“Sure, man. Go do what you gotta do.”
“Thanks.”
***
I don’tbother calling her first. Sometimes surprises are nicer. Butinstead, I’m the one that gets the surprise, as I pull up and seeJacob’s car parked in the driveway, and Sloane’s car in front ofhis. He’s still sitting in the car, finishing up a call, as I parknext to him. He sees me and gestures hello with his chin as hehangs up.
“Hey, man. Ellie invited me over for pizza with Sloane. Youcoming, too?”
“Yeah, sure.” I nod, shaking his proffered hand.
“It’s nice to see that the girls are talking again at least.”Jacob comments.
“Whenever any of my brothers and I fight, it’s usually prettyshort-lived, that and mama comes after us with the broom if wedon’t make up right quick.”
“She comes after you with a broom?” Jacob chuckles. “Howcome?”
“Our fights mostly involve fists and scrapping it out on thefloor. Rarely do we do the silent treatment. It’s all physical withour clan.”
“Believe me, I’ve wanted to punch Terence in the face so manytimes, but I don’t think I ever did it…yet.”
“Zack almost broke my nose once.” I volunteer.
Jacobshakes his head and takes a step towards the door. When he knocksand Ellie answers, her face looks like she’s been caught with herpants down, and I can’t figure out why. She gives me a quick kisshello and I look over at Sloane, who looks like her best friendjust died, and I go over and shake her hand hello. “How areyou?”
“I’m…good.” She says, and I notice that she doesn’t rise to gosay hello to Jacob. I’m thinking maybe they had a fight orsomething? She doesn’t look angry, but who knows. Ellie informs usthat she already ordered the pizza and it should be here shortly,as she gives her sister a look that I can’t decipher.
“Maverick, why don’t you come upstairs for a minute, and helpme with something.” Ellie says, but before I can agree, Sloaneinterrupts.
“No, it’s okay, Ellie. You can show him later.” She insists,and I see that she’s breaking a sweat across herforehead.
“You okay, Sloane?” I ask, and I see that Jacob has noticedit, too.
“Yeah, baby. You don’t look so good.” He says.
Sloaneslides a hand through her hair. “Look, maybe pizza wasn’t such agreat idea. I’m not hungry. Jacob, I think I’m going to go home.I’ll meet you there.”
Jacob’sbrows knit together. “No, baby. I’m not leaving you. If you’re notwell I’m staying right with you. You took care of me when I wassick.”
“Really, Jacob, I’m fine.” She says, almostfrustrated.
“Sloane, just…go on home. Deal with it.” Ellie says, givingher a reassuring nod.
Sloane’slips purse together. “Fine.”
“Call me later, okay?” Ellie says as we both watch Jacob andSloane depart. As soon as the door closes, Ellie turns to me.“Don’t ask. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
I liftmy arms up in defence. “I get it. But whatever she did, she isn’tgreat at hiding guilt, I gotta tell you.”
“She didn’t do anything, Maverick.” Ellie says, pushing herarms up my shoulders, closing the gap between us. “It’s what theyboth did.”
“Thought y’all weren’t going to tell me. Thought you weresworn to secrecy.” I murmur teasingly.
“Well, I didn’t tell you, did I.” her tone is salacious as sherubs her nose on mine.
“Well, if it’s what they both did, it can only mean that she’spregnant, right?”
Sheexhales quickly, smiling. “God, you’re good.”
