Page 47 of Drive Me Crazy

My phone vibrates, telling me it's time to go. After one last glance, I turn toward my truck. "I hate leaving her, but I need to get Rumor."

I unlock my ride and jump in. The morning is shaping up nicely with the heat from the sun beaming through my windows. I'm dead on my feet, I know I need to change things up but not with asshat around.

I hurry over to Mack's house, pulling around the drive to the end. As soon as I step from my truck, I’m met with the biggest smile.

"Uncle Ridge!" Rumor leaps from the porch, running until she crashes into me. Her arms locked around my waist; she stands on my feet so I can walk us back to the house.

"Mornin,' Boo." I pause long enough to kiss her on top of the head. "Where's your parental figures?"

"Ughh, kissin' in the kitchen." She groans.

I can't help but to tease her. "Oh, yuck! Are they swappin' spit already?"

"Yes." She whines.

"It's too early for that, gross." I chide.

She nods, moving from my feet to the steps. "I know. They go at it all the time."

"They do what all the time?" My stomach lurches as I wait for her answer and pray it isn't about sex.

She holds her hand to her mouth, making kissing sounds. "Smooching! Yuck!"

"Yeah, ewe!" I wrap my belly, declaring everything about kissing, disgusting.

Mack pushes the screen door open, eyeing us. "Mind telling me what y'all are goin' on about out here?"

"Not if you don't mind telling me what you two are doin' to my girl while she's tryin' to eat breakfast." I purse my lips, trying not to laugh when Rumor rest her fists on her hips.

"Yeah, Mom. Tell Unc how you two are trying to make another baby!" Rumor says, shocking us both.

My mouth drops and Mack's eyes go wide. "Rumor McKenna! Where have you heard talk like that?" Mack now glares at me.

"I didn't say nothin'! This was you, Hot Lips Momma!" I throw my hands in the air, pleading my defense.

Mack points inside the house. "Go, now! Tell your dad about your mouth. You, young man are in trouble too."

"What the hell did I do? I'm totally innocent here." I hold my hands up as if I've been arrested.

She moves her fingers from her eyes to mine. "I am watching you, Willis. I swear to you on a stack of pancakes, I will make you look at my cooter for this one too."

"I'm gonna... I-I..." I cover my mouth, pretending to vomit.

She glares at me. "Get in the house!"

"Okay." I drag my ass up the steps, pausing beside her long enough to kiss her cheek before walking through the door.

"She's getting her backpack and she's had breakfast. No candy!" Boone hands me Rumor's jacket.

I lay my hand on my chest, gaping at him. "Well, I never!"

"Yes, you did, we still have pictures from the last time." Mack narrows her eyes at me.

I widen my eyes. "Boone get your woman. She threatened me with childbirth again!"

"Yeah, babe. I'm too comfortable with your best guy friend looking at my goodies." He leans in, kissing her earning them a round of disapproving screams.

Rumor rolls her eyes as she enters the room and as soon as I see her face, I chime in too. "Ewe! People!"