Page 59 of Lessons in Heartbreak

My phone rang with an incoming video call, and even though she’d never once called me, my heart gave a ridiculous jolt at the thought that it might be Ruby. Instead, I narrowed my eyes when I saw the name. “No swearing when I answer, okay?”

Marcus notched his fingers to his temple. “Yes, sir.”

Before I answered, I set the drink off to the side so it was out of view, then hit the button to connect the call. “Holy crap, is it my favorite niece and nephew?”

Their faces filled the screen, so much older looking than the last time I’d seen them at my parents’. Maggie hogged the screen, and Bryce rolled his eyes, pushing her face with the flat of his hand.

“Bryce, stop touching me,” she hissed. “I’ll hide your Xbox again.”

Her brother finally got some space on the screen and grinned. “Hi, Uncle Griffin.”

“Hey, bud. Hey, Maggie. How you guys doing?” I eyed them carefully. “Your dad know you’re calling me?”

Bryce shrugged. “He’s at work; he won’t care what we’re doing.”

Marcus gave me a meaningful look from his seat on the couch.

“Okay,” I said. “So what’s up? What are my two favorite kids up to?”

Maggie smiled. She was missing a couple of teeth. “Thanks for the birthday present, Uncle Griffin. I loved it.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Did you? I thought you were way too young to have your own camera, but Miss Eileen said you were ready for the responsibility.”

She giggled, holding up the pink instant camera. “Did you see it before she wrapped it? It’s pink. I love pink.”

“Who says I didn’t wrap it myself? I’m offended, Maggie Moo.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “It was way too pretty, I know you didn’t.”

“You’re right. But I did pick it out all by myself.”

“And the karaoke machine?” she asked, eyes bright.

“Miss Eileen picked that out. She said her granddaughter loves it.”

Bryce shoved his face in. “She’s awful, Uncle Griffin. You should hear her.”

“I am not,” his sister hissed. “At least I can carry a tune, you ass—”

“Okay, okay,” I interjected. “No swearing, young lady. Where’s your nanny?”

“She quit,” Maggie said happily. “Dad hasn’t hired a new one yet. The housekeeper is kinda deaf, so she can’t hear anything we’re doing. It’s awesome.”

I shook my head. “What did you guys do to the nanny this time?”

Bryce wore a devious smile. “Nothing.”

“Yeah right. Like I believe that.”

He and Maggie shared a grin. “Not our fault she couldn’t hack it,” he said. “Besides, I’meleven. I’m way too old to need a babysitter—”

“I’m ten; that’s too old too,” Maggie interrupted.

Bryce scoffed. “You’re still a baby. You sleep with stuffies and a blankie.”

Her cheeks went red. “So? You cried the last time it stormed.”

“I did not. Besides, the lightning was right outside my room. It almost electrocuted me.”

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