Aubrey sets her fork down and holds her napkin got her mouth while she swallows her food. “Nothing yet.”
Josie’s eyes go wide and I know what she’s thinking.
Aubrey waves her hands in the air. “Oh no, don’t think anything bad. This is my first time in the US. Nick wanted me to get to know Beaumont before I find a job.” She looks over at me and smiles. She’s right. She doesn’t need to work.
“Well if you find yourself bored, I’m hiring.”
“What happened to Jenna?”
Josie looks at me. “Jenna is still there, but the shop is busy.”
“Thanks for the offer, Josie, I’ll consider it.” That answer seems to be enough for Josie, she nods and continues to eat. Aubrey looks at me, her eyebrows go up, her silent way to telling me to ask the question that brings us all together, but I can’t seem to find my tongue.
I shake my head and continue to eat refusing to make eye contact with her or anyone else at the table.
Liam and I help ourselves to seconds, as the ladies chat about everything from fashion to the latest movies. They seem to be getting along great and that means a lot to me. I’d like for Aubrey to have some friends here and it’s not that I’d expect an invite to Katelyn’s for Sunday football, but it would be nice to have my friends back.
Liam sets his fork now and clears his throat. He rests his hands on the table and folds them. I don’t know what’s about to happen, but I have a feeling I’m not going to like it. The Liam I know from high school wasn’t reasonable and he has no reason to be now.
He’s about to rip my heart out of my chest and there isn’t shit I can do about it.
Chapter 9
I resign myself to accepting the worse. If I was in Liam’s shoes I wouldn’t want my son to have anything to do with his mother’s ex. I should never have asked. I should’ve just waited until I saw him again and asked how he’s doing just like any other doctor would do and forget the countless hours I’ve spent with him. After tonight all I’m going to have is memories.
My hands clench under the table when Liam looks at me.
“When I came back, I wasn’t planning on staying. I had a life away from here and as much as I wanted to see Josie, I wasn’t going to interrupt her life, but then I saw Noah and I knew there was no way I was letting him go.”
Liam picks up Josie’s hand and kisses it. There’s no denying the love they have for each other.
“If it was up to me, you’d never see Noah again. I’m that selfish of a man when it comes to him. I’ve missed so much time with him. I don’t want to share. Everything you did – the bumps and bruises, the colds, the coaching – those are all things that I imagined doing one day. I’m not saying this is your fault. I’m thankful that Noah had you and that you were man enough to step up and play dad for a child that wasn’t your
s because not too many men will do that, especially considering the history between us. But this isn’t up to me.” He moves the ring on Josie’s finger back and forth. She nods at him and mouths that she loves him.
Liam takes a deep breath. “Noah wants to see you. Most importantly, he wants you to coach his football and baseball teams. He didn’t like his coach this year. In fact, I think the only one who did is Candy Appleton.”
I can’t hide my smile. Aubrey claps her hands before throwing them around my neck and giving me a kiss.
“I can see him?” the emotion is thick in my voice as I look at Liam, not Josie, for confirmation.
“I’m not going to deny my son because that would be wrong. You’ve been a part of his life for a long time and he has the right to continue a relationship with you if that’s what he wants. But know this, Ashford, if you hurt my son again by disappearing for a year without a word, I’ll hunt you down and make you pay. Am I clear?” This is the first time Liam looks at me. His gaze is deadly and I have no doubt he’d follow through with his threat. I know I screwed up and plan to do whatever Noah asks to make it up to him.
“Crystal.” I say because other words escape me. I can’t believe Liam just said I could see Noah and not just see him, but coach him as well. “Thank you,” my voice cracks as I fight back the tears. I told myself I wouldn’t cry, especially in front of Liam. I can’t show him any weakness that he may want to exploit later.
Aubrey stands and pulls me into her arms. “I told you he’d be reasonable,” she whispers in my ear. I pull her to me, burying my face in her neck and let out a long, ragged breath that I didn’t know I was holding. I let her go all too soon, remembering our guests. She kisses me lightly on the cheek before turning back to Liam and Josie.
“Do you guys have time for coffee and dessert?”
Josie looks at Liam, he nods, which I know makes Aubrey’s heart soar.
“Do you really want coffee, Westbury, or another beer?” I try the friendliness tactic knowing it’s a stretch.
Liam cracks a smile and shakes his head. “Beer.”
“Coming right up.” I gather up our plates and carry them to the kitchen. Aubrey is busy preparing dessert and coffee.
“Just you and Josie on the coffee.”