34. Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum
Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum
After Allie and Emma left the kitchen, Carson and I worked silently to get everything cleaned. Once it was all done, I leaned against the bar and folded my arms.
“Thanks for being on good behavior tonight, man. I know there’s clearly something there from before, but I appreciate you not being a total dick.”
“My mama would come knocking if she knew I wasn’t being polite in someone else’s home. She has like some weird Spidey sense when it comes to it. Besides, it wasn’t so bad tonight.” He shrugged and finished tying the garbage bag in his hands, coming to stand across from me.
“She does, dude, and she’d always pop that spot on the back of your head too.” I laughed and thought back to when we were younger and much rowdier boys. His mom never let us get away with our shit.
“You seem really happy, dude. The happiest I think I’ve ever seen you.”
“Thanks, man, and I am. I’m really, really, fucking happy.
She’s everything to me.” I let that settle around us, thinking back on the short time we’ve been together.
“She doesn’t care what I do or don’t have.
She wants to be with me for me, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Allie has shown me a love that I’ve spent my entire life looking for.
She’s shown me that blood doesn’t always mean family, and that it was never my fault for how they treated me.
” My voice cracked on that last part. “You and your family have always been better to me than my own. Shit, I think of your parents as my own, and you’re my brother through and through.
I’ll never be able to repay you for that, Carson.
” I choked back the emotion that wanted to escape.
“Aw, shit, man, come here.” He pulled me into a bear hug that he rarely gave out, making it mean that much more. “We’re all here for you, buddy. No matter what you need. You know that, right? Mom always checks in on you. ” I pulled back, our gazes still locked.
“I know, man, I know, but y'all have already done so much for me that I wouldn’t ever want to be a burden.”
“Never, Spencer. You’re never a burden.” He clapped me on my shoulder to further drive his point. “You know, at some point, you’re going to have to bring Allie over. My mama is going to want to meet the girl who stole your heart.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate you always being there for me too. I’ll talk to her, and we’ll figure something out.”
“Anytime, buddy. Now, is there anything else that we should do?”
“Nah, I think this is good. Wanna play a couple rounds before you head out? I got a new system for her, so it’s hooked up to the TV.”
“Oh yeah, I’ll kick your ass, let's go.”
We spent the next several hours playing. Him mostly complaining when he got his ass whooped round after round. Allie and Emma had mainly stayed in the bedroom hanging out, but eventually made their way out to the living room and watched.
“I think that’s enough of that.” Carson huffed, setting his controller down on the table in front of us. “I guess I’d better head on out so I can get some sleep. Thanks again for having me over, Allie. I had a good time.”
“It’s no problem, Carson, anytime.” She waved from where she was tucked into my side on the couch.
Carson turned to face Emma, his gaze softening slightly as he took her in. There was only a cushion of space between them. Moving slowly toward her like he was afraid she’d get spooked, he reached out and trailed his fingers down her arm.
“It was good seeing you again, Ems.”
“You too, Carse.” Ems? Carse? The nicknames were a new development, but they seemed to be going in a somewhat positive direction.
She shivered at his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment until they snapped back open and quickly shot over to me and then back to Carson.
“See ya Saturday at the Halloween party. Make sure you bring your A game for the costume contest cause I’m gonna whoop your ass.
” She gave him the biggest Cheshire grin, and a small smirk tugged at his lips as we walked toward the door.
“Thanks again, man, I’ll text you.”
“Be safe going home, and I’ll see you this weekend.” I closed the door and headed back to the living room, where the girls had stayed.
“Not a word,” she shot without sparing me a glance.
“I’m convinced you want to make his life hell, Emma.” Dropping down next to Allie, throwing my arm behind her, and she scooted into my side again.
“And so what? Maybe I do.” She shrugged and went back to her phone.
“You’re a terror.” Allie shoved her foot into Emma’s side and laughed.
“But I’m your favorite terror.” Emma shoved her back and fluttered her lashes at her.
“And you two are basically tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum.” Laughing, I lay my head back and then felt the blow of two pillows being thrown at my face.
“I don’t like either of you anymore.” I snatched the pillows up and threw them back, causing each girl to shriek in outrage.
Jumping up and over the table, I ran to the bedroom to avoid the onslaught of names and pillows being hurled at me.
I closed the door and decided to hop in the shower, figuring it was the safest space.
Five minutes later, I hear Allie come in, still cursing under her breath at me.
She came into the bathroom ready to continue, but stopped short.
“Well, now that isn’t fair. I can’t stay mad if I’m seeing you naked.” Her eyes left a trail of heat as they raked up and down my body.
“Like what you see, sweetheart?” I stepped out of the water slightly and opened the glass door. “Come on. Get your pretty ass in here.” She didn’t hesitate before stripping and getting in.
“You can’t always win this way; it isn't fair.” She folded her arms across her chest and stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.
“Um, isn't that what you do when you flash me mid argument?” She scoffed.
“That’s totally different.” Her shit-eating grin said otherwise.
“Mhm, whatever you say, sweetheart. Now come here.” I pushed her against the wall and pressed my lips to hers, devouring her, touching anywhere I could get my hands.
It was like I could never get enough of her.
We broke apart, our chests heaving, her lips swollen from our kiss.
“I’ve wanted to do that all night.” Nipping her bottom lip again, I ran my hands along her sides and hips, savoring every touch of her curves.
“This fucking body.” She wrapped her hands around my neck, and I hiked her leg up, kissing her deeply.
“I could say the same thing. Especially with that thigh tattoo of yours. I’m petitioning now for you to get more. Ya know what? Go ahead and just be covered in them.”
“Oh yeah? I should get covered head to toe?” I nipped at her bottom lip.
“Yes, I do. Well, as long as you want them, of course, but I won’t be opposed.” She placed a gentle kiss on each cheek and then stepped away so she could wash. “Now be good and calm down. I’m not going to have you acting like a harlot while my sister from another mister is only a room away.”
Laughing, I pulled us back under the water to wash off the soap.
After finishing and getting dressed, we both climbed into bed, wrapping ourselves up in each other, and lay there whispering to one another, and laughing like we were at a sleepover.
Every night, falling asleep next to her felt like a sleepover with my best friend.
I woke early the next morning to Allie having her body draped almost all over me, somehow managing to have the covers completely wrapped around her, and leaving me a small corner.
Luckily, I got hot during the night, but the way this woman slept was insane.
Between her and Dolly lying on her back stretched out between our feet, it was a wonder I didn’t have a permanent back cramp.
Even with these little things, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I gently moved Allie off of me and pulled on my sweatpants, and quietly headed to the kitchen so I could make coffee and breakfast for us.
I pulled out all the ingredients I needed to make a full country breakfast, complete with eggs, biscuits, bacon, gravy, and I also popped some cinnamon rolls in the oven as well.
Finishing up with the last few pieces of bacon, I grabbed an oven mitt and checked on the biscuits before I started making coffee.
Soft footfalls could be heard coming down the hallway, and then warm arms wrapped around me.
Allie nuzzled her face into my back and let out a groan.
“Good morning, pretty girl. How’d you sleep?” Turning, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer. Her hair was sticking up in all directions, and the sleep still clung to her eyes.
“Good. Still so tired. How long have you been up?” A yawn broke free, and she smushed her face into my chest to stifle it.
I huffed a laugh and kissed the top of her head. “Not too long. I’m finishing up breakfast. Coffee?”
“Mhm, please. In an IV if possible.” Allie mumbled around another yawn.
I let out a low laugh because, knowing her, if it was safe, she would get caffeine via IV drip if possible. “Think Emma would want some?”
“Emma want what?”
“Jesus, where did you come from! I’m getting you a bell.” Clutching my chest as Emma stood at the island, seeming to have materialized out of thin air.
“Drama queen,” she deadpanned as she took a seat on one of the stools, with Allie following close behind her.
“Yes, she wants coffee too.” The girls leaned against each other, both letting their lids droop.
“You two really aren’t morning people, are you?
I’ve seen a zombie look more alive than ya’ll.
” Chuckling to myself, I turned around to set to work on making coffee for us, the two of them grumbling how no one should be forced to be awake this early and how it was criminal.
I set both hot coffees down in front of them and nearly lost a finger when I didn’t let go of Emma’s fast enough.
“Alright, y'all dig in.” I passed both of them plates and then moved to make my own.
Is a pound of bacon first thing in the morning healthy?
No, absolutely not. However, all my give a fucks were on vacation.
I dove into the fluffy biscuits and warm country gravy after munching on my slices of crunchy bacon.
Breakfast was a meal I could have all day, every day, and never get tired of. It was the perfect food in my eyes.
After we all finished eating, Allie helped Emma gather all her stuff together before she left, and then we both started getting ready for work.
We were both a little worried about how it would be working from home together, but so far it seemed to be going smoothly.
She had enough space in the house that we each had a home office, so we didn’t bother each other, but we could still have lunch together or see one another if we weren’t swamped.
So far, we also hadn’t grown tired of being with one another so often either.
I knew Allie had a packed day today with her schedule, so I set to work combing through her Pinterest boards and texting Emma for the ultimate plan I had up my sleeve.