Page 54 of Mr. Broody

He and Kyleigh laugh. “You can’t put a price on happiness,” Mack says.

“A.K.A. a lot.” Rowan eats a handful of Goldfish.

“The snacks are for the kids.”

“I’m sure Mack bought extra snacks. He’s a planner.” Rowan turns to look at him.

Mack turns around and nods. God help me, how much is this charge going to be on my credit card bill?

Tweetie and Conor come in, sharing a look I don’t trust. Please tell me they haven’t hurt a kid in the dodgeball trampoline section.

“I’m thinking about taking up guitar. Take some lessons,” Conor says when they walk in.

“You know what song has a killer guitar solo?” Tweetie asks. It’s clear whatever they’re talking about has a purpose to it. It sounds as if they’ve been rehearsing it. “Van Halen’s ‘Hot for Teacher.’”

“Oh, I love that song,” Conor says and stares right at me. “What about you, Daddy?”

“Ah shit,” Rowan mumbles.

“I think he’s got it bad,” Tweetie says.

“Definitely hot for teacher,” Conor chimes in.

I grind my teeth together.

“I bet the teacher wants to see him after school.” Tweetie crosses his arms and looks at Conor. Their acting is getting worse with every line.

“Do you think he brought his pencil?” Conor asks.

“You guys are dumbasses.” Rowan takes another handful of the Goldfish crackers. Did he not eat today or what?

“We gotta get a good seat for this one.” Tweetie and Conor walk over to the far wall and lean against it, crossing their arms.

“You don’t have any popcorn, do you, Mack?” Conor asks. “Because we’re about to see a show.”

“What are you idiots talking about?” Kyleigh asks.

I’m trying to figure out what the hell they’re up to, then the door opens. My back goes ramrod straight, expecting it to be Micha and Trina, but it’s not them. It’s Jade. With a gift bag hanging from her fingers for Bodhi.

“Yeah, he’s hot for teacher all right,” Tweetie mumbles.

Conor laughs until I cut them a look before standing up to go see what she’s doing here.

Twenty-Three

Bodhi

She’s here!

She came!

I can’t believe it. I thought for sure she wouldn’t.

I peek around the corner, where they can’t see me.

Daddy stands and takes the gift from Miss Jade, putting it with all the other awesome gifts everyone got me. Birthdays are so fun.

“What are you looking at?” Micha comes up behind me.

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