Page 69 of From Us, Forever

“I think it’s time you quit being a rock star and become a country artist instead.” Evelyn’s voice was laced with conviction while her eyes swept over my plaid shirt, denim jeans, and cowboy boots.

“It’s a themed party, Evelyn. Not real life.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Her eyes were still glued to mine, looking adorable with her curly hair, pink fringe dress, and cowboy boots that matched mine. “You look hot, Jay. Very, very hot. Thank God no one in Texas actually cares who you are because if you wore that in New York, the girls would lose their minds.”

Chuckling, I held out my hand. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Fine,” she mumbled as we ventured downstairs.

The party was to be held in a makeshift barn at the property. The clatter and the excitement were loud. Just as we entered, a hostess took down our names and gave us our own personalized cowboy hats. Evelyn lost her shit when hers had pink fringe on them.

“Jay, can you believe this? I’m never taking this off!”

“Of course, you’re not,” I muttered as I led her.

The inside was packed. It felt like I had stepped into a twilight zone of cowboys and cowgirls.

“Oh, I see Will and Bekah there.” Evelyn pointed her finger toward the happy couple greeting guests at a table in the center.

“Will,” Evelyn squealed, hugging him tight, and I had to stifle the urge to peel his hands when they closed around my girl, mumbling something that made her laugh.

“All of this looks incredible,” she said before embracing the smiling blond next to him. “You look beautiful, Bekah. Congratulations!”

“Thanks, Evy. So do you!”

“Jay.” Evelyn came up to my side. “Meet Bekah.”

I gave her a curt nod and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, and congratulations on your wedding.”

A flush marred Bekah’s cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered softly with rounded eyes. “I’m a huge fan.”

Will’s arm closed around her. “You’re supposed to be my fan, remember?”

Bekah rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”

He planted a kiss on her cheek and turned to me with a cool stare. “J.J.”

“Will.” I matched his tone and sighed when Evelyn elbowed my ribs. “Congratulations.” I forced out of my mouth.

“Thank you. You’re still on my shit list, but as long as you treat our girl right, I’ll let it slide,” Will said in a serious tone.

“Mine, not ours.” I gathered Evelyn close to me, narrowing my eyes. “Mygirl. And I know how to take care of her.”

A serious second passed before they all started laughing.

“Fuck, man, you should see your face.” Will shook his head. “It’s all good.”

Just then, the singer on the makeshift stage interrupted us. “I hope y’all are having a blast this evening! A huge congratulations to Will and Bekah, who are tying the knot tomorrow.” A round of loud cheers echoed through the room. “Now, get your boots ready ’cause we’re going to have some actual fun!”

It was well past one o’clock when I half-carried Evelyn upstairs. After bouts of heavy drinks and line dancing to her heart’s content, she was done for, yet the smile didn’t vanish from her face. This was how I always wanted her to look.

“Jay, wasn’t it so much fun?”

“Yes, baby.” I carefully tucked her inside the sheets. I threw her boots off, then went for her hat.

“Jay, no! I’m not taking this off.”

“You’ll be uncomfortable. You can lay it by the side and wear it tomorrow. How does that sound?”

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