Speaking of boy problems, Caleb can be seen up ahead, a handful of pink cotton candy in one hand and sword fighting Alis with his other hand. Back when Carrie found out she was pregnant, I never anticipated this ending. But, when we got back home, Dad and Quinn gathered us all together to state that they wanted to adopt the baby—to raise the child as our sibling. Caleb has always known Carrie as a big sis. She’s incredibly doting when she sees him and loves him dearly. One day they plan to tell him the story of his birth but want to wait until he’s older. The adoption went smoothly since Damon wanted to avoid any scandals or legal trouble. He signed away his rights under the agreement he would never be approached about him being the father.
Alis catches my eye, and I fall deep into his brown-eyed stare. Dad gives me an encouraging smack to the ass that has me shooting him a nasty look. By the time I turn back around, Alis is in my face, lips on mine. For a moment, I forget everything and everyone, swept up in his soft lips and lime scent. I love that he tastes like Coke and cotton candy.
“Definitely roleplaying later in this getup,” he says against my lips in a teasing tone that gets my blood hot.
“As long as I get to pin you down and fuck you, I don’t care what you’re wearing.” I nip at his bottom lip. “Keep the wig on, though. It’s kinda sexy.”
“Ikari hates wigs. He thinks they’re rats he needs to kill.” His smile widens. “Remember that time Ikari ate your Daisuke wig and shit out orange hair for a week?”
“Your cat is a fucking idiot,” I grumble.
“I distinctly remember you apologizing to that idiot for being careless and leaving your wig out as a temptation.” He brushes a thumb over my bottom lip. “That cat has you wrapped around his…tail.”
It’s true. Ikari is a pain in the ass, but he’s our pain in the ass.
Alis’s phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket to answer. He yaps to what must be Naomi before ending the call. After texting someone else, he shoves his phone back into his pocket.
“Someone’s popular,” I complain, though I can’t keep the smile off my face.
“Nae needed me to settle a debate.”
“A debate?”
“Trashcans beside the bed.”
“What kind of weirdo keeps a trashcan next to their bed?” I ask, frowning at him.
“Apparently, it’s super convenient for the condoms.” He shrugs. “Good thing we never had to use those.”
“Little ears,” Dad hollers from somewhere close by.
“Which one of them needs the trashcan?” I ask, realizing where this is headed.
“Nae.” Alis laughs. “Leon gave in, of course, but he thought it was strange to want it right next to the bed.”
I still can’t believe Naomi and Leon got married this past year. Took that big goof all through college and then some to work up the nerve to ask her to marry him. Naomi waited for his ass too. Didn’t pressure him into giving her a ring. Just focused on school until he was ready. Now they’re both engineers with high-paying jobs in Miami, fumbling as newlyweds together.
“Was that him texting?”
“Nah, it was Pops. Said he’ll be down for a visit with his new girlfriend, Cindi, next month. Wanted to see if we were free to get together for dinner.”
It’s always interesting when Colin comes to town—because he’s running drugs and who the hell knows what else—but at least he’s never tried to take Alis away from me or brought his illegal activities with him and that’s all that matters. He really does care about him, and now Alis seems to care about him too. Quinn will always be “Dad” to him, though.
Alis starts walking off, and I reach out to stop him, but it’s my phone that goes off this time. I grumble in frustration as I answer it.
“Happy to hear from you too,” Mom teases. “You forgot to send me a picture. Stewart doesn’t believe me that you’re super obsessed with anime. He can’t even imagine it.”
Mom’s boyfriend, a boring accountant she met through Uncle Adam, is the least imaginative person I know. If he didn’t worship the ground Mom walks on, I would’ve encouraged her to find someone a little more exciting. But she seems to love the goober, and her happiness is all that matters to me.
“I’ll send it in a bit,” I promise.
“Did you do it yet?”
Dad is such a fucking gossip girl sometimes.
“Not yet. And I told him not to say anything to anyone.”
“I’m your mother. Of course, he tells me everything that pertains to you kids.”
“I’ll call you later, Mom. Bye.”
Her laughter makes me smile, even as I hang up on her. I shove my phone in my pocket and take the box out before I lose my nerve again. Walking right up to Alis, I tower over him until he gives me his attention.