Page 48 of Despite It All
“Absolutely not,” Anna says while taking a sip of her drink looking out at the water. I follow her gaze and I can only assume she’s looking at Levi.
Levi stands on the far end. I do have to admit… Levi is attractive. His blonde hair is more a cool blonde than Jett’s honey tone, and while Jett’s and Owen’s hair has that kind of messy, curly look, Levi’s is short and clean cut.
I’ve noticed him and Anna seem to have gotten closer over the years. Granted, Anna is Wav’s best friend, andLevi and Graham are Owen’s so it isn’t really surprising they’ve become friends too, but maybe there’s more there?
Waverley and Levi went out one time before her and Owen got together, but that all ended on great terms. Surely, that’s not holding them back. But who knows, maybe I’m projecting… I’ve clearly got my own problems to worry about.
“So, Mama”—Waverley nudges me—“tell us how it’s going with hunky baby daddy.”
“Feel free to leave out any sexual details,” Anna adds.
Waverley scoffs, “No way, I didn’t say that. You can plug your ears for that part.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, no worries. There are no sexual details to report. We’re focusing on being co-parents. Nothing more.”
“Oh, come on, that’s so boring,” Waverley whines. “You’re telling me nothing has happened? Not even a quickie?”
Anna plugs her ears. “La, la, la.”
Waverley pulls down one of her arms. “Grow up. I said, quickie, not ‘has he given you that orgasm you were wanting,’ like I wanted to.”
“Ugh, Wav, eww. It’s different with brothers. I don’t want to hear that.” Anna shudders.
“How do you think Stevie got here?” Waverley continues to push.
“I realize how.” Anna reaches over to shove her. “But in my deluluville, I’ve blocked that part out. Stop trying to pop my bubble.”
“Don’t worry, Anna, there’s nothing more to tell. Jett and I will be co-parents, that's all. No quickies or orgasms for us.”
“Boo, if you were one of my students I’d give you an F.” Waverley reaches for her water and takes a sip. “I don’t get it, Wyla. You two clearly have chemistry, why not try?”
“How about, he lives forty-two hours away from here and plays professional baseball so his schedule is a nightmare?” I answer with the most obvious answer but it’s not enough to fool my sister.
“Oh, you mean he has tons of money so he could not only pay to have y’all come with him from time to time, he could also buy a house hereandin Seattle for y’all to live in. Seems like a real fucking problem.”
“She’s not wrong.” Anna laughs. “He could totally afford it.”
“See!” Waverley throws her hands up. “What is up your ass about this?”
I can’t sit with either of my sisters today, apparently. “Ugh, nothing!”
Wav leans back in her chair and shrugs. “Welp, maybe that’s your fucking problem.”
“Waverley!” Anna smacks her arm then covers her ears. “Gross.”
I hold back the laugh that wants to escape because it was kind of funny. Not having Jett inside me could be my problem but it can’t be my solution either. “Wav, let it go. It’s not happening.”
“Okay, fine,fine. I’ll drop it for now,” Waverley grumbles.
“You’ll drop it for good, Wav.”
“Nah, you get the day. That’s all I’m giving you.”
Two hours later, I’m sitting under our umbrella with Jett and Stevie, putting the final touches on our sandcastle.
I watch Stevie on her third attempt of getting one of the tower molds to stay. From all the swimming and being out in the sun, she’s starting to get sleepy which means she’s grouchy.
“Mommy, this tower is being mean,” she cries. “It won’t stay up.”
