Page 120 of Snared

“I think it’s sweet. She tamed the cocky asshole,” Cassie said.

“Asshole,” James repeated. “Asshole. Mommy, is that my butthole?”

“Sh—” Cassie started.

“Cassie,” Evie warned.

Cassie’s eyes widened. “Shoot.”

Jax laughed. “Auntie Cassie is teaching him all the bad words already. And here I thought that would be me.”

“It was you,” Tristan fired back as Bash chuckled.

Jax had recently taught James how to say fuck. He quickly tried to turn it into fork, but I wasn’t sure it worked. We were rockers, but we were trying to be better around James. Yes, this was the world we were in, but we all tried to shield James as much as possible.

He’d been media fodder since his paternity had come out. He didn’t need more crap his way.

“Cookie or sticks?” I asked James, trying to shift his attention.

“Sticks and cookies,” he yelled.

“No food near my drums,” I said.

He pushed out his lower lip. “Fine. Sticks now.” He looked toward Jax. “Don’t eat my cookies.”

Jax put his hand on his chest. “I would never, little dude. Never.”

“I thought we were recording?” Josh asked.

Bash laughed. “Well, I guess he’s not totally gone.”

“Just doing my job, guys. Need to make sure you’re all set before I head back to LA,” Josh said.

I turned to face him. “LA?”

“Ooh, CH, didn’t even tell the wife you’re leaving? Yikes,” Jax said. “Don’t you know that open communication is what all great relationships are based on?”

“You wouldn’t know a great relationship if it bit you on the—” Josh started.

“Josh,” Evie cut in.

Jax shook his head. “Tut. Tut. Pissing off all the ladies today.”

“It’s amazing he’s still breathing,” Tristan said wryly.

Josh focused on me. “I’d bring you with me, but we all know they’re useless without you and this album needs to be done.”

Fine. He was slightly redeemed with that.

“Nice save,” Bash said.

“I’ve been on tour with you pains in the”—he paused—“bums, so I have to get back to the office and get caught up.”

“And then what?” I asked, settling James behind my kit.

“Come with me,” he said, cupping my elbow.

“I got him,” Tristan said, standing next to James so he wouldn’t fall off as he whacked the floor tom drum with the sticks.

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