Alcohol You Later (37)

“I can believe it,” my best friend snips. “But don’t you worry, Nicholas Potter is about to have his ass handed to him.”

I shake my head, still trying to calm my racing heart. “Don’t. He’s going through a lot, and we sort of got into it last night. I just don’t know how much more he can handle right now.”

“Fuck him.” She keeps her voice low, so the babies don’t overhear, but there is no mistaking her anger. “He’s being a total douche, and you know it.”

“He’s been through so much.” I can be mad as hell at that man, but if anyone else says anything remotely negative, no matter how well deserved, my first instinct is to rush to his defense. “You know that better than anyone.”

“Yeah…and so have a lot of other people.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “A shitty childhood isn’t a free pass to be a shitty adult.”

I nod, biting back emotion. “I know.”

“I know you love him,” she says.

I open my mouth to cut her off and am met with her pointer finger pressing against my lips.

“Don’t even try to deny it.” She sighs. “I’ve known you a long time, Raven Winters, and you’ve never been the type to roll over for any man, let alone allow anyone to mistreat you. There’s no way in hell you’d put up with this if you weren’t crazy in love with that selfish prick.”

I shake my head, widening my eyes to suck back tears. “I just want to help him. To be the person he knows he can always count on.”

She nods. “Being someone he can count on doesn’t mean allowing him to use you and mistreat you, babe.” Her mossy green eyes turn glossy. “He is their father.”

I swallow hard.

“He doesn’t get to just push them aside.”

“That’s exactly what he’s doing.” Panic wells in my chest at the thought of losing them. “I—I don’t know how to stop it. He won’t even look at them.”

She grips my chin. “Because you’re letting him.”

A lone tear trickles out of the corner of my eye.

“Tough love, baby girl.” She releases her hold. “You can’t coddle him anymore.”

“I know.” My words are spoken so low, I’m not even sure they’re audible.

“This isn’t easy for me or Rhett either, you know? But if we don’t force his hand, he’s going to miss out on knowing those kids. On the love and stability—and the purpose—they’ll bring to his life.”

Purpose. That’s exactly what he’s lacking. Exactly what he needs.

“When did you get so smart?” I ask, sniveling into my wrist.

“Probably when I got married…or knocked up.” She winks. “I’m like a real grown-up now.”

I snort.

“Hey, hey, pretty ladies.” Lyle appears in the doorway, putting an end to our conversation.

“Hey,” I say, drying my eyes. “What’s up?”

“Rhett wants to see you before he leaves for rehearsal,” he informs Korie. “Apparently you forgot your phone on y’all’s bus.”

My bestie pats her front and back pockets. “So I did.”

“It’s okay,” I say when she looks at me and hesitates. “It’s nap time.” I smile. “Thanks for feeding them and for the talk, but I can take it from here.”

“Anytime.” She hugs me tight. “Tough love,” she whispers before pulling away.

I give her a salute.

“I’ll stay,” Lyle offers, reading the room. “Go spend some time with your husband, and I’ll hang out here till practice and help get the babies down.”

“You don’t have t—”

“Shut it,” Korie says, glaring at me. “That’d be amazing, Lyle. You’re the best.” She loves on the babies then retrieves her bag from beside the couch. “I’ll check in with you later.” Her eyes bolt with mine as she says the last words, and I know she means business.

I nod, waving until she disappears from view.

“You all right?” Lyle moves to the kitchen and starts emptying plates and refilling sippy cups.

“Yeah,” I say, taking the twins down from their places at the counter and lugging them—one under each arm—to the living room to change into fresh diapers. I can’t help but laugh at how homey the two of us have become. “We’re like an old married couple,” I say with a snort.

“Minus all the sex,” he quips, shooting me a playful wink.

“What the hell makes you think old married people are having tons of sex? One week into this gig and I’m already favoring sleep.”

“Yeah, well,” he says, lifting Alex into his arms, “that’s because your partner isn’t pulling his weight.”

“Hmm.” Can’t argue with that. “He’s not my partner,” I remind him…and myself. “But you’re probably right.”

I honestly can’t think of anything I’d find more attractive than to watch Nicholas take care of his babies.

“Where to?” he asks, helping me up from the floor with his free hand.

“Nick’s room…they sleep longer in the bed with me, and Nick’s drums are in the dumpster.” I shrug, trailing behind. “There’s nothing else of value in there that they could destroy. We locked everything else up.”