The rest of the afternoon is lazy, just how I like it. I want to remember this peaceful and tranquil moment before it all comes crashing down again, because that is my luck.
***
Beau
Shay’s dad was nice enough to offer us to stay at his house until we decide to go back home. My dad, on the other hand, has been blowing up my phone nonstop, wondering when I would be coming home. Undoubtedly he thinks I’ve uprooted once again, except this time I didn’t say anything. I’ve tirelessly assured him over and over again that I’m not staying here and I’ll be returning soon, hopefully with Shay sitting beside me in the truck. We never got to discuss the details of her rash decision in the hospital like we said we would and I’ve yet to bring it up. I suppose deep in the back of my mind, I’m expecting the worst to happen. Given our history, it’s all I can think of.
Shay yawns and I know she’s not far from falling asleep. We’re all still sitting in the living room except for her dad, he’s been in bed for a little over an hour now. Sienna and Rob are talking quietly and Shay’s hand is still in mine. I want to bring up whether or not she’s returning to Louisiana because I told my dad I’d be heading back in two days. Two days, it seems like no time at all. Two days and I will know for sure what is really going on. In my head, I play a mock conversation over and over again. It goes both ways, good and bad. I want to believe in the good and I know there’s only one way to find out. I have to suck it up, get over it, and just talk to her. I gently squeeze her hand and close my eyes. When I open them, I know it’s time to get this conversation over with. The sooner I know, the sooner I can rest easily.
“Hey Shay?” I whisper. After a few seconds of no answer, I turn my head to find her softly snoring. Her head slumps, slightly resting on my shoulder. I should probably carry her to her bed but part of me really wants to be selfish right now. I want her right here beside me as long as possible, or at least until I know whether or not she’s coming home with me.
***
The next morning, I awake with a crick in my neck. The pain sears through me and I groan, trying to stretch. I look around and realize I’m still on the couch but Shay isn’t beside me anymore. I jump up, wondering where she is. Hell, Rob and Sienna are even missing in action. It doesn’t take much effort to find them, they’re both sitting in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee. The smell practically causes my mouth to water. They both look up at me as I step inside the room.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Sienna chirps. She’s such a morning person, I don’t understand how one person can have that much energy this early.
“Morning,” I reply. I look over at Rob and just nod. He gets me in the mornings, he’s not much of a talker when he first wakes, either.
I walk over to the cabinet and grab a cup to help myself. I sit beside Rob at the table and slowly sip on the black liquid. My cup is nearly empty when I finally look up and decide to ask the question I’ve been wondering ever since my eyes first opened.
“Uh, where’s Shay?” Sienna and Rob both look at me a little funny. I know I spoke clearly. I didn’t stutter. “Really guys, do you know where she is?”
“She’s in her room on the phone with the school,” Sienna spits out before quickly placing her cup back to her lips.
Without a word, I stand from the table and wander aimlessly, looking for her room. It can’t be too hard to find in this house but I admit I’m a little bewildered just trying to find her. This mission almost seems to be a total bust until I hear her voice on the other side of a door. The last freaking door I come to, that’s about right. My hand reaches for the doorknob and just when I’m about to turn it, I remember my manners. I really should knock because this isn’t my house. I can’t just barge into her room like a crazed madman on the hunt. I have to laugh at my ridiculousness. Right now I must look like a complete fool.
My hand forms into the perfect fist and I bring it up to the door. Before I can lightly knock, the door swings open and Shay’s face is a deep shade of crimson. Her eyes are filled to the brim with tears that look like they could spill over in a matter of seconds.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask quietly as I pull her into me.
Her body melts against mine and I hug her, being careful not to crush her arm. Her hair covers my face but I don’t mind. I never mind when it comes to her.
“I’m finished. I quit.” She sobs into my chest.
Carefully, I pull her away from me. The tears have begun running down her soft cheeks. “What are you talking about, Shay?”
She pulls back for a minute, brushes her hair behind her ear, and reaches for my hand. All too willingly, I place mine in hers. My insides are squirming with anticipation.
“I quit school. I’m done and I’m ready to go back with you.”
There’s no uncertainty in her voice. She’s confident in her decision and I love that, but I can’t just let her throw her future away. I’m not sure I could live with myself for allowing her to do this.
“Shay, have you really thought this through? You’ve worked so hard, baby, and I don’t want you giving it up for me,” I tell her softly.
She laughs and it throws me off balance. Why is she laughing? “Beau, I have thought this through and I’m done. I just actually got off the phone with my supervisor at the hospital and all I have to do is withdraw from the university.”
“Stop it, Shayleigh.” Hearing me call her by her real name catches her attention and she glares at me. If looks could kill, I’d be laid out on the floor but I don’t care. She’s making a mistake.
“Beau, you don’t understand. Wyatt was going to ruin my career, anyway. I made a mistake getting involved with him and I feel this is the best decision. I have it all figured out. I can go back with you and I can enroll in the college there and pick a whole new major. I can have a whole new start and I’ll only take a little time off when I have the baby and it’s back to business. I’m not giving up on everything completely, I’m just giving up on nursing. Maybe I can be a teacher, who knows? I don’t know everything right now, but I know I want to go back with you and I want to be with you. I love you, Beau.”
I cock my head to the side, letting all her words sink in. She’s smart at least, planning all this out. I’m a selfish man for being so giddy on the inside but I finally have the one thing I’ve wanted all along. Her.
My mouth opens to speak but my lips crash down on hers. She moans softly as her soft lips move against mine. My hands move like they have a mind of their own up to her hair and I steady my hand against the nape of her neck. Her kiss is my kryptonite; it’s the sweet in my life and everything I’ve been missing.
She breaks the kiss, pulling away. I want to kiss her again but she opens her mouth to speak. “When are we going home?”
Epilogue
Ten Months Later
Beau
My work day can’t possibly go by any slower than this. We’ve had car after car come in. I’ve changed more tires and brakes than I’d like to admit but time has just not been on my side today. Truth is, I’m missing the hell out of Shay and Jace. Jace is a month old and is the most adorable baby in the world. I’m not just saying that because he’s my son, either. Okay, maybe I am—who cares?
Shayleigh is a great mom. Throughout a lot of her pregnancy, she told me about her fears of turning out like her mother, but I knew there was no way in hell that would happen. Shayleigh is not her mother and never will be. Seeing her hold Jace makes my heart swell with pride. My little family is my life. My dad even loves the little man, probably more than I do. Things are all finally looking up, and to think, all I had to do was run through hell to get it.
My dad peeks his head out of the office and yells at me. “Beau.”
“Yes sir?”
“Go ahead and go home. I’m afraid you’re going to burn a hole into my clock,” he jokes before returning to the stack of papers in his hand.
“Sorry, Dad. I just miss them.”
“I understand. I
was the same way when you were born. These are the best moments, enjoy them. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Thanks, Dad.” I walk into his office and throw my arms around him. He chuckles as he pats me on the back.
“Get out of here before I change my mind.” He winks.
“Yes sir.”
I walk out to my truck and go to the only place I want to be right now. Home.
When I walk in the front door, it’s quiet. Shayleigh is lying on the couch staring at the blank screen on the television. She hears me chuckle and looks up. She looks as beautiful as she did the day I met her and if I thought she was beautiful then, her carrying Jace during her pregnancy topped all of that.
“You’re home early,” she says, sitting up. “I just laid Jace down for a nap.”
“I missed you and Dad told me to leave. I have to listen to the boss.” I sit beside her and pull her closer to me.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here because I missed you too. I was actually thinking of taking a nap myself.”
“I know you’re tired. I can shower and come lie down with you, Shay.”
Her eyes light up. I wink at her before I disappear into the hall. I glance into Jace’s room and he’s sleeping soundly in his crib. I walk a few steps inside and gaze down at him and my heart swells. I begin to think about all the things I get to teach him one day. We’re going to play football, baseball, shit—everything imaginable on earth. I love this little guy with every breath I have. I glance around at the light blue walls that Shay and I painted a few months ago to get ready for our baby boy. I put his crib together a few days later and we finished decorating in the sports team we agreed on. I quietly tip-toe out of the room so I don’t wake him and finally take that shower.
When I step out of the bathroom, I look for Shay in the living room but she’s not on the couch anymore. I walk past Jace’s room and he’s still sleeping. A light snore fills the air and I look toward our bedroom. Shayleigh is lying on her side sleeping. I knew she was tired. We have an agreement to take turns getting up with Jace but even when it’s my turn, she’s right there with me. Last night was one of those nights. I put on a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt and lie carefully beside her. I wrap my arms around her waist and gently pull her closer. She whimpers a little from being disturbed but she never wakes up.
Like I do every day and night, I pray and thank God for bringing us back together. I thank Him for me fighting for her when I almost wanted to give up. My family is perfect. I have her and Jace, and that’s all I need. I close my eyes, and before I drift off to sleep, I thank God for one more thing. I thank Him for the dirt road.
THE END
Acknowledgments
To my fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support. Without you, none of these characters would exist.
Thank you to the team at Limitless Publishing for not only believing in my stories, but believing in me. I am proud to be a part of a wonderful team and am very excited about the future!
Thank you to my fiancé and my daughter who continued to put up with me sitting here day after day writing my heart out. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.
Thank you to my Maw Maw for all the Nancy Drew books she bought me growing up. I miss her every day and am more than grateful to have had a wonderful woman in my life.
Thank you to all my family…there’s so many people to name...just know who you are and that I love you more than anything!
Thank you to my Book Babes, these wonderful ladies are amazing and I’m lucky to have them! I appreciate every single thing you ladies do!
Thank you to Robin Harper for yet another amazing cover! I love you and couldn’t have done this without your support also. Thank you for also being a friend to me! One day we will meet, I know it :)
Last, I have to thank God for the ability to tell a story and the courage to live out my dreams. As long as there is someone out there who enjoys what I do, then I won’t stop.
All of your support means more than I could ever say so thank you again!!
About the Author
Ashley Johnson was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA where she still resides with her fiancé and their daughter.
She graduated high school in 2003 and then graduated college in 2008 with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice.
She has a terrible addiction to Amazon and Google Play and owns more books than she will probably ever read, but can't resist a good story. When she's not reading or writing she loves to cook, that's what happens when living in Louisiana.
Ashley loves to read and write, so that's what she does now.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/amjohnson84
www.authorashleyjohnson.com
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Website:
http://booksbyashley.blogspot.com/
Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/author/show/6878724.Ashley_Johnson
Destined for A Dirt Road (Dirt Road Summer #2) Page 12
