AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterThree
“Ithink you’re being too hard on your wife.”
Laz glared at Hamilton Crosby—his best friend and the managing partner of Supreme Security, where Laz worked as a personal security specialist. Technically, Ham was also his boss. The two of them were camped out in the party room, along with Ashton, who was holding his sleeping daughter. Ashton and Dani had decided to have the party at an indoor trampoline park that seemed to have a hundred different types of trampolines for all ages and sizes.
“Did I ask for your opinion?” Laz grabbed another slice of pizza and sat across from the two guys.
For the past couple of hours, the three of them, along with some of the other guys from Supreme, had been on kid duty but managed to talk a little about Laz’s situation. They were taking a break while a few others, including some of the wives, were with the kids.
All except his wife.
Journey had texted and left a couple of voicemails letting him know that she might not make it to the party. He had already known that was going to happen, proving that her work was her top priority.
“You didn’t have to ask my opinion,” Hamilton said. “But that’s never stopped me from giving it. Take it from a husband who also has a feisty, strong-willed, incredible woman sharing his household. Let Journey do her job, and just keep supporting her. You already know she’s worth the effort.”
Laz did know, but that didn’t make him feel any better. He also wasn’t sure how much more he could take.
“He’s right,” Ashton added as he rocked his little girl.
Ashton was one of Laz’s best friends. They’d been detectives and partners at Atlanta PD for years, and now they were both security specialists.
Laz couldn’t be happier for Ashton. Coming from a large family, he had always wanted a wife and kids. Now he had both. He’d married a bar owner, Dani, ten months ago, and now they were parents of a five-year-old, Caulder, and a three-year-old, Tabitha.
His friend finally had the family he wanted. But that didn’t mean he knew enough about marriage to agree with Hamilton.
“I know you’re not trying to give me marriage advice,” Laz said to Ashton, trying to add mock annoyance to his tone. “You’ve been married for a whole two minutes. You don’t know shit yet.”
He flinched when Ashton narrowed his eyes and nodded down at Tabitha. She might’ve been asleep, but Laz did need to work on the cursing, especially since he was around kids all the time.
“Just wait until Dani starts giving you a hard time,” Laz added around a mouthful of pizza. “Then we’ll see who needs the advice.”
Ashton burst out laughing but quieted when Tabitha stirred. “Do you know my wife?” he said. “She’s been giving me a hard time since the day I set foot in her bar. Trust me, I don’t have to be married for years to know that we’re all with the type of women who will do whatever the heck they want to do. That is probably why we fell in love with them in the first place.
“They’re not pushovers. They go the extra mile for people or causes they believe in. And more than anything, no matter how busy or distracted they are, they love us.” Ashton stood while cradling his daughter. “Besides, you knew how demanding Journey’s job was before you married her. So, stop complaining and give her some grace. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to go find my wife.”
“For a person who’s only been married a minute, I think he nailed that advice,” Hamilton said. His lips were twitching as if trying to keep a straight face. “But seriously…are you and Journey all right?”
Laz finished his pizza and wiped his mouth. “I don’t know, man. In some ways, our relationship is amazing,” he said, thinking about their lovemaking that morning. “But I don’t like that she’s obsessed with this job, and everything else, including Arielle and me, comes last. I especially don’t like that she thinks nothing about canceling on me.”
“We both know that it’s not intentional,” Hamilton said, leaning back in his chair. He crossed his arms. “I know that Journey would do anything for you and Arielle. Maybe she’s having a hard time juggling all of her responsibilities. Just give her a little time.”
“Time?” Laz snapped and jerked out of his seat. He ran his hand over his head in frustration. “This shit has been going on for months. I can’t count on her, Ham, and that’s what’s bothering me. I used to always be able to count on my wife for anything.”
Laz snapped his mouth shut when Kenton Bailey and Angelo González walked in. They both pulled up short and looked from him to Hamilton.
“Are we interrupting something?” Kenton asked.
Most of the Supreme personal security specialists had a military background or were former law enforcement, which was why the team was often referred to asAtlanta’s Finest. Hamilton was an ex-cop who Laz used to work with early in his career. Kenton, a former FBI agent, might’ve been the biggest guy on the team, but he was a gentle giant with a great sense of humor. Angelo used to be an undercover agent for the DEA, but he should’ve pursued a singing career like his former superstar wife, Zenobia. The man could give the singer Usher some competition.
“Nah, I was just leaving to go and check on Ari,” Laz said, knowing he wasn’t fooling either of them. Especially if the way the side-eye Kenton was shooting at him was any indication.
Laz didn’t want anyone in his business. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust and respect them, because he did, which was saying a lot because he didn’t trust easily. He was fairly sure they already suspected something was up with him and Journey. All of their families often got together, and Journey had missed plenty of the gatherings lately.
He cringed when he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. The noise level was off the charts, even in the eating area. The building was huge with tons of trampoline apparatuses and kids everywhere he looked. That included his daughter, who was running toward him with Dakota, Hamilton’s wife, hot on her heels.
“Daddy!” Arielle screamed, joy showing on her cute face.
Laz’s heart turned over in his chest every time he looked at her.
