“We’ve known Cole and Aurora from when the boys went to college together. Cole and Aurora were at our house a lot after their parents passed.”
It was my turn to jolt from a realization. Easton had told me that Cole and Aurora’s parents had died in a car accident because their mom was giving the dad road head.
Holy fuck, no wonder Cole and I are friends.
Kelly Ann must have realized what I was thinking about because she kissed my cheek. “See, it isn’t so bad. He’ll come around.”
Someone called our names. I hugged Kelly Ann and Robert one more time. “Go get up front. The JackholeS are about to go on.”
Jules and I met the band and Faith hours ago. I didn’t know if I was more enamored with Faith or with Kill, or Van and his wife, Jesse, or Jet and his wife, Amy, or D and his wife, Toni. Fuck it, I loved them all.
Jules and I made our way to the stage crowded with people waiting to see the JackholeS. We introduced ourselves as quickly as possible since it wasn’t our night and pulled Aurora onstage. She elegantly explained what her project was about and why it meant so much to her. I was so proud of her.
Faith joined Aurora onstage and gave her full endorsement. Aurora was center stage and beaming. Faith introduced her husband’s band and the venue went wild.
Jules and I high-fived. Cole grabbed Jules and led her to the side of the venue, holding her hips while she jumped to the music. I retreated to the other side, leaning against the wall.
I may or may not have been lusting after the band.
Someone stood next to me, but I was too engrossed in the band to pay attention. I spotted Kelly Ann jumping and singing excitedly in the front row as Robert stared at her with adoration.
“Rach.” A hand grabbed my shoulder, pulling me out of my eye fucking.
I turned around, my heart in my throat, only to see Bradford.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked, not worrying about my voice since everyone around us was screaming and singing along.
Bradford had the audacity to frown. He fucking frowned.
“Rach, is there somewhere we can talk?”
“Uhm, no,” I said. Not my most intelligent response, but Bradford was here. “I have nothing to say to you, and I definitely don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”
“Rach, I’m sorry. I fucked up. I shouldn’t have broken up with you. I got scared. You were too perfect, and I didn’t think I could measure up to you.”
“Well, you got that right. You cannot measure up to me. Bradford, I need you to leave.” I pointed to the doors then paused. “Wait, how did you even get in here?”
My security was top notch. The JackholeS were the ones to recommend them since they had worked with them before. Bradford had the good sense to look chagrined. “I came with your parents.”
My mouth hung open.
My parents.
Even though Jules had advised against it, I had invited my parents, knowing they would most likely not show up. Hell, they never made it to any of my school events, why would they start showing up now?
“They told me that you were with a horrible man who wasn’t treating you right.”
I jerked back like he had slapped me.
Of course my parents didn’t like Easton. He stood up for me. He refused to laugh off their behavior and cruel comments toward me like Bradford had done when we were dating.
“I love you, Rachel. Please, take me back.”
I stared in horror as Bradford went down on one knee. I glanced around, making sure nobody was paying attention.
“Get up. Get up, now,” I hissed
Bradford shook his head and latched onto my hand. “You still have the ring, the ring I want you to wear for the rest of our lives. Please, agree to marry me, Rachel. I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman if you’d do me this honor.”