Page 58 of Jack Frosting

“If they’re getting some,” Raquel said, “I’m getting some.”

I opened my eyes long enough to see her pull Lane against her a few feet away from us.

“Jeez!”–startled, I pushed Jack off me–“are kitchens that much of a turn on for adults?” Trey asked, opening the fridge. “You don’t make out enough in our kitchen, you’ve got to do it in a different one?”

He was talking to his dad. Or Gareth. Or both?

“The first time I catch you making out in our kitchen, you’ll be sorry,” Gareth warned.

“You don’t really appreciate the subtle eroticism of a kitchen until you’re an adult,” Eli added.

“You two are something else.” Trey shook his head, Coke in hand, and walked out the way he came.

“Any of your offspring as much of a smartass as that one?” Eli asked the room.

“I dunno. I thought it was funny,” Jack said.

“Ben’s quiet,” Lane spoke up. “Grace is…sensitive.”

“Henry can be a little sarcastic,” I added.

“Well, I’ll never apologize for kissing this man,” Gareth said, driving the point home by kissing Eli again.

“Something in the eggnog, I guess,” Raquel mused.

“Oooh, I’ll have some more then please,” Jack said.

* * *

I didn’t know when we left. I knew I wasn’t in any condition to drive, but Jack said he was good and I trusted him to know his limits. If I were to base it on giggling alone, then we were making the right decision.

“Can you walk inside or do I need to carry you?”

“Wh-what?”

“We’re home,” Jack said.

“Where’s Henry?”

Jack looked behind me. “Also asleep. I’ll get him upstairs first and come back for you.”

“Okay.”

I waited a minute after he left me alone, but I could walk fine.

“Let’s go, lightweight.”

“Huh?”

“Congratulations, you made it to the couch.”

“Oh well, I tried.”

“Merry Christmas, by the way. It’s after midnight.”

“Awww, Merry Christmas! You look good enough to eat, by the way.”

“Come on. Let’s get you upstairs. I’ve got a bottle of water and some Tylenol waiting for you.”