Don’t say sexcapades and Mom and Dad in the same sentence.
Hendrix
Dude. Nobody should see the things I’ve walked in on. I’m good. Just let me crash on Nix’s old bed, and I’m good. My flight out is at the asscrack of dawn Friday morning, so I can be back in time for walk through Friday morning.
Leo
Dude. You still hearing rumblings about a trade?
Hendrix
Your guess is as good as mine.
Leo
We gotta get you on the Revolution. Imagine you, me, and Nix on one team. We’d be unstoppable.
Hendrix
Make it happen, and I’m there. But for now—it’s Chicago and settling for two days in Kroydon Hills. See you tomorrow, brother. I’ll text when I land in Philly.
Hendrix and I are on our way back to Kroydon Hills from the airport way too fucking early the next morning when my speaker announces Dad calling in a sexy Australian accent.
“Seriously,” Hendrix groans.
“Hey, old man,” I answer and smack the back of his head as we pull onto the highway.
“Dude. What’s up your ass?” Henny growls before Dad has a chance to answer.
“Hendrix... what are you doing in the car with Leo?” Dad asks.
“Wanted to surprise Mom today for Thanksgiving,” the little kiss ass tells Dad.
“Good. I need you boys to do me a few favors. Dinner is at Grandpa’s at four this afternoon. Mom ordered desserts from Sweet Temptations. Can you pick them up for me?”
I look at the clock, already annoyed to be up this early the day after a game. Guess we can grab some coffee while we’re there. “You saidfavors. Is there something else?”
Hendrix reclines his seat, and I kinda want to smother the fucker.
“Yeah. Can you go make sure Callen is awake and not being a miserable little shit? Grandpa doesn’t need to deal with anyone else’s shit right now.”
And there it is. The thing none of us have felt like dealing with. Callen has been a real fucker lately, and none of us know why. And we haven’t poked the bear. Guess I’m about to start poking.
“Sure, Dad. Let us know if you need anything else. See you this afternoon.” I look over to find my little brother sound asleep already and have to remind myself that while slamming on the brakes would definitely wake him up, it would probably cause an accident too. Fuck. Adulting sucks.
Iget out of my SUV, once we’re back in town, and glare at Hendrix, who doesn’t move. “Are you coming in with me?”
Hendrix cracks his eyes open and smirks. “Uhh... no. I have faith in you, brother. You got this.”
“Yeah... thanks for nothing.” I slam the door and trudge up to Callen’s house. Technically, he’s our uncle, but he’s the same age as our sisters, so he’s always been more brother or cousin than uncle. At least, that means I know where the dumbass keeps his spare key.
It only takes me a minute to find him once I’m in.
The fucker is passed out in the living room with ESPN on in the background.
“Get up, asshole,” I groan, already annoyed to be on babysitting duty.
He drags a pillow over his head and flips me off from the couch. “Go away.”