The Replacement Boyfriend

Epilogue

Tace

Jax and I had gotten used to spending our holidays apart while complaining about how much we missed each other over text and call. It had been three years and I had even managed to get through the first semester of my last year without seeing Jax at all, except on the weekends where he drove down to meet me.

But this winter was going to be different because Jax and Cassidy were bringing their family over to Omaha for Christmas. And as excited as I was to have Jax and his family over with mine and the Harris's to spend the last Christmas, I was equally worried about how things were going to be with Dane, Zayne and Jax at the same table for a meal.

"You're freaking out, aren't you?" Cassidy asked me as she helped me set the table.

My mom, Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Walker were all in the kitchen, heating up the food and chit chatting away like they were long lost friends. All the husbands were in the living room, getting to know each other. Amelia and Erin were upstairs with Amara who was making it a point to show them every corner of the house. Zayne was somewhere upstairs with his new girlfriend – and his longest one (six months) – probably making out.

"Why would she?" Jax asked, appearing with a tray of glasses.

He set them on the table before pulling me into his arms and placing a wet kiss on my lips.

"Ew, gross," Cassidy looked away and my face turned twenty shades of red. Pun intended.

"Jax!" I whisper scolded him. "Our parents are here."

"We've been dating for two and a half years," he pointed out. "And they know how in love we are. They're probably planning our wedding as we stand here."

"I actually agree with him," Cassidy shrugged, putting the glasses Jax had brought in place over each plate around the table. "Our parents seem to be hitting it off. I think I'm going to be your sister in law sooner than we thought."

I stared at them in horror and they burst out laughing and high fived each other.

"You guys are horrible," I muttered as the bell rang. "I'm going to get the door. Saved by the bell."

Jax followed behind me like a puppy, begging for forgiveness in my ear and holding onto my arm like a child.

All the dads turned to look at us as we passed them in the living room and I tried to get Jax to stop but he didn't. Mr. Walker chuckled as if we were entertaining him and Mr. Harris pretended not to notice us even if he did. I didn't even look at my step father so I wasn't sure whether he was watching us.

"Jax!" I exclaimed, trying to shove him but that only made him cling onto me more.

Sighing, I unlocked the front door and pulled it open to find Dane standing on the porch with a ton of gifts.

"I come bearing gifts!" he sang. "Hope I can be forgiven for coming late."

"Dane!" I exclaimed and he engulfed me in a bear hug. "Have you gotten taller?"

"Have you gotten prettier?" he asked back, smiling and then noticed Jax standing behind me. "Oh hey, you must be the infamous Jax – the love of Tace's life."

"Dane!" I whacked his arm and he laughed as if it had no effect on him.

"I am he," Jax claimed, just as smug and shook his hand.

"Bro!" Zayne came stumbling out of the house with his girlfriend – Sabina – trailing after him. He bro-hugged Dane and Sabina watched, looking slightly freaked out.

"They really do look the same," she murmured. "It's kind of freaky."

"You'll get used to it," I told her and laughed. "Don't worry about telling them apart. Zayne barely has any muscle compared to Dane now."

"Ha ha, so funny," Zayne said sarcastically.

"Oh, hi," Cassidy appeared and I wondered why we were all standing on the porch instead of going outside. "You left this hunk of hotness for my brother? You're crazy."

"He left me!" I exclaimed, defensive. "And I love Jax, okay? So, shh."

"I'm standing right here," Dane rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the compliment, by the way."

Jax hugged me from behind. "I need to put a ring on that finger before he changes his mind about leaving you."

I laughed and kissed Jax even though I knew he was kidding. He knew how much I loved him. And as hard it had been at the beginning for me to tell him so, he had been the only guy I had ever said those words to – as a boyfriend, that is.

"Ew, get a room," Cassidy rolled her eyes at us again.

"Grow up, Cass," Jax told her and she rolled her eyes again. "Your eyeballs are going to fall out one day."

"I hope they do so I don't have to see you guys kiss again," she mocked back.

"If they fall out then you can't check this hot chunk of hotness," Dane pointed out and everyone laughed.

"Point taken. Guess I'll keep them," she said simply.

"Kids! The food is ready!" my mom's voice travelled to us from inside, as did the beautiful aroma of the food.

I felt my stomach grumble as I turned to my friends. "Let's go eat!"

"You don't have to tell me twice." Dane laughed.