Page 118 of Wild Side
You already in show mode?
Rhys:
Not yet. What’s wrong?
I chuckle down at my screen. Such a worrier.
Then I snap a photo of the living room and send it off to him.
Tabby:
Watch party.
Rhys:
Funny.
Tabby:
What is? I’m serious. Everyone is so excited.
Rhys:
This is actually happening right now?
Yup. It’s blowing his mind. I go out on a limb and send him a video call request. When his face pops up on the screen, I sigh.
“Wild Side. Nice to see you.”
His eyes roll, but it doesn’t stop him from coming back with, “You too, Mrs. Wild Side.”
I’m grinning when I turn the camera around and show him the living room just beyond me. “See? This is actually happening right now.”
His eyes move through, as though soaking up every person crammed into my small house, and all he comes back with is a rough, “Your parents are there?”
“Oh yeah. I think my dad is a little pissed I didn’t think to invite him. Showed up unannounced because he heard about it from West.”
His Adam’s apple bobs. “Wow.”
“An entire enthusiastic cheering section for you up in Canada. Cora even said you’re too old for her to crush on now, but that she’s still a fan, so that was nice.”
“Tell her I’ll get her tickets. But everyone else… they know it’s just a regular Monday night? Like not a special event?”
He sounds so confused.
“I don’t think they care. They just wanna watch you. So win tonight. Or do I need to talk to the writers?”
That draws a gravelly chuckle from him. “Well, I can’t officially say anything, but I don’t think they’ll be disappointed.”
“Excellent. Okay, go kick some ass out there. I just wanted to show you what was going down at home.”
His shoulders heave as he lets out a huge sigh and hits me with a heartfelt, “Thank you, Tabby.”
I smile, trying not to let it turn watery. “Always.” He told me that it may be a few weeks before he comes back, depending on his schedule, and of course, I was fine with it. Just like I need my work, he needs his. That he has a passion for something—that drive, that focus—it’s one of the most attractive things about him.
“We miss you. Please tell Little Willy that I hate his guts.”
Rhys laughs now. “He will certainly get a kick out of that.”
