18. Josie Makes A Promise

EIGHTEEN

JOSIE MAKES A PROMISE

T wo hours later, we slip back into the main house. It's late, but we can hear music coming from the great room and the unmistakable sound of laughter. Then we hear a deep baritone rising above the music.

“Well, we didn’t miss the real show,” Zack whispers. “Tank has been drinking for hours now so I figured he would either be serenading Emma or arm wrestling Gabe.”

“Singing it is,” I whisper back.

Zack takes my coat and folds it over his arm. Carefully, we step out of our icy boots and leave them by the back door.

He leans in. "If we move fast, there’s a chance we can make it upstairs without anyone seeing us. If we're spotted, it's over. Tank will try to get me to sing Christmas carols with him or challenge me to a drinking contest.”

I cover my smile. The thought of my brother-in-law tipsy caroling is legit hilarious. I've heard the stories about Tank’s singing voice before but I’ve never heard him. According to Zack, he usually only sings to his wife and daughter. But apparently he isn’t shy about belting it out when he’s drunk off his ass on Christmas Eve either.

As we sneak past the great room, Zack suddenly drops down to the floor behind the sofa. Perplexed, I kneel down next to him. A few seconds later, I hear the heavy tread of footsteps going in the other direction. Zack springs to his feet and together we dart toward the staircase.

The sudden adrenaline of going stealth mode makes me want to giggle, but I press my lips together. Once we're safely in our room, I flop onto the bed.

“Sorry about that. I saw Tank walking to the kitchen,” Zack explains before he climbs on to the other side of the bed.

“I feel a little rude sneaking upstairs without seeing anyone. I wonder if Sasha is still awake?”

Zack looks toward the ceiling, like he’s trying to remember. “I don’t remember seeing her or Gabe down there actually. Text her and see.”

I pull out my phone. Time to face the music.

Josie

I’m so sorry about earlier.

Sasha

No apology needed. We're all good.

Josie

You're going to be an amazing mom!

Sasha

Thank you! I'm terrified but happy.

Josie

I’m happy for you. I just feel terrible that I ruined your announcement.

Sasha

What’s Christmas without a little drama? You can make it up to me with one of those chocolate lava cakes…

Josie

One lava cake for the mama-to-be, coming right up! It’s the least I can do.

Sasha

We're family. It's messy but it's ours. You know I love you.

Josie

Love you more, sis.

I put my phone down, my heart lighter. “Sasha says it’s all good.”

Zack reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. “Of course it is. They’re family. They get it.”

“That’s what she said, too. Make sure you tell Gabe thank you for marrying someone awesome.”

He laughs and pulls out his phone. “I am actually going to do that right now. You can never humble him too much.”

As he texts back and forth with Gabe, I get up and find my pajamas in my bag. I think about the events of the night while I go through my usual night routine of brushing my teeth, washing my face, and braiding my hair so it doesn’t turn into a bird’s nest while I sleep. My little freakout earlier could have caused some serious ill-will if my sisters-in-law weren’t so amazing. I plan to apologize to Emma for the disruption tomorrow also, but I already know that she’ll be just as cool about it.

When the brothers found each other, they didn’t just forge their own bond, but they also brought us girls together to give me the sisters I’d always wanted. Zack’s family is mine now too, in all their chaotic, loud, and heartwarming glory.

When I come out of the bathroom, Zack looks me over with a twinkle in his eye. He holds up his phone.

"Guess what time it is? It's technically Christmas." He climbs off the bed. “I've got something for you."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? What did Santa bring me?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. "He’s not taking credit for this one. Santa's got nothing on me. Wait here. "

He slips out of the door, closing it quietly behind him.

While I wait, I cuddle up under the covers. I wonder what’s so important that he couldn’t wait until morning? It’s kind of adorable how excited he is about his gift.

Zack reappears then with a huge box in his arms. “I hope you appreciate the stealth it took to get this from under the tree. Also, I think somebody is getting it on in one of the closets downstairs.”

I snicker at that. “At least we’re not the ones causing all the Christmas drama.”

"I’m just glad they didn’t hear me. I really don’t want to know who it was. That’ll make breakfast awkward.” He places the box on the bed next to me.

I pick it up and shake it. Then I give up on guessing and just tear at the paper like a kid. Once the paper is shredded, I carefully remove the top of the garment box to reveal a scuba diving outfit. It’s sleek and blue and exactly the kind of thing I would have chosen for myself.

I'm momentarily speechless. "Zack, this is?—"

I run my hands over the smooth neoprene of the scuba suit, my mind drifting. It instantly makes me think of coral reefs and the Caribbean and all the grand plans we used to have to travel the world. Zack most wanted to see Greece and I wanted to snorkel in Jamaica.

But life has a way of sneaking up on you. His company with Gabe has grown bigger and expanded. My photography business has branched out into boudoir along with all the private shows I’ve been doing. How long has it been since we thought about those dreams of getting away from it all?

As I hold the scuba suit up against me, I feel a pang of sadness for those lost plans. It wasn't just the thrill of adventure

“We were going to travel the world,” I whisper. “When did we lose sight of that?”

"I remember." He bumps my shoulder with his. "We vowed to live life on two wheels. To make every day an adventure. I haven't forgotten."

In his eyes I can see an entire future mapped out. The two of us, traveling the world and achieving our dreams. Then I remember how much has changed over the past few years. He isn’t just the owner of one auto shop but the owner of a national chain, a huge conglomerate that represents millions of dollars and more jobs than I can count. As for me, I’ve worked so hard to build my career to where it is right now. I can’t just jet off to a foreign locale because I feel like it.

“Maybe those dreams are over. We own businesses. We have employees. We can’t just live out of a van.”

Zack laughs. “I think we can do slightly better than a van.”

"But the company–"

"The company can wait," he assures me. "We've got a life to live. Plus, that’s why I have a partner. Gabe can handle things if I want to take a vacation. We can plan some adventures in between your bookings and your shows. Or we can just say fuck it and let the chips fall where they may. Two wheels, remember?"

My laughter spills out, a mixture of joy and relief. "I'm holding you to that. I expect to be underwater wearing this outfit by next week."

He grins, taking my hand. "I’ve created a monster. I guess I’d better get to work then."

I reach over, my fingers brushing his. "No matter where things take us, you’re the only person I want to adventure with."

He puts the scuba outfit back in the box. “Same. As a matter of fact, I can think of an adventure or two that we can have right now.”

My giggle when he tumbles me back on the bed is probably way too loud, but I don’t even care.

Hey, at least we aren’t making out in a closet.