Chapter 14

Mike jolted awake upon hearing the loud hip-hop music; the bass vibrated through his bedroom walls. He rubbed and reached for his alarm clock; five a.m. glared back at him.

"Unbelievable." He crawled out of bed, barefoot. "Loud music at five a.m.? Seriously?"

He grabbed his pajama pants and slipped them on.

"Yeow!" Mike grunted and hopped on a foot after stepping on a Fireman Lego toy in the hallway. Mike picked it up and pocketed it.

He marched towards the boys room, thinking they were responsible.

Mike pounded on the door hard enough to make them hear it.

The door swung open, revealing the sleepy teenager rubbing his eyes. "Uh, hey man." A yawn hid behind Jay's hand.

Mike lifted a brow in confusion; it wasn't their room. "Wait, where's all that music coming from?" He asked.

"Christine, I guess." Jay shrugged.

Mike threw his head back in surprise, and Jay shut the door.

The music stopped, and the door flew open. Christine stood, dressed in a gray sweatshirt and yoga pants, her strawberry-blonde hair tied in a messy ponytail. Sweat-damped strands framed her face.

"What are you doing?" Mike demanded. "It's five o'clock!"

"Working out," Christine replied, crossing her arms under her breasts. "No better way to start the day."

"Well, I get up at eight," Mike said. "Could you turn that down?"

"Mike, the volume is barely up."

"Oh yeah? Then explain how I can hear 50 Cent yelling through my sleep."

"You were always such a light sleeper."

Mike stared at Christine and recalled all the nights they spent together curled up in each other's arms.

Christine stood straight and cleared her throat to break the uncomfortable silence. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my workout."

The door slammed shut.

Meanwhile, he didn't go back to bed; instead, he worked out in his private gym and prepared for work.

He almost changed his mind upon seeing the crowd at the breakfast bar; cereal boxes littered the countertops.

Christine was busy packing lunches, rubbing her eyes as she worked.

"Hi Mr. Russo!" Kimiko waved at him before he could duck for cover.

Mike cleared his throat. "Good morning guys." He approached them.

The teenagers merely looked at him and went back to their devices and food.

"He said good morning!" Christine barked, causing everyone to mutter greetings. She flashed him a smile. "Want some breakfast?"

"Sure, omelet." He replied and got a crate of eggs pushed to his stomach.

"Good, you can whip up some yourself." Christine replied.

Mike frowned at her back as she returned to spreading jelly on toast.

He scanned the kids and noticed something different. "Where's Noah?" He drew a bowl and began to mix eggs and milk.

The Latino kid narrowed his eyes at him from his bowl of cereal. "You're looking at him."

Mike's lips parted, realizing his mistake. "I meant, uh, the other kid... blonde."

"That's Tommy," Jay answered, rolling his eyes.

"He's usually out early for football practice," one of the twins answered.

"I noticed he was pretty upset yesterday." Beth spoke up. "Even before I beat his high score in Call of Duty."

"Isn't that game rated R?" Christine asked.

Beth stared at Christine. "Did you do something to your hair? It looks fantastic."

Christine stared at Beth. "Whatever it is, I'll figure it out. Now, everyone, take your lunch. Miko, did we finish those math drills?"

"Yep," Kimiko replied as she took her lunchbox.

"Daphne and Mil, we have a hair appointment at the salon today," Christine continued.

"I don't need a haircut." Daphne protested, running her fingers through her hair.

"Yes, you do, sweetie; your split ends are hurting my eyes." Christine responded. "And Noah, you have community—"

Mike glanced at Christine as she pressed her lips together.

"Your volunteer job at the library today." She finished.

"I remember," Noah replied.

Mike thought Noah didn't seem like the type who would enjoy working at the library.

"Don't forget my class has a parent career presentation." Kimiko told Christine, who widened her eyes.

"That's today?!" Christine squeaked. "Uhm, sure, I'll be there."

Mike watched, impressed, as Christine swiftly rallied the kids. Within seconds, they were grabbing backpacks and heading out the door.

"I don't know how you handle all this," Mike said, shaking his head.

Christine chuckled. "Lots of practice. You figure out how each kid works and make the best of it."

Mike sipped his coffee, observing the messy table. "You forgot about the career thing, didn't you?"

"Yeah, so what if I did? It's been a crazy few weeks." Christine punched his arm.

He polished the rest of the eggs and toast off his plate and finished his coffee. "Have to get to work."

Christine began gathering the dishes, "I'll clean this up."

"Don't bother; Alma will be here in a couple of minutes."

"Well excuse me, I actually like cleaning up after myself."

"Uhm, I believe the kids did all of these."

"They get a free pass on school days."

"Do I get a goodbye kiss for the road?"

"Get out of here, Mike."

Mike was still laughing even as he drove to his hotel.

Helen was waiting for him in his office with a grin. "There you are, Mike; didn't you get my message?"

Mike shook his head. "You know I barely look at social media these days."

She rolled her eyes. "I meant voicemail, silly. The Campbells bumped up their wedding date, the same day as that guy who designs those pumpy things for auto companies has his promotion party."

Mike bent his head low at his PA. "Honey, his name is Jesse Darkhorse, and those pumpy things are called Pistons."

"Who cares?" She threw up her hands in frustration. "This is going to be a major disaster... like a stolen designer purse, or like when One Direction broke up!"

Mike dragged his palm over his face. This was what he earned for hiring inexperienced staff.

"So then, why didn't you inform the Campbells about the scheduling conflict?"

Helen gasped dramatically. "And ruin their wedding? How could you be so cruel?"

Mike lifted his eyes to the heavens. Two huge events in one day? This was going to be interesting.