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I nod. “Charlie says if you grip the hair this way, it makes it much easier.”
Many of the things I’ve learned living with Charlie and Lex. As much as I despised children prior to living here, I can’t imagine life without my nieces. They’re a pain in the ass at the best of times but they know how to get to me. Too many heart-warming moments that make me gush like a proud uncle.
She runs back to the trampoline, sneakily sticking her tongue out at her big sister.
“Kids, huh,” I wonder out loud.
“Yep, a handful and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
“Michael’s a good kid.”
Lex pats my back. “Boys have to be easier than girls. Can you imagine my life in ten years? I’m pretty sure my house will be in lockdown with guards patrolling the girls’ every move. Any boy touches my girls, he has his life to answer for it.”
I laugh, feeling sorry for the guy. Three teenage girls would be the death of me too.
The back door opens and the ladies step out. Charlie and Morgan have bright red faces, Kate still talking animatedly, never catching a breath.
“Okay,” Charlie breathes. “I firmly believe my vagina has gone into hiding.”
“Yep.” Morgan nods in agreement. “Mine followed yours. Kate, I love you. But fucking ouch.”
“It’s not that bad.” She rolls her eyes at the both of them.
I raise my hand, telling them to be quiet because I don’t want to be a part of it. I remind Morgan that we have an appointment with the realtor shortly. Our fifth appointment this week.
Charlie walks over to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “Don’t go,” she chuckles lightly. “If you leave, Lex will make me watch basketball again.”
“You said you enjoy basketball and that it’s important for us to have bonding time,” Lex reminds her.
“I lied,” she says flatly. “Just like you say you don’t like porn.”
Bowing his head, he hides behind a smirk, Charlie struggling to keep a straight face too.
“Well, I’m going to miss having you around,” Charlie softens.
I place my arm around her shoulder and bring her in for a hug. “I’ll miss you, too. But you know I’m only a short drive away?”
“I know.” She smiles with a tear in her eye.
I don’t know where I’d be without her. Family means everything to me. The memories we made while I was staying here are priceless. Charlie’s a superwoman. Wearing a cape. Mom to three active girls while maintaining a stressful job and pleasing her demanding husband. And then taking on her troubled cousin—me.
“So... the court case,” I remind Charlie as Kate groans.
“Yes, the both of you need to be in my office first thing Monday morning.”
Morgan interrupts, “Wait, you’re felons?”
The both of us nod, embarrassed by our childish behavior that still haunts us to this day. As much as we tried, we couldn’t get out of it. The one night that went horribly wrong. I still curse that old couple who reported us. Thank God it was only Kate in that jail cell because there could have been a ‘drop the soap’ moment if it was anyone else.
“Yes,” Kate tells her. “But in our defense it was BM.”
I look at her, confused.
“Before Morgan,” she adds with a genuine smile.
We say our goodbyes and head toward the car, ready to start planning our future. Somewhere we can call ours.
***
