Page 70 of A Summoned Husband

This no contact thing is getting real old, especially when you going no contact means Vi is harassing all of us instead. Pick up your phone, you selfish hoe. Please. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

IMANI:

I don’t remember giving birth to two more kids. I need you to stop acting like a child and call back your friends so Vi can stop throwing a fit about it. CALL ME!

VI:

I know our girl’s night didn’t go to plan, and I know it is all my fault but can you please call me? I am a mess of nerves right now. I swear I didn’t know all that would happen. You know I would never do something like that on purpose. EDEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Missed Call (1) IMANI ABEBE

Missed Call (1) SARIKA DEVI

Missed Call (1) ALICIA DAVIS

Missed Call (10) VI THOMAS

Fuck.

At this rate, it wouldn’t be long until they turned into a cavalry and started kicking in doors. I typed a quick text to the group chat to buy myself some time.

ME:

I haven’t been killed by a demon or sucked into the underworld. Quit being dramatic. I’ll be at Gran’s so don’t worry.

xx

I tossed the phone back on the seat beside me and continued staring up at the house. There was a numbness inside me that kept me from doing what I wanted to and calling the girls. My mind was full and my emotions were spent. I wasn’t sure if I could handle placating my girls when I couldn’t even soothe myself.

That’s why I was here. Escaping my house like a hostage and fleeing to my safe place.

Knock, knock, knock.

A scream left me as I shrunk back in my seat, wrapped my hand around my seat belt and stared out the window.

Gran stood there in her bonnet, her robe held closed in her fisted hand at her chest as she yelped before she banged her knuckles against the glass again.

“Baby girl, what in the hell is wrong with you? You almost scared me half to death screaming like that and sitting outside my house like you’re casing the place. Get your ass inside!” She gave me a hard nod before she turned and stalked up the steps and into the house.

“Shit.” I undid my belt, grabbed my phone, and got out.

Shoes kicked off at the door, I stood in Gran’s foyer with my head down as I waited for her to lay into me. She stood there, hand on her hips looking like she towered over me even though she was only five foot one and I stood at five ten easy. I stared around the comfortable foyer with its deep mustard wallpaper and dark wood. All the framed photos on the wall of me as a kid, Abuela back in Colombia, my father and mom. It was funny how I left this place so long ago and it still felt like home.

“You know it’s the middle of the night?” Gran prodded.

I nodded, looking at her up through my lashes. “Yes, ma’am.”

“What is going on, Eden?” The stern sound of her voice made it impossible for me to lie.

“I don’t know, Gran. I’ve just been having a weird few days and it made me want to come home.”

The scowl she wore to put me in my place slowly lifted as she smiled lightly. “Well, why the hell didn’t you just say so instead of sitting out there in a dark car on the street giving me a heart attack? You’re lucky I recognized your car. I almost went out there with my bat.”

The thought made me laugh. Gran would go out in the dead of the night with a bat in hand. “Sorry.”

“Mhmm, come on. Let’s get you set up.” She didn’t wait for me to reply as she turned and started up the stairs. I watched her climb for a bit before I followed. “Quiet up here too, Catalina is asleep.”

My smile widened as I quickened my step. “That must be why you seem so cranky. What were you two up late doing? Stalking hot celebrities online?”