Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“I’m still waiting for your sister’s phone number. We’d be besties, I’m sure of it. Then she’d tell me all I need to know.”
“You probably would. Maybe I should give you her number. You might like her so much that you’d consider moving to Alabama. You’d love Lawton Ridge. Everyone knows everyone. Plus, you’d go crazy in Everleigh’s boutique.”
“I’m following her Facebook page,” she admits.
My eyes widen. “Really?”
“Oh yeah. When I googled her name, it popped up. I’ve already bought like five fall T-shirts online. And a coffee mug. And a candle. And a few bracelets. I’m kinda addicted.” She snorts, then lowers her voice. “I’m a lot addicted. Don’t tell Liam.”
“Damn. Didn’t realize you were so basic,” I mock, knowing damn well she’s the poster child.
She throws a pillow at me. “Basic?”
“Bet you’re counting down the days till pumpkin spice season,” I say. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Well…maybe. But who doesn’t love pumpkin spice!”
Tyler runs into the living room and giggles. We both look at him. “Mama funny.”
She picks him up, then tickles his tummy. “No, you’re funny.”
As Tyler’s laughter fills the living room, Liam returns. “There you are! Made you lunch, buddy.”
Liam takes him from Maddie’s arms, then carries him to the kitchen.
Once we’re alone, Maddie shoots me a death glare. “You’re not leaving this house until you tell me about Gemma.”
“What’re you gonna do? Keep me hostage?”
“I just might, Tyler Blackwood. Plus, I birthed a tiny human, so the very least you can do is appease me while I suffer with raw nipples and explosive diapers!”
“Ahh, Mads!” I put my palms to my ears as she doubles over with laughter.
I can hear Liam chatting with Tyler about dinosaur chicken nuggets and wish I could trade places with him right now.
“See, don’t you feel sorry for me? Now, give me all the details.” She pouts, sticking out her lower lip, and even though it’s pathetic, it works.
“She’s engaged, Mads. Getting married in only a few months,” I explain. “There’s nothing I can do about that but sit back and watch it all happen.”
With a huff, she crosses her arms. “Wrong! You can steal her away and go live up on a hill in your little Southern town and have a handful of babies. Preferably girls so when our kids grow up, they can get married.”
I snort. “Trust me when I say my life isn’t and won’t ever be like one of your Hallmark movies.”
“It could be if you weren’t so stubborn. Have you met her fiancé yet?”
I nod. “Unfortunately.”
“And how does she act around him? Are they all lovey-dovey with gross PDA or does she act like she can’t stand the sight of him?”
Maddie’s not going easy on me, but I know avoiding her questions isn’t an option, either. “She acts…awkward. I don’t know how to explain it. Uncomfortable might be a better way to describe it.”
She contemplates my words. “Regularly?”
I think back to the times I’ve seen Gemma around Robert and nod. “Yeah.”
Maddie taps her pointer finger on her lips. “I need your sister’s number now. Gonna get this shit figured out.”
“Detective Maddie to the rescue.” I roll my eyes. “Gemma’s too committed at this point to break it off. Even if she doesn’t love him—which is the conclusion Everleigh and I have drawn—Gemma’s very loyal.”
“Just like you,” she retorts. “When Sophie dated that psycho, she acted weird too. We’d invite her places, and she’d come up with excuses for why she couldn’t.
When we did hang out, I could tell my sister was in love with the idea of getting married, but that’s about it. Maybe it’s kinda the same thing.”
“It could be. Apparently, he’s jealous of me.”
She lets out a hearty laugh. “Of course, he is. Have you seen you?”
Before Maddie can say anything else, tiny cries come from the baby monitor. “Feeding time.” She gets up. “I’ll be right back.”
I’m grateful to have some silence to think about how Gemma acts around Robert.
She promised she’d tell me if something wasn’t right.
I just hope she stays true to her word. Liam explained what happened to Sophie and the guy she was engaged to, and how it ended tragically.
I refuse to allow that to happen to Gemma.
I’d go back to prison if Robert threatened her life because I would stop him.
Even if I can’t admit it to her, she means too much to me.
Liam returns with Tyler beside him. He’s more awake and talking a lot more. When he walks up to me, he has a fire truck in his hand. “Look!”
“Wow, that’s cool,” I say as he hands it over to me.
“People.” He points his little finger at the window, then shoves it in my face so I can see them inside.
“Oh wow. There are!”
Tyler giggles, and I can tell he’ll be just as outgoing as Maddie when he’s older. “I have more.” He runs off, and I can hear his feet pounding against the carpet.
“You’ve opened a can of worms now,” Liam warns me, sitting down next to me. “So how long are you here for?”
“Only a day. My flight leaves tomorrow afternoon.”
“Not long enough, but I’m so glad you’re here, man. I’ve missed you,” he admits.
“Yeah, me too. I’ve missed kicking your ass in the gym too,” I taunt.
“You wish! But I’m glad I re-joined. Just going before work three times a week has helped me gain some muscle. Need to lose this baby weight.” He chuckles, patting his six-pack.
“Proud of you,” I say, just as Maddie walks in holding Tobias.
“You wanna hold him?” she asks, stepping closer.
I can’t remember the last time I held a baby.
Maddie doesn’t really give me a choice, though, before she’s putting him in my arms. I cradle him as he stirs lightly and can’t help smiling at the little guy.
He has his entire life ahead of him, and I put a little wish up in the universe that the world is kinder to him than it was to me.
With parents like his, though, I have no doubt he’ll get the love and support he needs to thrive in life.
I watch Tobias with a grin, and when I look up, Maddie and Liam smile at us.
“Yep, now it’s your turn to have a few mini-yous,” she declares. “Make me an auntie.”
“Don’t get any ideas, Mads. It takes two people to make babies,” I say softly. “Not to mention, it helps if you’re dating or married.”
“Don’t tell her that. She’ll be setting you up on blind dates in Lawton Ridge. The power of the internet,” Liam says.
“Now that’s an idea!” Maddie beams. “Need to get you on a dating app, STAT.”
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore her, but it’s so damn hard when she’s steadily talking shit.
Tyler comes back with a bag full of trucks and smacks them down on my leg.
“Gotta be careful around your brother, sweetie. Don’t get too close.” Maddie walks over and places his toys on the couch next to me instead.
After a few more minutes, Maddie takes Tobias, and Tyler zeros in on me.
He climbs on the sofa and takes out each truck, stacking them on my legs until I’m covered.
It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and it makes me wish we lived closer.
I plan to visit more, though, especially since Maddie and Liam are determined to pop out kids every couple of years.
I’m so damn thankful Serena suggested I surprise them with a visit. For the rest of the afternoon, we hang out and catch up. I play with Tyler and keep him occupied so Maddie and Liam can tend to the baby.
When dinnertime comes around, I volunteer to cook.
Maddie demands I make Cajun chicken pasta, so I do.
Once we’re done eating and Tyler’s tucked into bed, Liam grabs a couple of beers, and we sit out on the patio until after the sun goes down.
We talk about old times, and I realize even more how much I’ve missed his company.
I go to bed with a smile on my face, which is a stark difference from only twenty-four hours ago.
The next morning, I wake up and make breakfast—biscuits, country gravy, sausage, and eggs. Maddie’s in love with it all and demands I stay, which sounds just like my sister.
After Liam and I clean the kitchen, I realize it’s almost time for me to go to the airport. Just mentioning I need to go has Maddie emotional. Once I’m packed, I give her a hug goodbye, and she squeezes me tight.
“You better come back and visit us!”
“I will,” I promise.
“And bring Gemma with you,” she adds when we break apart.
“Sure. I’ll make sure her fiancé comes too. It’ll be a big ole threesome,” I mock.
“We better get on the road,” Liam interrupts.
I give Tyler a high five, then Liam and I leave. There’s no traffic, so we arrive at the airport earlier than expected.
As I grab my bag from the back seat, Liam speaks up, “Our house is always open to you, Tyler. Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t. But hey, when Tobias is a little older, y’all come visit me so I can show you around. Wouldn’t suggest coming in the summer, though, unless you wanna have a heatstroke.” I chuckle at the memories of Liam telling me stories of Maddie being pregnant all summer and how miserable she was.
“Yeah, maybe someday. I’ll miss you, bro,” Liam tells me as I step out of his SUV.
“You too. We’ll keep in touch,” I vow, then walk inside.
Goodbyes are always the hardest, especially when I’m leaving people I love, which is probably why I try to avoid saying them.
Before I board, I text Everleigh and remind her when my flight lands.
While I hate to leave my friends in Sacramento, I’m happy to be going back to Lawton Ridge—a sentiment I never thought I’d feel.