I could barely get the words out as I broke into heinous giggles. “He told her he was a muff diver survivor and loves hippie chocolate.”
“What?!”
Mal shrugged, slipping his sunglasses on with a shit-eating grin.
“Both are absolutely true. I barely made it out with my windpipe intact this mornin’ when you—oof!” I looked over to see Sev’s elbow in his gut.
“Don’t sit here and act like you’re macho and don’t sound like the beginning of aSalt and Peppasong every time you blow a load, Malek. What are you even doing here?”
“First of all, gross…second, Isecondthat. Whatareyou doing here?” I asked, stopping us in the middle of the sidewalk.
“I popped in at Leviticus, and your dad said you left for the day. Naturally, I had to stalk you.”
Sev crossed her arms and I swore the look she gave him was something I’d never seen in her before. It did something to my insides. “God, you’re like…atongueat some middle school birthday party. Can’t call like a normal person?”
“I’m not a normal person,Nathair Bheag. Is this about…”
“No. Shut up. We’re gonna go get tacos. I told you I’d be there and I will be. Girl time, Dexter. Shoo.”
Now that I think about it…I don’t think I’ve ever seen that look on Mal’s face before either. And I don’t like it. Something’s up. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering something I couldn’t hear and then shoved his stupid hand in my hair, tussling it until I squealed.
“Have fun eatin’ Javier’s pubes.”
Puke.
We both cursed him to kingdom come as he strolled off.
There’s nothing better than a hot neck roll, a massage chair and steaming towels on your calves after the week I’ve had. I should be ashamed to feel this good after the way I’ve treated Declan. My head rolled to the side and Sev’s mouth was hanging open, her head laid back while one of my favorite nail techs massaged her feet. I grinned.
“And to think…you never cared to do this by yourself before me.”
She closed her eyes and gave me the finger, smiling. “Also, something I wasn’t aware could be this good. Sue me. I actually kinda understand why people have foot fetishes, now. Thanks.”
“It’s not the same thing, stupid,” I snorted.
“Neither is morse code!”
We laughed for a minute, but when it got quiet, I couldn’t help myself. It’s bothering me. And I know I might have to give up a secret to get one outta her, but…I need to know. I can come up with something to satisfy her, Iamthe Jedi master of bullshit, after all.
“What was that about back there? Before we got street meat?”
Sev scoffed and shook her head before turning it my way. “I knew you weren’t gonna let that go. It’s nothing. And I’mnot saying that because I’m trying to hide anything, I say that because it literallyisnothing…not yet, anyway.”
“Is something wrong? Do I need to cut a bitch?”
“Jesus, what is it with Byrnes and butchery? No…no, it’s…Malek’s trying to talk me into some shit I’m not sure I’m ready for, and I promised him that we’d go to this fancy doctor. That’s all.”
I nearly jumped out of my fucking chair.
“You’re having a baby?!”
“No, dude. He’s been spending a lot of time around Greg and the girls. A couple months ago, he came around to the idea that it’s something he’s ready to do. I can’t say I’m especiallyready, but…I also wouldn’t mind having a little Emmy or Vivian. Those girls are my world, you know that.”
Why is my heart beating so fast? Ugh, it’sdisgusting. But also…kinda fucking love it.
“So, you’re trying?”
Sev shook her head. “Not really. We’ve just stopped preventing it, and as much as we tend to be adventurous…well…we thought we’d be seasoned by now, you know?” Something in my chest felt heavy and it suddenly dawned on me why Malek would freak out about it. Abouther. “We haven’t even told my parents yet. I’d rather keep this all hush until we see where we’re at with everything. I’m also fine waiting a couple more years.”
