“Give me a minute, guys. You can jump on him later.”
Sebastian whimpers like I’ve just ruined his entire night, but Olly distracts him by asking what they’re playing. The kids are soon back in the living room, and I can get a second to ask, “What’s up with Zoey? What’d she do to lose her phone?”
Zander sighs, running a hand through his hair while Carson sidles up beside us.
“She was really rude to Sienna.” He winces. “I had to do something drastic to prove my point. Seriously, why did we think fourteen was old enough to even own a phone?”
Carson scoffs. “I’ve seen kids younger than ten walking around with them.”
“Yeah, well, we held out until her fourteenth birthday, which apparently was archaic and completely evil of us.” Zander rolls his eyes.
I can’t help a soft laugh. “And now you’ve gone and taken it away again.”
“I was so livid with her. You should have seen Sienna’s face. Her feelings were so hurt.”
“What did Zoey say?” Carson crosses his arms with a curious frown.
Zander sighs. “Something about only idiots getting knocked up in high school. It was brutal.”
“No way,” he whispers. “Zoey said that to Sienna? But she knows you guys were young when you?—”
“Yes.” Zander gives him an emphatic look. “We’ve told her everything except the shit that went down at Kelsey U.” He shudders. “It was a low blow.” He closes his eyes. “Shit, she’s being such a brat today.”
“Zoey?” I shoot him a skeptical frown. “A brat?”
“I’m serious.” He bulges his eyes at me. “She came home from school this afternoon in some guy’s car, then kissed him.”
“What?” Carson and I snap in unison, our brows bunching together.
“Exactly.” He flicks his hand up. “Thank you.”
“Who is he?” Carson growls.
“Some guy named Curry.” Zander spits out the word like it’s a foul taste in his mouth. “I’m pretty sure he’s a senior. He was driving her and two other girls, and he gave her a Valentine’s Day card, which apparently gives him the right to expect a kiss.”
“Where does he live?” Carson throws him a dark look and I join him, staring down at Zander.
“Think that little shit might need himself a visit from Uncle Wily and Uncle Carson.”
“Oh man, I would love that. If only we could.” Zander sighs. “Shit, you guys. Having a teenage girl is so fucking hard. Watching her grow up and become a woman? I simultaneously love it and hate it.”
Carson goes a little pale, and I’m sure my face is doing the same thing.
Oh man. I’m kind of dreading my girls growing up and getting boyfriends and all that shit. The thought of any of them getting mistreated or having their hearts broken… it kills me.
“Why do you all look like you’re about to throw up?” Grady comes to stand beside us, his phone clutched in his hand. “What are we talking about?”
“Being girl daddies,” Carson mutters, and then Zander quickly updates him on the Zoey news.
“Oh shitballs,” Grady murmurs. “Where does this Curry ass live?”
“I wish I could tell you, man.” Zander leans against the wall. “But thanks to me taking her phone, Zoey has iced me out. I’ll be lucky to get anything more than glares from her this weekend.Shit.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair yet again. It’s sticking up all over the place, and he doesn’t seem to care. “Such a shit show,” he complains under his breath, and Grady changes the subject.
Lifting his phone, he tells us, “Just heard from Tyrell. They’ve boarded their plane now, so they’re one step closer to home. Let’s just hope their connecting flights all work out.”
“Yeah, man.” I nod. “What a bummer for them. They’ll be spending Valentine’s Day on planes and in airports.”
“Well, hopefully they’ll get here by tomorrow night. I’m pretty sure the girls have some special stuff planned for the evening, so if they can make it for that…”
