Page 21 of Fourteen Years

I shrugged.

“He was so much more street smart than me when we met. He was my first and he already knew his way around a woman’s body. He is a take charge type of guy.” I blushed.

Becks groaned and fell back on the couch.

“You’d think I’d be okay having gone thirteen years without sex and ever without good sex. Now that I’ve had really good sex though, I miss it. Lucas needs to snap out of it.” she was whining.

Laughing, I nodded.

“You may have to take charge. Why don’t I take Nat tonight and you can plan a surprise for Lucas when the boys are done? Something he can’t turn down.”

Trevor and Nick had met Lucas at his tattoo artist’s shop today. Marcus and his co-worker were doing matching memorial tattoos on them for Paul. It meant a lot to me and warmed my heart. They still felt so passionately about his friendship. Lucas had gotten his done within days. Sprawled across his massive forearm, “I am my brother’s keeper” with Paul’s badge number.

Nick and Trevor had loved it and wanted them immediately. Today was the first day they’d all been able to go together.

“That may be a good idea,” said Becks’ staring at the ceiling consideringly. “What do you bet Lucas comes home with new ink even though he didn’t have an appointment?” she asked.

Leaning back on my own seat, I smirked.

“I’m not taking that bet. Lucas can’t go more than a month without some new tattoo. When are you going to break down and get one?”

Becks’ shuddered. She absolutely hated needles and anything involving them. I didn’t blame her, they weren’t my favorite thing either.

“I’ll get one when you do.” she promised, looking over at me from where she laid on her back.

“Ok. So when pigs fly?” I joked, tossing a pillow over at my laughing friend.

“We could get friend’s ones though. Small ones.” she considered.

I nodded. We were often able to share easy, comfortable silences without talking. We just sipped our drinks for a bit, watching the quiet street in front of their home.

“Mom! Lacey just called me a brat!” shrieked Lexi from upstairs.

Groaning, I dropped my head onto the back of the couch.

“What has gotten into her?” I questioned. “They always fight, but this is extreme lately. And sneaking out last night?” I picked my head up looking at Becks.

She grimaced, shrugging.

“Lacey!” I yelled. “Downstairs now!”

Stomps followed, nearing the stairs, and thundering down them towards us.

I mouthed an apology to Becks and she just waved her hand, brushing me off.

“First of all” I looked at my surly oldest when she entered the room. “Apologize to your Aunt Becks for treating her home like that.”

“Fine. Sorry.” Lacey snapped, crossing her arms and avoiding eye contact. She stared at her flip-flop shod feet. I looked her over in her shorts and t-shirt and shook my head. Something was very off with my oldest. She’d always had a teenage attitude but wasn’t ever outright defiant like this.

“It’s okay, Lacey,” said Becks, gently, standing and picking her mug up. “I’m just going to get some more decaf tea.” She paused when she got near my daughter and leaned over whispering something to her before kissing the side of her head gently and moving on into the kitchen.

Lacey at least smiled at that and then looked over at me.

“What is going on, honey?” I asked, flabbergasted. “First sneaking out and the fighting with your sister is escalating now into name calling? You’re moody and-”

“I’m fine.” she interrupted.

“Lacey.”

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