"Then that means," Sketch says slowly.
"Everything is different now," I cut her off, letting the chill water embrace my feet.
"How?" she asks as of it wasn't obvious. I take a few minutes to think and with a deep breath, I start.
"I can't trust him as much," I say hanging my head in shame that I said that to her.
"Well, Davey and I are going on a date tonight at the pub. Can you and Ike come with us?" she asks hopefully. I look at her for a second and slowly nod my head. I pull my feet out of the now blissfully cool water and dry them off with a towel before sticking them back in my boots. My good steeled tipped boots not used for work. They are my best shoes and I have had them for a long time, taking special care of them. We walk home in silence, me remembering the pain a few nights ago.
I remember being tired a lot so I thought Mother Nature came for a visit. This was not the case, when I was awakened; I opened my eyes to see Ike next to me, trying to read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He said that Lucy and Cole are down for the night. It's somewhat awkward as I asked him why I woke up where I didn't fall asleep. I fell asleep in the bedroom and woke up next to Ike in the bathroom. Makes me wonder how I ever fell asleep in the bathtub, but I did it once, never thought I could do it again. Ike tried to convince me it was a good thing as I glare at him. I finish the memory as I unlock the door to our apartment and see Ike singing to Lucy before her nap. He walks out and as he smiles mischievously with a hint of guilt.
"Um," I say slowly not starring him down, "Sketch and Davey are going to the pub for a date later and Sketch invited us…" he nods his head as he may know what is coming next.
"So you want to go?" he asks to clarify. "Well, okay but we need to ask Star to come over." I nod my head.
"Not to be so insecure, but here are some rules for tonight." I say. "First off, don't touch me or I will turn hostile. Secondly, if Davey stutters don't snicker, I will turn hostile. Lastly, you get one drink and I'm watching. If you get another"
"I know Hype," he says sarcastically, "You will turn hostile."
"Are you mocking me? Because I feel like I'm being mocked." I say harshly. He holds his hands up in defense as I walk past him.
"Hurry up," I yell as Star comes by an hour later. She seems a bit scarred of me, but calm as Ike drills her on detailed instructions on when to feed, change, and put Lucy and Cole down.
"Ike," I scream a bit louder, "Hurry up." I see him grimace; a smile for him that means two can play at this game.
"Shut up," he yells back to me. Ouch, too bad I'm already winning, I think as Ike changes his shirt. I walk in ready to go as I see him shirtless. I brush past him as I throw one of his clean shirts at him. Star calls me into the nursery.
"What?" I ask as gently as I can. Gently is not gentle to her as she takes a step back. She doesn't show any emotion as she is older than me.
"Looks like mama bear needs to be declawed." She mutters.
"What do you want?" I push.
"You to leave, your late." She says sternly. We hear the clock chime as I yell for Ike again.
"Oh, thanks," I say, looking down not realizing the time. We thank her as we head out the door acting friendly. He tries to take my hand as I pull away from him.
"What?" he asks.
"It's your fault," I say to Ike as we leave the apartment. We walk to the pub hastily, it's not a long way but it's long enough to run to and be out of breath.
"Is not," he says like a four year old. He holds the door open for me. I frown at him.
"Whatever," I say. We see Sketch and Davey as we slide into their booth. The tension instantly increases in the room as Ike tries to lean on me.
"Number one," I mutter. He looks at me, then at Sketch and Davey. Well, this is going well, I think, just wait until he gets drunk.