Page 52 of Trip Through Your Wires

She smiles at the nickname I gave her months ago. “What are you two gossiping about in here?”

“Nothing,” he shrugs while giving me a look of understanding.

She looks from him to me, and shrugs. “Alright then. Can I make you two a real coffee?”

He looks over at the cups on the counter and presses his hands together in mock prayer. “Yes, please?”

She presses up on her toes and gives him another kiss. “You got it.”

“You’re the best.”

“I know.”

He runs his thumb under her lip and she gives him a wink, then moves over to the silver piece of equipment on the counter that resembles a dashboard on a spaceship.

Thanks to Ellery’s love of coffee, we’ve got a killer cappuccino maker. Only problem, none of us can use it. Give us a ball and a glove and we can teach you baseball in under an hour. When it comes to coffee, however, we’re useless. Ellery, however, has perfected each of our favorites—coffee black for Marcus, latte for me, and espresso for Cruz.

“You’re a lucky man,” I marvel as Ellery works the appliance that looks like it should be on The Jetson’s. “Don’t fuck that up or I will hurt you.”

He looks at her and grins. “Don’t plan on it. Now, what are you going to do about—”

“Nothing,” I cut him off, motioning for him to shut up.

Surprisingly, he takes the hint and doesn’t say another word until Ellery brings over two cups and sets them down in front of us.

“Oh, this is good,” he moans in approval while sipping his cappuccino.

“I’m glad you like it. And yours?” She turns to me.

I blow on my coffee and take a sip. As usual it’s perfection and tell her as much.

Tapping the counter with a satisfied smile, she turns and heads back to the machine. A couple of minutes later Marcus strolls in, and she holds out a cup to him as he passes.

Grabbing it appreciatively, he gives her a winning smile. “Why, thank you ma’am,” he gives her a winning smile. “Man, how did we get so lucky?”

“I got lucky,” Cruz corrects.

Ellery carries her own coffee over and takes a seat on Cruz’s knee, folding into our conversation effortlessly. We talk about the storm and how much snow we think there is, and how much longer winter is going to last.

When Coach calls later that morning to tell us class and practice has been canceled for the day, Cruz, Marcus and I high-five then run to our rooms and put on snow gear. We spend the afternoon like a couple of kids on a snow day—having an epic snowball fight that makes us laugh until we have frozen snot clinging to our noses.

When we finally come inside, Ellery has hot toddies waiting for us. It’s the first time since Jenica’s visit that I feel like my old self and I can’t help but smile at the irony that a snow day restored my chill.

After finishing our drinks, Marcus heads downstairs to take a shower to warm up, and Ellery gets to work making another round for Cruz and me. When she’s done, she sets them down on the counter just as the phone rings.

Surprisingly, I don’t flinch the way I have been when someone calls the house. Instead, I reach for my drink and take a sip as she grabs the cordless to answer it.

“I’ll be back,” she mouths as she heads into the living room with her hand over the receiver.

Cruz and I are nearly done with our second drink when she comes back into the kitchen and returns the cordless to the cradle.

“What’s wrong?” Cruz asks, when he sees her standing there, tapping her nails on the counter.

She turns to us, expression wary. “I have news.”

“You’re pregnant,” I reply jokingly, and Cruz shoots me a dirty look.

“No,” she drawls, not taking the opportunity to give me shit. “The body in Cherry Cove…they have an ID.”

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