“What’s shakin’ fellas and ladies!” Shea yells out.
Xander looks confused and I snicker. It’s mean, but he did this to himself.
“I repeat, what the hell is going on here?” Xan yells again.
“Jesus, we heard you the first time,” Carter answers.
“Watch yourself, Winters,” Xander tells him as he points.
Shea laughs. “This is so amusing. I’d let it go on, but he looks so sad standing there. Poor lost, Xander—who brought this on himself. This will teach you to be nice to house guests.”
“Um, Xan,” I begin, walking over to where he’s standing, legs apart, arms folded across his chest—it’s an aggressive stance and it’s so un-Xander-like.
“Woman, what the fuck?”
“Don’t you swear at me and calm down. You’re going to feel like an idiot in a minute.”
He tilts his head.
“You remember agreeing it was okay for Shea to come for a visit?” I prod.
He nods. “Yeah.”
“Well, she’s here with herhusband. Carter.”
Xander blinks. Looks at Shea and Carter where they’re standing arm-in-arm.
“Well, why didn’t you say so? Carter fucking Winters! How the hell are ya? That was one hell of a season you had,” Xander shouts, walking right up to Carter and hugging him.
I roll my eyes while the rest of the family laughs.
“Nowthatis the Xander I remember,” Shea blurts out while she runs up and gives me a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too. I’ve missed you.”
And I have. So much. Shea and Carter came to visit at least twice a week. Then when I was at a good point in therapy and I was able, we went out to dinner, too. They’re still my best friends.
“Nice digs, Falling Down rockstars,” Shea whistles.
“Come here, brat,” Linc calls out. She runs up and hugs him.
“How are you liking California?” she asks him.
He shrugs. “It’s good. I’m content. Family’s here.”
Shea nods. “We may be moving this way soon. Carter doesn’t want to re-up his contract with New York. Word is a couple teams out here want him.”
“As well they should. MVP of the league,” Xander boasts.
“You’re an idiot,” Carter tells Xan. “You’ve always been an idiot when it came to Tera. It’s good to see none of that has changed.”
Xander laughs. “Well, old habits die hard.”
Carter playfully slaps Xander on the back. “Get over it, man. I never stood a chance, and we’ve all moved on.”
“Jealousy isn’t attractive,” Lucy tells Xander.
Xander opens his mouth as if to say something and Lucy gives him a look. With that, he closes his mouth, points to her, and nods as if to say, “You’re a fine one to be talking.”
