Crown-less Kings

Grawny Tawny

A regrettably big part of me hoped Grandma Tawny wouldn't be able to catch her flight or something. But that bitch will never stop and showed up right on time with a suitcase and critical smile.

I think I love my grandma, she's a handful but always is there to support my parents when we move or need some money to keep us afloat. I definitely love her more from a couple states away, her incredibly critical point of view becomes annoying after the first thing is pointed out. I definitely call her Grawny Tawny behind her back too.

"Oh Barkley, there you are!" I bite my lip to not noticeably cringe and turn around to face Grandma with a smile.

"Grandma! You made it!" I bend down and hug her fragile frame.

"Of course I made it, my eldest is turning 50, can you believe it?" I pull away when she turns to look at Mom who smiles.

"I know it's crazy," I wish Sheppard wasn't at fucking football practice so Grandma can focus her efforts on him.

I pull out my phone and pretend to read something like a text, even though I only have one notification and it's a snapchat from Kendra.

"Oh," Here comes my acting skills, "Reagan just asked me to come over and help her with her history assignment. I'll be back before five thirty."

Mom reluctantly lets me go, so I give a small wave to Grandma, and pray Reagan or Riley is at their house. I shot Reagan a quick text as I walk over. There's only one car in the driveway, but I've learned the triplets share two cars.

I knock and cross my fingers. When no one answers I panic and knock again. Please, please, please-

"Oh," It's Rey who answers the door.

His hair is sticking up in places and his eyes are barely open. He looks like he just woke up, but school only got done less than half an hour ago. 

"Shit, I'm sorry. It looks like I woke you up from a nap. I'm sorry," I give him an apologetic smile and he doesn't react, "Well, uh, is Reagan or Riley home? I kind of need to escape a very critical grandmother if you catch my drift."

Rey licks his lips, I nearly swoon, but he moves out the doorway to let me in. I give a sheepish grin and slip past him and into the living room. 

But before I can go upstairs and see one of the sisters, Rey speaks, "Riley's at school for tumbling or something. And Reagan doesn't get off work till eight."

I groan, throwing my head back very dramatically, "Damn. Well, thank you anyway. Grawny Tawny may you rip my soul to pieces."

I go to make my way to the door when Rey's words stop me, "You can stay here if you want. We can watch a movie or something."

My eyes widen as I slowly turn around to face Rey. He leans slightly on the back of the sectional, his arms crossed over his chest. He's in his uniform tight dark jeans, but today he's lost the hoodie to just a gray t-shirt. It's tight and makes me want to run a hand over his chest-

Focus. Rub the hem of my shirt between my fingers, "It's okay, I should let you do whatever you were doing."

"Come on, let's choose a movie," Then he picks up a remote and lays down on the L of the sectional. 

I stand still, not moving but watching as he adjusts a pillow under his head and loads Netflix on the large flatscreen. Did he actually want me to stay? Does he actually want to hang out with me?

"Sit down. What should we watch?" Rey points to the other end of the couch and goes back to scrolling through movies and shows.

"I uh," But I don't know what to say so I sit down at the complete other corner of the couch.