Sugarlips (Beefcakes Book 2)

her eyes bright. “What’d I miss?”
Finn’s shoulders bounced as he tried to suppress his laughter, and Chloe licked errant whipped cream off her thumb. “Liam and I were just telling everyone about what good friends we’ve become this week.”
Mom beamed, brushing her hand to my cheek. “That’s sweet.”
Chloe took a bite of her chocolate chip slice and moaned. “Oh my God. It really is ridiculously good. You have to put this on the menu of the food truck.”
Neil blinked, looking back and forth between me and Chloe. “So… that’s for real? That truck outside isn’t some weird Chloe Dyker prank?”
“I didn’t even know you wanted to open a food truck,” Finn said.
“Me neither,” Neil added.
Only Mom and Addy remained quiet… they were the only two people I had mentioned the idea to. But even that was a year ago. Before the craziness of Beefcakes took off.
I shrugged, trying to downplay the idea. “It was a passing thought—”
“Liam,” Mom whispered. “Tell them.”
“Tell me what?” Neil pressed.
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Okay, fine. Yes, I’ve been wanting to open a food truck. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple years now, and while I love helping out at the bakery, I always thought a food truck would be a really fun way to branch out.”
Neil’s dark brows knitted together. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
I shrugged. “When would I have told you? Amidst the viral video turmoil? Or while you were filming the reality show? There wasn’t a lot of time—”
“In two years? In a year, there was never time to talk about your dreams?” Neil gestured to Chloe. “And now… you’re going into business with Chloe Dyker? Seriously?”
“I think you’ll make a smart business partner,” Mom said to Chloe, taking a bite of her cookie.
I nodded. “Chloe is shrewd and has a background in business and marketing. Her work helping us promote Beefcakes on TikTok – whatever the heck that is – is already showing results.
“And she’ll push Liam to take risks while Liam will help keep her feet on the ground,” Mom added. “It’s wise to partner with someone who has different assets than you.”
“And she apparently bought a truck without consulting Liam,” Neil said, gesturing to the driveway.
“Yeah,” I scrunched my nose at Chloe. I didn’t exactly want to talk to her about this with my family here. But Neil had a point… I would have looked at Kelly Blue Book and price shopped.
Chloe rolled her eyes. “I got it for such a good price, there wasn’t time to call Liam and have him look, too. Besides… I took the money I was supposed to use to buy a new recliner and bought the truck instead.”
“Damn,” Finn whispered. “How much was that recliner going to be?”
“Yeah, the truck was quite a bit more than a chair, but, Liam, you said a food truck is usually in the twelve-thousand-dollar range, right?”
I nodded, narrowing my eyes at her. “Yeah…”
“This truck was only three thousand!”
I winced. “There’s probably a reason for that. Does it even work?”
“You saw me drive it up.”
“Does the kitchen section work?”
“The burners and the fryers do.” She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “But you said yourself… we can make most of the items at the bakery.”
I swiped my palm down my face. “Did you at least get the truck inspected before you bought it?” Addy asked.
“Um…sort of.”
Shit. “Look… why don’t we have a meeting tomorrow and talk about those details?” I said. I really, really didn’t want to continue this conversation in front of my family.
Neil snorted and pushed an M&M around his plate. “Way to go, guys. The food truck is off to a real good start.”
“Hey!” Chloe slammed her fork onto the table. “Liam and this whole family have been nothing but supportive to you and your dreams. Can’t you do the same for your little brother?”
“What do you know about my family or my dreams?” Neil snapped back.
“I know you left for LA years ago to pursue lifting and stunt work. I know you always wanted to be a baker and create healthy baked goods. And I know that you are planning to open up a stunt training center here in town… yeah,” she added. “You all talk really loudly, and this condo is small enough to hear everything. I know enough that your family was thrilled for you when you delivered that news, and yet you’re being a total dick to Liam upon learning about his dream. No wonder he didn’t tell you.” Chloe stood, grabbing her purse. “I think I lost my appetite. Thank you, Liam, for a great dinner.”
Mom’s brow arched at Neil. “She’s right.” Her words stopped Chloe in her tracks midway to the front door.
Neil’s head snapped up. “What?”
“She’s right,” Mom repeated.
“I am?” Chloe asked.
Mom nodded. “Neil, I love you. But you’re being a jerk. And this family might have given you grief for how you left… but we never once made you feel guilty or stupid for why you left.”
Neil blinked, his cheeks turning a shade of a pink I’d never seen on him before. He muttered a curse and pushed his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, his eyes flicking briefly to me before landing back on his beer. “I… I’ve been in a shit mood lately and I guess I’ve sort of taken it out on you.”
The corners of my mouth twitched, and I tried to give him a smile. “It’s okay. I know it’s been a hard week.”
Mom cleared her throat, and her eyes flicked to the hallway where Chloe was still standing. “You have another apology.”
“I’m sorry, Chloe,” Neil called to her and she slowly came back into the kitchen. “I mean, I do think you should probably consult with your partner before making big decisions like buying the truck. But I shouldn’t have said that other stuff.”
Just as quickly as her fury came on… it was gone. The scowl was replaced with an ear to ear