“And Mack? How does he feel?”
“He’s hurt. Sad. Angry with his mother that she won’t reconsider. He doesn’t want to leave Beaumont. I think back to when I tried to do this to Noah, right after you came back, and Josie was adamant they stay. She was right. I want to think I’m making the right decision, putting my son’s future before my happiness . . . before my wife’s.”
I’m quiet for a minute, thinking of how to say what I’m about to, without sounding like a complete ass. “Do you think it’s easier to decide to stay here with Mack because things are over between you and Aubrey?”
“As much as I hate to say it, Liam. I think you’re right. Aubrey hasn’t been happy for a long time, and I’ve ignored it. Hell, we don’t even sleep in the same room. Most nights, I fall asleep on the couch before going to sleep in the den.”
“Is there anything Josie and I can do for you and Mack?” It’s another question I regret but ask because of our family ties.
Nick nods. “I feel like I need to go with Aubrey and make sure Amelia is settled. I don’t want to wonder if where they’re living is safe. Do you think Mack could stay with you while I do this?”
“Yes, of course,” I tell him. Some logistics have to be worked out, like where I’m going to lock Betty Paige away, but that’s just semantics. “When will you leave?”
“Aubrey wants to leave when the kids release for winter break. I know you’re leaving early. I’ll wait until after Christmas.”
I shake my head. “Mack can spend Christmas with us. I think Noah would really like that. I know Paige would.”
“Are you sure, Liam? I know I have no right asking you to help us.”
He has every right. He raised my son for me.
“We’re family, Nick. As much as I hate it, my son looks at you as a dad. I’ll never ask him to stop.” I place my hand on Nick’s back. “Are you sure Mack is okay with missing Christmas with you, Aubrey, and Amelia?”
“He already knows his mom and sister are leaving and wouldn’t be here. I think spending the vacation with your family will be a good thing for my son.”
“Okay, then.” I tell him when we plan to leave and that I’ll make sure all Mack’s arrangements are handled so he doesn’t have one more thing to worry about. I also tell Nick to get the address of the place we’re staying from Josie so he can send Mack’s presents there.
We stay for another hour, not really talking about anything. I stick to my limit of three beers and end up driving Nick home. He could’ve driven, but the risk isn’t worth it. By the time I get home, my wife is curled up on the couch with a blanket over her legs, and our daughter is up in her room, hopefully asleep. However, I’m guessing she’s texting with Mack.
Josie smiles when she sees me and sets her book off to the side. I sit down and she puts her legs on my lap, making it easy for me to nestle into her neck. “I love you, JoJo.”
“I love you too. Is everything okay?”
I nod against her neck and place a few kisses there. Ever since I met Josie Preston, I have never loved another, and I can’t imagine not having her in my life. After a long moment, I finally sit up and look at my wife. She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
“Mack is coming with us.”
“Yeah, I know. I talked to Nick earlier.”
I shake my head and look deep into her eyes. “He’s spending Christmas with us.”
“What? Why?”
“Nick found me at the tower. He told me you called. We started talking, and he said that Aubrey is taking Amelia to South Africa. They’re moving at the end of the week.”
“What?” Josie chokes out.
“Nick said it’s been a long time coming. Aubrey wants to go home, but Mack is doing really well at BHS, and he doesn’t want to take him away from any opportunities. They’re not happy.” I pause to kiss Josie. When I pull away, I rub my hand through my hair. “Nick wants to make sure Amelia gets settled. He wants to check out the area Aubrey is moving to and asked if Mack could stay with us.”
“And you said yes?”
I nod. “Of course I did. I may not want an Ashford dating my daughter, but I’m man enough to put my issues aside. As much as I hate admitting this, Nick was there for Noah when I wasn’t. Nick needs some help, and he came to me which I’m sure it took a lot for him to do. I’m not going to be a jerk about things. Besides, if Noah ends up with us, he’ll want Mack there too.”
“And Paige will be happy.”
I groan and bury my face once again. “I need to lock her up.”
Josie pushes on my shoulder and slightly turns so she can look at me. “What if they’re soulmates? What if they’re just like us?”
“Then, I hope they communicate and don’t make the same mistakes I did.”
“Liam, we both made mistakes. We were eighteen. I thought I was doing what you wanted.”
“Which is exactly what I don’t want Paige or even Mack to do. If these two are meant to be together, they need to each follow their own path until they can forge one together. I don’t want Paige to give up a future to follow Mack or vice versa. And I definitely don’t want her to come home pregnant, without him by her side—still to this day, that haunts me. Learning what you went through because I couldn’t communicate my feelings to you—I’ll never forgive myself. I don’t want that for Paige or Mack. We’ve been there, JoJo.”
She cups my cheek with her hand. “You’re a good man, Liam Page. And a damn good father. I’m very proud of you right now.”
I smile and tilt my head enough to kiss her palm. “I’m still going to put the fear of God into that young man though, because he and Paige are about the same age when we started having sex. I’ll be six feet below the ground before he touches my baby.”
Josie laughs. “Ah, there’s my husband. I was wondering where he went.”
“He took a trip down memory lane, and do you want to know what he found?”
“What?” she asks.
“You.” I press my lips to hers and pull the blanket over us. The last thing we need is for the young, impressionable eyes of Betty Paige to see what I’m about to do her mother.
6
Josie
From the moment I turned on the lights for Whimsicality, people have come in, buying up all the holiday flowers I have. It seems Liam told “someone” we were heading out of town for the holidays, and that “someone” spread the news. Next thing I know, people are under the impression I’m closing for the rest of the year and are scrambling to get their flowers and centerpieces ordered and picked up before I lock up. I don’t know how many times I had to say the shop would still be open before people started believing me. I’m not complaining, but I can’t recall a time when I’ve been slammed from the moment I arrived at work.
I finally get a chance to sit down. Trudy brings me a sandwich and a bottle of water. She sets it on the counter, which causes me to jump up and knock the plate.
“Sorry,” she says, unaware she hasn’t done anything wrong.
“No, it’s fine. There’s a piece of paper here I want to save.” I hold up the order form and look at Mason’s faded penmanship. It’s been so long since I’ve thought about him. There was a time when all I ever did was think about Mason, the impact he had on my life and Noah’s, and how Mason’s death changed everything. I hate thinking of how Mason isn’t with us but can’t imagine my life being any different than it is now.
Carefully, I set the piece of paper between two books and leave myself a note to get a frame for it when I return from vacation. I want to save it. I want to remember the young, vivacious man he was when he came in to order Katelyn flowers.
“Something important?” Trudy asks. I forgot she was standing here.
“Sort of, it’s more of a memento. Do you remember my daughter-in-law, Peyton?”
“Yes, she’s such a lovely young woman.”
I nod. “She is. When she was five, her father died in a car accident. I had known him most of my
life. He and my husband were best friends, and of course, his wife Katelyn is my best friend,” I pause and glance toward the books where I put the paper. “He used to come in and order flowers for Katelyn all the time. They didn’t have much money, but he wanted her to have a new bouquet to start her week.”
“Memories are a funny thing,” Trudy says. “Sometimes, they make us feel warm and gushy, and other times they send us down a path we sometimes don’t want to go down.”
“And sometimes memory lane isn’t the best place to be. Mason’s death changed us all.”
“How so?”
The story of Liam and I is something I haven’t told Trudy. I never saw any reason to. It’s been so long and it’s not really a big deal anymore that he’s back. I sigh and smile. “Liam and I had a rough patch for about ten years. He came home when Mason died, and we found our way back to each other.”
Trudy places her hand on my arm and gives me a little squeeze. “Sounds like the perfect love story.”
Her statement makes me chuckle. “Oh, it’s a love story,” I say. “Not sure if it’s perfect, but we love each other and have since we were teens.”
“I’ve seen the way Liam looks at you. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”
Trudy leaves me to my thoughts, and to be honest, I’m not sure I want to be alone with them. Thankfully, the bell that hangs above the door dings, letting me know someone is here. I take a quick bite of my sandwich and wash it down with some water. Once I’m presentable, I step out from behind the curtains.
“Hi, can I . . . Aubrey, hi.” My words stumble. By the look on her face, she knows I’m aware of what’s going on with her and Nick. “Hi,” I say again.
“I guess you know.”
I nod. “Just from what Liam said.”
Aubrey scoffs. “I can’t believe of all the people he could have told, Nick told Liam.”
You’re telling me. “Sometimes, people just need someone to talk to.”
Aubrey walks around and touches a few of the plants. “You know, I honestly thought he’d run right to you.”
“I don’t see why he would.”
“Because you’re the one that got away.”
“Aubrey, I’m sure Nick is way past the relationship we had. We’re friends and really only because of Noah.”
She turns and looks at me. Her eyes are red and bloodshot. It bothers me she thinks I’m anything more to Nick than a friend. I mean it when I say the only reason we talk is because of Noah. I know Liam would prefer Nick to be a nonexistent factor in our lives. At least, until last night, he felt that way.
“My husband—well soon to be ex—won’t leave Beaumont. I hate it here. It’s boring and mundane. I want an adventure, freedom.”
“Aubrey, you should really discuss all of this with Nick. I’m sure if he knew how you felt—”
“He knows. He won’t leave. Won’t let Mack leave.”
“Mack’s in high school. Moving is hard on kids.”
“That’s what Nick says, but I moved a lot when I was younger. My mother homeschooled me. Taught me what it’s like not to have a care in the world. I never had a cell phone or gaming console. I played in the dirt, read books, and helped women tend to their children. I think I turned out pretty well.”
Yes, except you’re trying to uproot your family because you’re bored.
“Nick just wants the best for the kids, Aubrey.”
“How do you know? Did he tell you?”
I shake my head and realize I need to keep my mouth shut. I can really only assume according to the time I spent with him and how he was with Noah. According to my son, Nick is a great father to Mack and Amelia, but the only family thing we do is go to Noah’s football games. I’m about to excuse myself when I see Nick coming toward the shop. Under any other circumstances, I’d be pleased to see him, but not now. Aubrey sees him and then turns to me.
“Right, just friends.” She pushes the door open, and within seconds her finger is in his face. I know I shouldn’t watch, but I can’t turn away. Nick stands there stoically. Aubrey’s voice rises, and I can almost make out what she’s saying. It’s now that I busy myself because Nick doesn’t need a witness.
When the door opens, I peer around the corner and find Nick standing in my shop. “Hey,” I say as I set a bucket of roses down.
“I’m sorry you saw that.”
“I’m sorry for what you’re going through,” I pause and make some random hand motion toward the window, “whatever that is.”
Nick sighs. “I told her that Mack is going with you for the holidays, and she instantly accused me of having an affair and said she was going to tell Liam.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, no matter what I say. I don’t get it. Aubrey’s the one who wants to leave, but I’m the bad guy because I won’t give up my practice, my coaching job, or yank our son from high school. I’m trying to give him a good, stable life, and she’s making me feel like I’ve done something wrong.”
“You haven’t, Nick. At least from what Liam said. I just want you to know that Mack is welcome to stay as long as he needs.”
Nick nods. “Noah and Peyton offered to take him, but that defeats the purpose, ya know.”
“I know. Don’t worry; our door is open.”
Before Nick leaves, he hands me an envelope. I know it’s money, even though we don’t need it. I don’t try to give it back though, sensing that Nick feels like he needs to do this.
The rest of my day goes surprisingly smoothly. When I pull into the driveway, there’s a figure sitting on our front steps.
“Hello, Mrs. Westbury.” Mack is coming toward me. He’s the spitting image of his dad at this age.
“Hi, Mack. What are you doing outside?”
“Mr. Westbury isn’t home, and I didn’t want Paige to get into trouble for having me in the house without an adult.”
Mack looks like he needs a hug. I’m going to have to find some time later to talk with him. I want him to know he can tell me anything, or at least encourage him to call Noah if he doesn’t feel comfortable sharing with me. “That’s very respectful of you.”
“Can I help you with anything?”
I press the button on my fob, and the trunk opens. “I only have a few bags.” Mack takes them both from the trunk and heads toward the house. As I’m about to open the door, Liam’s motorcycle rumbles loudly behind us. I smile at Mack and usher him in, and then I meet Liam in the driveway.
He takes off his helmet and kisses me. “Hey, JoJo.”
Still, to this day, my knees go weak when he calls me JoJo. “Hey. Mack was on the steps when I got home.”
Liam looks toward the house and huffs. “I don’t like the idea of them alone together.”
“We’re leaving in the morning. I can’t imagine they’ll have any alone time. Did you get a chance to talk to Noah?” I ask.
He nods. “They have a couple of days off. Noah said Peyton already booked a flight for them. Either Harrison or I will pick them up at the airport when they get in. I gave them the address to ship their stuff to.”
“Perfect.” I lean into him and wrap my arms around his waist. “At least our kids will be there.”
Liam kisses me again. “I spoke to JD as well. He’s rather excited to ‘piss off in the white shit’, I think were his words.”
“Oh, boy,” I say with a laugh. “I’ll have to call Katelyn later and see if she heard from Quinn and Nola.”
“What about Elle and Ben?”
“Katelyn was pretty sure they’d be there.”
Liam rubs his hands up and down my arms. “Something on your mind?”
I nod. “Last night, as I was cleaning up at work, I found one of the old order forms with Mason’s handwriting. It just has me feeling nostalgic. I think I’m going to get a frame for it to at least preserve what’s left of it. Maybe give it to the girls.”
“I’m sure they’d like that.”
Resting my head on his chest, I sigh.
I just can’t bring myself to say what’s on my mind. I hate myself for even wondering where Liam and I would be if Mason hadn’t died. “We should get inside.”
“Yes, I’m almost afraid to walk in.”
“They’ll be fine.”
Liam and I walk into the house, hand in hand. We find Mack sitting on the stairs, with his stuff in front of him, and Paige nowhere in sight.
“Where’s Paige?” I ask Mack. He points to the second floor.
“I think she’s upstairs. I put the groceries away and then sat here. I don’t want to give you a reason to be angry with me.”
My hand squeezes Liam’s. That hug I wanted to give Mack earlier is back with a vengeance. I don’t want to push him or butt into his life, but the mom in me needs Mack to know he’s not alone, especially in the Westbury house. I go over to him and hold my arms out. He falls into them immediately and starts crying.
“It’s going to be okay, Mack.” I hold him for a few minutes until Liam interrupts us.
“Mack, wanna go out back and throw the ball around?”
Mack’s eyes light up. “That would be awesome.”
My mouth drops open when I see Liam reach for Mack. He puts his arm around his shoulder and pulls him close. I follow a few steps behind them and hear Liam say, “I’m happy you’re here, but please don’t disrespect my rules.”
“Yes, sir. I promise.”
7
Harrison
I'm almost to the house when Katelyn's name displays on the screen. I tap the notification and listen to the artificial intelligence read Katelyn's message aloud. She wants me to meet her at one of our favorite restaurants. A little hole in the wall Mexican place, as it's often described, with the best brisket flautas I have ever tasted. The best part, the paparazzi never seems to come in, which means Katelyn and me, and sometimes JD and Jenna can enjoy a nice quiet meal without someone bothering us for a picture. Autographs are rarely asked for these days because it's all about the 'gram and how many likes you're going to get.
A Beaumont Family Christmas (The Beaumont Series) Page 4