Page 121 of Here With Me
“Like you’re his whole world and he’d rather die than not exist in yours.”
I gulp as my heart nearly stops beating. “You’re wrong, Gramma. Nothing’s goin’ on.”
“How come? Jase find out?”
“What? No.” I shake my head. “I mean, there’s nothin’ to know.”
“Mm-hmm.” She smirks smugly.
Before I can continue the conversation, the front door swings open, and the sound of boots aggressively pounding the floor echoes throughout the house.
And there goes the peace and quiet.
“Wow, y’all are on time. Color me shocked,” I muse when all four of my brothers enter the kitchen.
“Go clean up,” Momma orders.
“That means with soap, too.” I grin, grabbing the plates from the counter to set the table.
“What was that? You wanna hug?” Wilder comes over in two large steps and wraps his filthy arms around me.
“No! Get away! Ugh, ew. Take a shower once in a while.” I push him off with my free hand. “If I drop these, it’s your ass.”
“Noah, language,” Momma scolds.
My other brothers manage to find the bathroom, yet he’s still here bothering me.
“Then tell your alien spawn to go away.”
Momma raises her brows at him and warns him without speaking a word.
“What? I was just givin’ my little sis some love,” he taunts, then pokes my side when Momma turns around.
“I’m gonna murder you in your sleep,” I whisper-hiss, then kick his shin.
“Wilder, quit annoyin’ your sister and go,” Dad barks as he walks into the kitchen and heads toward Momma.
“Yeah, to the next galaxy preferably.”
“You’re such a baby.” Wilder yanks on one of my braids.
“Oh my God. How old are you? Grow up,” I snap, elbowing him as I walk to the table.
“You first.”
I grind my teeth. “I swear, you were dropped on your head when you came out of the womb. Killed all your damn brain cells in one shot.”
“Pretty sure that’s what happened to you when they let me hold ya for the first time.”
“You kiss Momma with that mouth?” I snarl.
He taunts me with kissy-mouth noises, aggravating me even more.
Before I can throw a plate at him, Dad grabs his shoulder and forcefully leads him out of the kitchen. “Go wash up now.”
He finally listens, and I continue setting the table.
“Momma, there’s two extra plates here,” I say.
