Page 22 of King of Rhythm
I in no way want to tick off my girlfriend. Nor get on the wrong side of her family that I’m going to meet for the first time. But I plan to find out exactly what happened. I have an idea it’s far different from what Sarah has admitted to. There was a certain spark to her eyes when I mentioned Aiden’s name. One that had very little to do with hate.
I’m saved from commenting when a slow song comes on and Avery’s blue eyes flash to mine. A grin slides across my face and I stand, holding out my hand to her.
Without any hesitation she takes it, her warm palm sliding against mine, and I lead her out to the dancefloor. It’s small, like she said, and more people are standing around chatting on it than dancing. None of that matters with the woman I love in my arms.
At my urging, she wore heels tonight. I’m seriously not that much of an asshole that my height bothers me. I was more upset that the woman of my dreams would get away because of something I had no control over.
Besides, what a lot of men don’t realize is that being shorter has its advantages with taller women. We’re at the perfect height to nibble on their necks without causing our own stiff necks or cramped shoulders. Something I’m all too happy to demonstrate to Avery as we sway to the music, our bodies falling into a rhythm as old as time.
For no matter what the notes, the language of love is the same, and once two hearts have found the beat, everything else falls into place.
And with Avery in my arms, there might be missteps in our journey through life, but I know I found my forever partner, my forever love.
EPILOGUE
SEVEN YEARS LATER
AVERY
“Mr. Jeffries! I bet you don’t remember me,” the tall, dark-haired teenager says, pushing his bangs out of his eyes.
My husband grins and pretends to think. I roll my eyes, long used to this by now. Years ago, I worried that people would recognize him from his band days.
HA! Was I ever wrong.
He’s constantly hailed by people remembering him, but from his time as their band teacher. And they love him.
It warms my heart seeing the admiration shining from the teenager’s green eyes as he smiles at Bryce.
“Shawn, absolutely I remember you,” Bryce says, holding out his hand.
Shawn blinks and, if possible, his smile grows even wider as he shakes hands.
“Still playing a mean alto sax?”
“Yes, sir. Got into U of Elm’s marching band.”
“Excellent, Shawn! Excellent,” Bryce says, patting the larger boy’s arm.
“Are these your kids?” Shawn asks, gazing at the two toddlers in our double stroller before his curious stare slides to my very pronounced belly.
Bryce gives Shawn’s arm another friendly pat, before dropping a hand on Evan and Daniel’s heads as he makes theintroductions. Finally, he puts his arm around me and rubs at my belly. “And my wife, Avery, and our daughter Cameron, who has yet to make her appearance.”
“Wow. You have your hands full, Mr. Jeffries.” Shawn blushes when he realizes how his words came out, but Bryce just laughs.
“We certainly do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Congrats again, Shawn.”
The tall teenager ambles off and we continue our way through the I Love Easton Day events. Which means we’re stopped a lot as we go down the rows of venders. Students, current and former, want to talk to Bryce and play with our boys. Other teachers tease him about having me out in my condition. I’m four days overdue and hanging around the house waiting to go into labor isn’t my idea of fun when I could be out trying to walk this stubborn girl out of me, so it was purely my decision to come today. Though I keep that part to myself.
Bryce smiles and laughs through it all, nothing bothering him.
I let him do most of the talking. I’ve come out of my shell a little in the years that we’ve been together, and I’ve learned to tolerate people more than in the past. I still don’t love it, but for him I willingly do it. It’s been a give and take, and he’s far more understanding than I would have been if our positions were reversed.
Shortly after we were married, another senior leader opportunity came up at my work and Bryce urged me to interview for it. I refused, and he tried so hard to build me up and help me face my fears. I gleefully responded by whipping out the positive pregnancy test I took that morning and telling him I had other opportunities I was more interested in. I loved adding that while the pay might not be great, the perks couldn’t be beat.
He was so surprised and thrilled he broke out into a fast little dance, swung me around our living room, and then carted me off to bed. Afterwards he called everyone and before I knew it, his Nonna was inviting us over to make meatballs that weekend because pregnant women needed to eat well.
She even bent her rules of no gifts until the baby comes and attended the baby shower for Evan. She missed the one for Daniel because of a broken hip and the one for Cameron due to ill health.
