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“It hasn’t been so bad, I guess. I mean, it’s only been two days, and he sleeps till noon.”
Sophie nods, not prying into the details. “Yeah, he does that when he’s between bounties because he doesn’t sleep that well on the road. He stays up for long hours at a time, plus hotel beds suck.”
I arch an eyebrow at her. “It was nice to just hang out. I’m gonna wear him down eventually.”
She smiles at my determination, then wraps her arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “I have no doubt that you will.”
Operation Break Liam Down has already been activated. I just hope he doesn’t break me first.
Chapter Three
Liam
The holidays are always hard for me and have been since my parents got a divorce. Being shipped from one household to the other got old fairly quick. Eventually, I decided that I never wanted to see my mother again after what she did. She had no problem giving up custody and forcing my father to raise me alone. While she was busy gallivanting around with her boss—a man twice her age who was also married with children—my father worked his ass off as a single dad. I’m convinced that some people aren’t meant to be parents, but I still don’t get how she could be so selfish.
I understand the concept of falling out of love with your spouse—not personally because my relationships have never lasted longer than a weekend—but what she did to my father and how she treated us is unforgivable. No child should ever feel like they’re an inconvenience or not wanted, and she did, single-handedly destroying our family without apology. Thanksgiving and Christmas are always a reminder of that time in my childhood.
While my friends had their cheery family gatherings, I was left wondering why Santa Claus didn’t come to my mother’s house. Some wounds cut so deep they never heal. My father was livid. He’s the only one who ever cared about me and still does.
My mother is the main reason I don’t do relationships or trust women. Who’s to say the same won’t happen to me? If she could abandon someone as amazing as my father, then I believe it could happen to anyone—even me. Losing her love nearly destroyed my father. Hell, it destroyed me too. Being uncommitted is easier, especially with how demanding my job is and how much I travel.
After I decided to cut ties with my mother, I stopped caring about this time of year. My father eventually moved on, and his new wife is as sweet as pie and tries her hardest to make him happy. It gives me a little hope and shows me that maybe all women aren’t evil bitches, but I’d rather not test my luck. Most of the women I’ve met have no desire to actually get to know the real me anyway. They want what they can see, and it’s enough for me. My dad and my friends are all I’ll ever need.
Over the years, Hunter and Mason have become my family, and considering we all have parent issues, there’s a mutual understanding not to discuss them. It’s easier. The three of us have spent countless drama-free holidays together. Friends are the family you choose, and we’ve chosen each other time and again. They’re my brothers.
The day after Christmas, I get a lead on a guy I’ve been searching for and end up staking out for three days before I find him hiding in an abandoned building in Oklahoma. I managed to unexpectedly tackle his ass to the ground.
Late last night, I stumble in after a red-eye flight and sleep like a rock. The only thing that wakes me is my stomach grumbling. Though I feel as if I could lie in bed for a week straight, I go down to the kitchen. It’s just past eleven, and I’m not fully awake yet, but I manage to pop two pieces of bread in the toaster.
“You gonna eat that?” Maddie asks—standing way too close to me—as I spread peanut butter on one side and then smear jelly on the other. The girl has never heard of personal space. Over the past month that Maddie’s been living here, she’s gotten in mine more times than I can count, regardless of me openly ignoring her advances.
I look at her like she’s crazy, but it doesn’t faze her. “Yeah,” I grumble.
In one swift movement, she snatches the piece of toast from my plate and takes a huge bite. The peanut butter sticks to the roof of her mouth, but it doesn’t stop her from speaking. “Thanks a billion!”
Taking two steps toward her, I close the gap between us and yank it from her grip, not giving two shits that she ate some. Going back to my other piece covered with jam, I smash them together and walk to the living room.
