Best Kept Promise (Best Kept #2)

Chapter 39: Break Out Your Chapstick

Song: All You Are Is History by State Champs

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Everyone that's coming, is here now.

My mom and Evie showed up and Victoria too.

Unfortunately, Peter could make it as well. Not sure how I feel about Peter being here while Tyler is.

We're all standing in the backyard, waiting for the text from Tyler. My heart is beating hard against my chest. I've never thrown a surprise party before, but I remember the one the band threw for me on tour.

And I started crying. Yeah, that was a prime moment for me.

My phone buzzes in my hand and it's Tyler letting me know they're in the driveway and Ella honestly has no idea what's going on. As long as she has a smile on her face, we'll leave poor little Ella clueless.

"Okay, they're here!" I announce. "You guys know the rest."

Dad's standing next to me with a bottle of beer in his hand. "I think we know how a surprise party works, honey."

I shake my head and focus on the French doors that should be opening any second.

When it opens, Ella steps through and everyone shouts surprise.

Ella jumps at first and then the smile on her lips grows. She looks around with wide eyes until her gaze settles on me. "This is for me?"

I laugh and walk up to her. "Of course it's for you," I tell her and wrap my arms around her shoulders. "Happy birthday, Ella."

She squeezes me back. "This is the best birthday ever already," she whispers in my ear. "Thank you so much."

"Anything for my favorite person," I whisper back.

Ella laughs and takes a step back. "I'm guessing Tyler helped too," she says when he appears beside me.

"Of course I did," Tyler responds. "Happy birthday."

Ella hugs Tyler quickly. "Okay, so quick question," she says and steps back. "Do I look fifteen? Or still fourteen?"

"You could pass for sixteen," Tyler tells her.

"I agree," My dad pipes in. "Happy birthday, Ells."

Ella's smile never leaves her face. "Thank you guys. Now I'm gonna go explore. And oh my gosh, is that a cotton candy machine?" She leaves before we can even get another word out. Dad follows behind her, probably a sucker for cotton candy too.

I snake both arms around Tyler's side and rest my cheek against his arm. "We did well," I say. "Thanks for all the help."

Tyler shifts his arm from under me and places it around my shoulders as he kisses my temple. "We do make a pretty good team if I say so myself."

I nod in agreement. "She actually really likes you," I note while I watch Ella get a giant stick of cotton candy. "I can't say I blame her either."

Tyler chuckles. "I'm very likable apparently," he says. "She reminds me of you a lot. Maybe Ella's a little nicer though."

"I actually can't disagree." I move around to stand in front of him. "I do believe you have a band to play with."

Tyler lifts his hands to cup my face. "Not without a kiss for good luck."

"Then kiss me, Tyler."