Josephine Rivers comes around the corner with three unfamiliar men hot on her heels. An impish grin is spread wide across the lined face I love so well, and my hands fly up to cover my shock. She claps her hands. “So, who’s ready for dicks and drinks?”
“Grandma Jo!” I shout with a laugh. “What are you doing here? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were coming!”
Even after everything went down with Rhett, we’ve kept in touch. She’s like a grandmother to me, and she never made me feel bad about following my dreams. Deep down, I think she knew I did what I had to do, but I sure hope Rhett didn’t tell her what happened at the bar. Not much gets by Josie where her grandsons are concerned. “I’m so excited you’re here!”
The older woman holds open her arms for a hug. “Did you really think I was going to miss out on Penisesand Piña Coladas or whatever this thing is called?” Her lips quirk. “Besides, I had to see you with my own eyes. Hard to believe the girl I keep hearing on the radio singing her heart out is the same one who used to make up tunes while baking chocolate chip cookies in my kitchen.”
I chuckle. “I’m still that girl.”
Easing back, she takes a good look at me. “Just so you know, you’ll always be like a granddaughter, no matter who you’ve decided to marry. Besides… Cocks and Cocktails?” She throws her head back, laughing. “How could I resistthattemptation?”
Sage holds a few fingers to her lips, trying to contain her laughter. “I told you, Josie, it’s called Men and Margaritas.”
Rhett’s grandmother puts her hand to her chest in mock disbelief. “So, there’s no full frontal?”
The guy standing right next to her whips off his breakaway stripper pants, and my mother lets out a shriek.
“Oh, that’s a lot of man meat for the living room.”
I bring a hand up to cover my quickly reddening face. Nothing Josie says would ever surprise me.
“Okay, ladies.” One of the guys catches our attention. “Where do you want us to set up?”
“Behind me, preferably,” Josie quips, giving them acheeky grin. “How’s your grip, young man? It’s been an age since I had a good hair pullin’.”
Twenty minutes later, the crew of women assembled have drinks in hand, and well, the peens are out, too. I glance over at the canvas in front of Sage, then Josie’s as she artfully sketches the model posed on a stool in front of us. I shake my head, my cheeks heating, and take another sip of my drink. Josie’s drawn the girthiest cock I’ve ever seen in my life. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up out of me.
I’ve only barely contained my amusement when my mother comes in with another pitcher and refills our drinks. “Noah, we’re definitely dress shopping while you’re home, right?”
“Yep. Sage booked an appointment for tomorrow at eleven. Josie, are you comin’?”
“I would’ve tanned your hide if you’d gone without me.” Josie’s lips twitch. “I want to be present the first time my showgirl slips into a wedding dress.”
I flash her a genuine smile as my phone vibrates.Again. That makes three times in five minutes. I know who it is and there’s no way I’m calling back like Bradley’s demanding. I already responded to his insistent messages. There’s nothing I can say or do to make him happy.
Before I realize what she’s doing, Sage leans over,almost toppling from her chair as she snatches up my phone. “Ooh! It’s lover boy!”
I give everyone a sheepish smile, taking the phone from her.
“Answer that man, then get your sweet peach back in here, Noah Lane!” Grandma Jo, unlike Sage, can hold her liquor.
I shoot her a grin over my shoulder. “Yes ma’am. Be right back.” Shuffling quickly down the hall to the bathroom, I shut myself in, then take a seat on the long counter to one side of the sink. Several minutes go by, but all I do is stare at the phone in my hand.
Answer the fucking phone, Noah.
Who do you think you are, ignoring me?
Don’t forget who made you.
Stop being such a whore and call me back.
Answer me or I’m coming out there.
What iswrongwith him? This is unhinged, even for Bradley.I’ve desperately needed this time to myself, and he can’t even let me have a weekend with my family and friends. To get him off my back, I tap out a quick message.
I’m with my mom.
I’ll call you tonight.
