“He is—he hasto.”
Lex gives a shrill whistle to get our attention. “Would you both get over there? Kids have a short attention span, if you haven’tnoticed.”
Skyla waves the two of us over as she struggles to keep three little ones from crawling to the four corners of theearth.
Gage and I head over to the lawn, and Skyla swats Gage until he complies with the no shoe, no sock rule. Soon we’re posing for the camera as one big family, and it feels right. Skyla and Gage sit next to one another with a boy on each lap, and I lie on my side in front of them with Angel—just the six of us, perhaps the way it should be. In the end, we feel like one big happyfamily.
Ellis’ monster truck roars up the street and pulls into the mouth of the driveway before both he and Giselle hopout.
“Good-looking crew!” Ellis struts over and does his best to high-five the kids, and shockingly it looks as if he’s got them all trained. He gives me a swift kick in the ass with his boot. “Here’s the man of the hour. G and I just ran by the city with the architect and made some last-minute changes. Just a few little things. Nothing to panicover.”
Crap. If Ellis Harrison suggests it’s nothing to panic over, it is very much something to panicover.
Gage and I get up and follow him to the porch while Giselle helps Skyla scoop up thekids.
“Too late, I’m panicked. What’s happening?” My heart bucks its way into my throat because I’m fearing I’ll find a hookah lounge that specializes in pot planted smack in the middle of my thoroughly modern state-of-the-art bowl-a-drome.
Ellis grimaces over at Giselle a moment as she helps Skyla into the house with the kids. “You know, I like to keep the little womanhappy.”
Gage groans. “That’s demeaning, and sexist, and would you stop treating my sister like some toy you picked up at the store?” He gives Ellis a slight shove and sends him staggeringbackward.
“Dude, she’s the love of my life. I’d die if that’s what made herhappy.”
Gage and I exchange a wry smile. Sometimes Ellis just being Ellis can be a bit frightening towitness.
“Anyway, like I said, there were a few minor changes she wanted to see made to the plans, and both the city and the architect agreed it was no big deal. Plus, the contractor says this new design change will put us ahead of schedule a full month—so get ready to christen this baby byDecember.”
“Let’s hear it. I’m sure it’s a great idea.” Words I never thought I’d say to Ellis. “Are we erecting a replica of the Eifel Tower on the rooftop? Mirrored walls? A giant G rotating over the signage? Give it to me quick, Ellis.” Again, words I never thought would leave mylips.
Ellis expands his chest with his next breath as he glances over my shoulder. “She nixed the sleek contemporary design and—let’s just say she went for a morehomeyfeel.”
“Shit. Howhomey?”
Gage bucks with a dull laugh. “Dude, you did this without consulting Logan? I don’t care how homey it is. You’ve lost your fuckingmind.”
Ellis nods in agreement. “That I have, my friend. And let it be a testimony to how much I love your sister. So don’t ride my ass anymore. Every time you drive by the Bowling Barn, I want you to see it as a testament to my affection towardher.”
“Oh shit.” My stomach bottoms out. Worst nightmare confirmed. Working with Ellis was the mistake of the century. “TheBowling Barn? Ellis, exactly what kind of changes did you make to theaesthetics?”
“Just a few nips and tucks.” He shrugs it off as if it were nothing, and just as he opens his mouth to continue, Giselle hops down the porch and strangles him with a hug. I’m tempted to cheer her on in the taking Ellis’ breath awaydepartment.
“Isn’t it great?” Giselle beams as Skyla pops up behindher.
“The kids are in their Pack ’n Plays.” Skyla wraps her arms around Gage and notes the conversation is stilted. “Isn’t whatgreat?”
Giselle does an odd little bunny hop. “The fact the bowling alley is going to be in the shape of a big giant redbarn!”
Gage and Skyla groan at the same time. I’d join them, but I’m too busy trying not to passout.
“Ellis?” My voice hitches. “What happened to the bowling alley and gym we spent weeks together designing? Or were you too wasted to remember?” I’m not holding back because I just so happen to be fuckingpissed.
“I remember.” He holds his hands out in surrender. “I just thought Giselle had a pretty greatidea.”
“Oh, it is a great idea,” she’s quick to assure. “We’re going to have ten times more arcade games andprizes. We’ll have lots and lots of prizes—those big giant stuffed animals with the button eyes the size of paper plates—they sort of give me nightmares—but we’ll have those and anything else you canimagine!”
“I’m sort of having a nightmare, too.” I glare across the street where the bowling alley once stood and silently kiss my sleek bowl-a-drome goodbye. This is what I get for leaning hard on Ellis, financially speaking. I knew I was putting him in the driver’s seat, but I could have never foreseen this barnyard fiasco, and it’s my own stupid fault. Note to self: whenever Ellis is involved—expect a barnyard fiasco each and everytime.
Shit. Justshit.
