Page 34 of All Tied Down

ROAN: It’s better this way.

ROAN: Everyone find something to do that’s not giving me more work

COLT: Yes daddy

Roan Ellis has left the chat.

COLT: He’s so easy

GARRETT: Do not make him quit on me

COLT: He won’t he loves us too much

Roan Ellis has joined the chat.

ROAN: Not a fucking word from either of you

And because I need to get back in Roan’s good graces, I keep the rest of my comments to myself.

For now.

I can’t remember the last time Roan was so fired up. I know I’ve added work to his plate with Emerson and Darren, but this feels like more than just work.

But any investigating into why my best friend is strung tighter than a guitar will have to wait. Because the music is calling to me, and even if I can’t write a song about her exactly, there’s no shortage of inspiration from being in her orbit.

So I let my mind wander, teasing the strings of my guitar as I work out the chords and fall a little more in love with this arrangement.

A little more with her.

14

EMERSON

“We’ll leave early tomorrow so you can get back for gymnastics, and then I’m just waiting on Des to confirm one meeting the next day but that should be the only thing I need you for.”

“He’s going to message me about the meeting, but I’ll be here tomorrow at six.”

“Good night, Nico.” I smile as he closes the back door and dips his head.

“Good night and thank you, Miss Andrews.”

“Nico, when we’re here, I’m just Emerson.” Pausing, I add, “Really unless we’re somewhere I’m trying to make a point, I’m always just Emerson.”

“Sure.”His lips twitch like he’s not convinced, and that’s okay because it’s only our first real day together.

Throwing him a wink, I head up the walkway toward the front door and sigh as I turn the knob. Laughter and the smell of takeout hits me as I step over the threshold and into the house, and all I can think is why is my husband so damn social when I need a little bit of relief?

Or a lot.

“Honey, I’m home,” I singsong, my heels clicking across the wood floors as three pairs of male eyes swing my way.

Colt’s are familiar.

Roan’s are slightly less professional than usual.

And Garrett’s flash with blatant interest as they travel up and down my body.

Perfect.