Loving You (Love Wanted in Texas)

I pulled my head back and laughed. “What in the fuck? No. Shit, y’all let me get through building a house and getting married before you have me with a kid.”


Noah threw his head back and laughed. “Oh man. Jase, do you really think you can fool us? We’ve stood right where you’re standing now. I’d know that look anywhere. You’re thinking baby.”

“Am not,” I shot back.

Noah turned to Will and raised his eyebrow as if exchanging some kind of secret. Will looked me over carefully. “Oh, yeah. I’m telling you . . . it’s in the water in Mason.”

My head snapped over as I looked at Taylor. She had her hand on Alex’s stomach. It felt like someone hit me in the chest with a post when I saw the tear roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, but I saw it in her eyes. In that moment I knew what I wanted.

“Oh fuck,” I whispered. “I’ve got the baby bug.”

Will and Noah both chuckled as Noah put his hand on my shoulder. Turning to look at them both, I couldn’t help but mirror their smiles.

Noah squeezed and shook his head as he said, “It’s a helluva good life.”

Will turned and looked at Alex. “It sure the hell is. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Peeking back over to the girls, all three of them were laughing. I nodded. “And it only gets better.”



I paced back and forth, wringing my hands together.

“You’re going to wear yourself out before the honeymoon night.”

My stomach was a mess. My nerves shot.

Turning to Walker, I flashed him a dirty look. “I’m nervous, asshole.”

He chuckled and punched me lightly on the arm. “I’ve been there, Jase. I know how you’re feeling. But think about your life before Taylor.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. I wasn’t alive before her.”

He lifted his brow and grinned wider. “And it only gets better from this point on.”

I blew out a quick breath. After all the years of staring at Taylor from afar and dreaming of being with her, pulling her in and pushing her away, we finally found ourselves where we were meant to be. I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the world. I’m marrying the love of my life. My best friend. “I can’t believe the day is finally here. That’s what has me so freaked out. Like if I dare to dream this is really happening, I’ll wake up.”

“Trust me . . . it’s happening.”

“Do you think Taylor’s nervous?”

He laughed and nodded his head. “Yes.”

I started pacing again. “I need to see her.”

“You will soon,” he said as he adjusted his tie.

I shook my head. “No. I need to see her now.”

Spinning around to face me, Walker’s mouth dropped. “Now? Jase you can’t see her before the wedding.”

The knock at the door had us both looking over at it. Luke, Grayson, and Noah walked in. I’d asked Rick to be in the wedding, but he had taken a new job that relocated him to Oregon and he couldn’t get the time off. It seemed strange at first that we were both moving on with our lives. I was happy for him though. Even happier he found someone he was serious about.

“I need backup.” Walker said.

Noah chuckled. “Why?”

Jerking his thumb toward me, Walker said, “He wants to go see Taylor. Now.”

Noah’s smile faded.

“Oh, hell no. Do you know how mad the girls would be if they knew we helped you sneak in a quickie!” Luke said.

Shaking my head, I replied. “I don’t want sex! I mean . . . that might help.” Holding up my hands, I motioned for myself to stop thinking like that. “No. No, that’s not what I want right now. I just need to talk to Taylor. It will be five minutes, no more.”

I glanced around the room at all four of them. We had all become really close in the last few months. It almost was like we had known each other our whole lives.

“Hell, I’m down for sneaking you in to a secret pre marriage meeting,” Grayson said standing tall and proud. “We’re going to be brother in-laws. We need to stick together.”

I pointed to Grayson. “See! Gray gets me!”

Walker moaned. “Shit. I guess that means I’m in.”

Fist pumping, I turned to Noah. “Hey, my wife is already pissed at me because she’s nine months pregnant. I have nothing to lose.”

Luke sighed and dropped his head. “Libby is going to kill me if she finds out . . . but I’m in. Brotherhood all the way.”

Will and Colt walked in and I couldn’t help but smile and say, “The gangs all here. Let’s plan this shit out!”

“Oh hell. We just walked in on something,” Colt mumbled.



Walker and I waited in the barn for Taylor.

“What if she doesn’t come?” I asked.

Walker looked at his watch. “Considering she’ll be right in the middle of getting ready, I’d be surprised if she comes.”

“Do Colt and Will have everything under control?”

Walker looked at his phone. “Yep. Amanda and your mom are currently heading over to see the made up mistake with the tents. They told them they were placed in the wrong location. Once they get there they’ll see they are in the right spot.”