Farm Tag

Chapter 15. « Swimming pool. »

"MOOOOOOO."

Judy wakes with a start.

"What the fuck is that noise?!"

I frown, daylight illuminating the small room. I stand up, leaning on my elbow.

"What time is it?" I ask half-asleep.

Xavier rolls up the sleeve of his pajama top, looking at his digital watch.

"5:30 a.m."

"Go back to sleep."

I quickly realize that the floor is actually Reid's torso and the wall behind my back is his hand, his forearm over his face.

I roll over and hide my head between his shoulder and the cushion to go back to sleep without the sunlight.

"MOOOOOO."

"Fuck, can't these fucking cows shut up?"

I laugh and head down the stairs. I jump over the fence as my audience looks on from where they're standing. I open the big gate leading to the paddock and force the last lazy cow out by slapping her on the buttocks, then close the gate.

They clap and shout, which makes me laugh. I go back to lying down, but this time Reid doesn't hold me against him. His hand rests against his chest and I look at him, but he falls asleep immediately.

I do the same, facing the wall.

"COCK-A-DOODLE-DO."

"Oh fuck, I'm gonna lose it."

I get up but Reid grabs my wrist.

"You won't be able to shut this one up."

"Wanna bet?"

"It's 8:38," says Xavier.

"And? We want to sleep."

Reid gets up and gathers the blankets.

"Get up, girls. You're going to keep sleeping in the house."

The girls run back to the house, still tired. I close my bedroom shutter while they lie in my bed and close the door behind me.

Xavier and Marshall had thought to sleep with their comforters, which they hold in their hands as they both stand in front of me.

"What is it?"

"Can you make us some breakfast?"

I stroke their heads.

"Go sit on the couch, I'll take care of it."

I take out bowls and fill them with milk and cereal, then fill glasses with orange juice. They thank me as they watch their cartoons.

Reid gets out of the shower, giving me room to go. I go downstairs once I'm ready and see him doing the dishes.

"Boys, could you go get dressed?"

They run up the stairs, leaving me alone with Reid.

"Do you have anything planned for today?"

"I was supposed to see my friend but he can't, so I'm going to babysit the little ones."

"We should all do something together."

"Don't you want to stay with the girls?"

I shake my head.

"Picnic and pool?"

"Swimming pool?"

"It's in a lake."

Is it an excuse to see his abs? It certainly is.