The Last Time (2 page)

“Okay.” My dad rested his head on hers. “I’ll get everything set up.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” she said back.

We stood together in the room, staying strong as a family. I missed my wife and worried about her constantly, but I knew this was where I belonged. We would get through this.

2

Ryan

Kill. Me. Now.

As soon as I started peeing in the toilet, the liquid went everywhere. Cling wrap was over the toilet bowl, and when I heard giggles in the next room, I knew exactly who the culprits were.

I stopped in mid flow then stepped away before my shoes got wet.

Bitches.

I cleaned up the floor then washed my hands before I stormed out. “You think you’re funny?”

Janice, Scarlet, and Cassandra were all laughing on the couch. Scarlet had tears comin
g down her face, and Janice bent over in laughter.

When I told Mike and Sean I’d watch their girls, I didn’t sign up for this shit. “You’re all going to hell.”

“What?” Scarlet said, still laughing. “Something happen?”

“Two can play that game, brat.”

Scarlet kept laughing, not afraid of my threat one bit.

“Are you guys five years old?” I asked incredulously.

“I can’t believe you fell for that,” Janice said. “Dumbass.”

My eyes widened at my girl. She was the leader, I could tell. “You’re the queen bee, aren’t you?”

She gave me a smirk. “Maybe.”

“No more practical
jokes,” I said firmly. “I mean it.”

“Okay,” Cassandra said quickly.

She agreed way too fast. “Seriously, knock it off.”

“Okay, okay.” Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Geez.”

“I think I peed myself a little,” Cassandra said, her hand on her stomach. “I wish I could have seen that.”

“I’m going to tell Mike and Sean you’re brats,” I threatened.

“Go ahead,” Scarlet said. “They’ll think it’s hilarious.”

I shook my head. “They better pay me for this…”

“Someone’s a tough sport,” Janice said. “Grow a backbone.”

I glared at her. “I’m going to spank your ass so hard.”

“You always say that like it’s a threat.” She stood up and turned around, revealing her ass. “You think I’m scared?”

I brooded on the spot, hating the way she challenged me.

“Weak,” Janice said as she sat on the couch and grabbed the remote. “Let’s watch a movie.”

“
The Notebook
,” Scarlet said. “I could watch that a million times.”

“No chick flicks,” I snapped. “I’m already sick of all the girly shit.” The guys would be home tomorrow but I had to bear through another night with them. The pajama parties were getting old.

“Ryan Gosling is so hot,” Janice said. “I’ll watch it.”

I glared at her. “Excuse me?”

“What?” She challenged me with her look.

“I don’t check out other girls,” I snapped.

“Right.” She rolled her eyes. “Maybe not in front of me.”

“And I don’t talk about them either,” I added.

“Pussy,” she mumbled.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” she said innocently.

“You’re a pain when you’re around your friends.”

“Like you aren’t,” she snapped.

I gave her a long glare before I sat down on the other couch and faced the TV.

“The Notebook it is,” Cassandra said. “We should have a Ryan Gosling marathon.”

“Kill me now,” I said.

They settled onto the couch with their blankets. Scarlet grabbed a bottle of wine for Janice and glasses of water for her and Cassandra. I sat at the very edge, about to fall asleep.

“Let’s take a drink every time Ryan Gosling does something hot,” Scarlet said.

“Then you’ll be in the hospital for alcohol poisoning,” Cassandra said to Janice.

“For Ryan Gosling, i
t’s worth it.” Janice poured the glass.

I rolled my eyes. It was stupid to get jealous over her attraction to a fictitious person, but it still got to me. Sure, other girls were attractive, but I never thought they were hot. All those thoughts went away when she and I got together. I couldn’t explain it.

The movie played, and within the first minute, Scarlet picked up her glass. “Shot.”

They all took a drink out of their glasses.

I looked at the time, wanting the guys to be here already. Having all the girls in the same room was pure agony.

They kept swooning and hollering when Ryan Gosl
ing did anything. Even when he fixed his cap, they yelled. Annoying.

I leaned my head back and started to doze off
. I couldn’t watch this movie if someone paid me. At some point, I felt a coldness on my fingertips and distant giggles. I was still asleep, but somewhat aware of my surroundings at the same time. I finally opened my eyes and saw what the brats were doing.

My left hand had red nail polish on my fingers, and Scarlet was almost done with the right hand. I growled then jerked my hand away. “What the hell are you doing?”

Scarlet laughed. “Ryan, you’re so pretty.”

I licked my fingers and tried to rub the color away. It wouldn’t budge. “How the hell do you get this off?”

“I’ll never tell,” Scarlet said.

“You know, I’ve said you’re annoying a lot in our liv
es, but this has to be when I mean it the most,” I snapped.

She shrugged. “Maybe you should have just watched the movie with us.”

I glared at her. “Get me some remover.”

“Nope,” Janice said.

I threatened her with my eyes. “Do it.”

“You have to say Ryan Gosling is hot first.” Cassandra crossed her arms over her chest.

“Fuck no,” I spat. “I’m not saying that.”

“Then enjoy your nails.” Scarlet leaned back and started watching the movie again.

I cursed then headed to the bathroom. After going through all the cabinets and drawers, I headed to the bathroom in my sister’s bedroom and riffled through everything. I didn’t give a shit about invading her privacy, not after that stunt. I couldn’t find anything. I found ethanol but it didn’t get the shit off my nails.

I stormed back downstairs and grabbed my keys. “I’m heading to the store.”

“You’re leaving us all alone?” Cassandra asked with a scared voice.

“Then come with me,” I snapped.

“Nah,” Scarlet said. “I’m too pregnant.”

“Fine,” I said. “I’m leaving.”

“But then everyone is going to see your nails…” Janice gave me an evil grin.

“Then come with me and get it for me.” I would slap her ass so hard later tonight.

She leaned back on the couch and sipped her wine. “Admit Ryan Gosling is hot and I will.”

“Bitch,” I muttered.

“Then forget it.” Janice returned her eyes to the screen.

“I hate all of you.” I tossed my keys back on the counter and headed to my room. As soon as I reached the top of the stairs, I heard their
high-pitched laughter.

“That was awesome,” Scarlet said. “Payback for all those times he picked on me.”

“I think you guys are more than even now,” Cassandra said.

“Now I’m going to have to fuck his brains out so he’s not bitchy tomorrow,” Janice said with a sigh.

“Oh, poor you,” Cassandra said sarcastically.

I cursed then slammed my bedroom door, having enough of the girls for the night.

I decided to take the girls to the airport when Sean and Mike’s plan
e landed. I didn’t care about them being reunited with their loved ones. I just wanted to get them off my hands as quickly as possible.

I wore a hoodie and tried to keep my hands hidden as much as possible. The red nail polish screamed for attention, and not in a good way.

“I’m so excited to see Sean,” Scarlet said from the backseat. “Three days was too long.”
              “Me too,” Cassandra said. “It’s hard not sleeping with Mike.”

Janice placed her hand on my thigh. “Still mad?”

I pushed her hand away. “What do you think?”

“You didn’t seem to be mad last night.” The pride was in her voice.

When she came to bed, she seduced me despite my best efforts to ignore her. When she was on top of me and rode my dick, I was helpless. I let her go to town on me, and I came hard because of it. I wasn’t proud of myself, but I’ve never won a round of sexual politics with Janice in my life. I had a feeling I never would.

Janice chuckled. “I’ll have to change that attitude when we get home.”

I knew she wasn’t bluffing. Sometimes I hated Janice, but I loved her like fucking crazy. It was weird. Our relationship was odd but it worked for us. She constantly challenged me even when I didn’t want her to, in our relationship and in the bedroom.

When we arrived at the airport, I put my hands in my pockets so the nail polish would be hidden. The last thing I needed was to be made fun of by the Prestons.

We moved through the airport until we located the gate. Scarlet and Cassandra couldn’t sit still. They shifted their weight and constantly monitored the flight display.

I rolled my eyes. “They were gone for a few days.”

“When I’m not home by six, you freak out,” Janice jabbed.

“That’s different. I’m looking for my dinner.” That was a lie but I was going for it anyway.

“Whenever you call me to chew my head off, you never ask about dinner,” Janice said.

I stopped talking. I could never win when it came to Janice.

People started leaving the gate with their luggage. Scarlet and Cassandra kept scanning every face, waiting for their men to finally appear. The guys didn’t know we would be here, so it would be a surprise for them. I was just anxious to hand them over because they were fucking annoying.

Sean and Mike appeared with their bag over their shoulders. They were talking and laughing, with Andrew and Diane coming behind them. Scarlet saw them first and immediately bolted toward Sean.

Sean looked up and saw his wife running to him. A large grin spread on his face and his eyes beamed with delight. He dropped the bag without looking then wrapped his arms around her, immediately sealing his mouth over hers in an inappropriate kiss. Scarlet’s arms wrapped around his neck, and Sean’s handed moved down to her ass and squeezed it.

Their public display of affection made me want to gag.

Cassandra walked to Mike, unable to run due to her stomach. Mike dropped his bag just as quickly and brought her against his chest, cupping her face and kissing her. Now both couples were making out right in front of the gate.

Gross.

Andrew came to me then patted me on the shoulder. “Thanks for watching the girls.”

“No problem.” I deserved a medal for what I did. “How’d everything go?”

Andrew nodded. “It went well. We’ve decided to have the surgery. As a family, we think it’s the best option.”

“I’m sure it is,” I said. “I’m glad everything is okay.”

We all looked at the couples still making out.

“Keep this PG,” Andrew called.

They finally broke apart then walked back to us. Sean’s arm was around Scarlet, and Mike held Cassandra’s hand. They constantly had eyes for each other.

“It’s been three days,” I said sarcastically.

“You couldn’t be away from me for three days,” Janice jabbed.

“That’s different,” I said. “We’re in love—even though right now I can’t remember why.”

“And what do you think they are?”

“Horny,” I said honestly.

Andrew chuckled. “I admit it was a nice break being around my two sons without them sticking their tongues down a girl’s throat.”

“I missed you,” Scarlet said to Sean.

“I missed you too.”

“I’m glad everything is okay.”

He kissed her forehead. “Me too.”

Mike’s hand moved to Cassandra’s stomach. “Everything okay down there?”

“Yep. I laid around and did a bunch of nothing,” Cassandra said.

“Ryan
take good care of you?” Mike asked.

Cassandra gave him a mischievous smile. “Yes, he did. We had a lot of fun.”

I glared at both of them. “I’m not watching them again. They are a bunch of terrors.”

“Terrors?” Sean asked with a laugh. “What could they have possibly done?”

“They are little devils,” I snapped.

Mike stared at me like I was crazy. “Wow. They really got under your skin.”

Scarlet and Cassandra both laughed.

“They played a bunch of practical jokes on me,” I said. “They put Cling Wrap on the bowl so pee got everywhere, and then they made me watch
The Notebook
.”

“That’s it?” Sean asked.

“Yeah, what else did we do?” Scarlet pressed, a smile on her face.

Janice pulled my hand out of my pocket, exposing my red nails. “We painted his nails and refused to give him nail polish remover until he admitted Ryan Gosling was hot.”