Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“I know that wasn’t fair was it,” I say to Jace as I wipe his tears. “Mav’s with us but you were in your cage.”
“It’s for his own good,” Peyton yells from the adjoining bathroom.
“Are you giving mama a hard time?”
Junie sniffles and then uses me to stand. She starts bouncing and babbling—like she’s telling me all her woes—just like the people who call-in. I nod, take it all in, and then hug her tightly.
“Whatever you’re doing to my granddaughter, knock it off.”
Noah tsks and shakes his head. “I fear she will never lift a finger to do anything on her own.”
While I agree, I know this won’t be the case. “Juniper is going to grow up surrounded by strong, independent women. She’ll want to forge her own path, regardless of every man in her in life laying down the proverbial red carpet for her. You and Peyton are doing a stand-up job raising her and the boys. Give yourself some credit.”
“Thank you, Liam,” Peyton says as she comes in, arms outstretched for Juniper. She goes to her mama and squeals when they get into the bathroom. Noah takes both boys in and stays in there to help with bathtime.
I finish with the crib and help put the babies to bed, rocking Junie until she’s asleep. I remember doing this with Paige and thought it was hard with one baby. I can’t imagine how Noah and Peyton do this with three.
After putting Juniper in her bed, I creep downstairs and find Noah sitting on the couch. He turns the television off as I sit across from him.
“Half the coaching staff started asking me about you. The show. Some of these kids don’t even know you ever sang, they just know the radio guy. That’s new.”
“That bother you?”
He shakes his head and then shrugs. “I don’t know. It did in high school, but in college no one really cared except for the few moms in the stands. I never paid attention when I was playing pro, but now there’s this new wave of fans, and so much on the internet about you . . .”
“I can stop if you want me to.”
“You’d do that?”
“Son, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, your mom or Paige. Even the triplets. I missed your first ten years and will continue to make up for it until I die. So, if this radio thing is causing you stress at work, I’ll quit.”
Noah stares at me for a long moment and then slowly shakes his head. “No, I can deal with it.”
“What about Mack?”
“Would you quit for him?”
I think about it for a moment and then shake my head. “I love the kid, but no, I don’t think I would.”
“Yeah, you don’t need to do that. If it becomes an issue, I’ll take care of it.”
“Or . . .” I start to say but wonder if I should shut my mouth.
“What?”
I lift my shoulder and grin. “Or we tell Elle and the next time she’s at a game, we unleash her.”
Noah laughs hard. “I love her, but man, she scares me sometimes.”
“She’s the best.”
Bex has the board lit when I come in. Paige is in her corner with her headphones on. She lifts two fingers without looking up, telling me what Bex is about to do.
The light goes red.
“Thank you for being here with me. Before I sat down, I stopped at my son’s house and helped him with a small project. It was probably something he could’ve done himself, but he called and asked me to come over. It was nice to pretend I was needed.” I laugh and look at Bex who points at me and then the board.
“Good evening, you’re on The Love Line with Liam.”
“Hey, Liam. I’m a first-time caller and not really a listener of your music.”
“No worries, my man. What can I do for you tonight?”
“Ugh . . .” he groans into the phone. “I’m getting married in three weeks, but I just found out that my best man—the man who has been my best friend since elementary school—slept with my fiancée.
“There’s no wedding,” I tell him, “Which means there’s no problem I can fix for you tonight. That man showed you who he was while you still had time to not marry her in front of everyone you know. Be furious. Then, when you can stand it, be grateful.”
I disconnect the call and take a deep breath. There was no right answer for that one. I glance at Bex, who gives me a thumbs up.
My next call is a couple fighting over whose mother gets them at Christmas, both of them on the line, both certain they’re right. I make them trade. “His mother this year, hers next, and whoever complains first does the dishes at both.” The wife laughs. That’s the one I was after.