He was still standing so close she had to arch her neck a bit to look up into his eyes. The pupils there were dilating, growing and shrinking, but never looked away. Sky breathed in deep, taking in his clean, fresh scent. Slowly, Brock reached a hand out and grazed his fingers along her bare shoulder. Her hairs all stood on end, and that electricity she always felt with Brock crackled and shot down her arm. Could he feel the chemistry she did? He had to. Then again, if he felt just as strongly about her, wouldn’t things have been simpler between them?
That, after he’d left, she’d thought of a hundred ways she could have rationally said what she needed to say to him. What had come out was angry, hurt-filled words. She was frustrated then, and now, standing in front of him again, all she wanted was to tell him she loved him. What she wouldn’t give to hear him tell her that. That need was a blessing and a curse at the same time. As she thought about it, Brock surprised her. He leaned down, here in the middle of his mom’s backyard with all these people around, and he kissed her lips. It was soft and innocent enough, although as usual it lit her up like no one else could. He had never been this affectionate with her in public. It spoke volumes. Without words Brock was telling her he didn’t care if everyone knew about the two of them.
Maybe he wants them to know.
Brock drew back, his eyes still locked on hers, and took her hand in his. Sky gripped his tightly. Taking a page from his playbook, she said nothing. She could only smile.
With their hands still clasped together, Brock led her across the patio. “I’ll get you a drink.”
Brock kept her at his side the entire time. She had not seen him this relaxed or happy, or talkative. Her awful mood was gone too. More couples and families showed up, and someone inside raised the volume of the music. The party was on. The group ate and laughed and danced and ate some more. And when the last hot dog was eaten and the ice in the beer coolers all melted, Sky went to help serve dessert. Joleen’s apple pie crust was impressive, with a perfect lattice on top and perfect filling inside.
“So…still mad at Brock?” Joleen asked her.
Sky blushed slightly. “Not much.”
They both laughed.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Jax called out from near the punch table.
The chattering around the yard dwindled slightly. Jax walked to the edge of the patio. Usually confident to the point of arrogance, he had an odd look on his face. He was slightly pale, and nervous. “I would like to share something with you all,” he continued. The rest of the chatter died down and everyone turned to look and listen. “I think of you all as my family now…” He paused to gather his words and a few of the women cooed.
“We love you too, Jax!” Toby shouted in jest.
Lily swatted Toby on the shoulder, shushing him.
Jax cleared his throat. “There’s one person here who’s really stolen my heart.” He looked over at Joleen, waving her up to the front to stand next to him. “Joleen, you opened up a part of me I had shut down many years ago, and baby, I don’t think I’ll ever find the right words to thank you for that.”
Joleen gazed back at him, her eyes filling with tears. Jax blinked hard as well, pushing back the tears that were starting to well up in his eyes too.
“I love you, Joleen…more than you’ll ever know. Darlin’, I just have to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Jax took a few steps towards Joleen, and got down on one knee, to everyone’s surprise, including Joleen. A few women gasped, and Joleen covered her mouth with a hand, completely blown over by what was turning into a proposal. Sky couldn’t be more excited for Joleen.
Jax reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box.
“Joleen Emery, honey, will you please do me the honor of being my wife?” He opened the box and revealed a dazzling diamond set in a white gold band.
Almost unable to speak, Joleen choked out a “Yes” and leaned down to kiss Jax at the top of this head. A much louder “Yes” boomed out of her mouth and a broad smile split across Jax’s face. Taking her left hand, he slid the ring up her wedding finger. Joleen pulled him to stand and grabbed him around the waist, looking dreamily into his eyes before they kissed. Everyone at the party clapped and hollered and cried with joy and celebrated. The kiss went on and on, causing one of the kids to make an ‘ew’ sound.
Jax finally let go of Joleen to accept Brock’s mom’s outstretched arms, and Sky was the first person tackling Joleen with a warm hug.
“Congratulations!” she close to screamed into her friend’s hair. “No one deserves happiness as much as you, Joleen. Jax will take good care of you. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thanks, hun. After what I went through with…well, you know all about it. After that, I know it’ll be amazing with Jax.”
Across the patio, Sky locked eyes with Brock. He gave her a smile that warmed her up from head to toe. Brock didn’t smile often, and if he was offering up a grin it meant he was in a really good mood.