Page 42 of Let Me Keep You

Call me as soon as you can.

I climb under the covers and listen to the message again. Ten minutes later, my phone rings. “Hey.”

“Hi, man. What’s up? How’re things going?”

“I got a call from Eric.”

“From who?”

“Eric. The other bodyguard Victoria had hired to watch Maddie at the cabin with me.” I keep my voice low so Everleigh can’t overhear through the thin walls.

There’s a thick silence between us, and I can tell Liam’s on the move. Probably walking somewhere else to give us more privacy so he doesn’t alarm Maddie. She’s incredibly observant, especially when you’re trying to keep something from her. She and Everleigh would be good friends if they lived closer.

“What did he want?” Liam’s concerned voice finally comes through.

“Just said to call him back and that it’s important. He sounded tense. I don’t know, it just feels too coincidental that he’s calling me shortly after I got released.”

“Yeah, sounds fishy as hell,” Liam agrees.

“That’s definitely my thought too. I don’t trust him, and it seems like a trap. I don’t even know how he got my goddamn number. I wanna forget everything that happened there, but then reminders like this pop up and—” I shake my head.

“It’s behind you. You’re in Alabama moving on with your life. Don’t let one phone call deter that.”

“I’m living in the Groundhog Day movie. I go to the gym, then work for eight hours, maybe work out again after, and then go home. Shower, eat, watch TV, then go to sleep. Rinse, wash, repeat. I’m totally living the life.” My blatant sarcasm causes Liam to chuckle. “But at least I get to choose what I want to do every day, and I’m not behind bars, so I’m grateful for that. Guess it could be worse, right?”

“Exactly, which means anything that has to do with Victoria needs to just stay in Vegas, away from you and me. I don’t know what Eric wants, but whatever it is, nothing good will come of it.”

“I agree.”

Eric and I definitely weren’t on good terms, but I can’t help but wonder what he wants. Either way, I don’t want anything to do with that situation. I’ve already paid my price.

“Anyway. How’s Maddie doing?”

“Miserable. Ready to push the baby out. Still craving weird-ass food. Yesterday was pickles and vanilla ice cream. I almost threw up.”

I chuckle. “That’s hilarious.”

“Oh, after our talk last time, I rejoined the gym. Gotta take off the thirty pounds I put on during Maddie’s pregnancy. Thought you’d be proud.”

“That’s awesome, man. I could write you up some workouts and email them to you, if you want?”

“I was thinking of asking, but didn’t want to put more on your plate. But yeah, I’d like that,” Liam says. “It’s just not the same without you here pushing and yelling at me to stop being a pussy.”

I laugh. “I mean, put me on speakerphone while you’re there, and I can do that for ya.”

“Thanks for the offer.” He snorts. “It still won’t be the same without ya.”

“Yeah, I miss you too, man.”

“Now, don’t go getting all mushy on me.”

“Ha! Tell Maddie I asked about her.”

“I will. Take care of yourself, Tyler.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not gonna do anything stupid,” I promise.

After Liam and I end the call, I stare up at the ceiling with Sassy sleeping next to me.