Lisa at the shelter tells me ‘no problem’ and gives me an update that someone put in an application to adopt both Ralphie and Georgie.
“I didn’t think they were even technically up for adoption yet,” I say, feeling my heart sink.
“They’re not, so I’m not sure what’s what but the application is being reviewed.”
“Oh,” I say.
I end the call with her at the same time as Fred pops up at the half-wall between us and points at his watch with a question mark.
I close my system down.
“Ready, Freddie.” I give him two finger guns, which earns me a flexing of his jaw and a sigh.
He packs his laptop up and we head out, catching the elevator down with Aiden and Carly on our way out.
My phone makes noise. It’s a text from Jude.
Hey. Held up with a project. I’ll watch surveillance and disarm and open everything up when you get home. I’ll put the security app on your phone this weekend. Luka and Roman are coming over to hang with you. That ok? Don’t want you there alone tonight. I’ll be home around 10-11.
Me: Do your brothers mind hanging out or are they annoyed about an Ally babysitting gig? Because if I just lock the door and set the alarm I’m sure I’ll be fine.
Jude: I don’t want you alone. I briefed them. Just basic info. They’re cool. Gotta go. Sorry. See you later.
Me: xo.
“Freddie?” I ask in the car.
He gives me a glare.
“Can we stop at Target, please, please, pretty please with sugar on top before you drive me to Jude’s?”
His eyes narrow and then he says, “One, no two conditions.”
“Shoot.”
“One, you got twenty minutes max. No two-hour Target tour, you hear me?”
“Roger that. I am a very efficient shopper, so no worries.”
“Heard that before,” he grumbles.
“Scout’s honor,” I promise. “And the second?”
“You show up at work one day next week with some of those cupcakes for me. Don’t care which day, which flavor, but I want a couple of those.”
“How’d you know about my cupcakes?”
“Julian.”
“You got it,” I agree. “I’ll make you a dozen.”
Fred/Rex smiles at me for the first time.
***
“Oh my God!” I shout, holding my hand over my mouth.
Roman drums on the coffee table with glee and then holds his hand out. Luka throws a twenty at him, which lands on the floor. I place my twenty directly in his hand.
Roman snatches the lost twenty up and then pops the rest of his cupcake into his mouth.
He has called the last three matches.
“Next time I bet with you,” Julian says, sliding his twenty across the coffee table. “Shit. You’re cleanin’ me out,” he says.
“Just do some extra bow chicka wow wow and you’ll be flush again, brat,” Roman says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Yeah. Poor Jule. Romp with some honeys and line your pockets,” Luka mutters.
“It’s a hard knock life,” Julian says.
I bark out a laugh. “So hard.”
They all laugh, too.
“When’s the next one’s starting?” I ask.
“Any time now,” Roman says.
I rub my palms together excitedly.
I see Jude from the corner of my eye. He’s coming up the stairs, eyes on us and first doing a double-take at me because I dyed my hair blue tonight, and then his eyes narrow when he spots Julian.
“What’s up?” he asks, coming to me. I kiss him.
He eyeballs the coffee table with the platter of remaining cupcakes and other snacks, the beers for his brothers, the vodka cooler for me.
His eyes bounce to the screen.
“Russian slap fighting is fucking awesome,” I say. “I can’t believe I’ve never seen this before.” I dunk a chip into some guac and eat it.
“Nice color,” Jude says, tucking it behind my ear, which might also still be a little blue. It’s messy, this stuff.
“Spanks, baby,” I say and reach for another chip.
“Smurfette,” Roman says playfully.
“Smurfette was blonde,” Luka corrects. “You ever do blonde, Ally?”
“I happen to be a natural blonde,” I say.
“Will you go back to it?” he asks.
I shrug. “Not sure.”
Blonde to me says normal. It says Alyssa. But then again, even if I can be Alyssa again, I think I prefer funky hair colors.
“What’re you doin’ here?” Jude asks Julian and I detect a bit of an edge in his voice.
Julian lifts a pink cupcake from the platter and licks the peak, winking at him.
Oh shit.
That’s like a throwdown.
Jude’s eyes are glittering and he’s baring his teeth.
And now… I’m wet.
“Heard there was a hangout watching the championship and that Roman sweettalked your girl into making cupcakes.”
Jude looks at the table. There are two cupcakes left.
Roman and Luka immediately grab one each.
Jude licks his teeth behind his lips and gives a slow shake of his head.
“This sport is awesome,” I say. “But Roman has a superpower. He’s called every match so far. He’s made sixty bucks off each of us.”
Jude walks to the fridge and pulls out a beer. I wander over.