Page 8 of Best Served Cold

I read the text from my sister as I stood at the open gate on my pickup truck.

Noah: Do u need it right away? The guys are going out for a bit

She read the text before my screen went dark.

Becca: nvm I’ll grab some after work tomorrow

Noah: u sure?

Becca: all good. We have enough for a few days. I think Felix is growing again he won’t stop eating

A photo came through of my four-month-old nephew drinking from a bottle, his big blue eyes bright and his chubby cheeks pink with happiness.

I smiled at my phone as another photo loaded. This one of Aria, my two-year-old niece, wearing my spare hard hat and the toy tool belt I’d bought her. The hat was so big she had to hold it back so it didn’t cover her face, and she was in that phase where every smile looked like she was either baring her teeth or auditioning to play the Joker in the next Batman movie.

Becca: your mini me has claimed your helmet

Noah: hard hat

Becca: whatever

Noah: are you sure you don’t need me to come home early?

Becca: I’m sure. Go out and have fun. Remember that thing we both need more of in our lives?

Noah: I won’t be out late

Becca: do I look like Mom?

Becca: don’t answer that

I snickered. Becca was the spitting image of our mother, something she absolutely abhorred.

I’d inherited our dad’s dark hair and blue eyes, while Becks had Mom’s blonde locks and brown eyes.

Both her kids had dark hair, blue eyes, and looked more like me than her. The crazy thing was her asswipe of an ex also had Becca’s coloring, but genetics were a crazy thing and he’d never let go of his accusations that the kids weren’t his, even though DNA tests had proven they were.

Becca: what I mean is, am I your keeper? Stay out as long as you want. You’re the dumbass who needs to get up at dawn tomorrow

Noah: are we good for diapers?

Becca: F is gonna need some in a few days but A is good

Noah: I’ll pick some up tomorrow after work

Becca: thanks

Becca: have fun tonight. I mean that

Noah: I always do

She sent me the suspicious-face emoji, the one with the raised eyebrow.

I put the phone down on my truck bed.

Muffled voices came from my left. I glanced over.

River and Zane stood together at the trunk of their car and were in the process of changing out of their work clothes.