I hunched my shoulders. “I’ve been doing okay. My cast comes off in a few days, so I’m excited about that.”
“That’s great, baby. It's been too long since I heard from you. I was beginning to think you forgot about little ol’ me.”
I shook my head. “Never, Granny. It's just a lot has been going on around here.”
She hooded her eyes.“I heard.”
Right then, I knew she was aware of Miracle. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who spilled those beans. “Tabitha?”
Granny nodded her head.“You know that child loves to gossip. She even showed me pictures that you put on your Facelift.”
I was confused for a second, and then it clicked. “You mean myFaceBook, Granny?” I giggled.
I uploaded several pictures of Miracle and me. I even added a few candid pictures I snapped of Tech with the baby. One was Miracle sleeping on his bare chest while he scrolled on his phone. The other one was him holding her in the air while she laughed.
She rolled her eyes.“Same thing,”she spat.“But the question is, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wasn’t trying to hide it, Granny. There really has been a lot going on.”
“Well, you can explain everything over lunch today. I’m making your favorite.”I opened my mouth to protest. I already knew Tech didn’t want me leaving the compound.“I don’t wantto hear any excuses. Bring that fine piece of man and that baby with you. Oh, and tell Alice to bring her funny-acting self, too. She’s been back for a year and hasn’t made her way to come see me. I’ve got something for her too,”Granny fussed.
When Alice came to the club for help, I had no idea she was in contact with Cara and Sara. Years had passed since her ex-husband forced her to cut off contact with me and Oscar. There was so much going on in the short span of a few months. Once Alice got here, she and Big Red got together, he got rid of her ex, she found out she was pregnant, and she was planning her wedding. It was a snowball of events that kept her busy.
“Granny, it isn’t like that. She’s just been…”
“Busy?”Granny guessed.“Child, it only takes a few minutes to call somebody. You know I always viewed Alice as one of my grandkids. When Declan forced her to cut contact with us, I was hurt.”
I couldn’t say anything. There were many days Oscar, Alice, and I would go to my granny’s and hang out. She was our place of peace. Alice always caught hell for hanging out with the gay boys of the school. She didn’t care, though. We were a trio, and we didn’t give a damn what others thought.
“I know, Granny. I’ll make sure she’s there.”
“And her baby and new husband. I’m sure the other two will be in school at that hour.”
I sighed, realizing my granny had obviously been doing her homework to find out all this. There was no such thing as telling her no. “Okay, Granny. We’ll be there.”
After saying goodbye, we hung up. I FaceTimed Alice, and she picked up right away.“Hey,”she answered.
“Hold on, let me patch in Oscar.” I dialed him up, and he picked up after a few rings. When he picked up, I saw he was sitting in his styling chair at the salon where he worked. “You been snitching to Granny, Oscar?”
He threw his head back laughing.“Look, Granny had made apple pie and homemade vanilla ice cream. I would have told on my own mama for a plate.”He shrugged his shoulders unapologetically.
“Wait, what’s going on?”Alice asked.
“Oscar told Granny about Red, the baby, Cindy, and Colt. Now she’s mad at you because you still haven’t come by to visit since you’ve been back. She demanded that you and I, along with Red, Tech, Miracle, and Caleb, come to her house for lunch today,” I informed her.
Alice gasped before a frown formed on her face.“Oscar!”
“That’s my name, don’t wear it out.”He snickered.
“You think you’re so funny. You better hope I don’t spill the beans about that time you snuck Damon in the back room of her house.” I would never do such a thing, but he didn't need to know that.
All of his laughter died.“You wouldn’t!”
“I don’t know, my lips are feeling a little loose. I hope it doesn’t slip out by mistake.” Alice was cackling as I smirked at the horrified look on his face. “Anyway, Alice, I’ll see you in a few hours. Chow Oscar!” I ended the call laughing. I knew he was probably stressed out.
Just as I set my phone down, Jacob walked into the room, cradling Miracle in his arms. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
I stood up, taking a long stretch. “Nothing. Just teasing Oscar. But we need to start getting dressed,” I told him.
