Wrapping Up(25)

She reached for her coat, but couldn’t get it off the hook. “I need help! Mommy, can you get this down for me?”

Miranda walked over and helped Iz with her coat. She ran over and kissed me before she disappeared out the door. Once Miranda saw her go into my parents’ house, she sat down next to me. “Conner’s truck ain’t here again. Do you know where he’s at?”

I was pretty sure where he was, but Miranda didn’t want to know, in fact, I didn’t even want to know. The less I knew about Conner’s activities, the better. “He’s a grown man. If you’re that worried, why don’t you just shoot him a text. He probably got up early and went somewhere.”

“Did you hear him come in last night?” The gatekeeper wanted answers. These answers could determine my sex life for the next month. Miranda always caved when she was mad, but I hated when she cut me off.

“I was sleeping, Baby. He probably has a secret boyfriend and doesn’t want anyone to know he switched teams.”

“You’re dumb. My brother likes women.” I could tell I was getting under her skin.

“Have you ever seen how he stares at my ass? Sometimes I can feel his eyes on it.”

“He does not! Would you be serious for one second. I like knowing he is okay.”

“Just call him if you’re worried about it. I would ask him about his preferences though. He talks about anal way too much to be straight.”

She shook her head and started feeding Jake so I wasn’t doing both. “No, I’m not goin’ to call. He gets mad when I pry, and I don’t even want to know if that last statement was true. Lord have mercy!”

“Pry? Who you?” I rolled my eyes.

She smacked my arm. “Very funny!”

Once we got the boys to my moms, we climbed in the SUV and started on our way to the mall, aka HELL.





Chapter 3

Miranda

Since we lived near a small town, in order to shop, we had to drive to the city. It was a good forty minute drive if you hauled ass. I don't think either one of us minded the quiet time. Our life was filled with chaos, but I wouldn't have traded it. I loved my children and my husband, so much that I would endure everything life threw at me, as long as I knew they were with me.



I was playing with my phone and laughing at the messages I was getting. "Babe, you are never going to guess what Van wants to do as soon as they get here."

It didn't take a genius to figure it out. Van basically had one hobby. It was something she did well, and it was also the only thing she ever wanted to do. I looked over toward Ty and saw him smirk. "I am not wearing matching colors again." Last year’s Christmas picture on our wall was all of the kids dressed alike, which was cool, and all of the adults wearing green. It was cliché, and every year the pictures got worse. I wasn't saying we shouldn’t coordinate, but damn.

"Good thing she hasn't decided the attire yet."

"Tell her that since we are hosting Christmas this year that we get to pick the outfit."

I glanced over at him as I typed my message. I was shaking my head just thinking of his idea. "You really think she is goin' to agree with you?" A few seconds went by and my phone chimed. I started laughing.

"What did she say?"

I giggled once more, before being able to tell him. "She says that you can choose what we are wearing for one picture and then she will decide on a second. Thanks Ty, now we all have to suffer twice."

He reached over and grabbed my leg. "Hey, I got a plan."

Ty cackled and I was sure he was rolling his eyes. "You don't have plans, you have ridiculous ideas. No offense, but I don't see her going for anything you come up with."

"She'll get over it." We were on a long stretch of road and from anyone else's standpoint it was just a midway point from one place to another, but for Ty it was something completely different. He pulled over the car and leaned over to me. "Baby, do you know where we are?"

I looked around the old country road and shook my head. "Am I supposed to know?"

He grabbed my hand and kissed my wedding ring. "This is where we pulled over the night of the ABC party. This is where you first told me that you had to sample my goods."

"I don't quite remember sayin' it like that." I remembered that night very well and I don’t remember using the word ‘sample’.

"That's probably because I had you so worked up." Oh, he was so sure of himself, that husband of mine.

I let out an air filled laugh. "Actually, I recall you being the one that was so worked up that he wanted to bust his load in his pants."

I would go there, but only because I knew how Ty was. Two could play his game. He patted my leg. "Baby, you were wearing nothing but Saran Wrap. Do you have any idea how freaking hot you were? I bet ten guys busted a load at that party when they beat off to your image. Shit, they probably still do."