Colt makes a show of pretending to be offended. He puts his head down and shakes it. Then he pounds his chest with a fist. “Did you tell him how many NBA championships my team’s won since I joined?”
“I told him four. I told him you can beat anyone at anything.” Evan raises his hand, and the two high-five each other. I cover my mouth to hide my laugh at the seriousness on Evan’s face. “Come downstairs so you can beat him. Show him who the real MVP is.” He takes his dad’s hand and starts to pull him.
“I’ll be right down.”
Evan stops and stares at me. Unlike earlier, he offers me no smile. The friendly little boy who inhaled a cupcake in my parents’ kitchen is gone. He’s studying me as if he’s trying to figure out the best way to get rid of me. I know that look. That’s the same look the three of us gave Cheryl the first time we met her.
“Can you come now?” He drops Colt’s hand, stands in front of him, and lifts both arms so his father can pick him up. Colt obliges and Evan rests his head on his father’s shoulder. “Please. Vincent’s daddy is already down there. He’s terrible at video games. You have to come downstairs and show him what to do.”
“Go ahead. I can clean up. Besides, you two are guests.”
I can tell he wants to say more, but he walks inside with Evan in his arms. Tara comes out and starts to help.
“I see your sister-in-law’s panties are still in a bunch,” I say about Elizabeth. “Whoever she was talking to a few minutes ago got an earful.”
“She’s not my sister-in-law,” Tara says.
“She will be. Will you say yes?” I ask her and grab the plate from her hand, staring into her face.
“Hell yeah.” We both burst into laughter and fist bump. She leans closer and whispers, “But they just found out they have a younger brother. Their father kept it a secret.”
SEVEN
“Hey,Colty. It’s Charlie. I got your number from Mama.” I put the phone on the counter, pull my shirt over my head, and toss it on the bathroom floor. I wait for him to tell me how he doesn’t need my help, and he’s going to pay me back with interest. “I want you to know that this is only a loan. I plan on paying you back every penny, plus interest.” Sure, you are. Just like all the other money you’ve ‘borrowed’ from me over the years. “Anyway, thanks.” The call ends without a goodbye, and I wonder why he even bothered to call. He never has before.
I hit end and call Ethan’s phone.
He picks up and says, “He’s fine. He’s making milkshakes with Alan and Tara. Stop being a helicopter dad.”
“Where’s Vickie?” I ask him, wondering why she’s not making milkshakes too.
“She’s around here somewhere.” We chat for a bit but he gets another call and we hang up.
I finally conceded and let Evan stay. He’s not the most social, but he feels comfortable at the Taylor house. Besides, I trust Ethan and Tara with my son. I trust them more than my own brother.
After a shower, I slide my naked body between the sheets. My phone vibrates. It’s a picture of Evan and Vincent. They’re both holding a fancy glass filled to the brim with a chocolate milkshake. There’s whipped cream at the top, and they’re both sporting mustaches. I send them back a thumb’s up and decide to message another member of the Taylor household.
Me: It’s Colt
The three dots indicating she’s responding pop up immediately.
Queen Vee: I never gave you my number
She didn’t. She left her phone on the kitchen counter, and before the screen locked, I called myself and saved her number.
Me: I have my ways. Come over.
Queen Vee: Can’t. I’ve been recruited by my womb mate to help host the best sleepover there ever was.
Me: Maybe I shouldn’t have left.
Queen Vee: I think you’re too old for a sleepover.
Me: I guess we’ll find out when I have a sleepover with you.
Queen Vee: Keep dreaming.
EIGHT
