Keeping You Away - Kennedy Fox Page 0,40
with me.”
“It seems like she’s training you just fine.” Everleigh bends down and kisses Sassy’s head. “Such a smart dog.”
“Har har. Now all I need to do is teach her to fetch me a beer from the fridge, and then she’ll be the perfect companion.”
“I wouldn’t bet your money on that.”
We continue watching TV until neither of us can stop yawning. I’ve been getting up early to work out, and if I’m frustrated in the afternoons, I go back for round two. Plus, being on my feet all day doing manual labor is exhausting.
“I think I’m gonna go to bed,” I tell her, standing and stretching my arms over my head.
Everleigh agrees with another yawn. “Same. Good night.”
I walk toward my room, but before I can open the door, Everleigh calls out my name. When I turn around, I see Sassy’s on my heels. “I’m glad you came back, brother. I’ve missed you a lot.”
“I missed you too,” I reply with a smile.
Once Sassy’s in my room, she jumps on my bed like it’s hers. Deciding I need to talk to Liam, I pull out my phone.
Tyler: 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?” Liam asks. “How’re things going?”
“I got a call from Eric.”
“From who?” he asks.
“Eric. The other bodyguard Victoria had hired to watch Maddie at the cabin with me,” I explain, keeping my voice low so Everleigh can’t overhear through the thin walls.
There’s a thick silence between us, and I can tell Liam is 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 don’t want her to be. I think 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. I could definitely hear a tense edge in his voice, though. I don’t know, it just feels a bit 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 just want to forget it all, but then reminders like this pop up, and—” I shake my head, unable to finish.
“It’s behind you. You’re in Alabama moving on with your life. Don’t let one phone call deter that.”
I chuckle. “I feel like 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. Though 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?” I ask
“Miserable. Ready to push the baby out. Still craving weird-ass food. Yesterday was pickles and vanilla ice cream. I almost threw up.”
“That’s hilarious.” I laugh.
“Oh, after our talk last time, I rejoined the gym. Gotta take off the thirty pounds I put on during Maddie’s pregnancy,” he says with a chuckle. “Thought you’d be proud.”
“Yeah? That’s awesome, man. I could write you up some workouts and email them to you, if you want,” I offer.
“I was totally gonna ask 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.”
His admission makes me chuckle. “I mean, put me on speakerphone while you’re there, and I’ll do just that for ya.”
“Thanks for the offer.” He snorts. “It still won’t be the same without ya.”
“Yeah, I miss you too, man.”
Liam laughs. “Now, don’t go getting all mushy on me.”
“Ha! Tell Maddie I asked about her.”
“I will. Take care