“Okay, babe.” I take a moment and nuzzle into her neck.
“I love you. Thank you for pushing me to do this. You’ll love Noah, he’s an amazing kid.”
Aubrey turns and captures my lips, pulling away all too soon. “I can’t wait.”
Josie is piling napkins and gathering the bowls when I come back in. “What are you doing?”
“Helping,” she says sheepishly. Liam shakes his head and takes the offered beer out of my hands.
“She does this all the time.”
“Some things never change.” My comment causes Liam to laugh. I join in when Josie shoots him a death stare. It’s easy to see why they are meant to be together.
“Can I ask how Noah’s doing?”
Aubrey comes in with a tray full of different cookies and slices of cake. She wanted to cook, be a hostess since they were coming over here, but with Josie bringing dinner she opted for the next best thing, even though they are store bought. It’s the thought that counts, right? She sets the tray down and Liam reaches for a piece of cake while Josie takes her cup of coffee.
She lets it warm her hands before taking a sip before answering. “He’s doing well. School is school. I don’t think boys like school in general and he has a new friend that he hangs out with a lot who doesn’t play football so that’s nice,” Josie says with so much pride. I miss that. I miss being able to brag about him.
“And are you guys together?” I ask, pointing to the both of them. Josie looks shocked when I ask, but I’m trying to be friendly. I honestly don’t care and could ask anyone around town, but they’re here.
“We are.” It’s Liam who answers. He’s once again playing with her ring.
“Getting married soon?” I’m not bitter. She’s been my friend for a long time. I care about her.
Josie looks over at Liam and it makes me wonder if she’s doing the same thing to him that she’s done to me. Avoidance. She’s very good at it.
“Maybe next summer. We really haven’t talked about setting a date and with the tour, things get crazy.”
“Yeah I bet.” I take a swig of my beer, as does Liam while Josie looks down at her cup of coffee.
“So Liam, Nick tells me that you’re the lead singer of 4225 West.”
Liam’s face deadpans. He probably thought he was making it through dinner without talking about his alter ego.
“I am. Are you a fan?”
“No, not really. I’ve heard a few of your songs though.” I try not to choke on my beer. Liam starts laughing, as does Josie. Aubrey sits there, perfect as a peach.
“Well I have to say, it’s nice that I didn’t walk into a fan-fest. When Josie told me we were coming over here I just about freaked out. When I’m here I like being just Westbury, dad to Noah and Josie’s rocker, but some people don’t see it like that and bombard me all the time with merchandise to sign with promises to not sell it, only for it to end up on some auction site.”
“Oh no, I don’t need your autograph.”
“Thank you.” For the first time since Liam’s been here his smile is genuine. Maybe there is hope for us to get along and be friends.
“How are Katelyn and the girls? I really miss them.”
Liam sighs and shakes his head. Josie looks sad. My heart breaks for the Powell’s.
“Katelyn is doing okay. She’s managing and working for the band. Elle is doing fairly well actually, but Peyton, she has trouble sometimes,” Josie says, holding in her emotions. I know her heart breaks for her best friend. I’ll never forget that night when everything changed.
“That’s expected. Are the girls talking to anyone?”
Liam shakes his head.
“Well, maybe now that I’m back, I can start seeing them and help them figure some stuff out.”
“That’d be nice, Nick. You should let her know.”