Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series)

this isn’t your lucky day. Liam Page isn’t here and doesn’t live in Beaumont so you might want try catching him on tour or something.”
    The three of them start laughing, one of them pointing. “That right there is Liam Page. I swear my life on it.”
    Katelyn looks at Liam who is full of remorse. I’m simply amazed at her ability to stay calm and cool. Nick kisses me on my cheek and steps toward Liam.
    “Westbury, want to toss the ball around?”
    Liam looks at Nick and nods. When he spots me standing along the wall watching this entire exchange his expression is unreadable.
    “Well, would you look at that, his name is Westbury. Out you go.” I step forward and help Katelyn usher the women out of the house.
    “I’m so sorry, Katelyn.” I’ve never had to apologize for Liam before. I’m not sure why I’m doing it now.
    Katelyn waves her hand as if it’s no big deal. “It was only a matter of time before someone blabbed that he was in town. Things may be strained, but not today. Mason would’ve wanted him here.”
    I don’t know if she’s taking a jab at me or not. Maybe I should’ve called everyone last night and told them that he was back, but I didn’t know if he’d be here today. Hell, I didn’t even know if he knew about Mason. I suppose I could’ve told them, but I was more worried about saving my son from the impending heartache.
    A ball flying past the window catches my attention. I walk outside and my heart stops because in one space is the man I once loved, the man I’m going to marry and the one that ties us all together and they’re playing football.
     

CHAPTER 9
    LIAM
     
    It seems of late I’m making mistakes with every turn. Stopping at the store was today’s mistake. I should’ve known better. I should’ve gone straight to Katelyn’s, but I didn’t want to show up empty handed.
    And now I’m in this awkward situation in the backyard with Nick Ashford and my son. A son that doesn’t know I’m his dad. Hell, Josie won’t even confirm he’s mine but I can see it when I look at him, he’s the best of me and Josie regardless of how he ended up here or how our lives have taken different paths.
    And who knew Nick would come to my rescue? He has to know I want to kick his ass for touching my girl, but by the way she looks at him she must be okay with it.
    “What happened in there?”
    I said I would come out and play ball, but never agreed to chat. I could ignore him, pretend we’re back in high school and this new kid is trying to fit in with the rest of us. We had our group and we were tight.
    But I don’t do that. Not today.
    “I figured I’d be able to run into the store, grab something from the bakery, pick up some flowers and get Katelyn her favorite wine from when we were in school.
    “As soon as I got to the check-out I began to realize my mistake. No disguise. No fake eyeglasses or hat to pull down over my eyes. The young cashier took one look at me and she knew. Before it was even my turn, she had already texted someone and I knew I was doomed.”
    “‘Sorry about your friend’ was all she said while she scanned my items a bit too slowly. When I pulled up in front there were these girls right behind me, following me in.” I throw the ball back to Nick who just shakes his head. “This is the last thing I wanted for Katelyn, especially today.”
    “Does it happen a lot?”
    I take off my jacket and unbutton my shirt so I don’t ruin it. Noah’s eyes stare at the tattoos on my arms and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to sit down with him and have a conversation. Tell him about me and maybe have a relationship with him.
    “I don’t go out much when I’m home. It will happen on tour, but I’m not in one place long enough for it to really matter.”
    I can feel people staring at me; it’s something I’m used to, but here it seems odd. When I look over at the patio Josie is standing there. All five foot nine of her, add a few inches with her heels. She’s kept herself looking good after high school, her legs look toned and her stomach still as flat as I remember. Nick clears his throat in the background and I can’t help but laugh. I’d be doing the same thing if someone was ogling my girlfriend, but he forgets that I had her first.
    “Wanna go put on a little skirt and cheer for us, Josie?” her face falls and I know she didn’t enjoy my little joke. I try to laugh it off, but she’s not buying it. She looks at Nick who is furious with