hips … Mmm, it’s safe to say I’m thinking all the dirty thoughts.
“Yeah, well he can just unworry,” I counter.
Xander snorts. “I don’t think unworry is a word, but nice try.”
“I like it,” I defend. “It makes it sound like there’s a switch you can flip on and off. Worry and unworry.”
He shakes his head at my antics. “I’m going to shower. Why don’t you head downstairs before your brother loses his mind?”
I sigh. “Sure thing, Captain.” He chuckles and closes the bathroom door behind him. “Come on, Prue.” I pat my hip, and she obediently jumps off the bed and follows me out of the room.
I find Cade in the family room, watching TV.
Before I can say anything, he yells, “Breakfast!” again.
I slap my hands over my ears. “Dude, chill out,” I groan. “I’m here and Xander will be down in a minute.”
Cade glances behind him, over the back of the couch, and grins sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come down.”
“Obviously.” I rub my ear to try to stop the ringing. “Why is this breakfast so important?” I mimic his tone.
He shrugs and I take a seat beside him, drawing my legs up criss-cross.
“I don’t know,” he answers. “After yesterday, I think we should all be together.”
“That was insane,” I agree.
“Has Xander heard from his mom or dad?” he asks.
“Huh?” My brows furrow in confusion.
“You know, since his mom was so pissed.” He looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind for not remembering, and I guess I have. In the aftermath, it slipped my mind.
“Shit,” I mutter, shoving my fingers through my hair roughly. “I forgot.”
The look on his mom’s face, that had hurt. I completely understand where she’s coming from, but that doesn’t make it suck any less. Especially for Xander.
“Maybe we should send her a gift basket of wines and cheese. Everyone loves wine, right?” I reason.
“Yeah, and maybe while you’re at it you could send her a singing telegram.”
“Oooh!” I snap my fingers. “A stripper. We’ll send her a stripper.” Sobering, I say, “I don’t know what we can do beyond talking to them and hoping for the best.”
He shakes his head. “That’s one conversation I wouldn’t want to make.”
I glare at my brother. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Just being honest,” he defends.
Rae comes in the front door, her body drenched with sweat from her morning run. Her earbuds dangle from her iPhone as she winds them up.
“Hey,” she says rather breathlessly.
“We’re going to breakfast,” Cade tells her.
She nods and starts for the stairs. “I’ll take a quick shower. Promise.”
An hour later, we all pile into Cade’s Jeep and head down the road to a local place.
The floors are always sticky and the air smells like syrup, but the food is the best so I don’t complain.
I slide across the plastic booth and Xander sits beside me, resting his elbows on the table.
Cade slides in across from me and his legs bump mine in the narrow space.
Menus are already on the table and we each pick it up, scanning it even though that’s really unnecessary.
Our usual waitress comes over and flashes a smile before sitting our drinks on the table. We didn’t order them yet, but she knew what we’d get regardless.
“The usual?” she asks, tucking her tray under her arm. We all nod and shuffle the menus to the end of the table. “I’ll have that right out for you.” She smiles again and heads off to another table.
Cade’s phone starts going off and he looks at the screen before clicking ignore. Before I can ask who it is, it goes off again. He answers this time.
“Stan, I don’t know who the fuck gave you this number, but if you call one more time—” He rolls his eyes and taps his fingers against the table impatiently. “I’m not doing an interview for you. Why not? Because you’re a dick.” He laughs but there’s no humor in the tone and I can hear Stan grow irritated on the other end. “Mhm,” he hums. “Fuck you too.” He hangs up and drops his phone on the table before covering his face with his hands. “I’m going to strangle Stan,” he mutters from between his fingers. His phone starts ringing again and he groans, “Going to have to change my number.” He looks at it anyway and his eyes widen in surprise. “Mom?” he answers. He listens for a few beats, nodding his head. “Yeah, of course that’s fine. Head on over whenever.”
He hangs