“Back to what I said about being agolden boy.”
Our mom stands up straighter between us, though we are still able to glare at each other over her head. “I’ve missed having you both in my house, but if you don’t leave my kitchen to bicker somewhere else I’m going to have to hurt you.”
“Sorry, Mom,” we say at the same time.
“Love you both,” she calls out as we walk toward the kitchen. Easton shoves me, and I shove him back while we quietly tussle to not set our mom off again.
Our dad is leaning against the open archway leading into the living room watching the hockey game that’s on, the long time Dragon rivals, LA Spartans.
“She kick you out of the kitchen?” he asks without looking at us.
“Yeah,” we both grumble.
“Threaten physical harm?”
I nod and Easton shrugs. We all know it’s in good fun, she wouldn’t actually hurt us. Easton and I on the other hand havegotten in a handful of fights that have actually resulted in some injuries.
“God, I love that woman.” Dad looks back toward the kitchen, and I smile. They’ve always been two people I look up to as far as a relationship goes. I like that they don’t act like love is some perfect fairytale. They argue, but never bad enough that it’s a full blown fight. And no matter what they always work together on any issues they have.
“Yeah, yeah we know you love Mom more than us and are gross about it, let’s move on.” Easton leaps over the back of the couch, landing on the cushions making sure to take up as much space as possible.
“You’re just jealous since you can’t keep a woman interested in you for more than a few hours at a time,” I tease him.
Dad subtly puts his fist out to bump with mine, and I laugh at the gesture.
“Not all of us have been in love with Rae since we were kids.”
This time, Dad does the same gesture to Easton and then turns back to me. “What? I don’t have a favorite between you two. You both look like me, I have to love you.”
“Nah, Gray looks more like Mom,” Easton comments, scrolling through his phone, probably because he doesn’t care about the hockey game that’s on.
I slap the top of his head. “We’re identical you dick.”
“Ow, asshole. I don’t know why people think you’re the nice one.”
“Because I am.”
“Well, I’m the hot one.”
I shake my head. “No you’re just an idiot.”
“I’m stronger too,” he comments.
I bark out a loud laugh. “No you’re not. I’m more athletic. Everyone knows hockey is harder than football.”
He rears back, looking at me with narrowed eyes. “Are you shitting me? Do you realize how much training I do?”
“Do you realize how muchIdo?” I counter. “You’re not even on the field half the time. I’m always going on and off the ice.”
“Yeah,off. After like two minutes max.”
“Your whole game pauses just to get into position. Hockey barely stops for a fight.”
Mom comes into the room, interrupting us. “Okay, that’s enough you two.” She turns to Dad. “You going to parent this situation at all?”
He shakes his head. “Not really. I agree with Grayson, and didn’t want to cause any problems.”
“Of course you agree with him, you live and breathe hockey even now.”
