"Seven.
That way I have plenty of time to get everything set up."
"Cool.
Okay. So, Morgan. Get dressed. I've got stuff in the car, plenty of
food in a cooler, beer, vodka shots, the whole bit."
"All
the essentials. Beef jerky?"
"Wouldn't
be a day on the river without it."
"I'll
be down in five minutes." He kissed Tanya and ran up the stairs
two at a time.
"Do
you think he suspects?" Tanya said quietly.
"I
heard that!" Morgan bellowed from upstairs.
The
bedroom door slammed and they heard him rushing around upstairs
trying to get dressed.
"Do
you think he suspects anything?" Tanya giggled softly.
"Him?
He's always suspicious. But does he think we're really planning a
party for him? No."
Morgan
clattered down the steps, one shoe missing. He found it in the
hallway outside the library. "Okay, I'm ready." He kissed
her hastily, then lingeringly, groaning regretfully. "I'm
beginning to wish I hadn't agreed to go."
"You
can't back out on tradition, buddy," Hal said, grabbing his
collar. "Slip her some tongue and come on."
Tanya
laughed, kissing Morgan playfully. "You'll be home soon enough,
and I promise to have a very special dinner planned."
"I'm
just interested in the desert," he kissed her neck and nibbled
her earlobe. "Whipped cream on your—"
"Morgan!"
Her tone was dangerous. "He's kidding about the whipped cream,"
she blushed as she explained to Hal.
"I
am not. Remember that night—"
"Good
bye," she turned him around, pushing him as he walked
reluctantly to the door.
"You
see this? This is abuse, Hal."
"See
you later, Tanya. I promise to bring him back in one piece."
"There's
only one piece I'm interested in you preserving. If he falls apart,
you know what to save."
"Sure
do! See you later!" He dragged his friend to the car, shoving
him in the front seat.
Tanya
waved from the steps, grinning secretively. As soon as they were out
of sight, she called Molly.
"He
finally left! I forgot Hal was supposed to come by Morgan's, and we
stayed at my place last night. But they're gone now."
"Great!
The guys will be over in about thirty minutes to set up and
decorate."
"Cool!
I can't believe we fooled him."
"Don't
be so sure. Until I see his face, I won't believe he didn't catch on.
We've never successfully surprised Morgan."
"But
you never had a master conspirator involved before. Don't worry. Hal
played it beautifully. Wow, he's cute. Good thing Morgan saw me
first." She giggled, playing with her hair. "What's the
deal between Morgan and Hal's brother? I sensed real hostility
between them."
"Caden
thought Morgan told Hal, that Caden was having an affair with Hal's
fiancee, a few years ago. He didn't, but try telling Caden that. Hal
figured out on his own."
"Yikes!"
"And
now the woman is engaged to Caden."
"I'd
think Hal would be mad, not Caden."
"Who
knows with men? I blame testosterone. It makes them crazy and
stupid."
Tanya
heard a muffled, "Hey!" It sounded like one of her boys
"I've
offended my son."
"He'll
get over it."
"I
better get started, if I'm going to get to Morgan's anytime soon."
"K,
I'll see you there." They hung up simultaneously.
Tanya's
eyes glittered happily when she met Molly at Morgan's house. She
unlocked the door and let everyone in. Even full of all Molly's
massive menfolk, Morgan's kitchen was roomy enough for them all to
work. That was why they had chosen his house for the party instead of
hers.
"The
band will be here at six to set up out back," Molly told her.
"Cullen promised to be on time."
"He's
promised that before."
"Yes,
but this time he has a girlfriend. She'll get him here."
Tanya
laughed, tossing her head happily. "I wonder how single men get
anywhere promptly."
"The
promise of pussy," Duke said. "If there's even a whiff of
it, a man will be prompt."
"Oh,
shut up, Duke!" Molly swatted her son. "He has a point, but
why say it that way?"
"Because
I'm a single man," Duke chuckled. "Okay," he turned to
Tanya. "Where do you want the banner?"
"The
end of the living room. I want him to be able to see it when we all
stand up and yell Surprise!"
"Are
you sure we've surprised him?"
"Why
does everyone keep asking me that? You don't think I'm a professional
conspirator?"
"Morph's
sneaky," Duke said as he dragged a stepladder to the corner. "He
sniffs out things like you wouldn't believe."
©
2020 Dellani Oakes
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