Page 58 of Take Two

Chapter 31

Charlie

Colt’s personal chef, Myra, stirs vegetables on the stove while Evan tells her all about his baseball games. She smiles and nods at him, but I suspect she has no idea what he’s talking about. Even as he stands next to her and talks her ear off, she nevercomplains.

I check my emails while I wait for my brother. We finished a grueling workout with his trainer, and I’m waiting for him while he gets a massage. Since Myra is back from vacation, I probably won’t be cooking here much, so in the meantime, I plan Violet’s menu for the rest of the week.

I’ve been cooking since I was a boy. Mama started calling me her special helper, and that’s how it started. It was fun being in the kitchen with her, and it was a time when I didn’t have to share her with anyone else. Until now, I never knew how fulfilling it would be to cook for my woman. It doesn’t hurt that Violet never complains about what I make. She eats it all and lavishes praise on me. She never makes requests either. She says she’s happy and grateful for whatever I make for her.

I smile when my phone buzzes with an incoming text from her.

Lettie: Pussy status: tingling

I send a blush emoji.

Me: Dick status: hardening

Lettie: I want it in my mouth

Me: You shall have it. Patience

Lettie: I guess. I love you

Me: I love you too

“Do you see the way he’s grinning?” I turn around and Vickie and Colt are standing behind me. I quickly slide my phoneinto my pocket and feel a blush spread across my face. “He was humming earlier,” she says to her husband.

He rolls his eyes and says, “As long as he doesn’t sing.” He walks to the fridge and returns with three bottles of water.

“You should invite her for dinner tonight,” Vickie says. “We’ve missed you around here, especially since you go back home soon.”

Part of me feels guilty for not being around much, but the other part, the part who loves being with Violet doesn’t feel so bad. I’ve already decided that when I come back to visit her, I’ll be staying at her place.

“Yeah, I’ll ask her,” I say to Vickie.

“My queen,” my brother begins. “Not every relationship is destined to end in love and marriage like ours.” He kisses her cheek, and she pretends to wipe it when he’s done. So, he kisses her again.

I pull out my phone when I feel it vibrate in my pocket.

Lettie: Can you meet Mom tomorrow?

Me: I’ll cook

Lettie: I can’t let you do that. I’ll order something

Me: I’ll cook. I’ll shop in the morning. Will you come for dinner tonight? I’ll come get you

Lettie: My boyfriend remains undefeated. Yes!

“Lettie’s coming for dinner,” I announce. “I’m meeting her mama tomorrow. She’s introducin’ me to her.”

Vickie shrieks, but Colt’s smile vanishes. “Her mama?” he asks. “That’s serious, Charlie.”

“I think that’s the point,” Vickie says.

“But you guys live so far away from each other,” he says softly. Vickie looks at him like he’s lost his mind, and I decide I’m not going to lose my temper today. Things are going too good in my life.

“We do, but Colty, there’s this thing called an airplane.” I purposely make my accent as thick as possible. “Maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s like an iron bird in the sky, and it goes real fast.” I give him a blank stare once I’m done talking.

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