“Stop it. You don’t have to compete with him, even if he is, in fact, the sexiest man alive.”
“I heard one of my teachers call him that. Revolting.”
“I mean… I can see how it would be for you.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
“You’re the one who brought sex into it.”
“Mom!”
The BlackBerry vibrated in her back pocket. “Speaking of sex…” Sam took the call from Nick. “Hey. Have you landed?”
“Not yet. We’re still in the air, but I wanted to say goodnight.”
“I’m glad you called.”
“What goes on there?”
“I’m watching the Caps game with Scotty and Skippy.”
“And she’s being inappropriate,” Scotty added.
“He got a two-dollar swear jar fine for using the word DB.”
“Not my son.”
“Your son has a sassy mouth. He gets that from your people.”
“No one in the world believes that,” Scotty said, making Nick laugh.
“I miss you guys.”
“We miss you, too,” Scotty said.
“One of his teachers said you’re the sexiest man alive, which was, and I quote, ‘revolting’ to your son. Not so much to me.”
“You see what I’m dealing with over here, Dad?”
“I’m sorry for your troubles, son, but thank you for dealing with her while I’m gone.”
“Someone’s gotta.”
“I’ll let you guys get to bed.”
“Good luck with the NATO thing,” Sam said. “Better you than me.”
“The whole world is grateful that it’s him and not you,” Scotty said.
“He’s grounded for the foreseeable future,” Sam said.
Nick laughed at their banter. “Love you guys. Tell the twins I love them.”
“We love you, too, and we will,” Sam said. “They missed you tonight. We all did.”
“Miss you more. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Night, Dad.”
