The Call Read online

  It’s my turn to turn a bit red. I look down at my T-shirt and realize this is the first time, since I moved away from their home, that she’s ever seen me in anything other than the suits which hide all of the ink that covers my skin. “I guess I’ve just never had a reason to dress informally around you and dad.”

  “Oh. It’s like you’re this whole other person.” Her brow furrows.

  “Well, Mother, I am. When I’m in yours, and Father’s presence, I’m the man that you tried to form me into. But any other time? I’m who I am, who I want to be, and who I’ve grown to become.”

  Her purse starts to ring. “Would you excuse me for a moment?” She stands and walks toward the entrance.

  I turn to Reagan. Her face gets all innocent. “You can’t be mad at me. If she is actually able to be a functional person, you’ll thank me.”

  “And if she’s not? Then what?”

  Her shoulders shrug. “Then we tell her to ‘kindly fuck off.’ ” She smiles at her reference to what I said to Sasha.

  “Such a smartass.”

  “Maybe, but you love me. It would be nice, when we have them, for our children to know their only living ‘actual’ grandparents.”

  When. She said when. A memory of a dream I had comes to mind and I go with it. “Yeah, we certainly don’t want Adriana and Brandon to miss out on that side of the family, now do we?” As I knew she would, her head whips in my direction. It only confirms my suspicions.

  “How in the hell do you know about those names? I will kill Kate.” She’s reaching for her phone when I grab her hands.

  I bring them to my lips and kiss them. “Kate didn’t tell me.”

  “No one else knows. If Kate didn’t tell you…explain yourself, Stone.”

  “Later. My mother is headed back over.”

  “I’m sorry to cut this short. I have some political matters to attend to. Can we speak again soon?”

  She looks between Reagan and me. “That’s fine Mother. Tell Father I say hello.”

  For the first time ever, a genuine smile graces her face. “I will. Maybe next time he will join us.” She hugs Reagan, again surprising me. Then she leans in so I can kiss her cheek. “Until next time then.”

  »»•««

  Reagan

  As soon as we pull onto the main drag, the curiosity breaks me. “How do you know about my baby names?”

  He takes a deep breath. “Would you believe that I dreamed them?”

  “Elaborate.”

  “When you were still in a coma, after the accident, I fell asleep the first night in your bed. It was like I fell into an alternate dream world. At first, you were talking to me. You said something about our kids. When I asked what the hell you were talking about, you pointed them out and told me their names.”

  A fuzzy picture of Adriana and Brandon, playing in the tall grass with Dozer, runs across my memory. But it’s fleeting and I can’t really grasp it. “So, you dreamed of our kids? How weird is that?”

  “Pretty weird, but really cool too. If I hadn’t of, would you have told me the names before we had kids?”

  “No, probably not.”

  He laughs and shakes his head. “Well, miss bossy, where to now?”

  I blindly punch him in the shoulder. “Ouch. Such a punk.”

  “You love it.”

  We pull into our neighborhood and he looks at me questionably when I pull up in front of Mickey’s house. “Are we staying for dinner?”

  “I’m not. You are though.” His face is priceless. Saddest face ever. I start to laugh. “I’m not kicking you out or anything. You’re having poker night with the boys. The girls and I all thought it would be nice to have a sleepover with no boys allowed. Here.”

  I reach behind his seat and hand him his overnight bag that I packed this morning. “You still love me?”

  “Yup.” I kiss his cheek.

  “So let me get this straight, you are not only letting me spend a whole night drinking and playing poker with the boys, you’re pushing me into it?”

  “Yup. It was my idea. Now go. Be a guy with the guys. I’ll see you in the morning.” His face changes into worry. “I’ll be fine. We’ve got all the dogs, the guns are all loaded, and if anyone pisses Kate off, she’ll go all preggers smash on them. I promise, I’ll be okay. It’s just one night, Abraham.”

  He takes a deep breath, “Okay. You really are awesome. I love you, sweet girl.”

  He gives me a lingering kiss. When he pulls away, he keeps a hand on my face and stares into my eyes. “I love you too, Abraham. Now go on.” He hops out and practically runs to the door. He turns and waves before he opens it. I can hear the boys hollering their hellos at him.

  »»•««

  When I walk into the kitchen, I smile. The girls are all sitting in the backyard on the lawn swings, sipping lemonade and iced tea. Dozer spots me through the glass and makes a beeline for the dog door. Princess and Thor follow. “Hi guys. You ready for girls’ night?”

  Once I’ve put my stuff away in our bedroom, I head outside. “I see you bitches started without me.”

  They all laugh their hellos, except Kate. “Bitch, you’re going to Tahiti on Friday. I’ll do what I want.”

  “I love you too, wife.” I join her on the bench swing. “So, how’s little Kyle doing?”

  “He thinks that my bladder is a soccer ball. But I’m learning tricks to get him to go to sleep when I need him to sit still.”

  Sara hands me a glass of iced sweet tea. “So how’d he react when he realized who you were having lunch with?”

  I now have Sam’s full attention. “He was pretty surprised. She even hugged me. You should have seen his face.”

  Sam’s eyes get huge. “She hugged you? Holy God. Maybe she is trying to change. I don’t know though, I’m having a hard time believing that she can.”

  “I know, but life is too short. My parents are dead, Abraham can’t argue with me when I tell him to give her a shot. What’s it going to hurt?”

  “Well, you’re a better person than most, Reagan. I’m still not sure if I want anything to do with her. I guess only time will tell.”

  Kate changes the subject, “Okay, I’m friggin’ hot. Anyone up for swimsuits and the pool?”

  We all agree, change, and are back outside and in the pool with the radio system on within ten minutes. “I think this is the first time since we were five that I’ve seen you in a one piece.”

  Kate grumbles. “Yeah well get used to it. It will be a long time before you see me in a bikini again. So am I the only one that’s hungry?”

  I laugh. “Abraham and I just had lunch with his mother. I did bring half of my French dip home for you though, if you want it?”

  Her eyes light up and she literally licks her lips. “I love you, wife. Hell yeah, where is it?”

  “It’s in the microwave. There’s cheese in the fridge.”

  She’s out of the pool and in the house faster than I’ve seen her move in a long time. “So, how are your relationships with my brothers going?”

  Sam and Sara smile widely. Sam answers, “It’s great. I’m really happy that we decided that it was time to give it another go. Not to mention, we don’t have to hide it this time around.” She laughs and shakes her head.

  Sara starts laughing too. “It’s funny that this is the second go around for the both of us. I guess that timing really is everything, huh? You’ve got to admit that our group dynamic in general is pretty weird. Seriously, we’re dating your brothers, Kate is dating mine, and you’re dating Sam’s.”

  I join in on her laughter. “You’re forgetting a very big part. My aunt is dating her uncle.”

  Kate, who’s standing right next to the pool, says, “That’s got to be really fucking weird for you guys. Now it’s like you’re dating family.”

  I splash her feet. “It is not. There’s none of the same blood or fluids being mixed.” Her nose scrunches up in disgust, making the three of us laugh.

  “Gross
.” She sits her butt on one of the top steps in the pool and snacks on the French dip I gave her, while all three dogs surround her—waiting for her to drop even the tiniest morsel.

  “So, what’s the plan tonight?” Sara looks at me expectantly.

  “Well, the usual girl stuff for starters, nail polish, facials, baking, chick flicks and ice cream. But we also have a COD tournament with the boys, that kicks off at nine.” Sara looks a little horrified. “Don’t worry about it, your boy toy sucks at it. Mickey’s not awesome either. Abraham and Damon are really the only ones on that team that are worth anything in the game.”

  She takes a breath and Kate chimes in around a mouth full of food, “Yeah, and Reagan’s better than them both. So I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

  “Okay. I’ve never played before.” Sam and I smile at each other. Sam’s pretty good too. About as good as Damon. We’ll be just fine.

  We all decided we would take showers and start in on facials and toenails. I just stepped in the shower in my room, with my phone in the shower rack, when Abraham’s text tone “Brass Bed” interrupts my music.

  Abraham: What are you girls doing?

  Reagan: I’m currently letting a soap filled pouf molest my wet skin in our shower. You should skype me, stud.

  The video chat alert immediately chimes. “Well hello. You miss me already?”

  He’s in Mickey’s backyard and is biting his lip. “God bless your beautiful self, Reagan Winters.” He groans when I trace the pouf over my throat, covering it in soap suds. “Can I cheat and climb in the widow for just like five minutes?”

  “No, the girls are all showering and then we’re going to go all green goblin, with face masks. We’re going to stink up the house with nail polish and remover. And all that joyful girl stuff. You’ll live, Adonis.”

  “Not if you keep caressing that magnificent throat, I won’t. The amount of blood flowing to my cock at the moment may kill me. Are you willing to risk it?”

  “Smartass.” He smiles.

  “Maybe, but I’m your smartass.”

  After squirting some shampoo into my hand, I lather it through my hair. The growl I hear in his throat has my thighs squeezing together. I speak with my eyes closed. “You keep that up and I’ll lose my balance and fall. Without you here to catch me, that could be a problem.”

  “It’s your fault.” I laugh, still keeping my eyes closed, and let the water run over me. Turning away from my phone, I open my eyes and put some conditioner into my hair. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Reagan. Every damn piece of you.”

  “Well, thank you.” The curtain moves open and I have to wipe the water from my eyes. Abraham stands completely naked, holding his phone up, and smiling. “You are a very impatient man.”

  He puts his phone in the rack next to mine and smiles. His lips connect with mine. When he pulls back, he looks into my eyes. “Only where you’re concerned, sweet girl.”

  “How did you get in here so damn fast?”

  He takes a step toward me, making our bodies flush, and pulls my face up until I’m looking him in the eyes. “My angel was naked and wet. There was no way I was going to let you step out of this shower and dry off before I got the chance to taste that beautiful skin of yours.”

  “Well, who am I to deny an Adonis?”

  He smiles and devours me. Pretty sure everyone in this house knows he’s here. Either that, or they aren’t concerned with someone tearing the house down, starting in my bathroom.

  »»•««

  We sit on the floor of the tub. I’m straddling his lap with my head on his chest, and he’s leaning against the wall. “See, aren't you glad I came over?”

  “I’m always glad to see you.” His phone starts vibrating in the wire shower rack above our heads. I slide off of him and shut the water off as he answers it.

  “S’up?… Don’t hate the player, brah. Hate the game… Yeah, give me like five minutes… Don’t get all pissy because I got some and you didn’t.” He hangs up and helps me out of the tub. A boyish grin graces his lips. “Your twin is none too amused.”

  “I imagine not. But the green-eyed monster can suck it.” His lips graze mine. Grabbing his hair, I hold him there. His teeth draw my bottom lip between them. “Mm.” He takes advantage of my parted lips. His tongue enters my mouth. I will never get tired of the cinnamon taste of his tongue.

  He pulls away all too soon. “Okay, I have to get back. We’re about to start playing some poker.” He gets dressed and looks at me in question when I make no move to do the same or remove my towel. “You’re not getting dressed?”

  “Nope, towels only.”

  His brows shoot up. “Maybe I’ll just stay here then.”

  “Ha, ha.” I shove him through the bathroom door and into the bedroom. “I wouldn’t take the boys’ only chance, however slim, of winning in COD away from them. I’ll not deprive you of how it feels to lose to a girl.” He smacks my ass and throws my towel-clad body over his shoulder.

  “You might be good, sweet girl. But I’m better.” When we descend the stairs onto the main floor, there are whoops and hollers. He sets me down when we make it to the front door. “I love you, sweet girl. Good luck, you’ll need it.” I’m kissed and he runs down the lawn and toward Mickey’s house with water still dripping from his hair.

  “You’re lucky we saw his ass run up those stairs when he came in. He could have gotten shot.” Kate says it, smiling.

  “Now I know how Devon feels.” Sam looks a little green.

  “Oops. Well, let’s put some green shit on our faces and start baking some good and fatty desserts before we start painting nails and watching chick flicks.”

  After our mirrors are set and the cream is thrown together, we start applying it to our faces. Once our faces are covered and dry enough, we all head into the kitchen. We turn the radio on and pull out eggs, pots, butter, flour, sugar, vanilla, and all that other stuff.

  “Okay girls. Kate, you’re on brownies. Sara, you’re on M&M cookies. Sam, per Damon’s request, you’ve got vanilla fudge. And per Abraham’s request, I’ve got banana sheet cake. Let’s do it to it girls.”

  We’re in nothing but towels and green face cream, cooking in the kitchen of Abraham’s and my home. We must really be a sight to see. After running upstairs and grabbing my camera, we take a few pictures. We decide to keep it out and periodically take more.

  Putting the last of the baked yummy goodness into containers, we set about washing our faces and changing into comfy jammies.

  “What do you guys wanna watch first, The Notebook, Clueless, The Proposal, 27 Dresses, The Ugly Truth, or Sweet Home Alabama?”

  In unison all the girls say, “Sweet Home Alabama.”

  “Have I told you girls how much I love that we are friends?” They all laugh. The movie is quoted verbatim until the very last five minutes, when we all shut up and stare. Once it’s over, it’s five o’clock. We order a couple of pizzas and put in movie number two—The Proposal.

  By nine o’clock, we’re all munching between pizza and desserts. Our phones ring in unison. “COD time ladies. Let’s do this.”

  Answering my phone Abraham’s voice comes through, “You better get your girlie asses on line, angel. Or we’ll be forced to come over.”

  “Pull my panties out of your crack, we’re on. Do you have a lobby open or do I need to set one up?”

  “I’ll invite you. I hope you’re ready, sweet girl.”

  “Yeah, ready to whoop your asses.” I hang up and get ready to accept the invite. “Okay ladies, when I accept this, they will be able to hear us and us them. Okay, the object of this round is to grab their flag and make it back to our post with it. Lock and load.”

  Mickey: I hope you can run better in this than you can now, preggers.

  Kate looks at me and smiles. “Bring it, mouse.”

  Abraham: Hope you brought you’re a game, angel. I wouldn’t want to crush you girls too badly.

  Kate mimics my Cheshi
re cat grin. “You’re not even on my B game level, brah.” The countdown ends. “Go, go, go! Girls, your mute buttons are on the chord switch them to red when you need to.”

  I make it to their camp first. After scoping the place out, I walk up behind Damon and take my knife to his throat.

  Damon yell out, “Fuck! Reagan’s in our camp. She’s got the fucking flag. Abraham, she’s your girl. Fucking get her ass.”

  “Left side, left side!” Abraham calls into the mic.

  “Too late!” I dive and cap their flag. “Okay girls, two more.” I slap Sara’s arm to get her attention and whisper, “Devon will come up over that ridge in about thirty seconds. In twenty, press this button and toss a grenade at his ass.”

  She smiles and nods.

  “Shit! Sara, you traitor.”

  “Sorry babe. Them’s the breaks.”

  The first five rounds are ours. They take the next one. By eleven o’clock, we’re beating them eleven to one. Midgame, I notice no one on their team is moving. Two are just lying in the middle of the map. I immediately realize what’s going on. I jump up, shut off all the lights, and lock all the doors including the dog door.

  “What the hell, Reagan?”

  “Shhh! For fuck’s sake, hide. Their players are idle. They’re coming here. I’ve got Nerf guns in the hall closet and buckets for water under the sink, arm yourselves.” I haul ass upstairs and grab all of the Nerf guns. Once we’re all cocked and loaded, we take up posts around the house “You guys ready?” They call out some form of yes and I unlock the garage door. “Okay, incoming.”

  I take off up the stairs and lie at the very top, aiming at the foot of the stairs. Devon is my first victim. “Shit! They know!” I retreat into the master bathroom. Curtain pulled back and shower hose in hand, I wait. I can hear Damon call out as Sam soaks him with the Tupperware dish that she filled with cold water.

  “They’re armed with more than just Nerf guns!” Damon yells. Sam screams out, giggling like a teenager.

  “Fuck!” Thump, bump. Mickey must have found Kate in the kitchen behind the island, waiting with the sink hose.

  She calls out mid laugh, “Reagan! They’ve got silly string!”