“Of course!” Nicole replies. “As soon as you all eat your lunch.”
“Mama Summer and Daddy are back.”
“Is that so,” Mrs. M questions, her tone not exactly kind.
Kadi nods as she chews a grape. “They just got home a little bit ago. Mama Summer’s not feeling good.”
Ethan frowns. “What’s wrong?”
Kadi looks at Ethan, her expression filled with worry. “I don’t know. She’s going to the doctor soon. I want to go, but they said no.”
“I’ll talk them into it,” Ethan tells her.
I elbow him. He looks over.
“What?”
“You sure you should do that?” I ask.
“Kadi’s my girl. I’ll always help her out,” Ethan says with a wink to her.
Jace enters the kitchen and Mrs. M starts muttering in Spanish—lots of swear words. Translation: “Run off and get married, will you? Without inviting us. Asshole. Ungrateful asshole.”
“Man, you are in so much trouble,” I tell him, nodding to my mom. “She called you an asshole, dude.”
Jace winces. “One thing at a time. Right now, I need to find Lucy. Summer’s sick.”
“Did you check the studio?” Ben asks.
Jace nods. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve got a call in to the doctor…”
“Dr. Mack?” Ethan asks.
Jace nods.
“Where you’re taking Kadi along, right?” Ethan urges.
Jace looks at Ethan. Ethan gives him a look, then looks to Kadi who’s biting her nails.
“Baby girl, you can absolutely come along. I didn’t realize… I’m sorry,” Jace tells Kadi, pulling her into a hug.
“I’ll find Lucy,” she tells him, pulling away.
“Is Miss Summer okay? Is the baby okay?” Mrs. M asks, when Kadi leaves the room.
“I think so,” Jace replies. “She just not been feeling well the last couple of days.”
“Could it be something she ate?” I ask.
“It’s possible,” Jace admits.
“Dude, Dr. Mackenzie will give it to you straight up,” Ben informs Jace. “There’ll be no guessing.”
Jace breathes out a relieved breath. “I hope it’s just a virus or something.”
“Summer viruses are common,” Lucy says as she enters the kitchen holding Kadi’s hand. “Take me to her?”
Jace nods, taking Kadi’s other hand and they all exit the kitchen.
