Page 74 of Good Girl’s Guide to Love (Guide to Love #4)
ainsley
There was a time not too long ago that I was sitting at this exact table at The Joint. My family was surrounding me. We’d just finished helping Quinn and Porter take care of their problem.
And I’d never felt more alone in my life.
Oh, how fast things can change.
Now here we are, two weeks later, gathered around the same table. I have Linc next to me, his arm around me, because the man doesn’t go too long without touching me in some way. My head is on his shoulder as we take in our siblings in their conversations, just basking in the lightness of the night.
Because today was the day we were waiting for all week with bated breath.
Linc was reinstated. He was found to be at no fault, in not only the eyes of the Fury, but in the courts.
“To Ainsley and Linc!” Simon raises his glass. “And to the last Banks family shenanigan!”
“I’ll drink to that,” Logan says. “I’ve committed too many close-call crimes for this family.”
Maeve kisses his cheek. “And we love you for it.”
“They were pretty fun, though,” Stella says. “I don’t love what we all had to go through for them to happen, but at least we made the payoff fun.”
“And satisfying,” I say. “Everyone got what was coming to them.”
And in Linc’s case, it was more than we could’ve hoped for.
Once security came up to the room, and saw the room looking like an eighties rock band just trashed it, Katie clawing at Brad, and Jonathan hiding in a corner, the three were detained for vandalism and destruction of property.
Not going to lie, all of that was icing on the cake, considering we got everything we wanted and more from their videoed confessions.
A link was magically emailed to every important person in the Fury organization the next day. And for giggles, a few links were sent to some league officials. You know, in case they wanted to know that one of their marquee players was actively trying to sabotage another player’s career.
They did. And Brad Rockwell was suspended for the rest of the season. And according to Linc, his contract was up at the end of the year. And no one wants a toxic teammate that tries to destroy the career of another guy on the same team.
Too bad. So sad.
As for Linc and the Fury, they were quick to release a statement clearing him of any wrongdoing.
They said that upon further review, and getting more evidence into the situation, that Linc was not in breach of contract, and that the incident in question was an accident.
They did suspend him for a game, which he didn’t fight in the least. He actually suggested it to make sure that it didn’t seem like they were being too lenient on him.
Also, all pending court cases against him have been dropped.
Oh, yeah, Jonathan dropped his lawsuit. No idea why, but maybe it had something to do with Logan also emailing the link of the hotel debacle to human resources of the hospital. And pointing out the day that he followed me to my car.
Maybe. I’m not sure though.
He also put in his two weeks' notice.
Oh no. I’m devastated…
As for Katie, at first we thought she went into hiding.
After she was released by hotel security, she went dark.
Literally. Deleted all of her social media, both work and personal.
We tried to call her cell phone on a blocked number just to see what was going to happen, but it said the number was disconnected.
At first, I hoped that she was somewhere getting help.
Because yes, she was crazy. And she tried to ruin my and Linc’s life.
But at the end of the day, mental health is important, and if she needed help, I hoped she was somewhere getting it.
That is until last night when she created a new social media handle, and started posting multiple part stories about how Brad loved her and airing all their dirty laundry.
We didn’t want to watch it. The woman ruined our lives in the name of this man’s “love.” But when she started talking about how she’d sneak out of the man’s house because his wife was coming home, we couldn’t turn it off.
Luckily, we haven’t got to the part of the series where Linc and I come in.
But once it happens, Simon, Logan, and the Fury media team have lawyers ready for cease and desists orders.
But until then, we’re going to sit back and let her burn everything to the ground.
“This feels like the end of an era,” Stella says as she leans into Emmett. “No more shenanigans. We’re all together and happy. Our lives are going to be so boring now.”
“I think boring is needed,” Maeve says as Logan puts his arm around her chair. “But, can we all save the date for the last weekend in February?”
Everyone mumbles questions, and I look over to Linc. “Any plans?”
He shakes his head. “We’ll have won the championship by then. So I’m down for whatever.”
I hope they do. They lost last week. And honestly, all the cards were stacked against them. Linc was out for his suspension. Maddox tweaked his ankle and sat out the second half. Everything was just going against them.
But now they’re refocused, Linc is back next week, and Maddox apparently “slapped some tape on it and it’s good to go.” Whatever that means. All I know is that I can’t wait for my first championship game. Because I know they’re going to be there. I can feel it.
“So if everyone is free the last weekend in February,” Maeve continues, “we’d like to invite you all to Jamaica. It’s about time we actually said our vows in front of family and friends.”
A chorus of “hell yeahs” and applause are all that can be heard as we run to hug Maeve and Logan.
“Oh, and no one needs to worry about flights,” Logan announces. “Because why have a private jet if you can’t fly your family to an island for a week?”
More cheering erupts as Linc looks at me. “Have I said thank you?”
“For what?”
“For bringing me into this family.”
For any other person, this could be chalked up as a joke about having a brother-in-law who owns a private jet. But knowing Linc how I do, that smile, with that thank you, means more.
Our family is big and loud and in each other’s business. The exact opposite of anything Linc knew to be true after his childhood. We could’ve scared him off. He could’ve told me “thanks, but no thanks.” But he didn’t. If anything, he’s fitting in with us like he was always meant to be here.
“You’re welcome,” I say. But before I can say anything else, Simon slaps Linc on the back.
“You motherfuckers played pool without me a few weeks ago, and I believe it’s time for my challenge.”
The guys laugh and all stand up, but not before giving each of their women a kiss before they leave.
“I need to use the restroom,” Charlie says as she stands from the table. “Anyone else?”
We all shake our head as our future sister-in-law grabs her purse and heads toward the back. Which gives us a chance to just watch our men walk to the pool tables.
“Do you know, for the first time in our lives, we’re all, at the same time, in not only relationships, but healthy ones?” Quinn says.
“Damn, you’re right.”
“I’m still never getting over you swearing,” Stella says. “It’s like a whole new Ainsley!”
I shrug. “I pick and choose when I do.”
I don’t tell them that mostly they come into the bedroom. Because now that I know I can yell “Holy shit!” when Linc eats me out? It’s a much better experience.
“Quinn’s right,” Maeve continues. “We’re all happy. In solid relationships. Have men who love us and who get along with each other. I mean, look at them.”
If you didn’t know that these men were all randomly grouped together, you’d never know it.
You have Linc and Porter talking about something that’s making them both use a lot of hand gestures.
If I had to guess, it’s something college football related.
And I’m going to stay with that guess, because I see Emmett inserting himself into the conversation.
Then you have Logan and Simon, who are in the middle of something before Charlie summons Simon away.
We watch as she whispers into his ear before he’s throwing down the pool cue and quickly telling everyone goodbye.
Good for them.
“Did we really just get lucky?” Stella asks. “I hate to think all of our lives were based on luck.”
“Maybe not luck, but they were based in moments,” Maeve adds. “Heartbreak. Missed flights. Crazy people trying to fuck with us.”
“So many crazies,” I joke.
“But we’re here,” Maeve says, holding up her mostly empty glass, and we all follow. “To the Banks sisters, and to the men we love.”
“God help them,” Quinn adds.
We chuckle and take sips of our drinks just when the guys come back to the table. Except instead of chatting, or talking like they were when they left, they all have odd looks on their faces.
“What did you guys do?”
Maeve’s question is valid as Logan answers. “What makes you think we did anything, love?”
“Because I have a child, so I know a guilty look. And all of you look like you just spilled Kool-Aid on a white carpet.”
“Not necessarily,” Emmett says. “But we do have a question for you four.”
We share the same confused look before Stella speaks up. “And what’s that?”
They look to Emmett, giving him an encouraging nod. “I know this was supposed to be a night out here, but we were wondering if we could all go to Logan and Maeve’s house to play video games?”
I swallow my chuckle as all four of these men look at their corresponding sister with pleading in their eyes.
“I’ve never seen his setup before,” Linc continues. “And the clout I’d get with the team? Endless.”
“And! He has a new prototype,” Porter says. “Also, how many nights do we have not only a baby sitter, but also a fill-in bartender? Not many.”
“Obviously you ladies can come too,” Logan adds. “Name the snacks and wine you want. I’ll have it delivered to the house and it’ll be there by the time we arrive.”
The four of us look at each other, all doing our best to keep in the laughter we want to let out. And how can we say no? I know I can’t. Not when Linc is giving me puppy dog eyes and I’m promised a night with my favorite people in the world.
“Ice cream,” Maeve says, and we all nod in agreement. “Lots of ice cream.”
“Done and done,” Logan says. “You’re the best.”
The four of them start celebrating—actually high-fiving like they just pulled off the con of the century.
“They’re ours, huh?” Quinn asks.
“They are,” I say. “And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”