“Oh my God!” I squeal, my eyes widening in excitement.
“Shut it.”
I hold back my laughter, but then fail and release it. “What else? Tell me more.”
“Nope, that’s all you get.”
Sticking out my lower lip, I give him my best pouty face. “That shit might work on Liam, but it doesn’t faze me.”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms. “Rude.”
Chuckling, he pushes off the car, then shuts the hood. “You need a new battery. I’ll run and grab one.”
“What, that’s it? How do you know?”
“Because I checked it when you were unloading groceries, but you also needed your filters replaced and an oil change.”
“Well, that’s good, right? That means no one messed with it?”
“Nope, just normal age and slacking on car maintenance.”
Whew.
I watch as Tyler packs up all his tools and supplies. “So…what’s Gemma look like?”
“I haven’t seen her in years.”
“Not even on social media?”
He shakes his head.
“You weren’t curious?”
“Curiosity killed the cat, Maddie.”
“Oh come on! Is she single? Have any kids? Does she still live in Lawton Ridge?”
“No idea…on all three.”
“Wow…you’re weird.”
He shrugs. “Guess so.”
Tyler opened up a little more today and gave me some personal details of his life, but I’m determined to crack him in half before he goes back home. I don’t know who hurt him or why he’s so private, but I have a feeling there’s a story behind it. And I want to hear it.
Chapter Eighteen
LIAM
I’ve been tracking this asshole for the past week between training, and the longer he takes me on this cat and mouse chase, the thinner my patience becomes. I have a lead to a house and watch it for hours, but I can’t see him clearly enough inside to merit barging in without a warrant. I don’t need one if I know without a doubt the fugitive’s in a residence, but this sneaky bastard hops from one place to the next.
After another failed attempt, I decide to try again in a couple of days. Tomorrow’s our Christmas party with everyone, and with the fight on our minds, it’s been tense around the house. I’d like just one day when we can forget and have fun together.
“Hi, baby.” I wrap my arms around Maddie as soon as I see her standing in the kitchen with Tyler. They’re laughing, and I notice Tyler’s face is covered in grease. “What’s going on?”
I move around her and grab a beer from the fridge.
“Tyler taught me how to change the oil in my car,” Maddie states, and Tyler snorts into his drink.
Narrowing my eyes at both of them, I watch them. “Oh, really? I find that unbelievable.” I laugh when Maddie throws me a scowl.
“Excuse you, I could very well learn how to do that sort of stuff…if I wanted.”
I smile as I take a sip. “And did you?”
“Well, technically…no. I watched and handed him tools.”
Smirking, Tyler shakes his head when Maddie isn’t looking. But damn she looks so proud. “Awesome, job, babe. Next, have him teach you how to change a tire.”
“Uhh…that sounds out of the realm of things I can do, so how about you just always be available to come rescue me if I need it.” She wraps her arms around my neck and smiles up at me. “What’s the purpose of having a big, strong man if I can’t have him changing tires for me?”
Chuckling, I nod. “It’d be my honor to always be around to rescue you.” I flash her a wink, and Tyler groans.
“And that’s my cue.”
“Oh, c’mon, Beanstalk. I was just going to tell Liam all about our little chat today.” She beams at him, but Tyler shakes his head, takes another sip, then leaves the kitchen.
“Why do you tease him?”
“I never had any brothers growing up,” she explains. “This is my chance.”
I laugh, bringing her lips to mine for a soft kiss.
“I got him to admit there’s a girl back home,” she tells me. “Eventually, I’ll crack him and get the whole story.”
“You’re relentless.”
“That’s why you love me,” she quips.
The following night, Hunter, Lennon, and the kids come over, and together, we put up the tree and decorate the house. Part of it feels foreign, a tradition I never got to have as a kid growing up, but it makes me appreciate it even more. Sophie cranks Christmas music while Lennon sings and Maddie hangs lights and garland. We give Tyler the honors of putting the star on top since he’s the tallest, and it’s the first year with all of us together. Hell, it might be the last too.
Now that Mason and Sophie are married, I suspect they’ll be looking for a house of their own soon. It’s hard for me to think about the future, though I want one with Maddie more than anything. Until after the fight, we’re living in limbo, but soon, my debt with the O’Learys will officially be paid off; at least I hope for good this time.
The girls made us watch a Christmas movie after we ate dinner. It was more fun than I thought it’d be, but the girls really know how to put together a feast. Then as we ate, Sophie suggested we all share a favorite holiday memory. We all died laughing as Sophie and Lennon shared memories from their childhood. Most revolved around making Maddie believe Santa walked around the house, leaving cookie crumbs on the floor. They even put reindeer poop tracks outside for her to find too. Being the youngest, she got the brunt of their pranks, which Maddie didn’t find hilarious at all.
“You look really beautiful,” I whisper in Maddie’s ear as she sits on my lap. The sparkly red dress hugs her like a second skin.
“I wore it for you,” she leans back and murmurs. “Even if you can’t tear it off later.”
Fuck if I don’t wish I could.
“Trust me, I would in a heartbeat,” I tell her.
I’m dying to touch her. To give in to our desires and make her my Christmas meal, but the pent-up tension and aggression is helping me in the ring during training, so I can’t risk getting weak now. There are only ten days left until the fight, and I plan to make every day of training count.
After the movie, Sophie announces it’s time to exchange gifts. We did a secret Santa with the girls and guys separate, and I got Hunter’s name. Knowing he’s an Aaron Rodgers fan, I managed to outbid a person online for a signed jersey and football. Then of course I got Maddie something, but it’s nothing compared to what I really want to give her. I love her, but I also don’t want to rush anything before we’re truly ready, so I kept it simple.
“Dude, yes!” Hunter shouts when he opens his present. “This will get passed onto my son and his son and then his son’s son…for generations, man.” He’s so happy, and I can’t help but laugh.
“That’s going on my mantel, isn’t it?” Lennon deadpans, then shoots me a playful glare.
I throw my hands up and shrug. “You knew what you were getting into when you married him. Plus, it’s better than the Playboy centerfold blowup poster I was going to buy.”