Page 107 of Cheap Shot
“We are going to have to agree to disagree, as usual, Cole. However, before we came outside, I told Stacey that Parker is going to want to name their son after a professional hockey player.”
“That’s not a bad idea. How about Cole?” I respond, earning another smack in the back of the head.
Behind me, the screen door bangs open as Kyle and Darius come rushing out onto the porch, a Nintendo Switch controller in one hand and what looks like a Super Soaker in the other.
“Which one first?” he asks, thrusting the two items in my direction.
“Can I get a little more information, Captain D?”
“The super soaker, but only if you keep it as far away from me as possible.” Michele grabs the Switch controller, shoving it into my pocket.
Darius gives her a mock salute before turning toward the other two ladies. “Anyone else?”
“No, thanks. I’m too big of a target, and Alise needs to help me bring the rest of the food out. Ms. Mel’s orders,” Stacey says as she waddles by, grabbing Alise’s hand and pulling her toward the door.
“Maybe go check with Kyle. He needs exercise.” I grin, already hearing my youngest brother complaining that I threw him under the bus, but he hasn’t moved since he came home a few weeks ago. “I’m down to play, too.”
“Sounds like a plan. Can I ask Cooper and Beau, too?”
“Sure thing, Captain D. I haven’t kicked my brothers’ butts with a water gun in a while.”
He disappears again in a blur of blue sneakers and boundless energy. I take a slow sip of my beer and close my eyes, letting the moment stretch wide around me.
Michele presses a kiss to my shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I slip an arm around her waist. “Just taking it in.”
She leans into me, the scent of cinnamon and rosemary clinging to her skin. “It’s weird, huh? Being happy?”
“Yeah,” I admit. “Still getting used to it.”
The road to recovery has been hard, harder than I expected, to be honest. Not only have I had to deal with the withdrawal symptoms from being dependent on drugs for all these years, but unpacking the reasons I started using in the first place has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.
“You’re allowed to be happy, Cole. We all are.” Michele smiles, planting a kiss on my chin before pulling out the Switch controller. “Ready for me to kick your butt inMario Kart?”
“I’m supposed to have an epic water gun fight with Darius and my brothers. Do you think they’d mind?”
“That’s not happening.” She giggles, pulling me toward the screen door and pointing inside.
Darius is seated on the couch between Kyle and Cooper, their eyes focused on something on the television, booing loudly as Stacey waddles past them to Parker. He opens his arms wide, beckoning for her to have a seat in his lap.
“I don’t think we’ll be playingMario Karteither.” I chuckle as Kyle throws a handful of popcorn at Darius and loses spectacularly inMario Kart. Cooper snatches the controller from Kyle, saying something to Darius before the entire room erupts into laughter.
“We can call the next game.” A soft smile curls at the corners of Michele’s mouth.
I open the screen door, bowing at the hip. “After you, milady.”
“Sorry.” My head snaps up at the sound of Ramona’s voice. Both of her hands are full of things for the barbecue. “I can just put these down and get out of your hair.”
Michele elbows me in the side before stepping around Ramona and heading inside. Ramona and I stare at each other, neither of us knowing what to say. We haven’t spent much time with each other without my brothers present, especially given the way she feels about my addiction.
“No worries. Can I help?” I tentatively reach my hand toward her, not wanting to overstep.
She smiles softly, handing one bowl to me. “Thank you, Cole.”
Neither one of us says a word as we head down the few stairs on the porch toward the front of the house. You’d think it was the Fourth of July, the way Momma has meticulously decorated almost every available surface. I'm surprised she didn’t figure out a way to hang streamers from the trees in our front yard, although she had Kyle and me hanging outdoor lights, just in case.
I place the bowl on the table full of food and turn to follow Michele into the house, but Ramona’s hand grips my arm before dropping it quickly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you without permission, but I…” Her voice trails off, her eyes focused on the ground.
