Page 37 of The Game Changer

“I didn’t tell her anything bad,” she insists.

“She didn’t,” I tell him, backing her up.

“Uh huh,” he grunts, not believing a word we’re saying. “I don’t believe that for one bit.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll save the embarrassing stories for Mom to tell,” Cindi tells him in a sickeningly sweet voice.

John just groans again, holding his hand up over his heart. “You wound me. And here I thought that you were my best friend,” he says dramatically.

“Oh please. Like you didn’t try and embarrass me when you first met Stephanie.”

“I plead the fifth,” he volleys back to her.

“That’s what they all say,” she mutters. “Just remember, baby brother. Payback is a bitch.” She practically cackles in laughter as she rubs her hands together.

“On that note, are you ready for bed?” John asks me, I’m sure to try and get me away from his sister.

I look down at my watch and see that it’s already almost ten. “I guess so, I have to be up early tomorrow for work.”

“I’m exhausted, as well. I haven’t been staying up much later than Mason these days. Baking two babies has been sucking all my energy right out of me.”

“I can only imagine,” I empathize with her. I haven’t ever experienced it myself, but have been around many pregnant women who’ve told me all about the highs and lows of pregnancy.

John helps Cindi up from her chair, then does the same with me. I grab my empty wine glass and head inside. I make quick work of adding the few dishes that we’ve used since dinnertime to the dishwasher, then pulling out things I’ll need in the morning so they’re on the counter and ready for me. I’m not a huge morning person, so having things set out the night before is very helpful.

“Have a good night, I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” Cindi asks as she comes out of the bathroom.

“Yes, probably not until after I’m off work, but I planned on coming back over. I just need to stop at my place after work for a little while and check on my cat.”

“Sounds good. Have you ever thought of just bringing him here?” she asks.

“Not really. We usually split our nights between here and my place, so it works out. He’s kind of a recluse sometimes and doesn’t really like new places. I think moving him back and forth would just stress him out, more so than me not being there every night.”

“That makes sense. I guess letting Mason meet him wouldn’t be the best idea then, huh?”

“He’s never been around kids, so I have no idea what he’d do, to be honest with you. He doesn’t take to new people very quickly. Unless, that is, you’re John, who apparently is the cat whisperer,” I tell her.

“Is that so?” she questions, her eyes lighting up.

“Yep, John comes over and Walter will come out, curl right up on John’s lap and everything.”

“Interesting. I never thought of my brother as a cat guy.”

“I don’t think he thought he was a cat guy until we started dating, and I think he more tolerates him than anything,” I tell her as John comes down the hall to join us.

“Are you two talking about me again?”

“Not really, we’re talking about Walter. Cindi was asking why I don’t just bring him over here with me.”

“Ah,” he says, sliding his arm around my waist. “Are you ready for bed?”

“Yep,” I tell him, “I’ll see you when I see you. Don’t wake up early just to see me off to work, sleep in and let this guy look after Mason in the morning,” I tell Cindi.

“I like the way you think!” she says, laughing. “Good night, you two.”

“Night, sis,” John tells her, stepping away from me so he can hug her goodnight. I head for his room, changing into some pj’s and hitting up the bathroom to get ready for bed.

I slip between the sheets, the smell from the laundry detergent hitting my nostrils. I love the smell of clean sheets. “You have a good time talking to my sister tonight?” John asks as he slides into bed with me. He almost instantly pulls me into his side. His lips find mine in a sensual kiss.

---