Page 132 of Connectio
Biting back my smile, I keep my voice neutral. “Yeah. Didn’t you know there are eels in here.”
“Fuck that shit!” He hoists me over his shoulder, and I squeal as he carries me out of the water and places me on solid ground again.
“I’m kidding.” I laugh. “There are no eels.”
He glares at the lake as if it’s pulled a swifty on him.
The gang waddle along the grassy shore toward us, and I crack up laughing again; Derek and Bryce look priceless.
“You guys are crazy,” I say. “That was excellent!”
Charlotte runs up to me and gives me a hug. “Did you like my singing, Libby?”
I release her arms and bend toward her, holding her hands between us. “I did! You sounded just like Ariel.”
The little joy blushes and turns her hips back and forth, and it’s the cutest thing.
“Charli-bear, come here,” Alexis says and winks to her daughter.
Will takes the puppies from Carly and hands me their leads. “Meet our babies.”
“What?” My mouth falls open, and I drop to my knees. “What are you talking about?” Both puppies wiggle around me, licking and pawing my face. I pick one up, and then the other. “Hi there.” They squirm like giant fluffy worms, and I have to put them down again for fear they’ll squirm right out of my hold.
Will squats and picks one up, letting it lick his entire face. “We can have babies, sweetheart. They just might have four legs, or scales, or feathers.”
“They’re just…. I’m just….” Tears stream down my face. I’m so overwhelmed I can’t even speak. “Are they … brother and sister?
He shakes his head and smiles. “No. Separate litters.”
“What are you going to name them?” Charlotte asks.
“I… I don’t know.”
She looks up at Alexis. “Mum, I want a puppy.”
Alexis’s eyes nearly grow wider than her face. “Nooo.”
“But—”
“No buts, ratbag.”
Bryce lifts Charlotte onto his shoulders, and I can’t help but laugh at what is simply a turtle on top of a frog.
I giggle. “You all look ridiculous.”
“We know,” Bryce says.
Continuing to laugh, I apologise for their misfortune. “I’m so sorry.”
He holds Charlotte firm with one arm then slaps Will on the back. “Well worth it, mate.”
Will tickles Charlotte’s leg, and she almost knees Bryce in the face. “Beats that time we performed ‘November Rain,’ huh?” He waggles his eyebrows at Bryce.
Bryce chuckles.
“Nothing beats ‘November Rain,’” Alexis says.
“Yeah. At least we didn’t have to wear godawful costumes when we performed that for Lexi.” Derek snaps his claw-like hands and frowns.
