“Sorry for yelling, sis,” I murmured and patted her on the head. My wedding band got caught in the strands.
“Ow!” she said, reaching up.
I tried to pull my hand free again, but she grabbed my wrist.
“We’re stuck,” she declared. “Romeo! I’m stuck.”
Romeo shook his head. “You’re killing me, smalls.”
“You should really think about combing your hair,” I told her.
She snorted. “Like that helps. It just goes back to this anyway.”
I laughed, and it eased the worst of the pressure in my chest. When she smiled, I found myself smiling back.
“I got this,” Drew announced, finally relinquishing my hand so he could use both of his to untangle us. “I love ya, sis, but I draw the line at sharing my man.”
“This is ridiculous,” Rimmel muttered, trying to tug free. “Ow.”
Drew tsked. “Gonna need the butter.”
Ivy gasped. “You willnotput butter in her hair!”
“Basically the same thing as conditioner,” Drew reasoned.
“You know it’s true,” Braeden wisecracked.
Ivy gasped again. “I am embarrassed to be married to you.”
“That hurts my feelings, blondie.”
“Good.”
She squealed when Braeden snatched her off the stool and tossed her over his shoulder. “We’re going to bed. Someone needs a reminder of why I’m the best husband on the planet.”
“He wishes,” Drew muttered. Suddenly, my hand pulled free from Rim’s knotted hair. “You’re free,” he announced.
“Braeden James, put me down,” Ivy exclaimed, slapping him on the back.
“Just a little lower next time, sweetheart.”
“Meeting tomorrow at ten.” I reminded them.
“We’ll be here,” B called.
“Good night!” Rimmel yelled as she smoothed out her hair.
“Ew, Dad!” Jax exclaimed a moment later, clearly getting an eyeful of his parents’ shenanigans. “That’s just gross.”
“We’re going to bed,” Braeden told them.
“TMI, Dad!” Nova hollered. “TMI!”
“Breakfast at nine!” Ivy called as Braeden’s footfalls hit the stairs. “Don’t stay up too late.”
“Come over here before you get caught on something else,” Romeo murmured, pulling Rim into his arms and wrapping them around her.
“We’re going home,” I told them. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
