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I take his hand. “Okay, Love. I know ye want this to happen now, but we’ve got plenty of time. Promise me ye won’t jump all-in without consultin’ me first.”
“I promise.” TJ squeezes my hand, and with his other, he crosses his heart. He plants another, firm kiss on my lips.
I wrap baby Benji in a blanket and pray we’re making the right decision.
Chapter 15
Cam
Finally, after anexhausting week in California meeting with the franchise owners of The Social Hour, I’m home. I take off my overcoat and hang it on the coatrack in our front hallway. Enzo runs to meet me and my heart beats double-time. I love this little guy so much.
“Daddy!” He leaps into my arms. Andie comes around the corner from the kitchen with baby Charleigh on her hip, babbling and banging her rattle against her arm. Andie looks as weary as I feel. Guilt pricks me in the gut for being gone. I lift Enzo into the air and squeeze him tight.
“How’s my Superman?”
“It’s Spiderman!”
“Oh, my bad, Spidey. Catch any bad guys today with your Spidey senses?”
Enzo grins and shakes his head.
“You didn’t? You might want to go check the house in case you missed one.”
He squirms and squeals in my arms as I tickle him under his ribs. I set him down and he runs down the hall. “Come on, Vader! We have bad guys to catch!” Our dog Vader gallops after him. I smile at Andie.
“Hey gorgeous, how are my girls?”
“We’re good. Tired, but good.” Leaning in, she kisses my lips. Charleigh whacks her rattle on the side of my head. She gives me a big gummy smile and I return it, kissing her head.
If you had told me six years ago, I’d be a dad to two kids, married to the most beautiful woman in the world, I would have laughed and served you another beer. My business was my baby, and nothing was going to get in between us. But then I met Andie and Enzo, and my whole world turned upside down. She showed me not only could I have it all if I wanted it, but that perhaps my priorities were shifting.
I sold the West Coast bars two years ago but still fly to California every quarter to meet with my lawyers and make sure the properties I own are being maintained. It’s also a chance for me to visit my parents and make sure my older sister Brooke is looking after them.
I have two Social Hour locations thriving in Nashville that I run with Connor, and I’m looking to open a third here soon. Unfortunately, that means life is about to get crazy busy.
“I’m tired too. It was a long flight. I’ve missed you guys.”
“How are your parents and Brooke?” Andie turns to head back into the kitchen and I trail behind her, loosening my tie. Vader picks up a toy and follows behind me, squeaking the stuffed squirrel.
“Brooke is still Brooke, even though her life is falling apart. She and the boys have moved in with Mom and Dad.”
“What? Where’s Graham?”
“Rehab.” I frown.
“Oh no. How’s your sister handling it?” Andie asks as she puts Charleigh in her high chair, scattering fruit on her tray.
“I guess Brooke threatened him with divorce and gave him an ultimatum.”
“Wow, I’m kind of surprised she brought up divorce. Your sister seems like the type to keep the illusion going no matter the cost of what the other person is going through.” She wipes her hands on her leggings. “Sorry, that wasn’t very nice.”
I pull a beer out of the fridge and sit down at the kitchen table. “No, that’s pretty accurate. I would have never found out the truth if Dad hadn’t told me. Brooke wants everyone to believe he’s on assignment in Europe and she and the kids are living with Mom and Dad because they’re getting their house renovated. But the truth is, they had to sell their house. Graham had a lot of debt and insurance wouldn’t pay for the luxury rehab center he insisted upon.”
“Yikes. What comes around goes around.”
Charleigh begins to fuss, banging her rattle on the tray. Andie takes a frozen teether out and hands it to her. I pop one of Charleigh’s blueberries in my mouth and make a silly face, causing her to squeal with delight. She kicks her legs out and throws a handful on the floor which Vader quickly cleans up. I pick up the teether and she grabs it from my hands, shoving it into her mouth.
“Brooke will never learn. I doubt Graham will either. I feel bad for my nephews, but at least they have Mom and Dad as a safety net. Anyway, enough about her. Tell me what I’ve missed this past week.”
