“You deserved it.”
The doorbell rings.
“That’ll be Mum and Dad,” I say, rolling off the bed. “You should get up,” I say to Blake. “They’ll want to say hi to you too.”
“You’re the ones who invaded my room to talk,” Blake says. “It’s not my fault you were keeping me from getting dressed.”
“Shower,” Archie says, standing. “Trust me.”
Blake flips him the finger. “Hey, do either of you have a shirt I could borrow?”
“What for?” I ask.
“My date.”
“You need to wear a shirt to go over to a guy’s house for dinner?”
“They told me to dress nice. Can I borrow a shirt?” He looks between us, eyebrows raised.
“Check my wardrobe,” I say. “There should be plenty hanging up.” I have to wear shirts for work.
“You’re the best.”
“I know.”
The doorbell rings again, more insistently this time.
“Shower!” I say before darting out the room and down the stairs.
I was right. It’s Mum and Dad, bringing Lexi home.
“Daddy!” Lexi launches herself into my arms and gives me a huge hug.
“Hey, pudding. Did you have a good time with Granny and Grandpa?”
“The best! They let me stay up and watch Ariel all night.”
“Not all night,” Mum says. She kisses my cheek as she comes inside. “Did you boys have a good night?”
Heat flushes to my cheeks. “Yeah, it was great. Thanks for babysitting.”
“Any time.”
Once everyone is inside, I shut the door, and we all head into the living area. I put the kettle on, knowing Mum and Dad will want a cup of tea before they even think about heading home. Not that I want to hurry them along.
“Were you marking?” Dad asks.
“Oh, yeah. I’d only just started.”
“You shouldn’t have to work on the weekend,” Mum says, sitting on the sofa.
“It’s part of the job, Mum.”
“Where are Archie and Blake?” Dad asks.
“Here,” Archie says from the doorway. “Blake will be down soon. He’s just getting up.”
Dad checks his watch. “It’s noon.”
