The Exception (20 page)

I watched as a look of relief washed over his face as everything I was saying sunk in. “Thank God,” he let out, sounding more like himself once he realized I wasn’t upset with him. “I was so worried that once you found out what happened with Gabe…and top that off with what happened last night,” he paused to let out a nervous breath. “Listen, I know Evan said something to you about my past.”

“About that. Jake…”

“Look, Emma. There’s a reason I don’t drink much anymore. I don’t like who I can become once I’ve had too many. And I’ve been in a lot of fights because of it.”

“You normally win those fights, don’t you?” His eyes grew wide and worry returned to his face. “It’s just how Evan reacted last night toward Gabe. It didn’t seem like you getting hurt was ever really a problem.”

He nodded his head in understanding. “No, Emma. Me getting hurt was never usually part of the problem.”

“Well, is that who you are anymore?”

“No. It hasn’t been who I am for a while now.”

“Then what’s done is done. You can’t change your past, and you can’t worry about it either. I don’t even know that guy you say existed. I do know the guy in front of me, and that guy I’m crazy about.”

A smile broke across his face as he chuckled that chuckle of his that I love so much. “I’m pretty crazy about you too, Em. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you next year.”

And just like that, there it was. The dreaded next year. “Jake, about next year.” My eyes shut as tears threatened. Blame it on the pain and the emotional toll from everything that has happened.

“Hey. What is this? What about next year?” Concern was evident in his voice.

I popped my eyes open as I looked over at him. “What are we going to do next year?”

“Well, not being able to see you every day is really going to suck, but it’s only for a year. Then you will be at A&M with me. And then I’ll be able to see you every day if I want to,” he said simply. “Better yet, several times a day if I want to,” he finished with a sexy smirk, which caused me to laugh out loud, resulting in a wince as I was reminded of the pain my entire body felt. “Sorry. I won’t make you laugh anymore. I wasn’t even thinking.”

Once the pain went down, I looked back over at Jake, “So you want to stay together next year?”

I barely got the words out before he responded. “Hell yeah! Don’t you?” His reaction caused me to laugh out loud again, resulting in another wince. “Sorry again,” he grimaced. “I wasn’t expecting you to say something so crazy.”

“It’s just…long distance is hard, and they say that most high school relationships don’t make it.”

“Who are they? They clearly aren’t us. Besides, there is always the exception to the rule.”

“Well, yeah but…”

“No buts.” He stood up out of his chair and carefully sat down next to me on the bed. “Emma, do you love me?”

“Yes.”

Smiling his perfect smile, he gently leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Then if I have to drive back every weekend that first year, I will.” He let out a small laugh as he shook his head. “Emma Crawford, I love you so much, and you’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you get away that easy. I don’t care if any other high school relationship in the history of the world has ever made it. All I care about is that we will. You’re my whole world, Emma, and there is no story or version of my life without you in it.” He paused for a moment and looked at me with a smile that reached both of his ears. “Em, you and me, this is how it ends. Us together…happily ever after…however you want to say it,” he continued, pausing again to reach up and wipe the tear that had escaped down my face with his thumb. “We’re the exception. This,” he said gesturing between the two of us, “is the exception.”

There was no stopping the tears that were now free falling down my face. I didn’t even know it was possible for my heart to feel as full as it did in that moment.

I reached up, needing him to feel everything that I was feeling, and took the sides of his face in my hands – slowly bringing his lips to mine and stopping right before they connected. “Point Jake,” I whispered against his lips before kissing him with everything that I had.

Epilogue

Jake

“Jake. Listen man. You need to get your shit together.”

I stuck my hands in my suit pockets while I looked over at Gabe, as he bent down to plug the lights into the outlet on the back porch. He was right. I was so nervous I could barely keep my hands from shaking. I just knew I was going to take one look at her when she got to the ranch house and mess it all up.

Every minute that went by seemed to go by slower and slower. All I wanted was my girl here and for her to say yes as I slipped the two and a half carat, princess cut diamond on her finger. If that didn’t happen soon, I’m pretty sure I was going to sweat straight through my suit or suffocate due to the lack of air that didn’t seem to be getting to my lungs.

The lights lit up and Gabe and I exchanged glances, both smiling at each other at the sight. They were perfect; Emma was going to love them. So now, the lights were up, the flowers were set, and the tables were in place. All that was left to do was to light the candles that lined the back porch and that were on each table. As nervous as I was, I couldn’t wait to see her face as I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

Quinn had Dylan, Ryan, and her husband helping her in the kitchen as she slaved away making food, sides, and desserts all afternoon. While Gabe, Evan, and I took care of getting everything set up outside.

I just couldn’t believe it was finally happening. Our parents and other guests had arrived not too long ago and were getting ready in their rooms. Knowing Emma, I knew she would want those she cared the most about to be able to share in the celebration of our engagement. I had set everything up so that after I proposed our family and closest friends could be here to celebrate with us. The only people missing were the girls.

Emma was under the guise that they were having a girls weekend, one last hurrah before the start of her senior year at Texas A&M. She even thought I was out of town for work. About a week ago, Quinn had invited her and the girls to the ranch house for the weekend. Before that, Maya had been in charge of keeping this weekend wide open. So in the not too distant future, Emma would be arriving with Maya, McKenzie, and Jade – who had been a part of the group since the girls’ freshman year.

“Everything is all set around the corner for ya man,” Evan said as he walked back over to Gabe and I. “Want to come take a look at it?”

I glanced down at my watch. “Sure thing, but we need to hurry so I can go inside and cool down before she gets here. Is it unusually warm out here to either of you two?”

Gabe and Evan exchanged glances before bursting out laughing.

“Yeah, well, we’ll see how you two feel before you propose to the love of your life.”

They looked at each other once more before once again cracking up.

“Everything is going to work out how it’s supposed to. This place looks great. Thanks to Quinn and her slave-driving ways, the inside looks perfect and the food looks and smells incredible. Emma is going to be in girl heaven when she gets here. Plus, it helps that she’s crazy about you – has been ever since she met you. Though for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.” A sly smile broke across Gabe’s face before he shot me a wink. “Even without all this,” he gestured to all the immaculate decorations, “she would say yes. So chill the hell out,” he laughed.

There was a time when I would have told you that you were crazy if you had said that Gabe would grow to become one of my closest friends – friends at all for that matter. After the accident, we couldn’t even be anywhere near the other. But looking at us now you would never guess that. I suppose we have Jade to thank for that, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Gabe and Jade weren’t too far from this themselves.

It’s funny how things work out. Who would have known that Ryan would have beaten us all to the altar? Eloping of all things. Not everyone was particularly thrilled that they did that, but I have a feeling the news they are going to share tonight will be received well by everyone. Ryan had pulled me aside earlier to ask if I minded if they broke the news tonight. I assured him it would only add to Emma’s excitement before congratulating him myself. 

“Alright, man.” Evan slapped me on the back, breaking my train of thought. “Maya just texted saying they were ten minutes out. Let’s get these candles lit and you in your place.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To my readers. Thank you so much for taking the time to read Emma and Jake’s story. It means the world to me.

To my amazing, patient, and handsome husband Chris. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have lost count of the amount of times you listened to me brainstorm, read the same section over and over again while I tried to explain what I was thinking, and just my general babble about this book. Not to mention the hours of your life you selflessly gave up to help me piece through this story and relearn grammar rules (including the ones we never knew existed). I’m pretty sure you know more about comma usage at this point than I do. I am a lucky girl to have a number one fan, unofficial editor, and best friend wrapped up in one sexy package! Thank you for helping me chase my dream. I love you.

Aleah Esparza – Where do I begin? This book would have never happened if you wouldn’t have demanded to know more. Thank you for reading and then re-reading sections of this book and for listening to my many thoughts and ramblings. You will never know how much I truly appreciate your enthusiasm for this story and for falling in love with the characters as much as I did.

Alison Cote and Sherri Sedlacek – To my original book groupies. The excited energy you two ladies had about this book was infectious. Thank you for reading along with me and cheering me on. Thank you for talking about the characters like you knew them, and for taking such a genuine interest in this project. Last but not least, thank you for sneaking my book into places because you couldn’t put it down!

Jana Mietchen – There are no words to express how truly grateful I am for you. Without you this book would have remained basically unedited. Thank you so much for helping me make my story the best it could be! I am beyond lucky to have had you.

About The Author

Brittany Wynne was born in Odessa, TX. She attended Texas A&M University where she graduated with a degree in education. She now lives in The Woodlands, TX with her husband Chris and their fur-baby, a maltipoo, named Hank.

A self proclaimed book addict, she contributes her love for reading as to why she developed the writing bug. When she's not brainstorming new character and story ideas, she can be found reading, shopping, spending far too much time on instagram, and binge watching her favorite shows with her husband and pup.