Nicky shook his head. “It’s fine. He’s not really mad. No hurt yourself, remember?”
“Not mad,” Liam agreed. “Come on! Too slow!”
It really wasn’t his fault. Liam was worked up and until things were perfect again, in his little world perfect, he would remain agitated. Nicky would help his bestie settle since Liam helped him.
They finally made it into the room. Liam pushed Nicky onto the twin bed before crossing over to the dresser.
Nicky picked up the stuffed shark that was his stuffie when he was at his bestie’s house. He knew that he could trust Liam and Jude to care for Sharkie when he wasn’t around. Sharkie had loads of friends over there and liked to stay with all his besties.
Rubbing his face against the soft gray and blue fur, Nicky took a deep breath. It had started out as a horrible night but now he was exactly where he wanted to be. The playroom was familiar to him now that he had spent months coming over for playdates. There were more toys in the room than Nicky could remember from his last visit, which had been a couple nights before he left for his trip.
“Jammies,” Liam said quietly as he returned.
Nicky lifted his head. His best friend stood wiggling as he held a pj set that Nicky had left there. The concern in Liam’s eyes was easy to see. Liam was such a sensitive little, which as a writer made his characters so relatable since many were just like the author.
“Come here.” Nicky held his arms open.
Liam fell into him. Nicky hugged him tight as he rolled them to the side. He pressed his forehead to Liam’s. They lay there together, breathing each other in. Nicky never should havedoubted that he was wanted or welcome there with Liam and Jude. Next time he needed a playdate, he would ask.
“I don’t want you to be sad no more,” Liam whispered.
“I’m not sad,” Nicky promised. “It was just a really long bad trip. I came home and everything in my neighborhood is lit up and so pretty and my house was boring. I missed Thanksgiving with you and everything just seemed to be building up. Then the tire blew, making me feel like everything was going wrong.”
Liam kissed his nose. “We can fix most of that.”
“You already did. You called and everything started to go right again. Law showed up to take care of my car, we’ll get to eat a yummy dinner and have a slumber party. This was what I really needed.”
“Really?” Liam asked softly.
Nicky chuckled. “I got rescued by a handsome hero. I’m here with you. What else could I want?” He was downplaying everything, but Nicky didn’t want his best friend to keep worrying.
“You can quit your job then we’d play all the time,” Liam decided.
“When would you write your books?” Nicky questioned. He knew Liam wasn’t serious and Nicky loved his work usually. “The world needs the next book soon. I need the next one. You dangled that new character out there like such a tease!”
Liam giggled. “Did you like him?”
Nicky snorted in response.
“Of course you did,” Liam taunted. “The big, buff, sweet and sexy redheaded Daddy with all the protective instincts.”
“You’re not as tricky as you think you are,” Nicky told him. “Does Law know you based a character off him?”
“Who said I did?” Liam batted his eyelashes innocently.
“Oh! He doesn’t!” Nicky wondered what Law would think when he realized it. He knew that Law read Liam’s books, so it would be fun to wait and watch.
“Shh,” Liam hissed. “It’s a secret.”
“Does Jude know?” Nicky had to ask as Liam’s face turned red.
“Does Jude know what?”
“Nothing!” Liam and Nicky replied at the same time. Nicky popped his head up over Liam’s shoulder while Liam groaned into his chest.
Jude stood in the doorway, watching them with Law behind his shoulder.
“I didn’t do it!” Nicky made sure he was not getting any of the blame. This was all on his bestie. Liam just couldn’t help but make characters out of his favorite people. Nicky wouldn’t be surprised to find Josh also appearing in a book soon since Liam seemed quite taken with the young Daddy.
