by Taylor Hart
“I already have.” He kissed her, dipping her back and holding her flush against him.
Chantel’s heart ached. The idea of telling him the truth was getting harder and harder to bear.
Chapter 16
JJ walked down the hallway, back to Chantel’s room. Her hand was tucked into the crook of his arm, and his hand rested over hers. Every moment of being with this woman was torture—and here he was, subjecting himself to it.
Once they arrived at her room, he let her insert the key before holding the door open for her. “Milady,” he said dramatically.
She giggled, moving inside.
Every part of him wanted to follow her, but he didn’t want to mess things up. She’d been clear about the boundaries. So he stayed outside.
She turned and moved back to him, leaning in.
Slowly, he pressed his lips to hers.
She put her hands on his chest, then stepped back. “Good night, J.”
This woman made him feel like he was sixteen again. He smiled at her and stepped back as well, honoring her wishes. “See you tomorrow.”
“Go, Destroyers!” she said, putting a fist into the air.
He laughed. “That’s right.”
She turned and walked inside, letting the door close behind her.
JJ headed to his room. His mind churned with memory after memory of him and Chantel: being little kids and making mud pies on the ranch and slinging them at his brothers; being teenagers and holding hands as they walked the ranch, playing in the river; and holding her and kissing her beneath that huge sycamore tree next to her ice rink.
So many memories and so much history lay between them, and now he was just resigned to the torture. Tomorrow would be his last day with her. He needed to make this the best last day they could have.
His phone buzzed and he picked it up from the bedside table. It was his agent, Mike.
JJ stared at the neon clock. It was almost two in the morning, so this must be an emergency. “Mike,” he said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
“JJ!” Mike’s voice was overflowing with overenthusiasm. “How are ya?”
“I’m okay,” he said, unsure what was going on.
“Good. Good. What have you been up to?”
He didn’t want to lie. “Well, I’m actually in Dallas.”
“Dallas?” Mike sputtered. “Well, I guess you’re just ahead of the tour.”
“Guess so.”
Mike hummed. “So things are good?”
“I’m headed to a Destroyers’ game tomorrow, so that will be good.”
“Ah, right, the Destroyers play tomorrow. I’d almost forgotten that. Ya know,” he said, laughing, “we get busy on the tour.”
“Mike.”
“Yeah?”
“What do you need?” JJ just wanted the guy to get to the point.
“Look, I know I said a week for you to be gone from the tour is fine, but we’ve run into a little situation with Sloane.”
“Sloane?” JJ’s pulse picked up. “Like the lead singer of the whole tour Sloane?”
“The man, the myth, the legend.”
“Spill.”
“Right, well, he’s had a family thing come up. Or something with the Brady Brothers; I don’t know if you’ve heard about them. The ones—”
“Of course, Ty Brady. He opened for Texas Waters before he was diagnosed with ALS.”
“Yep.” Mike let out another breath. “The thing is, the Brady brothers are doing another one of their big ALS fundraisers, and they’ve asked Sloane to go to the Royal Palm in South Carolina and sing as part of this weeklong event they’re putting on.”
His heart raced, and he suddenly knew what Mike was going to ask him. “Yes,” he blurted.
Mike laughed. “You already know? How did you know?”
“What? I’m hoping, but tell me.” This could be his big break.
“They want you to take over for Sloane. Sing with Sloane’s band. Of course, fans might be disappointed, but according to our research, you would be a nice fill-in.”
JJ beamed. “Okay.”
“So I need you back by Friday night.”
Could it have worked more perfect? The woman JJ loved wanted him gone, and it turned out God had much bigger plans for him after all. Even though he still upset about Chantel, at least he didn’t have to wait around, driving himself crazy thinking she might get back with Dustin.
No. He was not a waiting around kind of guy.
“So I can tell them yes?” Mike affirmed.
JJ laughed. “No, you can tell them yee-haw yes!”
Mike laughed.
So what if he sounded ridiculous, he was going to sing lead for Sloane Kent’s band! “That’s good to hear, JJ. I’m, well …”
“What, Mike?”
“I guess I’m relieved all around. Tonya told me you guys talked, and it’s going to be okay.”
JJ could imagine her sitting there next to Mike, listening to everything. “Tonya’s a good person. A better friend than I deserve.”
Chapter 17
“Dustin, I don’t know what else to say.” Chantel lay in her bed, her eyes struggling to close. She’d been rehashing things with Dustin the last couple of hours. The man really didn’t like being told no.
“We are supposed to be getting married next week, Chantel. What about…?”
“No.” Shame filled her as she thought of how she’d been kissing and dancing with and holding onto JJ. She’d done this all wrong.
He scoffed. “You can’t not marry me. What about the boy? They’re not going to let you adopt him without me.” He said it like someone would say “checkmate.”
She kept her voice calm, but she stood up, barely holding on to her anger. “Dustin, you’re trying to manipulate me again.”
He let out a light laugh. “What are you talking about?”
Her hands trembled and she pressed the phone to her ear. It was a miracle the screen didn’t crack under the pressure. She thought of what JJ had said earlier about leaving her open to Dustin. “You’ve been manipulating me for years.”
“They’re not going to let you have him unless you can prove you can provide a stable home for him. How are you going to do that without me?”
She hadn’t thought much about it before, but now she saw that he was right. It left a sour taste in her mouth. “Good night, Dustin.”
“Wait,” he called out.
She pressed end, and then she cursed. All of her insecurities bubbled to the surface. Would they let her adopt him without showing she was stable? Hadn’t the attorney said that it was good she was getting married to show she had a stable family life?
She put on her tennis shoes. She needed to run.
As Chantel pushed out of the hotel’s double doors, she stopped. She would know that voice anywhere. Slowly, she followed a path that led behind the hotel and through a garden maze.
Finally, she caught a glimpse of JJ, but she stayed out of view. He was singing softly as he strummed his guitar. “This time, this chance. Too bad, you can’t run from the past. When I saw you getting on that bus, I thought it might be our second chance. I hope it is. I hope you take my hand and dance for the rest of our lives.”
The words flooded her heart with warmth.
He strummed the guitar faster. “I keep dreaming that I wake up and you’re next to me. My hand in your hand, and we ride off into the sunset. ’Cause I need you, I want you to have you in my arms one more time. If God gives us one more chance, I’ll take it. I’ll take it. I’ll take it, and we’ll forgive and trust and love.”
Tears washed down her face. Would JJ even want her when she told him the truth tomorrow?
Chapter 18
JJ stood in front of Chantel’s door, holding her coffee and trying not to think about how this was their last day together. Focus, he commanded himself. If he’d learned anything as a SEAL, it was how to focus. Somehow, he had to convince her they belonged together.
She had call
ed off the wedding. She could do whatever it was she needed to do on Friday, and then maybe he could talk her into joining him on the tour.
Thoughts of Tonya flitted through his mind. It was time to face it all. He knocked on Chantel’s door and plastered on the smile he reserved for photo ops.
When she opened the door, she appeared ready, even holding her suitcase handle. She frowned at him. “Why are you smiling like that?”
He pointed to her suitcase. “Because I have news, but hold up. Why are you packed?”
“I just thought I’d get a room at a different hotel so—”
“So you could be done with me after the game?” he asked, somehow keeping his voice calm. “Why?”
“I thought it might be easier to just part ways after the game.”
She wasn’t dressed like she’d been last night. No, today she looked like the girl next door, the one he’d grown up with. Her blonde hair was pulled back at her neck with wisps coming down, and she wore a hint of lip gloss. She looked young, and so beautiful.
He turned away from her, unprepared for how much actually parting from her was tearing at him. “I’m feeling whiplashed. I thought we resolved everything last night.”
“I’m sorry,” she said in a quiet voice. She didn’t look at him. “Can we just enjoy this day?”
He forced away his frustration. He didn’t want to argue with her, even though he didn’t understand why she needed to move hotels. “It’s fine. Where do you need to take your stuff?”
“Uh, I—You don’t have to come with me. I was seriously just going to text you and tell you that I’d meet you somewhere for lunch and then we could head to the game together.” She moved quickly down the hallway.
He followed her, sucking in a long breath. “Look, I know you have this thing you need to do tomorrow, but fine. Do your thing, and then maybe you could fly out and meet me on tour.”
Abruptly, she stopped. “What?”
“If you want. I mean, I don’t know what your plans are and I don’t want to assume anything, but I was thinking that you might want to come with me.” JJ studied her face, hating that he couldn’t tell what she was thinking just by looking at her. “Listen, I spoke with Tonya, and things are going to be okay. I actually think she understands. Which is crazy.” He sputtered a laugh and raked a hand through his hair. “Come back with me, on tour.”
She blinked at him, clearly trying to process this. “What?”
“I mean it. Come with me.” He grinned. “I just got some news I think—”
She shook her head, turning away from him. “This is fast,” she said, her voice calm.
Cautiously, he put their coffees on the floor and then reached for her hand, pulling it to his chest. “No, Chan. This has been in the works since—” He moved his head from side to side. “—pretty much since you were born.”
One side of her lip turned up, and she rolled her eyes. “Maybe you’re exaggerating a tiny bit.”
“Naw, you know our parents. They all knew our fate a long time ago.”
A real smile crossed her face. “Your parents for sure.”
“You have no idea how true that is.” That said, he didn’t want to be with Chantel because of his father’s will. No, he wanted to be with her because he should have been with her a long time ago. “I need you, Chan. And I want you. I want to work through all the messes. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I want to marry you.” He pulled a ring out of his pocket. “I’ve had this ring for six years, Chan. I’ve saved this ring for six years.”
Shock flashed across her face. “JJ, don’t do this.”
“Of course I’ll do it. Chantel, will you—”
“Stop it, J! I mean it.” She turned away from him. “Just stop.”
He crushed the ring back into his palm. “Fine. Let’s just enjoy this day. Can we do that?”
Chapter 19
Lunch was a bit awkward. They were downtown, across from the stadium, at a sandwich place. Chantel sipped at her water, and her heart pounded. She hated herself right now. She and JJ hadn’t spoken, except for niceties, since she had cut off his proposal.
She was freaking out. He didn’t know. Should she tell him now and not go to the game, or should she wait?
She mustered the strength to stare at his forest-green eyes. “JJ, I’m sorry.”
He waved a hand through the air. “No, that was awful, and I want to apologize for that.”
“Please don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be apologizing.”
JJ scooted his chair over to hers. “Just so we’re clear, I meant it, but—” He leaned into her, kissing her cheek. “—I understand I need to just wait and not push and not be selfish.” He cupped the back of her head with his hand, and before she knew it, they were flying again. His lips moved in sync with her own.
She pulled back, hating herself even more. She couldn’t stand to see him torturing himself. “It’s on me, J. It’s…” Now, she told herself. Tell him now!
“What?” he asked quietly.
Her heart raced and she took the coward’s road. “What were you going to tell me before?” she hedged. “What news did you have earlier?”
He hesitated, then flashed a grin. “Sloane Kent has a thing he needs to handle, and they want me to fill in for him next week.”
“What?” Chantel’s heart lifted at hearing the news; she knew how hard he’d worked for this. She stood and hugged him. “J, that’s amazing.”
He laughed as he hugged her in return. “I can’t believe it.”
She knew she would cry because she felt so happy for him and all of her emotions were wacky, so she excused herself, pointing to the restroom. “Can you hold on just a sec?”
“Sure. I’ll pay and meet you out front.”
“Great.” She rushed to the restroom and splashed water on her face. “Keep it together, Chantel,” she told herself, but she felt her hands trembling. Could she really do it? Could she tell him?
When she emerged, she spotted him amidst the crowds of people all waiting for the stadium to open for the game. His back was to her, and he was on the phone. She approached slowly, not wanting to startle him.
JJ cursed. “No, I haven’t.” The anger in his voice made her pause. “No, you idiot, I wouldn’t tell her about that right now. We’re still working through things. You think I would tell her about Dad’s will? Why would I do that? No, she doesn’t know. How would she know?”
Her mind was spinning. His dad’s will? What did that have to do with anything?
“Okay, will do. You, too. Love ya, bro.”
She walked around him, pretending she hadn’t heard anything.
“Hey.” He reached for her hand, and she let him take it.
“Hey.” Should she ask him about what she’d overheard? No. She opted to enjoy the day. “So by this time next year, JJ Kelly will have his own tour,” she said, picking up the conversation where they’d left off.
He laughed. “Maybe. Will you be on it with me? You wait; I’ll talk you into it.”
Chantel watched the Destroyers pick off the ball and run it into the end zone. She and JJ cheered, both of them on their feet, whooping and hollering.
“Wow! Wow!” he screamed.
She laughed, loving his enthusiasm. He was so much larger than life.
He turned and threw his arms around her, picking her up and yelling. She yelled too; his excitement was overwhelming. The Destroyers would be going into halftime thirteen to seven.
JJ put her down and their eyes locked. The intensity between them couldn’t stay hidden for long. It felt like the whole universe had led them to right here, right now.
She leaned in, kissing him. Hungrily, he kissed her back, holding her tighter, pulling her against him. She felt as if the world was about to end and they were the last two people on earth.
Out of nowhere, the crowd went wild and the lady next to JJ called out, “You’re on the jumbotron!”
JJ put Chantel down and they sta
red at the screen, seeing themselves. “Manic kissing by JJ Kelly!” flashed across the massive HD screen.
She froze. Crap. Dustin was probably watching this game. She shook her head. It was stupid to worry about it anyway. They were over.
“Hey, man, you’re JJ Kelly?” The guy next to them looked at him as if seeing him for the first time.
“Yeah,” JJ said, looking just as irritated as she felt that their bubble had been burst. “Crap.”
A guy in front of them turned around, chortling. “They’re showing you again.” Yep, there they were, on the jumbotron all over again.
JJ kind of let out a laugh. “Well, what do you do?”
“Ha, I don’t know.” Chantel’s insides twisted with worry. “Dustin probably saw that,” she said, the words bursting out of her.
“Why does it matter now?”
She knew he was right, but… “Remember that feeling you got, right before something happened to you in combat? That’s how I feel right now.”
JJ swore. “What’s going on, Chan?”
She could hear the sound of the halftime showing going on, but neither of them turned to watch it.
He pulled her body toward his. “You can tell me anything, Chan. All I care about is being with you, being here by your side. You’re all I want.”
She got that weird feeling again. “You don’t understand, J.”
“Then tell me.” He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. “Trust me, Chan. Just trust me,” he whispered.
She wanted to. Could she? Would he somehow understand and maybe forgive her? He’d told her last night that he was stepping up, how it was time to face the consequences his actions. She wanted to do the same. After all, if she was going to be a mom, wasn’t it time to step up?
Chantel muscled past her fear and said, “I had a baby. Our baby.”
His mouth fell open.
“I…You were leaving, and I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. Dustin convinced me to give him up for adoption and go to the Olympics.” She blinked against the impending tears. “But it was my choice. It was my choice, and now I’m here, in Dallas, because I found out Jack’s parents passed away two months ago in a car crash.”
