Page 80 of Overtime

The Ultimate Prank

1 Get Lucky

Alex

“Family vacation is next week.Anything I can do to help you get the house ready?”

Amira’s shoulders stiffen almost imperceptibly, but just as quick, the knee-jerk reaction evaporates. Sure, she views my brothers from other mothers as family now, but that wasn’t always the case. No matter how much time goes by, a small part of her will always feel judged by the same people who are supposed to love her unconditionally. Just another little parting gift from her parents who haven’t been a part of our lives in years.

“Why are they coming here again? Why aren’t we congregating at Evie and Rob’s like last year?”

A smile spreads across my face as I check on the newest addition to our family. He’s quickly outgrowing the bassinet. With his arms stretched over his head in slumber, his tiny fists graze one side of the makeshift crib while his toes touch the other. Still—and I would never admit this to my wife—our bedroom will feel empty once we transition little Anthony to his nursery. “Because we have the youngest baby. Rules dictate they come to us.”

She peeks up at me from her laptop. “Why does it not surprise me that you have developed rules for the yearly family vacation?”

I abandon watching the rise and fall of my son’s chest to aim a mock glare at Amira. “Without rules, we devolve into chaos. You know this.”

An uncharacteristic snort leaves her lips. “I do know this. You three are more like overgrown children than men. I commend you on your efforts to rectify that issue.”

Ouch. This might not be the best time to bring up my latest idea, but…it’s tradition. Surely, she’ll understand. “Speaking of childish antics, I have the ultimate prank ready to go for this year.”

“I stand corrected,” she mumbles, going back to her work.

I twist to face her fully in our bed, scooting close enough to feel the heat radiating from her soft body. With a single finger, I trace from her slender wrist up to her shoulder, watching with fascination as goosebumps rise along the same path. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly she responds to my touch. “Oh, come on. You’re supposed to be my partner in crime. We can’t let the Falls’s prank from last year go unanswered.”

Amira tips her head to the side, her eyes narrowed. Most of her anger from last year’s hoax centered on feeling like a second choice even if she wouldn’t ever vocalize the truth. “I cannot believe they had us convinced that Tori was going to be a surrogate for them. I really should have known better.”

Honestly, that was exactly how I knew it was a joke. Evie and Amira are far closer than Evie and Tori. There’s just no way Amira wouldn’t have been the obvious choice if Rob and Evie really wanted to pursue that route.

“That’s why my idea for this year is so perfect. You’ll be able to have revenge on all of them.”

An expression of skepticism washes over Amira’s face, but she gives me the full depth of her nearly black eyes. “I’m listening.”

I can’t help the excitement vibrating my every muscle. This really is the perfect set up in so many ways. “Do you know what swingers are?”

Amira’s entire demeanor completely shuts down, the slight hint of interest replaced by a deadpan glare. “Yes. And the answer is no.”

“Hear me out!”

“No.”

“It’ll be hysterical! I can already see the looks on their faces!” In fact, imagining their reactions has been my latest tool for getting through my grueling off-season training schedule.

“Yes, I can picture their reactions. Mike will be horrified, and Rob will be murderous. What a great plan, my husband!”

“Your sarcasm is noted.”

“So long as you are aware that was my intention.”

I drop a kiss onto the bare skin at her collarbone. For some reason, she prefers my attention focused here rather than on her luscious breasts. I’m not above using what she likes to get what I want. It’s not like I haven’t run this route before. “So long as you know I have zero intention of sharing you with anyone. We only need to convince them those are our plans, not actually go through with it.”

Her sigh sounds almost like waving the white flag. “Alex…”

“Amira…” I slide my palm up her chest to wrap around the base of her throat.

“I know what you are doing. It won’t work.”

Damn. So close. Fine. I’ll have to pull out the big guns. “Just think about all the research you could do to really sell it—psychological aspects of polyamory; anthropological arguments of humans being serial monogamists versus mating for life; comparisons with other mammalian species.”

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