“I didn’t say that, Lele.” Everett sighs defeatedly, tossing open the door. “You did.”
“If you let me borrow your Jeep, I’ll go hang out at Mom and Dad’s so you can have your sex. I can bring Lou back with me later,” I say. “I’m not really keen to hang out here and listen.”
My parents will be at the event for a while anyway, so I’ll get a few hours to myself. Plus, my dad is the only person who doesn’t pressure me to talk about my feelings or be a productive member of society. He’d rot on the couch with me all day watchingReal Housewivesif my mom would let him. That safety is a comfort that’s rare to find.
I don’t mind being around Lou, either. She doesn’t know who I was before I became a ghost, and she doesn’t seem to mind the fact that I’m painted in shades of gray now. She’s a little spitfire, and I get thorough enjoyment watching her humble my brother. While I’m terrible with children, she’s ten, so she’s kind of like a mini-adult. At the very least, she can read, so we never run out of things to talk about.
Everett nods. “Home by nine thirty?”
“Sure.”
He’s halfway through the front door before he pauses at the threshold, turning back around so quickly I don’t register what’s happening until I’m wrapped in his massive, tattoo-clad arms. “Love you, Lele,” he whispers.
“I love you too.”
4
VIOLET
“I LOOK IN PEOPLE’S WINDOWS” - TAYLOR SWIFT
“I don’t know,man. She said she had a headache, and she’d call you to have lunch later in the week.”
“I told her I needed her to be here tonight, specifically. I don’t give a shit about later in the week.”
“She can’t control when she gets headaches.”
“You know that’s bullshit. You know she doesn’t want to show because—” Leo doesn’t finish his sentence, pausing as I bump my hip on the dining room table, making my presence known. He and Everett whip sideways, looking at me from where they stand in Leo and Darby’s kitchen, their arms crossed, both leaning against the island in the center of the space, forcing smiles. “Hey, Auggie. You’re early.”
“Yeah, sorry. I just thought I’d come straight here from work, and it was unlocked.” I awkwardly hitch a thumb over my shoulder, pointing toward the front door.
“Don’t apologize,” he says, stepping into the dining room and pulling me in for a hug. “Door is always open for you.”
“Just be careful, or you might get an eyeful of his ass,” Everett mutters under his breath.
I rear back, giving them both what I imagine is a perplexed look.
“I’m going to fuck where I want in the house I own.” Leo shrugs. “Doesn’t mean you’re not welcome anytime, but I won’t be held responsible for what you witness if you show up unannounced.”
“Noted,” I murmur.
“You are such a menace,” his wife chimes from behind me, and I turn to find Darby stepping off the bottom stair. “Hi,” she whispers to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my cheek before she continues into the kitchen.
“Am I wrong, Honeysuckle?” Leo asks, watching her pass him and snapping out an arm to pull her back against his chest.
“No.” She laughs as he tickles her ribs and kisses the top of her head. “But you could be less…graphic about it.”
“Oh,” he scoffs. “I’m sorry. Augustus”—he looks at me—“I like to make love to my beautiful wife on the dining room table sometimes, and I won’t apologize for it. I mean, how could I not? Look at her.”
Darby shoves out of his embrace, smacking his chest as she continues into the kitchen.
“You know what? Nobody answer that. I’ll fucking kill you.”
Everett chuffs, muttering something about him being insufferable. Leo follows his wife down the hall, and I follow Everett into the living room where their mom, Monica, sits on the couch, braiding Lou’s hair. The ten-year-old is on the ground, eyes growing wide as I enter the room.
“Hey, Mama,” I say, sinking down beside Monica. “Hey, Lou.”
“Hi,” she responds quietly. Monica laughs to herself.
