Page 52 of These Pucking Boys

“If you ask me, that’s the best type,” Jake butts in, earning a glower from Ryan.

“Says the man who licks his plate every time I cook.”

“Only because there’s never enough food.” I pile on, then high-five Jake.

The cooking timer starts beeping, prompting June to turn the oven off. “Where do you keep your oven mitts?”

Ryan opens the drawer next to the oven and hands her a set.

“Are we eating now? I’d better set the table...” I start before realizing June has already set the table.

“We’re eating now, unless you’re not hungry.” She brings the steaming lasagna to the table.

“Wait.” Ryan rushes after her with a trivet and places it on the table with a look of sheer horror. It’s fucking hilarious.

June looks at him and sets down the dish. “Oh, thanks. Now go wash your hands.”

I’m not sure what’s more comical—June’s unawareness that Ryan is losing his mind, or his reaction to her. He looks dazed as he walks to the kitchen sink to do what she asked.

“We all texted you,” Jake chimes in. “Didn’t you receive them?”

June grimaces. “I had a small accident.” She shows us her phone inside a ziplock bag filled with rice. “My phone decided to have a bubble bath.”

“Is it dead?” Jake asks.

“I don’t know. I’m afraid to check.”

“Can I see it?” Ryan reaches for it.

June hands him the bag and stares at the device while Ryan tries to turn it on. “Yeah, I’d say you need a new phone.”

Her shoulders sag. “Great. Another broken thing to add to the list.”

Ryan returns the phone to her without saying a word and then leaves the dining room. June watches him go, furrowing her brows. What’s that eejit doing now? He’d better not be rude and skip dinner.

“Aren’t you gonna eat?” I ask him.

“Be right back.”

I relax a bit, then Jake and I veer for the table, but June hangs back. “Sit down, lass.”

“I’m not sure where.”

I pull out the chair next to mine. “You can sit here.”

“Thanks.”

We’re all seated when Ryan returns and places a white box next to June’s plate. She looks up. “What’s this?”

“Your new phone.” He walks to his side of the table without looking at her.

“What?” She flips the box over, revealing a picture of the latest iPhone. “It’s brand new.”

Smirking, Ryan sits next to Jake and across from June. “Of course it is.”

“I can’t accept this.” She pushes the box away from her.

“He didn’t pay for it,” Jake butts in.

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