13JimmyLeave it to Harrison to change the dynamic of our lives. I don’t blame my mate for doing what his missus wants, to be honest I’d move heaven and earth to give Jenna everything she wanted, but a baby is another story. For whatever reason, we couldn’t have a second child. We tried a lot, which honestly is the best part, but there were a few miscarriages, a lot of tests, and a load of doctors saying there’s nothing wrong with either of us. Their answer was IVF, which basically means they take my swimmers in a cup and do what they have to do with them. But for Jenna, those drugs would’ve taken a toll on her both emotionally and physically. Even so, I would’ve held her hand, held her hair back when she was throwing up and given her the jabs. In the end, she decided not to go through with it. Jenna has always told me she’s happy with our life, just the three of us, but watching her tonight, I know she’s not being completely truthful with me.
My mates and I are hanging out in the kitchen with a clear view of the ladies as they go completely gaga over the newest member of our family. The house Josie rented for us is massive and is an open plan, which I’m not a fan of because I like walls. Walls mean I can hang our gold and platinum records, as well as our awards. They mean I can show off all the women in my life by displaying their photos, artwork, and the kindergarten finger painting Eden did for me. It’s of our tour bus, with her standing in front, holding my hand. At least, that’s what she told me when she gave it to me before we left on tour years ago. Still, this house rivals anything I’ve seen. Jenna kept saying there was a hot tub, but that’s an understatement. There’s an indoor pool with a grotto and a way to go outside and enjoy the freshly falling snow with your missus. It’s romantic as hell, but more importantly, each of the bedrooms are far away from each other, so when the mood strikes, and, let’s be honest, it’s going to strike, we’ll all have privacy.
Eden, Betty Paige, and Mack walk into the kitchen. They’re raiding the fridge and talking with each other, not caring that their fathers are all within hearing distance of them. I eye them for a minute, amused by the fact that Mack is here. He’s my focus right now and how he moves around Paige. Liam must be shitting his pants right about now.
“I don’t get it,” I say as soon as the kids leave. “Aren’t you worried about Mack and Paige?”
Liam pales and tips the can of beer he has in his hand. It’s from a local brewer called 14th Star Brewing Co. and was recommended by the bartender at the lodge. He hooked me on their beer, Valor, and I went out earlier today and bought as much as I could of all their products. What I really like about them, aside from the taste, is that two friends who served in the war started the company after one came up with the idea on the battlefield.
“What’s that?” Liam asks, even though I suspect he knows what I’m talking about.
“Mack.” Harrison clears his throat and looks at Liam while I lean forward. “Spill.”
Liam groans, takes a long drink from the can, and sets it back down onto the table. “You know, sometimes I wish I had put my foot down and told Ashford to take a hike. But I know deep down, if I had, I would’ve lost Noah. And likely Josie because we would’ve fought about Nick and Noah being in each other’s lives. Had Sam . . .” Liam trails off. The bane of our lives, well mostly Liam and Harrison’s, was Sam, our former manager. I never really gave her the time of day, other than needing a job from her. She mostly stayed out of my life and only meddled when Chelsea and I broke up. Even though Sam died years ago, it seems my mates are still dealing with her bullshit. Liam stands and goes to the fridge. He comes back with six more beers and hands two to each of us. We all open them at the same time and take a drink.
“The other night, I’m at the water tower, doing my thing.”
“You mean you had your own pity party?” Harrison asks. He’s smiling, but Liam isn’t. We all know Liam wishes we still lived in Beaumont with him and have begged him to move back to Los Angeles. Harrison and I get it. His life is there, but he’s built himself a nice life in L.A. too, and I know Katelyn and Jenna would be ecstatic to have Josie there.