“At least you’re not getting me drunk this time.”
“You could barely hang last time,” Dax points out, as he is drinking from a bottle of water.
“Is this you trying to hang?” I push his legs out of the way and drop down onto the bed.
Noah and Graham are currently battling it out, their little characters driving all over the road. They’re yelling at one another, elbowing each other’s sides to try and win.
I laugh and take out my buzzing phone, hoping it’s Harper.
Mom
Great game tonight
You skated hard
I’m excited to see you and the girls soon
Marcus
We’re excited to see you too
They’re really excited to show you their new books they made
I heard all about it when Emma called me tonight
Let me know if you need me to pick you up from the airport
Sheila is driving us home, but thanks, son
Sounds good. Enjoy the rest of your trip
Something stirs deepin my gut. The one thing I’m not looking forward to? Telling her about Harper. That’s something that I’ll need to figure out. Because she has not liked her for a long time.
Seven years to be exact.
But right now, I push that to the side and take the controller that Noah tosses my way as he concedes his loss to Graham.
I have a feeling neither of them will really be losing based on the look they share.
“You ready to lose?” Bode asks me as he fires up another game.
I burst out laughing. “Oh, Bode. I needed that laugh.”
“You’re a dick. Prepare to have your ass kicked.”
“Damn. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you like this,” Jasper says from his spot on the chair.
“Like what?” I don’t look at him, but can imagine what his face looks like. He might be the one person who is grumpier than me.
“I don’t know—happy.”
I smile at him, giving him a quick side-eye so I don’t lose focus. “Something about beating Bode brings me so much joy.”
“Damn. See if I invite you guys over to play video games again.”
“You know,” Noah starts, “it means Bode loves us because he’s skipping a night out with a girl.”
“I’m beginning to question why.”
