Page 76 of Rowdy & Kat

“They love Farley like my family loves me. Can you imagine how upset they’ve been with those bad women he’s dated over the years? It drove them crazy. But now he’s found someone great. As I said, they’re going to love you.”

“Did you like the movie?” I asked and cradled my sister’s hand.

“It was okay. I was nervous and dropped my popcorn. Farley went and got me another one. Zero attitude about it. He really is sweet.”

As Rowdy sat back and smiled like a proud dad, Maria talked about their dinner at a steakhouse. She said the music was too loud, and Farley got them to turn it down. When he came back, she had him sit on her side of the booth. That’s when they shared their first kiss.

Her excitement over the date was so different from how she had reacted in the past. She never mentioned the food or movie. Her only comments related to Farley Jones.

Rowdy wore a smug grin long after Maria retired to bed. Once he was wrapped around the back of me in bed, and I began to doze off, I heard him whisper, “Double wedding.”

ROWDY

My parents went all-out with their “Meet the Twins” party. They invited everyone from the Sleepy Eye Community, friends from around town, the foxes from the Sorority House, and people from Rawlins. I even spotted a few Black Rainbow members present.

A catering company kept everyone fed. Two bouncy houses entertained the kids. By the time Kat and I arrived with the boys, the party was already in swing. Maria drove to my parents’ house with Farley.

Kat and Maria were dressed in matching loose beige pants called palazzos. My lady had a short-sleeved, black shirt with little buttons begging to be undone to allow me to enjoy her lovely tits. Farley was likely thinking the same thing about Maria’s orange version of the shirt.

The women had their blonde hair tied up in ponytails. Last night, they’d trimmed each other’s bangs. I watched curiously as they sat facing each other in a fun twin ritual.

My boys were adorable in their color-coordinated jumpers and caps. The plan was for Kat and me to wear the boys bundled up in slings, but Bebe and Shay stole the babies as soon as we pulled up to my parents’ house.

“Lucky has the sniffles,” Bebe explained as she fussed over her grandsons. “We stuck his butt in Ford’s yard, so he can see the party without sharing his germs with anyone.”

“Poor bastard,” I said, chuckling. “But I’m glad to hear he’s been quarantined.”

As Bebe and Shay hurried to show off the boys to Joker’s ex-wife and his current one, I took Kat’s hand and directed her to Lula’s house.

“My sister has swanky taste,” I said, entering the foyer where Lula poured herself a fancy beer. “It’s the lawyer in her.”

“It’s beautiful,” Kat replied as she held Lula’s annoyed gaze. Once my sister smiled at the comment, Kat added, “How many people live here currently?”

“Seven,” Dillon answered and glanced behind her toward Nova’s daughters who danced on the back patio. My niece’s chin-length haircut was as perfectly preppy as her gray-and-pink outfit. “We’ll have more soon. Mom is trying to give me a sibling. Nova and Boone plan to try for a baby, too.”

“That must make you feel scared and confused,” I told Dillon, who rolled her dark eyes at me. “If you ever need a friend to talk to, I’m always here for you, favorite niece.”

“I’m your only niece.”

“Are you saying if I get another niece, you won’t be able to compete with her?”

“Yes,” Dillon hissed and stepped closer. “I don’t want to be your favorite.”

“Well, now you’re just being mean.”

Dillon’s snarl dropped away, leaving behind a smile. “When I get older and become a lawyer, I’ll keep your sons out of jail.”

“Aww,” I said and hugged her to me. “My boys will be too smart to get caught, but I appreciate the offer.”

Dillon pushed me off her and grumbled, “Of course, I might become a doctor, so my offer was hot air.”

“These moments make me glad I didn’t have daughters.”

Dillon scowled at me and walked off to the snack table. I took Kat’s hand and whispered, “If you’re up to it, I’d like a daughter. I want to name her Alicia and teach her to use potato peelers on men’s genitals.”

“I’ll consider a daughter in two years.”

Grinning, I guided her to Nova and Boone, who stood outside with her daughters, five-year-old Skylar and four-year-old Lyric. The blonde cuties stopped dancing when they saw us. I introduced everyone before asking if the girls had seen my sons.