Chapter 9
Liam’slaughterfilledthe living room. I swirled my drink around in the glass and waited, but he almost laughed himself out of his chair. He made no attempt to stop, even when he started wheezing.
“If you have an asthma attack right now, Liam, I’m not going to do anything about it,” I warned.
He wiped the wetness from his cheeks with the back of his hands. “I’m sorry. I just can’t. How I wish I’d been here to see the look on Maggie’s face. If Kit were here, I’d give him a big kiss.”
“Don’t go encouraging him.” I scowled and took a sip of my drink. “Kit is impulsive, and we could have avoided this whole thing hadn’t he retaliated like a little kid.”
“But you have to admit, though, Sully. He does act like a kid. A big one.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“So what are you going to do about Maggie?”
“I got her back.” I sighed and drained the glass. “Told her it was a big understanding and Kit didn’t realize she’d already done the laundry. I don’t think she bought it, but I offered her a raise and the rest of the week off with pay. She’ll be back on Monday.”
“What’s her problem with Kit, anyway? Does he leave a mess? Giving her extra work to do?”
“He’s not messy. Beats me why Maggie has a problem with him. I want to talk to her about it, but I promised Kit I wouldn’t interfere. He wants to handle it himself.”
“What if you have to choose?” I directed a long stare his way. “I suppose you’re right. Kit’s bags will be on the curb.”
“Fuck you, Liam. It’s bad enough with him dealing with Maggie, okay? Lay off him a little.”
“But it’s how I show my affection. The harder I rib him, the harder I love him.”
“If you just came here to bug me, you can see yourself out. Otherwise, help me figure out a way to make him feel more comfortable here.”
Liam waved his arm around the living room. “More comfortable than this? He’s living in the lap of luxury. What’s there to complain about?”
“He says the way Maggie’s treating him makes him feel like a booty call who should be gone by morning. I can’t help feeling it’s not just Maggie. Maybe I contribute to that as well. He can go wherever he wants to in my house.” Except my office. Did I really need to keep him out of that room anymore? He already knew what we truly did for a living.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’ll give him access to the entire house.”
“But that would mean your office.”
“Yeah.”
“Why not just allow him to redecorate or something? That’s less drastic, and he’ll be happy spending your money.”
“That’s actually not a bad idea.” I glanced around the living room. A professional designer had decorated it. Maybe if Kit could pick a few things he liked—some knick knacks or a new table—then he would feel more at home.
“Yeah, I’m usually full of them.”
“You’re full of something, all right.”
Liam laughed. His phone chimed, and he dug into his pocket. He looked at the screen but didn’t answer.
“Aren’t you going to take that?” I asked.
“Yeah. Just excuse me for a minute.”
He got up from the couch and walked out. I stared after him. Since when did Liam need privacy away from me to answer a call? He’d looked almost reluctant to answer it in my presence.
I’m surprised you’re not asking me if I had anything to do with these.