Page 43 of Parts of Us

Archie peered out the kitchen window. “They’re two peas in a pod, I swear.” He could not look more in love with whatever he was seeing.

I leaned over the counter to peer out too, and I spotted Master Greer and Corey wrestling with the dogs. I scrunched my nose. It was dark and muddy and wet and gross.

* * *

I kept getting weepy while Master Greer took his second shower with Corey. The longer I stayed, the worse things got.

Daddy, come get me. Please come get me.

Archie fussed over me, and I felt so bad because it wasn’t working. There was nothing he could do. I just wanted to be with my own family.

I sniffled and wiped at my face, and Archie brought drinks and cookies to the couch.

“Come here, love. Sit down. Would you like some tea? Or coffee?”

I shook my head and sat down in one of the chairs. “Please just ignore me—I’m a mess.”

“I can’t do that.” He smiled sympathetically. “I think we—” Something caught his attention, and he looked toward the hallway.

Corey stood there with a towel wrapped around his hips. “Someone requires your service in the bathroom.”

Ah.

“Of course. I’ll be right there.” Archie excused himself, and I waved him off. That was way more important than tending to my stupid emotions. “Pick a movie till I get back.”

Sure, sure.

I reached for the remote and grabbed a cookie too.

Corey trailed closer, running a towel over his head. “Is there anything I can do? I can offer you dirty jokes and gossip.”

I mustered a weak smile and shook my head. “Thanks, I’m good.”

He lifted a brow and climbed over the armrest of the couch to sit down. Because he couldn’t possibly round the furniture and sit down like a normal human being; he had to climb over it.

“You don’t even wanna know that we’re planning a prank for the cruise?” he challenged.

I furrowed my brow. “Who’s in on it?”

If Noa was game, he would’ve told me, wouldn’t he?

“Sorry, that’s classified information,” Corey replied.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek and considered my options. I guessed if I wanted information, I’d have to sell my soul to the devil and be a part of the prank. Been there, done that! I’d bratted off plenty at the Funhouse event last year.

“Are you in?” he asked.

Hmm.

“I’ll think about it,” I said. “Ask Noa first.”

He just smirked, so I guessed Noa was already in.

Corey wasn’t the best at lying.

And I wasn’t the best at handling future plans tonight. Christ, we had the cruise coming up. We had so many plans. So many events. But did we really? Or would Master and I end up canceling everything? Would KC and Noa go off on their own? I couldn’t see them skipping out on the cruise. They shouldn’t have to anyway.

“I’m just gonna put on jammies,” Corey said. “Can I watch a movie with you and Archie after?”

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