She crosses her arms. "Whatever, I know I'm right. I saw y'all making googlie eyes at each other. Kids see everything, Unc."
"Kids are gonna get in trouble if they don't get in gear, so I can get them to school." I fold my arms over my chest.
She slowly stands, glaring at me. "If you didn't want to be alone with her, you'd let me stay home today. But you're wanting to smash mouths."
"Child! Your Momma's gonna hear about this." I spin on my heels, ready to bail on her and run right into Harper.
"Huh? Kids say the darndest things." She giggles.
My eyes widen. "You-you heard that, did ya?"
"Hilarious! All this time, I thought smash mouth was a band." She whirls around, swinging those fine hips in front of me, sashaying down the hall.
"Here we go again!" Rumor slaps her forehead, groaning.
"C'mon." I grumble. "You women are gonna be the death of me."
"You sound like my dad." Rumor cackles as she squeezes past me, catching up to Harper, who takes her by the hand.
I snatch my keys from the table by the door and a ball cap from the closet, double timing it to catch up to them. "Hey, I'm thinking this might help." I place the cap on her head.
"You're right, totally incognito." She nibbles the corner of her lip and all I can think about is doing it for her.
I tug it down over her eyes. "Smartass."
"Are we taking the car?" Rumor bats her lashes at me, she loves riding in the car.
"Yes, and you get to have some company today." I hold the door open for them. "All the windows are blacked out, except the windshield."
She quirks her brow. "How is that legal?"
"It's old." I lift my shoulder, letting it fall easily. I brush past her, dragging the tarp off my baby.
Her eyes light up. "Are we taking this?"
"Yeah, she's my favorite." Harper's eyes snap to mine as she grins mischievously.
She backhands my stomach as she passes by me. "After all this time, I finally learn the truth."
"You know you love her." I grab the handle, opening the door for them.
"I know I love her, Unc. She's so pretty." Rumor quips as she climbs in the back seat.
A smile spreads across my face. "Tell Harper what she does, Boo."
"She purrs!" Rumor yells as she buckles herself in.
"A '69 Impala, Jet Black with a white racing strip." Harper crowds me against the door. "Like I don't know where you got this idea."
"She's been waiting." I tap her nose. "So has the back seat, get it in there."
"That's what she said." Harper waggles her brows, giggling. I'm sure she got the reaction she wanted by the look on my face.
I step back, checking her out as she wiggles her way in. "Dear God, I'm a patient man but this is torture."
"Looks to me like you got a handle on things." Harper drags her eyes down my body before meeting mine again with a blush in her cheeks. "Or maybe not."
I push the seat back, shutting the door as I turn my back to her to adjust myself. "I'm fine, dear!"
"Okay, Honey!" She breaks into a fit of giggles as I round the car to the driver's side.
"Women gonna be the death of me before all of this is over." I grumble, sliding in behind the wheel.
Harper shifts in her seat. "What was that dear?"
"Nothin,' Honey."
"Why are you two talking like parents?" Rumor scrunches her nose up. "Are y'all havin' a baby?"
My eyes snap to Harper's in the rearview as we answer together. "No!"
I shake my head, hitting the garage opener. "Boo, Harper and I are old friends. Like your Momma and me are, there's nothing going on between us."
"Yep! Not a thing." I cut my eyes just in time to watch Harper sink, staring out the window.
Why in the hell are women so confusing? I mean, I'd love for something to be happening, but I know she isn't ready. "But when the time comes, you'll be the third person to know. Alright?"
"Sounds like a plan, Stan." Rumor chuckles as Harper side eyes me and I put the car in reverse.
"You've gotta tell me who this Stan is you speak of often, I thought I knew all of your friends." Rumor rolls her eyes at my attempt to lighten the mood.
Shaking her head, Rumor sets out to explain who Stan is not. "He's not a real friend, Unc. He's a pretend friend, and it's funny to say it's a plan because it rhymes."
"Rhymes? Is that anything like dimes?"
She slaps her forehead, making Harper laugh. "Oh! Be careful."
"Men!" Rumor bemoans. "We have to teach them everything, they're hopeless."
"Hey, now. I resemble that remark."
"Yes, you do." I glance before pulling out at Harper's smirk.
Turning onto the road, I search the street for any sign of Weston. Oddly enough, it's quiet and eerily so. Although there's mostly family living around me, something feels off.
I slow at the intersection, checking the highway as I pull into traffic. Still watching everything around us diligently. I check my mirror to find Harper doing the same thing and again, I'm disturbed.
"I got you, I hope you believe me when I say that."
She releases a lengthy breath. "Old habits and all."
"Rumor goes to our school, thankfully she doesn't have the same teacher."
"Ughh, Mrs. Wilson was the worst!" Harper groans.
I raise my brows. "You don't think we could've had anything to do with her mood, do you?"
"We were innocent children, pure cherubs." I glance at her as she bats her lashes.
"Even I don't believe that." Rumor snickers. "Uncle Ridge is trouble."
Harper bellows. "Preach!"
"Hey, now. Y'all are gonna have to walk if you keep that mess up." I shake my head as the car fills with giggles from behind me. "Should I be worried about what you two are laughing about?"
"Maybe!" Rumor snorts.
I flip my signal light on, turning into her school drive. We come to a stop in front of the doors, and I think I hear them sigh. "Alrighty, Boo. Let's get you inside."
"I really don't have to go; we could tell Momma we overslept." She shrugs.
"I think we wore that out years ago and she's right, you gotta go to school." I push open the door, grabbing the seat for her.
Harper watches as she unbuckles and slides to the edge. Rumor turns, smiling as she waves. "It was nice to finally meet you; I hope I get to see you again soon."
"I-um I'll be right back." I shut the door, hitting the key fob as though no one is in there. Safety in everything we do, it's always foremost. But the perturb look on Harper's face is classic.
Taking Rumor by the hand, I hurry her inside and sign her in with my feeble excuse. As always, I'm meet with smiles and acceptance.
I jog back to my car, checking for any sign of Weston before jumping back behind the wheel. Harper has her head leaning against the back of the seat.
"You doin' Alright?" I chew the inside of my cheek, waiting with bated breath for her answer.