“Dad, what are you doing here?” Elli asks, giving him a hug.
“Thought I’d drive you to work,” he offers. “We’re still doing lunch today, right?”
Elli’s been a licensed sex therapist since the kids were five. I told her she didn’t have to work but she wanted to. She chose to have a practice outside of the house. She didn’t want patients coming in and out for sessions. I understood and supported that.
“Of course,” she answers him.
Annaleigh enters with her friend and hits her brother on the back of the head. “Wake up.”
He sits up, rubbing the spot and narrowing his eyes on hers. “Some of us actually care about our grades and study.”
She laughs him off but doesn’t argue.
“Brex, want to do some shooting after school today?” Nicholas asks him.
“Sure,” he answers with a shrug.
“What about you Anna? Want to join us?” he asks her.
“No thanks. I’ve got plans.”
“What are you doing?” I wonder.
“Study group,” she responds without even looking up from her cell while typing away. “Graduation is in three weeks. Have to prep for finals.” Her brother snorts as if he doesn’t believe her.
I have to agree with him, but my wife speaks before I can. “With whom?”
“Ryann.”
At least I can confirm that. All it’ll take is a text. I’m quite close with a few Lords that I wasn’t back when attending Barrington. That’s what happens when you have kids the same age who go to school together.
“She’s not a senior,” Brexton argues.
“She’s in advanced classes.” Annaleigh rolls her eyes at him and adds, “You should let her help you. She’d probably teach you a few things.”
His face hardens. He opens his mouth like he’s going to say something that’ll just piss her off even more but decides against it. Picking up his cell, he walks out of the kitchen.
“You didn’t eat your breakfast,” Elli calls out, but he doesn’t respond. “Anna—”
“What?” She grabs a piece of bacon from her brother’s plate. “It’s no secret he has a crush on her. I’m just trying to help him out.” The smile she gives her mother says something entirely different. “If he’s going to be a Lord, he needs to grow some balls.”
“Annaleigh!” her mother scolds her.
She ignores her mother’s tone and turns to her grandfather. “I’m free tomorrow, though. I need to practice on throwing my knives.”
Like I said. She’s my twin. I’m not sure Brexton could shoot anyone unless his life depended on it. But Annaleigh? I have no doubt she’d stab someone multiple times if you try and tell her how to drive. Then she’d hide the body while setting up a search party.
“Absolutely,” Nicholas tells her with a proud smile.
“We’re off to school.” She then turns and rushes out of the kitchen. Her friend quickly following, waving bye.
“I’ll wait for you in the car,” Nicholas tells my wife. “Easton, I’ll see you at work.” He nods and leaves us alone.
“Finally.” I reach out and pull her into me. Cupping her face, I lower my lips to hers and kiss her, needing her taste to get me through the day. I’d love to drag her downstairs and keep her tied up in our basement until tomorrow, but I know that won’t be happening.
She pulls away and opens her ice-blue eyes to look up at me. “I know what you’re doing, and I don’t have time.”
“I’ll be quick.”