Falling For The Wrong Guy: A Holiday Junction Sweet Romance, page 17
“I can’t believe this,” Abby said.
“Neither can I.” Braden swiped his hands over his face with a heavy sigh.
“I’m so sorry,” Tracy said. “It was a really horrible thing to do, and I’ve always felt awful about it. I don’t expect either of you to forgive me, but Abby, I can’t let you think that Braden had anything to do with it.”
Abby watched, dazed, as she and Jake turned and walked away.
“So,” she said in a cracked voice. “You really wanted to take me to prom.”
Braden pressed his lips together. “I did.”
“And I totally cut you off at the knees, in front of everyone.”
He huffed out a breath. “You did.”
“And that’s why you’ve always hated me?” Her lip trembled and she swallowed back tears.
“I never hated you,” he said. “You hated me.”
She shook her head sadly. “I never hated you, either.” Her hands flew to her face. “I can’t believe this,” she mumbled into her palms. “I am such an idiot!”
“You are.”
Abby peeked through her fingers, to find Braden watching her, his lips twitching.
“Shut up,” she muttered.
He stepped close and pulled her hands away from her face. “We’re both idiots,” he said, ducking to look her in the eye.
“But I’m the bigger idiot,” she pointed out.
“I know many people who would take issue with that,” he said, smiling at her. Then, it fell slightly. “I’m so sorry, Abby. For what I said to you back then. I was hurt, but that was no excuse.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry,” she said quickly. “I said horrible things to you—things I didn’t mean. I never thought you were a loser. You’re amazing. You’ve always been amazing.”
“And I think you’re pretty amazing,” he said, squeezing her hands. “We weren’t idiots, Abby,” he said, his dark eyes soft as he watched her. “We were kids, and we were insecure, like most kids are.”
“You were insecure?” She couldn’t believe that. Braden had always seemed like he fit anywhere.
“Anyone who says they weren’t at least a little insecure as a teenager is a liar,” he replied.
Abby realized that was probably true.
“Look, Abby.” Braden’s large hands were warm around hers, and as she looked up at him, he licked his lips nervously. “I hate what happened back then. Even more, now that I know what actually happened.” He reached up and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, then cupped her cheek. “But I really hope we can leave it in the past. Do you think we can?”
Abby’s mouth went dry, and she nodded.
Braden smiled widely, his teeth flashing in the darkness. “I’m glad, because—”
An explosion overhead cut him off and she looked up to see a wash of sparkles light the sky. “Oh!’
“It’s time for the fireworks,” Braden said, pulling her out from under the cover of the tree. “Come on, I want you to see this.”
He grinned, and the sight sent such a rush of happiness through Abby’s chest that all she could do was hold on and follow him.
* * *
Music blared from temporary speakers and fireworks exploded overhead, but Braden couldn’t take his eyes off Abby. She stood next to him, holding his hand tightly, and looking up at the sky with a smile on her face. He could see the show, reflected on her face, and counted down to the moment he’d been waiting for all day.
About thirty seconds now.
“Mom!” Joey ran up and bumped between them, her own gaze focused upward. “Isn’t it awesome?”
Abby grinned. “It is.” She glanced quickly at Braden. “You did a great job.”
“Thanks.” Nervous energy shot through his body and he fought the urge to fidget.
Ten seconds.
“Ooh!” Joey shouted, bouncing on her toes. “Look at the stars! And the flowers!”
“That’s so cool,” Abby said. “How do you get them to make the shapes?”
“Trade secret,” he said wryly, hoping she didn’t notice his sweaty palms.
Five . . . four . . . three . . .
He didn’t dare blink as he watched for her reaction, biting his lip and holding his breath. It took a moment for it to register . . . first the heart . . . and then inside—
“Mom! It’s a giant A!”
Abby blinked in surprise, then turned, slowly, to Braden.
“A for Abby,” he said with a shrug, nerves swooping in his stomach. “The heart is for . . . well, you know.”
She inhaled sharply. “I do?”
Braden rubbed the back of his neck, searching for the right words. He’d messed this up so long ago, and there was no way he wanted to do it again.
But sometimes, he supposed, the simpler, the better.
“I’m in love with you, Abby,” he said quietly, hoping the truth of the words showed in his eyes. He reached down and rubbed a hand over Joey’s head. “I’ve fallen in love with both of you, actually.” Joey grinned up at him and let out a little giggle before he shifted his gaze back to Abby.
He couldn’t read her expression. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly parted. She blinked, and a tear trickled down her cheek.
Braden hoped that was a good sign.
“I know we really messed up the past,” he said. “And I don’t know what’s going to happen next. But whatever it is, I want it to be with you. Both of you. I . . . I hope you want the same thing.”
He realized the fireworks show had ended, and silence wrapped around them like a blanket. He felt Joey slip her hand into his, and they both watched Abby, waiting.
She swallowed, brushed tears from her cheeks . . . drew in a deep breath . . . and smiled.
“I do,” she said.
“Yes!” Joey gave a little fist pump with her free hand, then reached out to take her mom’s hand, and place it in Braden’s.
“I’m going to go find Harry,” she said. “This is great, but I have a feeling there’s going to be some kissing stuff, and no offense, but ick.” She made a face.
Abby and Braden burst out laughing, and the little girl ran over to the blanket where Harry was sitting with his parents, playing cards.
“Kissing stuff, huh?” Braden said, Abby’s hand warm and steady in his. “Doesn’t sound that icky to me.”
Abby beamed up at him. “Me, neither.”
He pulled her close and brushed his fingers down her face before sliding his hand into her hair. She tipped her head back with the movement, and he leaned closer, feeling her breath against his lips.
“I love you, Abby.”
She smiled up at him, her hands slipping around his waist. He couldn’t see the colors in her eyes in the dim light, but he could see that they sparkled with happiness.
“I’m glad,” she said, “because I love you, too.”
A rush of joy, pure and warm, shot through him and Braden couldn’t wait any longer. He closed the distance between them and kissed her, softly at first, a bare brushing of lips . . . once, twice . . . until he leaned in and deepened the kiss. Abby made a little gasping sound in the back of her throat, and tingles rushed through him, electricity warming his skin wherever they touched. In that moment, he knew he’d never let her go. Not ever again.
When they finally pulled apart, his lips felt bruised and swollen, and he felt a little rush of pride that Abby swayed a little on her feet. He steadied her and kissed her once more.
“Come on,” he said. “I’m not ready to go home yet. Let’s go find somewhere to look at the stars.”
She took his hand and smiled. “That sounds perfect.”
They walked back toward the groups of people sitting on blankets and beach chairs, chatting and playing games.
“You know what?” he asked.
“What?”
“We would have had an awesome time at prom.” He was still a little irritated that they’d never had the chance.
She hummed, swinging his hand. “Maybe,” she said. “But who knows what would have happened then?”
“You don’t think we would have fallen in love?” he asked. “Childhood sweethearts together forever?”
Abby laughed. “I don’t think either one of us was ready for that.” She stopped and popped up on her toes to press a smacking kiss on his lips. “But that’s okay,” she said. “I actually think this is better.”
Braden smiled so wide he thought his face might crack. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He pursed his lips, pondering. “Still, I don’t think you should say that to Tracy. Make her sweat it a little before we forgive her.”
She arched a brow. “You think we should forgive her?”
“Shouldn’t we?” He wouldn’t blame Abby for holding a grudge. Braden wasn’t happy with Tracy at the moment, either.
Abby sighed. “Yeah, we should,” she admitted. “It’s all in the past. Like you said, we were kids.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist. “In case I haven’t said it enough, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Braden took her hand and laced their fingers together. Abby was right. The past was the past. There was no changing it, and no use dwelling on it. And when he looked at Abby beside him—where he always wanted to see her—he knew, regardless of what led them to that moment, they were right where they belonged.
“Come on,” he said quietly, and they walked, hand in hand, toward their future.
A little while later, Joey and Harry sat side-by-side on a picnic blanket, leaning back on their hands, and looking up at the stars. The fireworks had been cool—really cool—but the quiet was nice, too. Every now and then, she’d look over to where her mom and Braden sat on another blanket—close together . . . really close. They were talking quietly and laughing, and once in a while they’d kiss.
It was gross. But it was nice, too.
Joey smiled.
“Guess what,” Harry said.
“What?”
“My foster parents just told me they’re going to adopt me!”
“No way!” Joey turned to face him, crisscrossing her legs. “That’s awesome!”
“I know!” He practically vibrated with excitement, a huge smile on his face. “I’m gonna be Harry Welch.”
“Harry Welch.” Joey repeated it slowly. “It’s a good name.”
“It’s an awesome name.”
Joey leaned back again, a wave of happiness making her feel warm all over. She glanced over at the table where Mrs. Chalmers and Mrs. McKenna sat with Mrs. Patterson from the bakery and Mrs. Harris from the Daily Grind. When she caught Mrs. Chalmers’ eye, she pointed toward her mom and Braden with a wide grin.
Both Mrs. Chalmers and Mrs. McKenna replied with thumbs up and grins of their own.
They’d done it.
She turned back to Harry. “You know what this means?”
“What?”
“We’re both getting new dads!”
Harry’s eyes widened behind his glasses. “Yeah!”
“We’re going to kick butt next year at the Tournament of Champions,” she said, holding up a hand.
Harry slapped it. “Yeah, we are!”
Her mom and Braden were lying on their backs now, looking up at the stars and talking quietly. Joey noticed they were holding hands.
“Harry, I have to thank you,” she said.
“For what?” He bit off a piece of licorice and chewed it loudly.
“It was your idea for me to talk to Mrs. Chalmers,” she said. “If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know that my mom and Braden would have ever gotten together.”
He glanced over at them. “Maybe,” he said.
Joey leaned in. “We did it.”
He whispered back, “We did.” Then, after a few seconds, he bit off another piece of licorice. “You think Braden’s gonna marry your mom?”
Joey frowned. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. But then she looked back over at the two of them. Mom had propped herself up on her elbow and was looking down at Braden. She leaned down and kissed him, and when she pulled back, she had the biggest smile on her face. Joey didn’t think she’d ever seen her so happy, and it made her heart beat a little faster in her chest.
“Don’t worry, Harry,” she said. “I think everything’s going to work out just fine.”
And as they lay back and gazed up at the stars, she knew it was absolutely true.
…to my editor, Kathie Spitz
…to my proofreader, Amy Gamache at Rose David Editing
…to my formatter, Tammy Clarke at Formatting by Tammy
…to my wonderful PA, Brittany Hively
…to Ciara Shayee Hill for naming our hero, Braden
….to the T.M. Franklin Book Club (join us!) and T.M. Franklin ARC Team
…and of course, to my amazing family for their never ending support.
Love in Holiday Junction
Falling for Her Best Friend
Falling for Her Biggest Headache
Falling for Her Opposing Counsel
Falling for the Wrong Guy
A Fun and Quirky YA Romance
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You
A Magical Holiday Romance
Second Chances
Visions of Sugar Plums
Adventure and Romance on the High Seas
Cutlass
Short stories
A Piece of Cake
Fantasy Adventures, Written as T.M. Franklin
The MORE Trilogy
“Reminiscent of the Mortal Instruments series... only better!” – Penny Dreadful Reviews
MORE
The Guardians
TWELVE
The New Super Humans
Super Humans
Super Powers
Super Natural
Super Heroes
Short Stories
Unscheduled Departure
Tami Franklin writes clean and wholesome romance that will sweep you away. A former TV news producer and freelance writer, she now enjoys sharing stories about people destined to be together... they just might need a little help getting there.
Franklin lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, and a crazy dog named Bond (James Bond.)
She also writes contemporary and YA fantasy under the penname T.M. Franklin.
Find out more at www.TMFranklin.com
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Franklin, Tami, Falling For The Wrong Guy: A Holiday Junction Sweet Romance
