Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,194

Growing up, she was always the parent to organize bake sales or volunteer for field trips. She helped with every seasonal carnival, did story time at the library, and so much more. Eliza had been my cheerleading coach for years, claiming that God hadn’t gifted her with daughters so she’d had to go out and find some of her own.

“Oh, shush, girl. You’re just as much of a daughter to me as Lily and Presley are. If not, my original one. Remember when I taught you how to do a back handspring?” She laughs.

One summer, she stayed late with me after every practice until I mastered the skill.

I lean in, smirking. “After three kids, I think I can still pull that one off.”

“No, you couldn’t, you’d break your neck.” Lily giggles as she brings two empty beer bottles into the kitchen and throws them in the recycling bin.

“Always trying to keep a bitch down.” I stick my tongue out at her.

“Now, if you come into this house with that language, I’ll put soap in your mouth,” Eliza admonishes me.

I rub the back of my neck, my cheeks burning. “Sorry, Mrs. Nash.”

“Did she give you the ole soap in the mouth lecture?” Keaton walks in, hauling a tray full of half-eaten charcuterie.

Eliza is hosting a family dinner party at her house tonight and apparently, insisted that my boys and I come. I’d been inclined to say no, since Forrest and I hadn’t spoken since I’d gone to his house and slapped him in the face. That was almost a week ago, and I knew it would be awkward to see him here.

It’s also his family and his territory, these people make up an inner circle I’m not a part of. But then Lily and Presley insisted and said that Eliza wanted to see my boys and wasn’t going to take no for an answer. And I knew that if I protested too much, they’d think it was weird. I’d come before, with my kids, to all-Nash dinner parties.

I would just try my best to avoid my ex-fling, and all will be okay. It’s not as if Forrest is that shaken up about the dissolution of our contractless contract. I overheard him in the living room talking to Bowen about this dating app he was on.

Prick. Couldn’t even wait a whole week to mourn the loss of our amazing sex pact. Meanwhile, it will take me another year, probably, just to get laid again.

“Unfortunately, yes. Now I know why you’re such a choir boy.” I wink at him.

Except, from what Presley has shared, Mr. Respectable Vet is a freak in the sheets. That might be why his wife just choked on her wine and fled from the room. I have to giggle at the silent exchange that, thank God, Eliza does not notice.

“All right, dinner is ready. Everyone serve yourselves and take a seat,” the Nash matriarch announces.

I’m the last one to eat, having had to set up my boys with their own plates at the table Eliza set up for them in the kitchen. So, when I walk into the dining room, my plate piled high with her famous meatloaf and mashed potatoes, the only seat left is next to Forrest.

Just my fucking luck.

“Hi,” I say curtly, not looking at him, as I sit down.

“Hello, there.” His shit-eating grin makes me want to slap him again.

We all begin to eat and drink, and the table goes silent for a minute until one of the brothers starts talking about some new thing happening in town and we all join in.

Suddenly, the boys laugh hysterically from the kitchen, probably at whoever just showed the table the mashed up food in his mouth, and Eliza’s eyes go moony.

“If someone doesn’t give me a grandbaby soon …” The Nash matriarch gives her children the evil eye around the table.

I lean across the table to Lily, my voice a hushed whisper, “Yeah, pretty sure that isn’t directed at me. Also, I already popped three out of my vagina so I think I’m good.”

Plus, my tubes were tied, so there were no more kids in my future. After we got pregnant with Ames, I’d had a breakdown and a difficult pregnancy. Travis had been deployed for so long, and life was already tough with two rowdy boys. So after I’d had our third baby, he’d agreed on the advice of my doctor that it was best for me to get the surgery to prevent us from having