Chapter 21 #2
“What if we made Callahan his middle name, so Cal wouldn’t be his nickname?” she suggested.
“I could live with that, but we’re left with the need for a first name.”
“Let me think about it.”
Adam put the baby clothes she’d taken out back in the box, and they got in bed, turning on their sides to face each other. “Are you going to be able to sleep between now and Saturday?”
“Probably not. Are you?”
“I doubt it. The only time I’ve ever been more amped was the day I came back to Gansett after selling my company in New York. I was beyond excited because I was going to finally be able to see you again.”
“A baby is more exciting than I’ll ever be.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Nothing will ever be more exciting than you are, but this comes pretty damned close.”
Smiling, she said, “Should we give him an A name like we both have?”
Adam curled his lip with distaste. “Do we really want to be that family?”
“What’s wrong with all of us having names that begin with A?”
“So many things. My brothers would be merciless.”
She rolled her eyes. “What about Adam McCarthy Junior?”
“That’s an A name, in case you think I’m not paying attention here. And I’d rather give him his own name.”
“Well, we definitely can’t have another Mac.”
“Hell no. There’re already far too many Mac McCarthys in this world.”
“What about Liam? I’ve always loved that name.”
Adam thought about that for a second. “I like it. Liam Callahan McCarthy? His initials would be LCM.”
She took a deep breath and let it out, tears flooding her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. “Liam Callahan McCarthy,” she whispered. “Our son’s name is Liam Callahan McCarthy.”
Adam moved closer to her, brought her into his arms and kissed away her tears. “No more tears. We’ve had enough of them to last a lifetime.”
“These are happy tears.”
“Well, those are certainly allowed.”
“I just want to say…”
“What do you want to say, sweetheart?”
“I’ll never have the words to tell you what it’s meant to me that you’ve treated my problem as if it were our problem.”
“It was—and is—our problem. You are not alone, Abby Callahan McCarthy. You will never be alone again. You will always have me—and Liam.”
“That’s all I need.”
Riley went straight from the ferry to Nikki’s. Twelve hours off the island away from her felt like an eternity, and he couldn’t wait to see her. He’d skipped going home to change out of the dress pants and button-down he’d worn to the funeral, because he was so eager to get to her.
He came to a skidding stop in the driveway and was out of the truck a second later, warmed by the light she’d left on for him.
Inside, he called for her, but she didn’t reply.
He went upstairs and heard the shower running.
Not wanting to scare her, he was about to knock on the bathroom door when her cell phone rang.
Checking the screen, he saw the name Davy and experienced the harsh sting of jealousy for the first time in his life. He felt ridiculous, knowing he didn’t need to be jealous of anyone. The phone stopped ringing and then immediately started up again with another call from Davy.
Riley took the phone with him, knocked loudly on the bathroom door and walked into the steam-filled room. “Just me. Not an ax murderer.”
She lit up with pleasure, while every cell in his body responded to the delicious sight of her naked body surrounded by steam. “Thank goodness it’s only you.”
Forcing himself to focus on something other than her sexy body, he said, “Somebody named Davy wants to talk to you. He called twice in the last ten seconds.”
Her face lost all expression.
“Who is he?”
“Zane’s manager.” She turned off the shower and took the towel he held for her, wrapping it around her.
Riley handed her the phone and noticed that her hands trembled ever so slightly as she returned Davy’s call.
“Hey, what’s up?” she said when he answered.
Riley thought about stepping out of the room to give her privacy, but something about the rigid way she held herself made him stay.
Nikki sat on the closed lid of the toilet when her legs seemed to go out from under her.
“How bad?” she asked, followed by, “When?” She dropped her head into her hand as she listened to what he was saying.
“I don’t have any way to get there. I’m on a freaking island, Davy.
” Looking up at Riley, she said, “What time is it?”
“Seven thirty.”
“Yes,” she said to Davy. “I can be ready by then. I’ll meet the plane at the airport.
” After another pause, she said, “You’re not the one who needs to apologize—for a lot of things.
I’ll see you soon.” She ended the call and sat perfectly still for a full minute before she looked up at Riley.
“Jordan and Zane had an altercation in a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina, where his band was performing. She’s in the hospital with a concussion and a broken arm. He’s in jail.”
“Oh my God, Nik. I’m so sorry.”
“She’s hysterical and asking for me, so Davy’s sending Zane’s plane for me. They’ll be here by ten.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You’re sweet to say so, but that’s okay. I know you have work, and your dad is getting married. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“Tomorrow’s Friday, so no big deal, and the wedding isn’t for two weeks yet. I’ll go with you, and I’ll worry about getting myself back here in time for work on Monday.”
“She won’t want you to see her if she’s a mess.”
He met her gaze straight on. “I’m not going for her.”
Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “I never should’ve left her. If I had stayed…”
“This still would’ve happened, Nikki. You said it yourself—they’re toxic together. Maybe this’ll be the time that she says enough.”
She looked up at him, her despair obvious. “I thought the sex tape would do it, so I’ve learned not to get my hopes up.”
Riley held out a hand to her. “Come on. Let’s get you dressed and packed, and then we’ll run by my place to grab some clothes. Everything will be okay. I promise.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I never do. We’ll get you to your sister, and that’ll make everything better for both of you.”