Page 149 of Clean Slade
“You really want me to live with you?”
“Slade, you’re so silly. You already do,” Mac said.
I laughed.
And hugged them.
And squeezed them to make sure none of this was a dream.
“So? What’s it gonna be, techboy?”
“It’s gonna be a yes. Of course a yes. Always a yes! Every time a yes.”
Mac narrowed her eyes and leaned forward slightly.
“Daddy, I think Slade’s got a glitch.”
“I think you’re right, sweetie.”
I wiggled my fingers in front of her and took a deep breath.
“If I’ve got a glitch, I’ll give you a glitch too!” I said and tickled her tummy.
Her laugh was infectious. So infectious that somehow, we all ended up on the floor with stomach aches and cheek cramps.
Yup. Lucky.
Luckiest guy in the world.
* * *
Later that day, I decided to sit them down and make them an official part of my family like they’d made me a part of theirs.
I picked up my phone and called Rhett.
“You remembered we exist?” asked Mom as soon as she appeared on the screen, a clear blue sky behind her.
“No. My phone reminded me, actually.” I told her, and she pouted. “Hi, Mom. Are you and Rhett, like, attached at the hip or something? Why are you always answering his phone?”
The camera shook and blurred, and Rhett appeared on the screen, walking away from Mom.
“No, but she, as usual, can’t mind her own business. What’s up, bro?”
King laughed. I frowned.
“Why do you say that as if you’re busy and trying to get rid of me?” I asked.
“Am not. But what’s up?”
I huffed. Maybe this wasn’t a great idea. Maybe I should have warned them. Problem was, if I had warned them, they would have made such a big deal out of it, and I didn’t know if Mom’s poor heart could handle it.
“Well, I was calling to introduce you to my boyfriend and his daughter, but since you’re busy…”
I lowered the phone, and Mac pouted.
“Oh, are you now? Well, that’s huge,” Rhett said. “Okay, bye.”
Huh?
