Sideways

Chapter 30 Memorial Day

Monday May 29th, 2023

Buzz... Buzz... Buzz... .... Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...

The repeated vibrating of Eddie's iPhone against the nightstand brings him to consciousness. Groaning, he removes his hand from its resting place on Buck's chest, just over his heart, and he starts to roll over, away from Buck and Buck isn't having that. He grabs Eddie's hand and pulls his husband back on top of him. Not able to resist his husband, ever. Eddie cuddles back into him and places a soft kiss on Buck's neck. He pulls Buck into him as tightly as possible, never wanting to let go. But he knows they need to start the day.

"Morning, mi amor. I need to get up. But you can stay here and get some sleep. I need to go and put the meat in the smoker. "Eddie whispers into Buck's ear. "I'll come and help." Buck says yawning.

Eddie peppers more kisses into Buck's neck, "Get some sleep. I need to wake Wes up for him to start his food. I'll have help. You stay in bed, amor." Buck murmurs and mutters a tired "Ok." in agreement.

Eddie releases Buck again and rolls over to finally silence his vibrating phone. He pulls the blankets over Buck and laughs as he watches Buck curl into them tightly. Eddie gets out of bed, heads into the bathroom, quickly relieves himself, brushes his teeth, and then washes his face to wake himself up. He takes a few aspirins and swallows them to stem off the headache and hangover from last night. Once he leaves the bathroom, he sets two pills and a bottle of water on the bedside table for Buck when he wakes up.

Eddie heads to his dresser, grabs a pair of grey cotton shorts and a plain white t-shirt, and dresses quickly. He looks back at his husband's sleeping form and feels the smiling form on his face before heading out of the bedroom and into the hallway.

Sounds are coming from the guest bathroom; Eddie walks over to the bathroom door and knocks gently before asking, "Wes, is that you?"

It's not Wes, but Adriana, who answers in a low and sleepy voice, "I'm in here, Eddie. I'll be right out."

"Take your time, Adri. I needed to wake Wes. I wanted to see if he was in there." Eddie says, and he walks over to the bedroom Wes and Cole have been staying in and knocks on the door. He hears a groan and shuffling coming from behind the door before the door slowly opens to reveal a half-asleep Wes.

Wes is standing there full of bed head, sleep lines on his chest, in nothing but a pair of tight red boxer briefs, his underwear tenting in front of him. Eddie takes in the sight of him and can't help but laugh, "You happy to see me there, buddy?" Eddie teases. Wes looks down at himself and, never one to be shy, smirks and gives Eddie the finger.

"Morning, Eddie." Adriana says as she walks over to them. Eddie steps into the doorway in front of Wes, blocking his sister's view and saving Wes from the embarrassment. It's a natural reaction when men wake up in the morning; there is nothing wrong with it. While Eddie, Buck, or Cole would simply tease him about it, someone else seeing him in that state would be awkward for both parties.

Adriana tilts her head and looks at him curiously. "He wasn't dressed." Eddie says, and Adriana nods and walks over and down the stairs.

Eddie turns back to Wes, "Thanks, Eddie. Give me a minute; I need to hit the head and freshen up. I'll meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes." Eddie nods and heads for the stairs.

Eddie groggily makes his way down the stairs, through the dining room, and into the kitchen. Adriana is already at the coffee machine getting it started for them. "Adri, you can go back to bed. It's super early." Eddie says, and Adriana scoffs at him.

Eddie pulls out a stool at the kitchen island, and Adriana sits beside him. "How was your time with Pepa?" Eddie asks with a big yawn. There are actually a lot of things Eddie wants to ask Adriana about. He wants to know what she and Sophia talked about with Pepa. Mainly if she knows about the drama, Helena has been causing for her children.