Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(45)

“Are you sure, because she’s coming over here.”

I take a few deep breaths before noticing she’s standing in front of me. Her smile is fake. If I remember anything about her it’s her ability to act. “Oh my god, Tamsyn. You look amazing.” She wraps her arms around me in a hug, while I remain skeptical with my hands at my sides.

“Thanks. It’s been a long time.”

When Livvy backs off she turns her gaze on Josh again. “It has. I never expected Josh would want to participate in something like this, since he hates Halloween.”

He’s never mentioned this to me. I look at him and then back to her, but he answers before I can. “There’s a lot that has changed since we were kids, Liv.”

“Yeah, so it seems.” She’s still staring at him as she continues. “I hear the two of you are pretty serious now. I’m surprised. I never pegged Josh as a one woman kind of guy. He always liked having a selection.”

I feel his hand coming up around my waist. “I think you need to walk away before I decided to embarrass the shit out of you.”

She laughs at him, and I can’t help but feel like she’s up to no good. “I can take a hint.” Livvy turns her face to me. “He’s not the guy you think he is. You’ll learn soon enough.”



I have to hold Josh back. In my honest opinion, I think he might have strangled her if I let it happen. I’m no longer worried about her interfering. He hates her. So do I.

Thankfully, Jax comes over, still dressed like an erect penis with eyeballs, and interrupts. Anyone seen my wife? I think she’s a little scared of my size.”

Livvy storm off into the crowd, leaving us alone. “Thanks,” I say to Jax.

“Yeah, no problem.”

Josh pulls me into a corner and starts kissing me in front of everyone. “We should head out.”

“I don’t want to go. We just got here. I want to eat and spend time with everyone.”

“I’m sorry. I know this is important to you. I just hate the way she acts. She needs to mind her business.”

“I’m okay, Josh. I may not like the way she looks at you, but I know who you’re with. There’s no way you’d ever be with her again.”

He nods, but doesn’t say anything in response. I assume he’s just pissed off and wants to be alone.



The costume contest is done by votes each year. It’s nothing professional, just a silly little trophy the winner hands down to the next person each year. Apparently the guys keep a tally of how many times they’ve won. After eating way too much food I feel bloated, but do my best to stand with my boyfriend while they tally the results.



They call our names. His mother and father are waving us to the front of the room so we can have the trophy. I’m elated. After fighting with him about wearing the costume, we’re walking away with the family title. Josh celebrates by lifting me into the air and spinning me around. “This beautiful kitty is all mine.”

We have a few drinks to celebrate, and as time slips by I realize we’ve been able to avoid another awkward conversation with Livvy. It only takes one trip to the bathroom for it to all change, and the moment I see them arguing, I know it’s not going to end well.





Chapter 20


Olivia


I’ve waited this entire party for a second where they aren’t together. Tamsyn clings to him like she’s afraid to let him breathe without her. She’s pathetic.

The moment he breaks away to use the bathroom I see my opportunity, racing in his direction before she can catch us. My body blocks the door, so he’s unable to get past me. “Whoa, hang on Batman. I think we need to talk.”

“I think you need to get the hell out of my way.”

“Did you know that when people are drunk they tell the truth?”

“Fuck you, Liv.”

“Does she know you still love me?”

He’s trying to get by, but I’m preventing it from happening. “Don’t do this.”

“What? I just wanted to have you to myself for a couple minutes without her grabby hands keeping us apart.”

“You need help.” His eyes are wide and angry. I almost get off on seeing him this way. It’s the side of him Tamsyn isn’t seeing. It’s the one she’ll never be able to handle. “I want you to leave us alone. I don’t care if you’re back. I don’t care if you think you love me. There is no us. There never has been.”

“Don’t say that to me. You might be able to convince every other person in this room that it’s true, but not me. You forget I was there. I know what you said, what you promised for years. This fling with Tamsyn won’t last forever. When she’s gone you’ll come running back. You always do.”

“Like I said before, f*ck off.”

He pushes past me and enters the bathroom. Not caring who may be watching, I follow behind him before he’s able to lock me out. He turns, midstream into his pee. “Are you serious? Get out!”

I lean against the door. “Not until we talk this out. I’ve been thinking about you since we slept together a couple weeks ago. I know you’re angry, but it was only a matter of time. I’ve proved I can keep it a secret, Josh. You don’t have to choose right now. Whenever you want me, I’ll just be a call away. No one has to know.”