Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Text Thread - The Wise Guys
Later that night
EMMETT
The girls want to know if your hideous self won the ugly contest.
No, that wasn’t a typo.
NASH
You’re just jealous you couldn’t have pulled that sweater off and won.
EMMETT
That spawn of the underworld was the stuff of nightmares. I’d rather not have the childhood trauma of small children on my conscience.
NASH
Your children helped create the aforementioned trauma.
RYAN
So you won?
EMMETT
So nice of you to join us.
NASH
They rigged it out of my favour because of spite. #publicenemynumber1 But according to Nana, there was no contest. Tell all the kids thanks. The elves especially were a crowd pleaser.
RYAN
Pretty sure my kid came up with that one.
EMMETT
You wish. It was my Sadie.
NASH
Team effort.
EMMETT
Why you ever wanted five kids to decorate it for you, I’ll never know.
NASH
For precisely this reason.
EMMETT
All these years and you still surprise me.
NASH
Keeps the friendship alive.
RYAN
I’m back. Baby’s not settling tonight.
You’re obviously still alive on enemy turf and all that.
NASH
I’ve been put through the initiation rites and run the gauntlet.
EMMETT
No guts, no glory.
RYAN
And things are good with Stephanie?
NASH
Yup.
RYAN
Yup? That’s all we get?
EMMETT
You aren’t the nonverbose friend in this trio. I have the monopoly on that role. Talk.
NASH
Later. Gotta run for the night. Merry Christmas, guys.
RYAN
Gotta get that good-night kiss from his lady love.
EMMETT
Dude. Shut up.
Nash, you can run, but you can’t hide.
RYAN
Love you, bros. Merry Christmas.