“Honestly, there’s no telling with this family. But expect it to be competitive.”
Lexi rubs her hands together with a grin. “Then I’m totally in.”
“Oh, before I forget. We can go home tomorrow. The plumber fixed all the problems today.”
I expect her to be happy. She’ll be back in her own space. But her face falls. “Cool. We’ll still come over here a lot, right?”
“I’m sure we will. It’d be kind of hard to date someone without going to their house.”
“Good. I like it here. I like our house, too. But the aesthetic Peter has is immaculate.” Her eyes wander over the room with all its rustic vibes. “And I don’t want Miles to make this room gross again.”
“Well, you can let him know he has to clean up after himself.”
“Good.” She stands and moves to the dresser in the corner of the room. “I’ll get ready for game night.”
As I’m closing her door, Peter comes through the hallway. “Sorry I’m late. We got a huge shipment of bottles. I had to find a place to store them.”
“It’s okay. I just got home.” I point to the door behind me. “Lexi’s getting ready to head to Piper’s.”
He gives me a quick kiss before heading to the bedroom. “I’m going to change really quick.”
“I should probably do the same. I don’t want to go in jeans.” Spending a second longer in work attire is too much.
“Need some help getting into your leggings?” Peter winks at me. “Or out of them?”
“We’ll never make it if you help me. Besides, Lexi is literally right there.” I point at her door.
“Fine,” he grumbles. He’s adorable when he pouts.
I grab my leggings and a sweatshirt from the room and head to the bathroom. I know if I’m in there with him, all bets are off. We don’t want to scar my poor child for life.
“Is everyone ready?” Peter calls out as I’m opening the bathroom door.
“Yep.” Lexi comes out of her room with headphones in one hand and a book in the other.
“The point of game night is to play games and enjoy each other’s company, right?” Peter glances from her to me.
“If I can’t take my book, I’m not going.” Lexi sticks out her tongue, knowing full well the argument won’t stick.
“Fine. Take your book.” He motions for her to walk down the hallway first. “But humor my siblings, please. I don’t know that they could take being scorned by a teenager.”
“I make no promises.” She grins and heads down the hallway.
I follow her, and I can feel Peter’s eyes on my butt as he walks behind me. The soft whistle might be another sign.
We’re pulling up to Piper’s house a couple of minutes later. I guess that’s a perk of living on the same property. You can have someone at your house in minutes if things go awry.
“We’re here.” Peter calls out as he opens the door.
“We’re in the living room. Foods in the kitchen,” Piper yells back.
“This is going to be a loud night, isn’t it?” Lexi whispers beside me.
“Most likely.”
We trail behind Peter to the living room. All the Summers kids are here except for Pierce. Thinking about it now, maybe that’s why he’s so grumpy. He never gets invited to the fun activities. I’ll bring it up to Peter later. It has to be isolating.
Everybody looks the same, just older. Time hasn’t changed any of them. They don’t realize how lucky they are for that.
