Chapter 22

“Anyone else hungry?” Shawn asked as he lay on his bed, his hand lazily dragging his fingertips up and down his mom’s back. “I’m starving.”

“What time is it?” Sheila lifted her head and asked, looking around the room.

“I don’t know, afternoon some time,” Shawn answered, not bothering to look for a clock.

“Oh shoot!” Sheila pushed herself up from where she was snuggling on Shawn’s chest and climbed out of bed. “I didn’t even think about making lunch!”

“Well, we were kind of busy,” Shawn smirked, and a round of snickers joined him a moment later from everyone in the room. Sheila was blushing furiously as she stood in the middle of the room looking first at Stephanie and me and then turning to look at her son.

“Well, you’re right about that!” Sheila grinned. “So, food. What does everyone want? I think we’re all good for a break, right?”

“A break?” I whispered low enough that only Stephanie could hear me.

“Breaks are good, naps are better,” Stephanie replied, changing positions so that she was no longer on top of me, but now lying on her side next to me. She was facing away from me, but I watched as she pulled her knees and arms in so close that she looked like a little ball, murmuring contently once she was settled. I was tempted to join her, turning so that I was on my side as well and could wrap an arm around her.

“Oh, did someone get more than they bargained for?” Shawn teased. I thought Stephanie would fire some sort of retort back at her older brother, but she didn’t. Instead, she just mewed and nodded her head. “Well, that’s a first.”

“Oh, leave your sister alone,” Sheila chirped as she started pulling things from the refrigerator.

“What?” Shawn exclaimed. “It is a first. Not even Dad or any of the guys back home made her want to take a nap after sex.” Shawn stared at his mom who in turn looked in our direction before shrugging in answer. “I don’t know what you did, but whatever it was, you’re going to have to teach it to me!”

I barked a laugh at that. I didn’t think I did anything special.

Sheila rolled her eyes.

“I need to take a shower,” Shawn announced and climbed out of bed.

That was a good idea. I could do with at least rinsing off, but when I tried to get out of bed, Stephanie whimpered, and her hand snapped out to grab my arm. I chuckled at her antics, and I laid back down. Besides, Shawn was going to take a shower so it wasn’t like I could go take a one right now anyway.

“You can’t wait for me to join you in the shower?” Sheila asked, her hands on her hips right as Shawn was walking past the kitchen and headed to the bathroom.

“I thought you were going to make us lunch?” Shawn stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at his mom.

“What about all those times you claimed we were saving water if we showered together?” Sheila replied. “I remember you explaining how it was saving the whales, so they never ran out of water and had absolutely nothing to do with you wanting to rub your soapy hands all over us.”

What? What the hell were they talking about?

“I was like, ten years old!”

“Oh, so you were just trying to cop a feel.” Sheila looked at Shawn questioningly. It was now obvious that she was teasing him.

Now I get it, I grinned and chuckled to myself.

“What kind of guy do you think I am,” Shawn threw up his hands before smirking at his mom. “Besides, my argument is still true to this day.”

“Right, so the oceans are going to drain if we don’t conserve water.”

This was the most ridiculous argument I had ever heard. Not that I hadn’t thought the same things when I was younger. Sharing water was a good excuse to get in the shower with the girls. Saving water so it didn’t drain the oceans and kill off all the whales was a bit bonkers though.

“Uh huh, and it doesn’t stop you from wanting to take showers with me or the girls every time we try to take one.”

“Good point!” Shawn grinned toothily. “Want to take a shower?” Shawn asked, his voice mimicking that of someone much younger and innocent. “You know, and save the whales?”

“Go take a shower,” Sheila said. “I’m sure you’re old enough to handle that all by yourself now. Or do you need mommy to come wash your hair and back for you?”

“If you’re offering...”

“Get out of here!” Sheila laughed and threw the roll of paper towels that was on the counter at Shawn’s laughing, retreating form.

“I hope sandwiches are alright,” Sheila said. “I have some left-over pasta salad too, if you want some?”

“Sure, that sounds amazing.” I answered and then turned to look at Stephanie. Her breathing had slowed, and it looked like she was asleep. I decided this was my chance and made my escape as quietly and smoothly as possible, so I didn’t wake her up.

I got my feet on the floor and slowly stood up and froze when the bed frame creaked as my weight lifted off it. My head snapped back to look at Stephanie. She didn’t move a muscle, and I smiled warmly at her.

“She asleep?” Sheila asked, her voice suddenly softer, but not so soft that I had to strain to hear her.

“Yeah, she’s passed out,” I replied, and Sheila snickered.

“You know, Shawn wasn’t joking when he said no one had knocked her out like that before.”

“I didn’t do anything special,” I blushed, feeling an immense amount of heat in my cheeks and Sheila smiled when she saw it. “I just did what she wanted, really.”

“Well, it’s only fair considering what she did to you before. I don’t think she’d want me to tell you, but she was pretty proud of the fact you had fallen so soundly asleep that first time with her.”

“Really?” I asked, stunned.

“Oh yeah,” Sheila nodded. “She wouldn’t shut up about it, much to her father’s and Michael’s annoyance.”