The Way We Play (Bradford Boys #2)

Epilogue

Zane

Six Months Later

“It’s called forest bathing.” Rachel holds my hand as we walk along the boardwalk leading through the pitcher plant bog.

I got the book Jack recommended on cognitive behavioral therapy, and when she found it on my nightstand, she was all in with helping me practice mindfulness.

Jack keeps reassuring me it’s not woo-woo. Edward was right there with him, explaining PTSD is a real condition that can be caused by any trauma. He’d informed me CBT was a good place to start.

I simply said thanks.

“This isn’t technically a forest.” I look out at the narrow, vase-shaped carnivorous flowers. “It’s more like a swamp.”

“Forest bathing is just the term. It can apply to any natural environment where you walk and consciously connect to what’s around you. ”

“Consciously connect?” My eyebrow arches, and she narrows her eyes.

“It’s not woo-woo!”

Holding up my hands, I exhale a laugh. “I didn’t say it.”

“You were thinking it.” She reaches for my hand again, and we pause, looking out across the bog full of hundreds of deep magenta and white plants. “They’re really pretty, aren’t they?”

“They eat bugs.”

“Isn’t it wonderful? Imagine what it must’ve been like down here long ago, when they didn’t have any sort of pest control.”

“Sounds like hell.”

“These plants were nature’s way of solving the problem. It’s so encouraging. There’s always a solution.”

Lifting her hand to my lips, I kiss it. “It’s true.”

School finished two days ago, and Eddie’s out at the horse farm every day with Ben. Austin started working with them as well after the football season ended.

Our little guy wrapped up a great first semester at his new school. He had the occasional challenge with figuring out the new schedule and finding his classes, but the initial weeks he’d spent with Allie paid off in helping him be comfortable in his new environment.

His grades were a mix of As and Bs, and Rachel cried when she got his final report card. He’d tried to explain that a B was technically not a bad grade, and I had to explain to her brother they were happy tears, which he didn’t understand.

Dylan’s wedding is coming soon, and we decided to steal away for a little nature walk-slash-forest bath before the boys pull into town.

I’m looking forward to dishing back to Garrett all the hell he gave me, especially since Liv is back in town to be one of Dylan’s bridesmaids.

But before all that begins, I have something on my mind.

The boardwalk ends overlooking the bay, and I cage her in my arms as we look out over the dark, rippling water. Frogs sing loudly, and a crane steps carefully among the tall grasses, searching for food.

Leaning down, I kiss the side of her neck, which earns me a little squeal. “Tickles.”

“Sorry.” I smile, kissing her lips briefly. “When you said forest bathing, I thought we were going skinny dipping.”

“Hmm…” She leans her head against my cheek. “As much as I love communing with nature, that would be more fun.”

“We should sneak into Miss Gina’s pool one night after she’s gone to bed.”

“I’d rather slip out to the bay behind the restaurant. If we woke Miss Gina, I’d die of embarrassment.”

“We’ve gotten pretty good at being quiet.”

We’ve had to, with Edward right next door, even if he does wear headphones to sleep, we don’t like to take any chances.

I’ve actually located a cute starter home for us on the scenic road north of town, but first things first.

Stepping back, I take her hand, turning her to face me. “I wanted to do this before all the family arrived. We’ve already talked about it some, but I finally found what I was looking for.”

Her brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

Reaching into my pocket, I take out a 24-karat, white-gold ring with a round diamond in the center, surrounded by triangle-shaped baguettes. Her breath catches, and she lightly touches it with her fingertips.

“It’s a flower.” Green eyes, bright with unshed tears meet mine. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Eddie said I’m the bee in your bonnet.” I can’t help a light chuckle.

“You talked to Eddie?” Her forehead wrinkles as she looks up at me, and I slide my thumb over the crystal tear on her cheek.

“Of course. He’s a part of our family.”

“Oh, Zane.” She rests her face against my chest, and I thread my fingers in the back of her hair .

I kiss the top of her head, inhaling honeysuckle. “I read somewhere that life takes courage, and the longer you live, the more courage it requires. It made me think of you and me.” Reaching up, I slide a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re smart and beautiful and funny and genuine, and you’re brave. I want you beside me holding my hand, because you know how to keep going, you help me be strong, and together we can face anything.”

She blinks, and she’s so beautiful smiling up at me, eyes shining. “I think our past, the things that have tried to break us, actually helped us fit together perfectly.”

“I like that.” My smile grows bigger. “Broken things have no walls, no limits, no rules…”

“So a break isn’t something to fear?” Her nose wrinkles.

“I’d still rather avoid it, but I’m working on my mindset.”

She exhales a little laugh, and I take her hand. “I love you, Rachel Wells. You make me stronger, and I promise to protect you with all my power from anything that might hurt you. Will you marry me?”

She puts her hand on mine, looking up at me. “Yes, Zane Bradford, and you’ll always be safe with me. I’ll always hold your hand and lead you to the light.”

I slide the ring onto her finger before leaning down to cover her lips with mine. Our tongues curl together, and I lift her off her feet, hugging her body close.

We have been broken, we’ve faced the dark, and together we’re stronger.

Together, we’re perfect.

Later, at Cooters & Shooters…

“It’s a flower!” Dylan cries .

“It’s so beautiful,” Allie coos.

“Who knew Mr. Grumpy could be so romantic?” Craig lifts his chin, winking at me.

“I knew.” Rachel’s confident reply warms my chest.

The three women and Craig are huddled around the large silver worktable in the kitchen looking at the ring as Rachel replays everything that happened when I proposed, from what I said to where we were to the position of the sun.

“Good work, bro.” Jack grips my shoulder.

“I knew you had it in you,” Logan teases.

“I didn’t know they were going to dissect everything that happened.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I look down. “I’d have planned something more interesting.”

“They don’t mind.” Thomas sits back on his stool, crossing his arms and grinning.

We’re all standing back out of the way, holding longnecks and watching them.

“Why aren’t you over there?” I glance at Liv, who’s standing back with us.

Her strawberry blonde hair is tied up in a ponytail, and she’s in jeans and a thin red sweater. She’s unusually casual and reserved.

“They don’t need me.” Her voice is quiet, almost guilty.

It makes me wonder what’s really going on with her, and why she’s here.

She straightens at once when the door opens, and her face flushes like she’s seen a ghost. The loud voice tells me immediately who just joined the party.

“What’s all this? Did they find a new pepper in the bog?” Garrett booms, entering the room, and Dylan squeals.

“Garrett!” She runs to him, jumping into his arms for a hug. “I’ve missed you so much! Did you just get here?”

“Just rolled into town.” He lifts her off her feet.

“Don’t tell me you drove the whole way again,” Logan groans, going to his best friend and grabbing his hand .

“I’ve gotta have my truck.” Garrett pulls him into a rough hug.

“You’re going to have a new sister.” Dylan holds his hand, dragging him over to where Rachel stands. “Garrett Bradford, meet Rachel Wells, Zane’s new fiancée.”

Rachel’s cheeks are pink, and she looks up at him shyly. “I’m so happy to meet you finally. I’ve heard so much?—”

“Welcome to the family, sis!” He reaches down, engulfing her in a bear hug. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Where is that brother of mine?”

I walk over to where my oversized younger brother has broken up the group, reaching out to grab his hand.

He pulls me to him, whispering loudly in my ear. “Nice work, old man. She’s a fox.”

“Old man,” I exhale a chuckle. “I’ve got something for you.”

Turning, I’m all ready to present him with Liv, when I see she’s gone. My eyes scan from where Thomas is grilling burgers down the hall leading to the back exit, and I see the screen door is cracked. My brow lowers as I realize she ducked out without a word.

“What’s that?” Garrett follows my gaze curiously.

“Ah, I’ll show you later.” I turn back to where everyone is congregated, laughing.

“My man, Cray!” Garrett goes to where Craig is loading plates, and the two of them launch into a discussion of hot music and dance moves for Thursday.

Salina Duck enters the room, glancing at me with a pouty frown. “We still have customers, you know.”

“Three orders up,” Thomas calls from the grill, and Craig quickly plates them.

Salina cuts a glance to where Rachel stands with Allie, eying her hand curiously, until my future wife catches her.

“Something you want to see?” Rachel walks over, crossing her arms so that her engagement ring is visibly prominent on her bicep. “Something ratchet ? ”

Salina shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “It was a joke, Rachel. Let it go. Like Zane Bradford would ever be with anyone messy.”

Rachel’s eyes narrow, and she chews the side of her lip. “You’ve been really sweet to my brother, and I know how it feels to crush on someone as amazing as my future husband.”

That sounds better than I expected, even if she is rubbing it in a bit.

Salina’s cheeks pink, and she lifts the tray holding the three hamburgers and fries. “Whatever. Zane is clearly in love with you.”

Stepping closer, she puts her hand on the girl’s arm. “I’d like us to be friends, and maybe, I don’t know. I hear Sam Allen’s a really nice guy.”

Rachel smiles, and Salina eyes her up and down before shrugging. “You might be okay. Edward’s the coolest kid I know.”

“He really is.”

As if summoned, Eddie walks in with Kimmie right behind him, holding Smokey under his chin.

“Uncle Grizzlaaay!” Kimmie yells, breaking into a run to her uncle.

“How’s my little peanut?” He swoops her up into a hug, and she crawls around to get on his back. “Did you get your new cooter?”

Exhaling a laugh, I shake my head. He’s as bad as she is.

“Everybody loves my cooters!” She waves a hand over her head like she’s riding a bull.

Edward stands back, looking up at my brother, who smiles down at him. “You must be Eddie Nashville.” Garret reaches out to shake his hand. “I’ve heard you’re a genius.”

Eddie shakes his hand. “You’re very tall.”

“I’m going to be your new big brother.”

“You might be a giant.”

Garret nods at his shirt. “That’s a great band. Named after Don Quixote . ”

Edward’s eyes widen, and once again, my brother has made an instant best friend for life.

Rachel walks to me smiling, rising onto her toes to give me a brief kiss. I turn her back to my chest, wrapping my arm around her shoulders so I can hold her as I survey the room.

This place, this kitchen, full of family, strong as ever, unbroken, and pure gold.

Thank you for reading The Way We Play !