Page 69 of Coming Unraveled
“Ok, people. Pictures, then party. Let’s go,” Charleston directs.
Three hours later Everleigh and Brooks sit at their table, fingers interlaced as they listen to Ryker and Harlan serenade the crowd with an acoustic set. The two men draw the attention of all the females in the room, single and married.
From the corner of her eye, she watches as a dark-haired woman darts into the space, her blue dress swishing between her legs as she spastically looks around the room. Everleigh narrows her eyes trying to place the pale figure, but no recognition comes until her eyes lock on Jameson dancing with his date in the middle of the floor.
The woman silently makes her way over to the couple and she speaks animatedly, her arms flailing about her. Everleigh’s eyes widen as Jameson spins around and places both of his hands onto the woman’s shoulders, leaning into her space as he listens to her words. Suddenly they are both rushing from the venue, leaving Jameson’s date staring at his back on the dance floor.
“Who was that?” Brooks asks as he leans down to whisper in her ear.
Before she can respond, Ryker’s voice comes over the microphone and announces that the DJ will be taking over. “I’ve enjoyed sharing these few new songs with you all and Harlan and I are happy to announce that we will be taking a break from touring for the next couple of years. We want to focus on family and ourselves for a while. Thank you all.”He quickly jumps from the stage and follows the same path his brother had taken a moment earlier.
Beside her Cassidy beams and Everleigh stares at her sister before realization comes over her.
“You’re pregnant!”
Her sister blushes as Harlan leaves the stage and walks towards them.
“We were going to wait. I didn’t want to overshadow your day. But this one here has a big mouth,” she gestures to her husband, the man known for being overly quiet around their family.
“I’m so happy for you, Cas. You’re going to be a great mom.”
“Thank you. We’re due in the winter.”
Beside them, their sister sniffles and Cassidy and Everleigh look at each other in concern. It was no secret that Sydney and Dylan had been struggling to conceive. She had even informed them that she had miscarried twice.
“I am so sorry, Sydney. I wasn’t thinking…”
Their sister sits straighter in her chair, brushing invisible lint from her dress as she steels her expression. “No, no, it’s ok. I’m happy for you, Cassidy. I really am.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just, Dylan and I decided this morning that we were going to actively try anymore. We’re just going to be content with ourselves for a while and then look into other options in a few years. I’m still young so we have time.”
But beneath her false smile, Everleigh can see the sadness in her sister. Sydney had always been the most maternal of their family, a version of their mother through and through. And if anyone is meant to be a mom is it Sydney.
“Would you like to dance, sweetheart?” Brooks ask and she clutches his hand like a lifeline.
“You know that I would,” she returns saucily as she stands from her chair.
They move as one into the center of the dance floor and she folds herself against his body, chest to chest, as an Ed Sheeran song plays in the background. They sway slowly to the music, their clasped hands pressed between their shoulders, and she grips his back with her other hand.
“How are you feeling?”
Everleigh twists her head to press a kiss against Brooks’ jawline.
“I feel like a princess. This day has been magical Brooks.”
“I’m glad, but you know that that wasn’t what I meant.”
“I’m feeling good. No one has figured out that I haven’t been drinking any of the champagne. And I’m glad that the sickness has been minimal today.”
“It killed me to be away from you this morning.”
“We’re fine. I promise.”
As he presses a kiss to her forehead and then rests his cheek on the top of her head, she sighs.
“I can’t believe that you’re going to make me a dad.”
