Page 125 of Here and Now
She scoffs and slaps my chest. “You keep your lies to yourself, Miles Anderson.”
Ethan is practically bouncing out of his skin. “Granny, can I please take Kai to see the tree house? Please!”
Gran smiles. “Of course, you boys go play. It was nice to meet you, Kai.”
“Nice to meet you too!” Kai says as Ethan drags him by the arm.
I chuckle. “Those two are really best friends.”
I get a death stare from my grandmother. “I’m angry with you.” She answers to what I’m sure is the puzzling look on my face. I just walked in. This is a new record, even for me.
“Me?” I ask in horror. “For what?”
“You brought this beautiful girl to meet Marge before me? How dare you?” Gran looks affronted, but I know better. Or at least I know how to butter her up.
“Don’t be mad,” I say, giving her my best pouty face. “I love you most. That’s why I wanted you to meet her in a special way.”
She shakes her head. “I believe nothing you say.” Then she turns to Penny. “You come in the kitchen with me, dear. Miles ... go away.”
I laugh once. “Unreal. I’ve been dismissed.”
Penelope grins and heads into the kitchen with Gran, and I’m sure my sister is there too.
Doug is sitting on the couch, the game on and my niece, Cora, passed out on his chest. I clap his shoulders as I walk behind him. “What’s up, douchecanoe?”
He places his hand on her back. “Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal son coming for dinner. You know, all I’ve heard is how you didn’t bring her here and she had to practically beg for you to agree to this.”
I roll my eyes and sit on the opposite couch. “She’ll get over it.”
“She always does for you.”
I laugh. It’s only funny because it’s true.
“How are you feeling? The leg better?”
Doug is fully out of a boot and walking. He’s slow, but healing really well. “Doctor says I have maybe another two weeks of physical therapy, and then it’ll just be doing what I can without pain. Already it’s a million times better. The fact that I’m mobile has made things so much easier.”
“I’m sure Eloise appreciates it.”
He nods and mindlessly pats Cora’s back. “She does. However, she warned if I set foot on the ice again, I won’t have to worry about breaking a leg, because she’s going to kill me.”
“Sounds like Eloise,” I say, leaning back. “So do you want to plan a game in a month?”
Doug grins. “Make it two.”
I laugh softly, careful not to wake the baby. Although both of Eloise’s kids seem to be able to sleep through a war. I have pictures of Ethan passed out on top of a speaker that was playing music. They never believed in being quiet when they were babies, and while I thought it was a little bizarre, it seems to have worked.
The two of us catch up, talking about how much he hates his job and is looking into becoming a fireman. “My military time would count and give me a loophole as I approach the age limit.”
“I know you’re miserable.”
“It’s an hour commute each way. Then I get home and Eloise is pulling her hair out with the two kids, and I’m exhausted and up at four in the morning. This would be closer to home, and I know everyone on the squad.”
“Anything I can do to help, you know I will. I’m sure you’ve talked to Lachlan, but I’m happy to back you up if you’re really interested,” I offer.
“I’d appreciate it,” Doug says, and then my sister and Penny walk in.
“Well, Penelope has been thoroughly indoctrinated, and Gran is half in love with her,” Eloise says with her arm linked in Penny’s.
