Enzo says nothing for so long I have to open my eyes and look at him. He reaches over and runs a thumb over my bottom lip. “I mean, I could get used to it I suppose.”
I slap him and he laughs.
It’s a nice sound, a sound I could listen to all day.
“It’ll come down in no time. Until then, leave the pillow slip on, yeah? You’re scaring me now.”
I laugh now, too, even though it really hurts.
But I leave the slip off.
Enzo goes over to the corner of the room and pushes the big recliner chair closer to me. Something about his actions warms my heart, it’s the small things that really shows someone you care. Him staying here the night really isn’t necessary, and yet he’s here doing it, without fail. That’s something pretty amazing.
My phone rings, and I glance down to see a video chat from Hudson.
“It’s my son, I probably won’t turn video on though. Do you mind if I answer?”
Enzo shakes his head. “Go ahead.”
I answer the call but block the video.
“Mom, I can’t see you,” Hudson says right away.
“I know, buddy, Mommy got stung by some wasps and, honestly, she looks a bit like a balloon. You’ll have nightmares for weeks.”
Hudson’s little face scrunches. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, the doctors took good care of me, and I’m feeling much better. The swelling will be gone by tomorrow, but for right now, trust me, you don’t want to see me.”
He looks sad, so I quickly change the subject. “Hey how was getting ice cream for your award? I hope you made Dad buy you two cones.”
He hesitates, but then grins. “He got me a double, but I couldn’t finish it. We had pizza for dinner, and I was so full. He said on the weekend he’ll take me to laser tag for doing so well, I’m pretty excited.”
“Oh, Dad is pretty good at laser tag, I think you should brush up on your skills.”
Hudson laughs. “I’ll smoke him.”
Enzo grins, which makes my heart do something a little funny.
“I’m sure you will.”
“Can you just show me your face once, Mom, I really want to see it now.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. “Because I’m warning you, it’s pretty scary.”
“I’m not scared, show me.”
I click on the video, and I can see the tiny box in the corner with my face, and oh boy, it’s awful. Hudson’s eyes widen and he leans in closer to the camera as if inspecting me a little closer. “Oh my,” he says, then bursts out laughing, so hard he doubles over, his little face going red.
“Hey,” I mutter. “It’s not that funny.”
“It’s so funny. Dad, come and look at Mom’s face.”
“Hudson,” I say. “No.”
Ronnie appears in the screen, stares at me, and then he too, bursts out laughing.
“You two are horrible,” I cry, pressing my hands over my face.
“What the hell happened, June?”
“I may, or may not, have got into a fight with some less than happy wasps.”
“God.” Ronnie grins. “You good?”
“I’m good. Has Hudson stopped laughing yet?”
I click the camera off and Hudson gathers himself. Ronnie gives me a quick smile before disappearing.
“Sorry, Mom, but it’s just so funny. I could have never pictured that if I tried. As long as you’re okay, though.”
“I’m okay, buddy. I’m going to get some rest now, though. Are you good?”
“I’m good. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, baby.”
I end the call and put the phone down, my heart feeling a little heavy. I miss him so much; I’ve never been away from him for this long in all the time I’ve had him.
“Sounds like you’ve got a good kid,” Enzo murmurs. “Funny, too.”
I smile. “He’s the best.”
“You and the dad close?”
I shrug. “We’re good friends.”
I’m not going to get too much into it —the story is a long, twisted one.
“That’s good.”
“So,” I say, crossing my arms, “are you just going to sit there and stare at me all night or are you going to make yourself important?”
“We’re goin’ to talk.”
I blink. “About what?”
He glances at me. “Everything. What else do we do?”
I grin.
He gives me a horrified look. “Sweetheart, you look like a fuckin’ zombie balloon. I’m not goin’ to stick my dick in you.”
I huff. “Fine, we’ll talk.”
“Don’t you girls like talkin’ or some bullshit?”
“I’m not like most girls you’ll find.”
“Think I already figured that out,” he murmurs.
“Well, cowboy, start talking.”
He glares at me.
I smile.
Yeah, I think I might just like this one a little too much.
“WAIT, SO YOU AND RHETT are like drug lords or something?” I ask, eyes wide.
Enzo rolls his eyes. “Fuck no, but we’ve played in some things we probably shouldn’t before he started the retreat. I’ve always been his righthand man, it’s just how we roll.”
“So, you guys were like some bad boy cowboys?”
He glares at me. “Never been a fuckin’ cowboy, not sure what you don’t get about that.”