Page 80 of Legacy
He licks his lips and makes things even weirder. “Can’t wait to taste it.” Doesn’t he know his dad is eye fucking his mom right in front of him? Maybe he’s blind to it.
“Ew,” I hiss under my breath and pretend to read my phone again.
“I know, right?” Marley says, catching me off guard. “They’re so gross.”
I ask her about life, and in true Hart fashion, she gives me the shakedown. My parents amble into the kitchen next with Marissa and Dagger behind them. Dagger is shotgunning a beer, and Marissa is holding the remainder of the case, shaking her head.
“I drove. I want everyone to know that I am the driver. Not this one.” She elbows him and scowls.
He kisses her and after she initially jerks away because of his beer lips, she leans into it. Their love took off like a rocket after the deployment. Their marriage came fast and furious. They’re both happy even if they came together in an unconventional way. Dagger never admitted it, but I think he saw the change in Luke and wanted a piece of forever for himself.
I kiss my mom and take the pie out of her hands. Dad kisses the side of my head. “Hey baby, you look pretty.”
“Thanks, Dad. You look handsome today, too. I like your Hawaiian shirt.” I wink and give him a thumbs up.
He pinches the fabric on his chest. “You do? I’m trying something new. Your mother and I are going to Hawaii and I wanted to get in the mood. Test out the waters before we got there.”
“Oh, one-hundred percent, you work that shirt.”
He hugs me. “I’m so glad you said that in front of your mother. She says the opposite, that the shirt works me.”
“No piece of clothing is going to best Liam Dempsey. Even poly-cotton blend knows that.”
My mom rolls her eyes, but she looks at him with torrid love. The starry eyes. The whole deal. Her career at CJJ has taken off. Henry Durnin was good for one thing and one thing only. Catapulting the west coast branch into the stratosphere. Mom is shining. She’s happy. My parents are in their prime and they are living life without regrets. It’s an example I hope to follow.
“I don’t have a shirt to test out, but I do have legs that need some color. I’m going to head out to the pool.” Mom hikes her finger at the window to the pool. I nod. “Bring me a drink, Liam. Something fruity and Caribbean if you really want to play a part.” She winks as she kisses Luke’s cheek and says hello to his family and gets caught up in conversation with Windsor.
“I’m so happy for you, Aara,” Dad says. “Did Luke give you an early birthday present?”
I narrow my eyes. “No. Was he supposed to?”
“Oh, sorry. I just assumed he wouldn’t be able to keep it until next weekend.”
Tilting my head. “Luke,” I call out. “Do you have an early birthday present for me hidden somewhere? You know what happens when I find out about things that are supposed to be surprises.”
“Liam!” Luke exclaims, slapping his thighs with his hands. “Her birthday is next weekend!”
Dad looks embarrassed. “I’m sorry. You called, and I thought that meant you weren’t going to wait.”
“Oh, Liam Dempsey,” Mom adds. “You are the absolute worst secret gift keeper in the world.”
“Might as well give them to her now, then, huh? Maybe Mom can whip up a birthday cake and we can give that to her early too,” Luke says, but he says it with a smirk on his face. “Stay here,” he says, wagging a finger at me. He shakes his head at Liam on his way by. “Big mouth,” Luke teases.
Marley is bouncing next to me. “Luke is the best gift giver ever. I can’t wait to see what he got you!”
Shane walks in through the garage, because that’s where he always comes in from. He still has that glassy-eyed shocked look when he makes it to the party in the kitchen. Dagger throws a beer at him and by the grace of God he catches it.
“Those cars. I can’t breathe,” Shane drawls. Then Marley catches his eye. “Hey Marley.” The boyish man impressed by cars is gone and is replaced with a confident one I barely recognize. “You look really nice today.”
Marley tucks her hair behind her ear. “Thanks, Shane. I’m glad you came.” She glances at me, wooden spoon in hand. “Do you think you could take the dip from here?” I smile and agree. “Want to go out by the pool and have a drink?” she asks Shane.
He takes her up on the offer at hyper-speed and they disappear from sight.
Windsor sighs. “Being young. It’s so sweet.”
“Is that what that is?” Marissa says, sipping a beer. “Couldn’t be sure. Hey, I like your dress.” My best friend sidles in next to me.
“I thought you would. Thought you were DD today?”
