The Rulebreaker

Epilogue

Rocky

I’m lying on the grass, breathing in the fresh air, when I hear the door to the back of the house open and close. Mav set up a picnic for us in our new backyard and it’s a dream, but he went back inside to get champagne for our orange juice to turn it into mimosas.

“The weather is perfect,” I say.

“You’re perfect.”

I inhale and exhale, smiling. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling for almost a year now. “Did you talk to Jag? Did they finally settle on a summer wedding?”

“Yep. In the Dominican Republic. I don’t know what possesses people to have destination weddings.”

“At least it’s a familiar destination.” I shrug a shoulder.

“Hey, Rocky.” I hear him pouring our glasses.

“Hm.”

“Let’s get married.”

“What?” My eyes pop open. I look over to where he’s sitting and sit up, turning to face him.

“My parents always say their friendship comes before everything, and Mom always said when looking for a partner, I should look for someone who can be my best friend,” he says, shifting so that he’s on one knee now and that’s when I notice that he has a ring box in his hand. “I just never thought to look at you in that way because I was so afraid to lose you. When we were fourteen we went to that summer camp upstate and during that trip we promised we’d be in each other’s weddings, remember?”

“Yes.” I cover my mouth and let out a laugh, hoping against all hope that the tears will stop trickling down and ruining my makeup.

“Well, I still want to do that, but I want to move my position from best man to groom, if you’ll have me. Rocky Barnes, I can’t do life without you. You’re my best friend, my soul mate, my everything. Please marry me.”

“Jesus Christ, Maverick.” I’m openly crying now as I nod. “Yes. Obviously. I mean, we just bought a freaking house together.”

He laughs. “That’s the only reason?”

“Shut up and put this crazy ring on my finger.” I gasp as he does. “Oh my God. It’s perfect.”

“Just like you, bestie.” He leans in, cups both sides of my face, and kisses me. When he pulls away, he smiles. “I hope you don’t mind that we have a bit of an audience.”

When I look over to see what he’s talking about, I see my parents, his parents, Jagger, Mitchell, Jo, Misty, Colson, and a few other friends standing there, and I start crying even harder. I laugh as I wipe my tears and look over at him. I’ve known him forever and I cannot wait to see where this journey will lead us.