Page 127 of Daddies' Holiday Toy

“You really believe that? That he’s a shitty father?”

I meet his eyes, steady. “I’ve believed that for a long time.”

He leans back against the counter, arms crossing over his bare chest.

The pose is casual, but his stare isn’t. It’s anything but.

“It never occurred to you,” he says slowly, “that youshouldhave said something to him earlier? Holly’s the one who paid the price for their crap, and we just let that happen. I’m guilty of it too. I just…I’m tired of standing by and watching them fuck their daughter over without any care.”

I let out a small sigh.

My fingers absentmindedly tap against the side of my mug.

“I agree. I think we were all in the wrong for not at least trying to step in when all of that was going down. That’s a guilt that’s going to live with me for a long, long time. I know it will with you too. At this point, all we can do is make sure Holly is supported and tell Carson to fuck off if he tries to come around her again.”

Liam shifts then, his shoulders easing back down, the tension in his frame losing the last bit of bite.

He exhales through his nose, almost a huff. “Guess that makes us the new daddies, huh?”

I roll my eyes so hard they nearly detach from my skull. “Don’t start with that shit.”

The corner of his mouth lifts just enough to be considered a half-grin.

“It’s not shit. You and me and Reece…not exactly conventional.”

“Does that bother you?” I ask.

“Does that botheryou?” he counters right back.

I think for a moment, letting my finger still against my mug. Finally, when I open my mouth, I surprise myself with saying, “No, not at all.”

Liam tilts his mug toward me in a mock toast.

“Good. And hey, let’s stop being assholes to each other. I’m tired of being mad at you over some stupid shit Carson’s done. Truce?”

The corner of my mouth tilts up. “Truce.”

It’s not perfect, there’s far too much water under the bridge for that, but it’s solid enough that it feels like the ground between us has stopped crumbling.

I’m glad for that.

Liam is my best friend.

I would hate to lose him over something ridiculous like Carson’s inability to be a good person to his own kid.

Webothwere better than letting that happen to our friendship.

At the front of Holly’s apartment, the sound of a lock clicking into place has both Liam and me turning and poking our heads out of the kitchen.

The door to Holly’s apartment, the handle specifically, jiggles again.

Every muscle in my body goes taut.

It’s barely past sunrise.

Holly shouldn’t be expecting anyone at this hour.

The hinges give a slow, aching creak as the door swings open.