Mom frowned. “I can understand that. I hate sleeping alone when your dad’s out of town.”
“Oh, I know,” I teased. “Youdon’tsleep, ergo, we don’t sleep.”
When Dad was out of town, Mom would make us stay up with her watching some of the worst movies on the planet just so she wouldn’t have to be alone. Lucky for us, it didn’t happen very often.
She chuckled. “True story. I’d apologize, but then I’d be lying because Mummy loves quality time with her boys and if I have to make you watch girly movies with me, I’ll do it.”
“And you know we’ll always say yes.”
“That’s because your dad would murder you in the face if you didn’t.”
I laughed. “I will neither confirm nor deny.”
“You’re a good boy, Flashy.” She grinned, squeezing my arm. “When are your renos going to be done?”
“I’m meeting with Cade tomorrow, but I think a week or so.”
“Well, that’s exciting.”
“Yeah. Just want it done.”
She chuckled. “I know, love.”
We heard the beep of the alarm, and then my dad called out, “Sunshine?”
“Kitchen, darling.”
“I need to call Tate,” I said, sliding off the stool, and kissing her cheek.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mama.”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket again and passed my dad on the way up to my room. He gave me a quick hug, then I headed upstairs.
* * *
Tate
“Did you get taken outby a crow?” I asked, answering after one ring. I was in my room, the pint of mint chip ice cream on my nightstand and a spoon on top of it. I was waiting for it to soften a little before eating it, so I’d gotten in my pajamas and logged into my laptop to get ready for a study session when Flash finally called.
“No, sorry, baby,” he said. “My mom needed me.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Dad was gone, and she was bored.”
I chuckled. “No movie this time?”
“Nope, Dad walked in just in time,” he said. “Hold on a sec.”
I flopped onto my bed and leaned against my headboard, reaching for my ice cream when Flash came back on the line.
“Sorry.”
I smiled. “All good. I’m just about to plow into a tub of ice cream.”
“I thought I was the one who was gonna plow you?” he challenged.
