’ve given you a chance to explain everything. I heard you lied, and I couldn’t handle it. I wanted you to say it wasn’t true and when you didn’t, I lost it. But I got my ass handed to me by everyone and it was clear that I was in the wrong. If I had given you a chance, you would’ve told me the truth and I’m fucking sorry I didn’t do that. I’ve been miserable without you. The girls keep asking for you.”
“You won?” I interrupt.
“Yeah baby, I won. But I also lost because you left. Come back, McKinley. Move in with me and the girls,” he says, searching my eyes.
“Really?”
He smiles and places his hands on my cheeks. “I want to go to sleep with you every night. I want to wake up to you every morning. I want to love you for the rest of my life.” He kisses my lips and sighs. “I love you, McKinley. Please, come home.”
I jump into his arms and wrap myself around him. Tears of relief swim in my eyes as I bury my face into his neck. “Take me home, Braden.”
Life is so unexpected. You can hope for something and find something else completely that changes your world. Braden did that for me and I will spend the rest of my life doing it for him.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Braden
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“Girls, we’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry up,” I yell.
Tiffany comes running down the hallway, smiling with excitement. “I’m ready.”
“Where’s your sister?”
She shrugs her little shoulders and I sigh. Both girls have really gotten close to McKinley. They are just as miserable as me when she’s not around. But Dawn idolizes her. Which also means that she is now constantly trying to do her hair and makeup so that she looks more like McKinley.
I was a little annoyed, but McKinley explained that all little girls do this. They want to grow up and be a part of the adult fun. That didn’t help at all. I’m not ready for my girls to grow up and definitely not ready for any kind of adult fun. After laughing, she assured me that everything will be fine. She’s been helping Dawn by putting on small amounts of makeup, explaining that less is more. I like that approach.
Unfortunately, McKinley isn’t home. She’s been gone for almost a week on a shoot. It’s tough on all of us when she’s gone. She’s the heart of our home. She keeps us all going. But she’s coming home tonight, and I’ve got a surprise. Which is exactly why I need Dawn to hurry up.
I walk into her bedroom and she’s sitting in front of the mirror. “Hey baby girl, you almost ready? We need to get over to Blake’s.”
She sighs and looks at me through the mirror. “I can’t do my hair like McKinley does it.”
I know it should be a sad moment, but my heart fills with joy. They love McKinley as much as I do.
“I think it looks great. You look beautiful,” I say, smiling.
“You always say that Dad,” she says, trying to hide her smile.
I cross my arms and lean against her doorway. “I say it because it’s true.”
She looks at herself one more time and stands up. “Alright, I’m ready.”
I kiss the top of her head as she walks by and she fixes her hair. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to handle the teenage years.
When we finally get to Blake’s, the girls rush off and I head around back. Blake is sitting there staring at the pool, smoking a cigarette. He looks lost in thought.
“Hey, you alright?” I ask, sitting down next to him.
He doesn’t look at me, just continues staring out at the pool. “When Jax proposed to Kallie, did you have some kind of big brother talk with him?”
I fight back my smile and cross my arms. “I didn’t need to. It’s clear the love Jax has for Kallie. I knew that he was the right guy for her.”
He nods his head, still not looking at me. “I was an only child until two years ago. I was always envious of you and Kallie and Jax and Brody. I mean I have Jax, he’s my brother no matter what, but still, I was envious. Now, I have this sister. This amazing, smart, funny, talented, sister.” He looks over at me and smiles. “And I couldn’t have fucking picked a better guy for her.”
“You’re a dick,” I say, laughing.
“Did you think I was gonna kick your ass or something?” he asks.
I stand up as he smashes out his smoke. “No, I thought you were gonna cry.”
“Fuck off, Braden. That was some kickass acting on my part.”
The backdoor opens and London comes out with my girls. She looks between us and laughs. “Did he give you, his speech?”
“Oh, this was something practiced?” I ask, laughing.
Blake gets up and wraps his arms around London. “Come on baby, don’t blow up my spot like that.”
“I think it’s sweet,” she says, kissing him.
“Uncle Blake, are you gonna ask London to marry you too?” Dawn asks.
His eyes widen as he looks around. “Uncle Blake likes shit the way it is, sweetheart.”
“Blake,” I warn.
“Shit, sorry. I always forget about the cursing, but I mean come on there are worse things to worry about. What are you gonna do when they start dating?”
I groan, scrubbing my face. “Probably drink a lot more.”
We all laugh as the backdoor opens again. This time Kallie and Jax walk through. I smile at my sister as she bounces my way.
“I’m so excited for you,” she says, hugging me. “The four of us are going to take the girls back to mom’s and hang out there for a while. She wants to keep them, so I hope you’re cool with that?”
“Of course. Did you get the dress?” I ask.
“Come on now, who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” she asks, laughing. “Everything is set. You’ll have this place to yourself after we help set up. Once you ask her and have your moment. We’ll be back to do pictures. I’ve got it all under control. You just worry about not dropping that ring.”
I’m not nervous. No part of me is worried about how this will go. I know she’ll say yes, I just want it to be perfect, like her.
The next few hours, the girls swim and we set up the backyard. There are lights everywhere, candles, flowers, and the table is set. It’s going to look stunning when it’s all lit up.
“Alright girls, you are going with Aunt Kallie to Grandma’s. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I say.
They are both excited and I’m so glad that they still love being at my mom’s. I hope that will continue as they get older. She loves having them.
“London and Blake are going to drop the dress off at your place. I have the note you wrote her, and I’ll put it by the dress. You go get ready and text me when you’re ready to let us join you guys,” Kallie says.
I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without their help. I will never be able to tell them how much it means to me.
“You hurt my sister I’ll hunt you down,” Blake says, slapping my back.
“That’s something you never have to worry about,” I say.
Once they are all gone, I take a quick shower. The closer it gets to her getting here, the more excited and a little nervous I get. I pull on my white button-down and tuck it into my dress pants. The red tie I got to match McKinley’s dress is the next thing and finally my shoes. I look in the mirror and straighten my tie. My pulse races as I feel the ring in my pocket. This is really happening.
I hear my cell phone and I rush to see who it is.
McKinley: I’ll be home in five minutes. I can’t wait to see you.
I blow out a breath
and slide it into my pocket. Okay, it’s almost show time.
I go out back and plug in all the lights and light the candles. When I step back to take it all in, I’m damn impressed. It’s romantic as hell. The lights are reflecting off the pool, the candles are flickering, and I can smell the strong scent of the red roses. It’s perfect.
The nerves I said I didn’t feel are crashing into me. I keep adjusting my tie, fixing the flowers, and checking the time. She should be here any minute.
I pour us each a glass of champagne and wait.
It feels like hours when I finally hear her walk into the house. My heart is pounding in my chest and my pulse is racing. But when she steps into the backyard, it all disappears. She’s my anchor, my heart, my world.
Her eyes are bouncing around at everything and finally land on me. I’m standing by the pool, holding our glasses of champagne. She looks stunning. The red strapless dress clings to her perfect body. Her hair and makeup are flawless, just like she is. But that smile. That genuine, happy smile is what makes it hard to stay still.
“Braden?”
“Welcome home, baby,” I say.
She walks toward me, and I can’t stop the smile that breaks out across my face. This girl is mine and I’m about to make sure she knows it’s forever.
“It looks breathtaking back here,” she says, taking the glass from me.
“Only because you’re here,” I say.
She smiles, searching my eyes. “What’s going on?” she whispers.
I take a sip of my champagne and put it down on the small table by the pool. She does the same and I take a deep breath.
“McKinley Monroe, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. You walk into a room and everyone turns and stares. It sure as hell happened to me when you came crashing into my life. From the second I laid eyes on you, I wanted to know more. That physical attraction was just the start. Once I got to know you, damn baby, I was no longer in control of my heart. I gave it to you, and you’ve had it ever since.” She begins to cry, and I smile as I quickly wipe away her tears. I trail my hands down her bare arms and take her hands in mine. “You accepted me and my daughters with an open heart and mind. You’ve been my rock, my constant, my world. I can’t imagine a day going by without you in it.”
I get down on one knee and the tears rush down her cheeks. “McKinley, I promise to love, protect, and support your dreams for the rest of your life. I promise to be strong when you’re weak, to be fearless when you’re scared, and to fight when you give up. I will love you forever, baby. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I let go of her hands and pull the ring out of my pocket. She is shaking as she cries looking down at me. Her eyes are shining with not only tears but the love that I know she feels for me.
“Yes, oh my God, Braden, yes,” she whispers.
I slide the two-carat diamond solitaire ring onto her finger and stand up. I pull her to me and crash my lips to hers. Once I have her in my arms, my emotions get the best of me, and my tears mix with hers as we kiss.
When I pull back, I wipe her tears and she wipes mine. “I love you so much, McKinley.”
“I love you, Braden. This is the most incredible night of my life,” she says.
“It’s only the beginning, baby. I have a few more surprises before I take you home and strip you out of everything but that ring.”
She looks down at it and smiles before looking up at me. “I can’t imagine anything more perfect.”
I tuck her hair behind her ear and smile. “I can.”
After we celebrated with some champagne and some making out, I texted Kallie. The four of them came back and after they congratulated us, Kallie did what she does best. She took the pictures.
I wanted this to be a night that we not only remember forever but that we could physically look back on. My girl deserves the world and tonight is the beginning of me giving it all to her.
When she lied about the reason she was here, I thought my heart was gone forever.
A simple lie brought her here but damn there was so much more behind the lie.
It brought me back to life. She brought me back to life.
Want more of the whole gang? Check out Behind The Love, an extended epilogue to see how everyone is doing. You can download this final chapter in everyone’s lives for FREE by clicking RIGHT HERE!
Note From The Author
THANK YOU! This has been an emotional journey for me, and I can’t express how humbled and honored I am that you have come along for the ride. This series means so much to me and waiting five long years to finally get Behind the Lies out has been difficult. All the messages and emails I’ve received over the years wanting this book, have meant everything to me.
I hope you love Braden and McKinley as much as I do. They both deserved the happiness they found. All these characters do, which brings me to this special surprise for you.
If you’d like to read more of our favorite models, photographer, and author, I’m giving it to you! Click the link below to see how things are going with this gang and their families.
Want more of the whole gang? Check out Behind The Love, an extended epilogue to see how everyone is doing. You can download this final chapter in everyone’s lives for FREE by clicking RIGHT HERE!
About the Author
Heather Dahlgren writes Contemporary Romance, sprinkling each book with a bit of humor, a lot of naughty and true love. She self-published her first book in 2014 and continues to do so today. Her over active mind promises the stories are in no short supply.
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Heather grew up and still resides at the Jersey shore. She loves being so close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pine Barrens. She is surrounded by the best of both worlds.
She is married to her high school sweetheart and has three kids. There is nothing more important in the world to her than her family.
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When Heather isn't writing you can find her getting lost in a great book, spending time with family and helping her fellow authors.
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Acknowledgments
THANK YOU! Yes, You! I can’t thank you enough for reading my words and hopefully enjoying them as much as I do! Thank you for coming along my journey. You are the reason I love doing what I do, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all so hard.
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My Heartthrobs! I don’t know what I would do without each and every one of you. You are the most amazing support team anyone could ever be lucky enough to have. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do for me. I love you all.
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I could not have done this without the love and support of my beta readers. Victoria Jarman, Michelle Mendes, and Marianne Kathleen. Thank you for all your help! You girls have no idea how much confidence you gave me. You help me more than you could ever imagine. Thank you for making me laugh, smile, and cry tears of pure happiness.
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My cover designer Melissa Gill. Thank you for a kickass cover that exceeded my expectations.
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To all the blogs and bloggers that help spread the word, read my books and write amazing reviews. Without you the Indie world would be a much harder place. I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given me. You are all my rock stars!
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A special thanks to my husband Russell. You put up with a lot, don’t think I don’t appreciate it. You shell out a lot of money to make my dreams come true. Thank you for your support. I love you.
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Thank you to my three amazing kids, Russell Jr, Jeanette, and Hailey. Thank you f
or understanding how important writing is to me and for helping me so much so I have time to get it all done. For dealing with a grumpy mom a lot of the time. Most of all thank you for being three of the best kids a mom could have. I love you all with all my heart!
Other Books by Heather Dahlgren
Shattered Souls MC Series
Shattered
Redemption
Kace
Riley
The Change Series
Changed
Commitment
Conflicted
Sexy Series
Behind the Lens
Behind the Book
Behind the Lies
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Dancing Hearts
Renegade
Perfect Tenn
Behind The Lies Page 16
