Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“I appreciate it.” He walks toward the hall and disappears down it. The sound of a door opening travels the short distance and closes right after.
I look at Mack, still grinning at me as he reaches for my nose, giggling when he runs his tiny fingers over my unshaven face. I rub my chin. “Yeah, I know. I need to shave.” Slipping down to the floor, I put Mack on his tummy beside his sister. “Maybe you two can help me out. I need some advice.” Posey looks at me, her dimples revealed when she smiles.
They have the cutest kids that ever existed. No surprise since the Faris genes held strong.
Poppy comes into the living room with a baby on each hip. “Hey,” she greets me with a smile as she passes.
I sit up from the couch and click the game off. “Hey. I didn’t hear them cry.”
“They weren’t. I was up, so I checked in on them.” She laughs. “They were in their cribs but playing with each other across the room. Making faces. Humming. Happy.”
Getting up, I go into the kitchen and take Posey while she sets Mack in his highchair and fastens him in. She reaches for Posey and latches her in next to him. “They’re hungry when they get up from a nap.”
“I am, too, so I get it.”
Her ponytail swings when she laughs. “There’s food in the fridge if you want something.”
I stretch, feeling bent after lounging on the couch for so long. “No, I’m going to take off. There are a few things I need to do.”
“Thanks for staying. That was sweet, Shane.”
Leaning against the marble island, I say, “You guys have been through a lot, but if you ever need anyone or need help, you can call me.”
“I appreciate that.” She pauses while she adjusts the kids. “I can’t imagine a better life. Truly. I feel like I’m living in a dream all because Laird gave me the opposite of what I grew up with. Love and being actively present in my and the babies’ lives. He wants to spend time with me . . .” She runs a finger under Mack’s chin, then tickles Posey. They are more than happy to hit the trays with their fists from excitement. “I love the twins more than anything. They keep me busy and tired, so my alone time with Laird is limited. It helps that the band isn’t on the road this summer. Not all summer, that is.”
Nikki and Tulsa went through something similar. I probably won’t be unique when I have a family one day. “I know it’s not easy to trust others when fame and money are involved, but I mean it. If you need a night out or a nap, let me know, and I’ll be here.”
She pulls their food out and lifts the lid. “You really mean that, don’t you?” Sitting on a stool between them, she glances at me before feeding them.
“Of course.”
“Can I ask you something personal?”
Poppy has a way of digging deep with me but making me feel . . . Safe? I can talk to her and know I won’t get shit for it. “Sure.”
“What happened to the girl we talked about when we were in Austin?” She’s let that conversation slide for almost a year, though I’m sure she’s been curious. Or maybe my becoming an utter asshole on the road once we got back gave her all the information she needed to know.
Do I tell her the story? Too much to share when I’m about to walk out the door. “My life blew up after that.”
She stops with a spoonful of mush in front of Mack’s mouth and looks at me. “It blew up, or you detonated the bomb?” When I don’t answer right away, she feeds the babies, and says, “Ah. I see.”
Pushing off the counter, I need to get going, but I don’t rush. Not yet. I have the strongest urge to confide in her. Taking a breath, I stop myself, but having someone to talk to about the situation with Cat would be nice. A woman’s perspective would be even better. I could speak to Nikki, but she has no patience for antics when it comes to relationships. How she ended up with Tulsa is still a mystery.
Guess they balance each other out.
Poppy says, “You’ve always supported our family. You were at the hospital when I thought things were going wrong with my pregnancy. You showed up without Laird even asking.” Holding her hand to her chest, she takes a staggered breath. “That will always mean so much to me, Shane.”
“I’m glad everything turned out okay.”
“Me too. As for you, please let us be there for you when you need someone to talk to, or to listen. Though with me, you know I tend to give my opinion without being asked.”