“Good,” Cricket says firmly. Then she chirps, “Hey. Why didn't you video call? I want to see your face.”
I chuckle. “I've had enough video for today, yeah?”
Harper cackles again, and Cricket snickers into the phone. A moment passes, and she says, “Have you heard from him?”
I blow out a breath. “Dad?”
Cricket hums.
“There's a few text messages,” I tell her. “Haven't read them yet.”
“Well, whatever they are,” Cricket says on a breath that sounds like she's exerting effort, followed by two clicks, and she continues, “fuck him and whatever he says or thinks.”
I laugh softly. “What are you doing right now?”
“Packing,” she says firmly.
I close my eyes. “Cricket—”
“Nope. Not another word. Our brother needs us. We're on the next plane.”
Harper chimes in from the background again. “Yep. No question. But can you please have clothes on when we show up?” She starts cackling again.
Spence and I groan in sync.
“You don't need to do that,” I say softly.
“No arguments,” Cricket says, and adds, “I'll text you flight info. We'll go to your condo first and get settled there.”
I sigh, resigned to the chaos that is about to converge on my world. “I'll send a car to pick you up.”
“That would be great,” Cricket says warmly. “We'll see you tomorrow night. And Ryan?”
“Yeah?”
“You're perfect just the way you are. There are many things I need to say to you in person, but right now, just know we love you so much, brother.”
I feel a tear slip free from the corner of my eye, and Harper pipes up from the background, yelling, “To the moon and back!”
On a weak voice, I say, “I love you guys, too. Have a safe flight. And Cricket?”
“Yeah?”
“You guys didn’t really watch the whole thing, did you?” I ask, a little nervously.
“God no, Ryan. Harp was here with me. We turned it off. Well, after a few minutes. It was like a train wreck. Couldn’t look away.”
“Goddd,” I moan.
“We got a good eyeful of your friend, though,” Cricket says, deadpan.
“Wowza!” Harper yells.
“Oh my God, I’m hanging up,” I say on a laugh.
I end the call and heave a deep, shaky breath. Spence squeezes me again from behind and says, “I really like them.”
“Yeah, they're honestly the best.”
