Page 31 of Momcom Vacation

Chapter 14

Liv

There’s no holding back the giggles as I watch the footage of Muriel asking Beckett to lather her with lotion. I haven’t had this much fun in I don’t know how long. Shay is taking a nap inside, Delia disappeared hours ago, and Dylan is inside making drinks. I’m lounging in peace beside the pool. Or I was. But when my phone alerted me to Muriel’s location, I couldn’t help but sit up and spy on them.

Like me, she knows my husband had absconded with the Bolts team plane and kidnapped our families, and she gladly agreed to help me teach him a lesson.

I’ve known Muriel for several years. Before Beckett and I got married, back when he treated me like his assistant rather than the head of PR, I came here on occasion. According to him, it was my job to ensure the home was prepared before he arrived.

God, I wish I could hear what they were saying.

My control freak of a husband had cameras installed all over this island. Luckily, I have the passcode to access all of it. But clearly I’m not tech savvy enough to figure out how to get sound with the playback or live feed.

That’s okay. Beckett’s expression is more than enough. He’s horrified that she’s asking him to touch her bare back. When shepoints at the spot just above her butt, I fold in on myself and cackle. God, it serves him right for being such a meddler.

“All drinks should come with tiny pink umbrellas. Look at them. They’re so cute.” Dylan appears, holding two drinks. “What are you laughing at?”

“Okay, I can’t hide it anymore. I asked Muriel to mess with Beckett and do ridiculous things to torture him.”

Her jaw drops and her eyes go wide. “Oh my god, you knew this whole time?”

With a big smile on my face, I nod. “Yup.”

“Wait, how?”

“Sara texted the group chat the girls at work use, freaking out about the team plane being missing. Apparently Gavin was losing his shit. A minute later, she said, ‘Never mind. Beckett stole it so he could spy on Liv.’” I roll my eyes.

Dylan presses her lips together like she’s holding back a laugh.

“Her next text came even quicker. It said something like ‘Shit, Liv’s in this chat. Don’t tell Beckett. He’ll fire me.’ I promised her I wouldn’t say a word if she promised not to tell him I knew.”

Giggling, Dylan holds out my drink. “You guys have a very strange marriage.”

With a shrug, I sip the virgin piña colada.

“Are you going to tell him?”

I lean back in my chair, luxuriating in the peace and warmth of the day. Yes, I could use a break from Beckett and the kids, but I can’t deny that knowing they’re on this island too is comforting. They’re close by but not bothering me. Truly, it’s the perfect scenario. Though I won’t tell Beckett that. Can’t let him think he was right to do what he did. The man doesn’t need anyone to inflate his ego. It’s already about the size of this island.

“I just have one more thing to do.”

“Poor Beckett,” Dylan says as she settles beside me on the daybed.

I rest my head on the cushion and turn toward her. “Honestly, I needed this.”

“The break?” She gives me a sweet smile. “Me too. This island is incredible. Maybe Cortney and I will build a house here too. Then we could have all our family vacations here.”

A peaceful warmth weaves its way through me at the idea. “That sounds nice. But no, not the vacation. I mean the whole torturing Beckett thing.”

Dylan puffs out a surprised laugh.

“I was starting to feel like nothing but a vessel for these babies.” I scoot up and pick up my drink. “I’m my kids’ mom, a pregnant woman. And… I don’t know. I missed our relationship, I guess. Beckett watches my every move. He’s constantly on alert, making sure I don’t get hurt, making sure his babies don’t get hurt.I miss the way we used to be. How we’d piss each other off, then fool around. I miss being his obsession. I know he’s still obsessed, but now it’s about safety. I want him to want me the way he used to.”

Dylan’s face softens. “That makes sense. But you know the man is crazy about you—not only as the mother of his children, but as the woman he loves.”

“I know.” I take a deep breath. “But I’ve done this before. After Drake and I got married, life seemed perfect. Then I had kids and everything changed.”

“Beckett is nothing like your asshole ex.” Her tone is fierce and protective and so out of character for sweet, easygoing Dylan.

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