I open the door and find Paige on her bed, with a book in her hand. I like seeing her like this, no phone, no laptop. “I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you and everything you’re doing for the show. Mostly, I want you to know that I love you.”
Paige beams. “I love you, too, Daddy.”
Josie peeks her head in. “I love you too.”
“But you don’t appreciate me because I didn’t load the dishwasher?”
I raise my eyebrow at her and Josie shakes her head.
“I appreciate you, even when you don’t do your chores.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
We bid her goodnight and shut the door.
In our room, Josie changes into a vintage 4225 West T-shirt. It won’t be on long, she knows this, and I think she secretly does this because she knows she’s driving me crazy. I palm my cock through my pants to show her what she’s started.
“Don’t tease me, Rockstar.”
“Teasing you is the last thing I would ever do.” I lock the door and turn on the sound system. “You have to be quiet.” I beckon her toward me. She saunters over, with her lower lip pulled between her teeth.
So dangerous.
So sexy.
And knows exactly how to get my thoughts off my father and put them where they need to be . . . on her.
EIGHTEEN
Josie’s throwing a party, which means I’ve spent the afternoon carrying furniture to a better location, putting it back, and then tomorrow I’ll put it back to where it originally was. I’ve also learned we have glasses, good glasses, and fancy glasses. I could’ve gone my entire life without this knowledge because now I have questions.
Why are we only using our good glasses for this party and not fancy?
Who qualifies for fancy?
How much did fancy glasses cost me?
What if someone shows up and my wife isn’t home? Do I use basic glasses?
Why are there so many rules?
The party is adults only, which I was excited for, and then was promptly slapped across the chest when my mind went to the gutter. Not that I’d share my wife with anyone or want anyone else—it was more so because she said adults only—and I’m a child. According to my wife.
My mom and Paige headed over to Noah and Peyton’s for the night. Talisa is bringing Mack and Amelie over as well. Bianca and Talisa are under strict, and I do mean strict, orders to alwayskeep Paige and Mack within sight. I was Mack’s age. I know what is going through that boy’s mind. And I also remember Josie when we were teens and I shudder at the thought when it comes to my daughter.
The reason for the party, Nick Ashford and Teagan Lowery. Same house, on purpose. And my job is to make sure they gravitate toward each other. This is where Josie says I need to use my Dr. Liam skills—actually she called me Dr. Phil but honestly, I prefer Dr. Ruth in this case—and make sure these two fall madly in love.
Or at least set a coffee date.
I did, sarcastically, suggest we turn the house out back into a sex room for the night. Josie slapped me for that lewd suggestion and then cussed me out since I offered the place to my mom and then slapped me again for being rude.
I wonder if I should call my hotline and ask myself if my wife’s abusing me?
This was my idea, after all. When Teagan walked into Ralph’s and we started talking, I figured her and Nick would be a good match. She’s new in town, has a boy on Nick’s football team, and is widowed. The only issue is, technically she’s Nick’s boss. Beaumont’s a small town though, and there’s overlap everywhere. Besides, if they fell madly in love, Nick could quit football.
He’d for sure thank me later.
Bex is the first to arrive. Josie greets her like they’ve been friends for years. She gives Bex a tour of the house, including my studio. They yammer on about me, mostly how moody and stubborn I am.
