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Maddie cracks a smile, and I wrap my arms around her, giving her a hug without adding too much pressure.
“How about I cook one more dinner for old times’ sake?” I grin.
“Not that spicy shit, though.” She points a finger at me, and I laugh. When I was her bodyguard in Montana and before she knew I was Liam’s friend, I made her one of my grandma’s Southern pasta dishes. Before I could warn her to stir in the seasonings, she took a large bite, and her tongue went numb.
“Whatever you want. Lady’s choice,” I offer, standing.
She follows my lead, and we walk toward the kitchen. “Mac ’n cheese mixed with carrots and cut-up Vienna sausages.”
I turn and narrow my eyes at her, then glance at Liam.
He shakes his head. “Don’t ask. She’s had the weirdest pregnancy cravings these past few months.”
“It’s notthatweird!” she argues.
“I don’t know, Mads. That sounds like prison food.” I chuckle, grabbing a pan from the cabinet. “In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten it but made with generic shit and old powdered cheese.”
“Oh, we’re going fancy tonight. Kraft shells all the way and extra cheese on top.” Maddie grabs two boxes from the pantry, then shakes them in the air like maracas.
Soon, dinner is ready, and the three of us are laughing as we serve ourselves, then sit at the table.
“This is so good.” Maddie moans around a mouthful. “Right, baby?”
We all look at baby Tyler who’s half-feeding himself and half-tossing the noodles on the floor.
“He looks just like Liam when he stuffs his face full of food,” I say.
“Yeah, and he looks just like his uncle Tyler when he’s having a hissy fit,” Liam throws back.
“Oh man, low blow.” I cackle. “I can’t wait until he’s older, so I can teach him how to box. He’ll be kicking your ass before he’s ten.”
I miss training in the ring and teaching people how to fight. It was my favorite profession before prison and something I hope to get back into once I’m settled. Even though Lawton Ridge is a small town, and there aren’t many gym choices, there’s one I can join if it’s not too expensive. For the past three weeks, I’ve been running outside, but I miss lifting and hitting a punching bag.
“I don’t think so…” Maddie intervenes. “He loves to dance just like his mama.”
“We are not putting mysonin dancing classes.”
“Yes, we are.”
“He’s going to play football like his daddy.”
“Daddy and Mommy also did yoga, so he could do both,” Maddie adds with a grin, and Liam groans with an eye roll. Even I know it’s no use arguing with her.
We spend the rest of the evening talking shit and playing with baby Tyler. It’s surreal to say good night to them one last time, knowing I’ll be gone tomorrow. I’m so proud of my two best friends and how much they’ve accomplished. They fought for each other for a long ass time and endured much drama and many hardships, but it led them to where they are now. They have the picture-perfect family, and no two people are more deserving. I’m truly happy for them.
I hope someday good karma comes around and rewards me with the same.
The next morning, Maddie’s in tears again as I hug her goodbye. I kiss baby Tyler, hug Liam, then grab my two suitcases.
“Text me when you land,” Maddie calls out.
“I will.” I flash her a wink. “Good luck, you two.”
“Same to you, man,” Liam says.
“I wanna hear all about Gemma. Don’t forget!” Maddie shouts as I walk through the sliding doors at the airport. I shake my head at her persistence. This isn’t the first time she’s asked about her, probably more like the hundredth. It’s my fault for mentioning Gemma years ago and then bringing it up a few times in the letters I wrote Maddie. But it hurt too much to talk about her, so I stopped. I didn’t want to open that wound again. What happened between Gemma and me was years ago, and I need to let it go.
That was before I decided to return to Alabama. Before I realized I’d be working for her dad.
