Page 25 of May's Bad Boy: Kody
"I don't want to pretend anymore. No papers. No court. Just us. I love you. Will you marry me for real this time?"
I laugh—a startled, joyful, full-body laughter that bubbles out like I can't stop it. Tears slip down my cheeks, and I nod through the smile I can't contain.
"I already did," I say through my smile. "But yes. A million times, yes. I love you too."
Sadie runs out from behind the screen door, clutching something in her hands.
"Wait!" she cries. She plops a crown made of daisies on my head. "Now you're Mama AND Queen."
Kody pulls us both into his arms. We stand there, tangled up in fairy lights and wildflowers and love.
And this time? It's real. All of it.
EPILOGUE
HUCK
My tires squealed as I pulled into the parking lot of the community center. I shot a quick glance at the clock on my dash. Tightness spread through my chest. I was late. Didn’t matter that I’d stopped to help a woman stranded on the side of the road with a blown out tire on my way into town. All bids for construction of the Founder’s Festival site were supposed to be turned in by five, and it was already fifteen minutes past.
I grabbed the folder containing all of my paperwork and rushed through the front door. The meeting was already underway. My buddy Levi looked back as I entered the room. His mouth turned down at the edges and he shook his head. I’d fucked up… again.
Sliding onto a chair at the back of the room, I hung my head. Just once I wish I could catch a break. Seemed like bad luck followed me wherever I went. At least it had been that way since I’d hightailed it out of Mustang Mountain all those years ago. I was tired of barely getting by and figured coming back to town might put an end to my streak. Guess I was wrong.
I was about to duck out and head to Ace’s to drown my sorrows in a pitcher of beer when she spoke up.
Peyton Winslow sat in the center of the table like she was holding court. “Next on the agenda, how many bids have we received for construction of the site?”
Levi had warned me she was still in town but we hadn’t crossed paths yet. Hearing her voice sent a chill straight through me. I looked up, and for a split second our eyes met. She was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, though she’d changed over the years. Her eyes weren’t quite as bright as they used to be and she didn’t look like she smiled nearly as often as she used to.
Peyton quickly shifted her gaze to the table like she was surprised to see me. Couldn’t be half as shocked as I was. No one told me she was in charge of planning the Founder’s Festival. I stared at the back of Levi’s head, willing him to turn around. If he’d known Peyton was in charge, why the hell would he have suggested I put in a bid? He knew about our history.
Mayor Nelson shuffled through some paperwork before responding. “Looks like we’ve only received two. Weren’t we expecting a third bid?”
I cleared my throat and stood. “Um, that would be mine, sir.”
“Bids were due by five o’clock this afternoon,” Peyton said.
“I’ve got it right here.” Either this was my lucky day or I was about to get my ass handed to me by the woman who’d already ruined me once. I moved down the center aisle, the folder in my hand, trying to ignore the thick tension in the air. If I didn’t land this job, I might as well pack it in. I was out of cash, out of chances, and one bad decision away from making Levi regret ever backing me.
Mayor Nelson reached out. “Thanks, son. I’ll add it to the?—”
“Surely we’re not going to consider hiring a contractor who can’t even be bothered to turn his bid in on time,” Peyton said. The full force of her icy blue eyes slammed into me. “This is an important event and we need someone we can rely on, someone with a consistent reputation.”
The insult just about knocked the wind out of me. She didn’t have to say anything else. Even though it had been over fifteen years since she’d turned her back on me and her daddy had run me out of town, it still stung.
“I’ve been doing good work around here. Just ask Levi.” I looked over my shoulder, my spirits lifting just a smidge at Levi’s nod.
“I’m sure you have, but this is a high profile job and we can’t afford to take any risks.”
There it was. I could have turned in my bid a week ago and I bet she’d still find a reason not to consider it.
“And I’m a risk.” I stared at her, my jaw clenched.
“That’s not what I said.” Her expression didn’t change. She was good at that. Hell, she’d always been good at not letting anyone get under her skin. That’s how we managed to keep our relationship a secret for so long back in high school. Would have really messed things up for her if anyone had found out Mustang Mountain’s golden girl was sneaking out to go on joy rides with the town’s bad boy.
She used to meet me at the end of the gravel drive that led to her family’s ranch. Her hair was always braided, her cheeks flushed from running, and her heart pounding just as hard as mine. I’d wait until we hit the blacktop to turn on the headlights, and she’d be all mine until I dropped her off again an hour or two before dawn.
That girl thought I hung the moon. The woman in front of me didn’t even flinch.
“It’s what you meant.” I tucked the folder under my arm. “Don’t worry. I won’t get in the way of your perfect plans.”
I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Outside, I stalked down the sidewalk as heat built in my chest. The door to my truck groaned as I jerked it open. Fifteen years had passed and nothing had changed.
Peyton Winslow was still the town’s untouchable ice queen, and I was still the loser her daddy warned her about. The only difference now was that I refused to back down and crawl away.
Back then I didn’t have a choice. I’d been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and Peyton’s dad didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity to get rid of me for good.
I’d lost everything… my reputation, my baseball scholarship, and my girl. And Peyton… she just stood by and let it all happen without saying a fucking word.
I’m not sure what went on back then, but now I knew one thing for sure. Things were going to be different this time around.
