The Gray Brothers: It's All Relative

Better than Jerry Springer

Maggie

We stood there speechless as Nate explained how the families would vacation together. One girl with ten boys wasn’t a promising idea. On a bright note, I met Karen. She’s interesting. Well, stuffy and annoying, but you get the picture.

Jaime glared at me, as did Caleb. Yeah, none of us were fans of each other. Both should have kept their mouths shut.

“So, what do you think?” Nate asked us.

“Do you think this vacation will be a splendid idea?” Nixon asked.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because ten boys and one girl in the same house aren’t a wonderful mix,” Nathan said.

“Excuse me, but what does it matter? Mags is my girl,” Nash said.

“Yeah, and a pain in the ass, too,” Jaime said.

“You’re mad because Nash hit you,” Noah said.

“Well, did you forget she hit me?” Caleb asked him.

“You made a tasteless comment,” Carson said.

“And you don’t?”

“It’s not like that!”

“Whose side were you on?”

“Why does there need to be sides?” Jace asked.

“Because we always take sides, you tool,” Cody said.

“I’ll tool you!”

“Bring it on, little man!”

Oh, lord. This vacation will be fun. As the boys argued, the parents got into the mix. I sat down on the couch. Wait. I need popcorn. The family’s arguing was better than Jerry Springer.

I made popcorn and tossed it into a bowl. I walked back into the living room and took a seat. I munched on this buttery deliciousness while watching everything unfold.

Noah said, “I smell popcorn.”

Everyone stopped and looked at me.

Nash walked over to me. “Are you eating popcorn?”

I stopped midway before popping a kernel in my mouth. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I needed fiber in my diet.” I shrugged.

Nash gave me a skeptical look.

“Plus, you guys are way better than Jerry Springer.”

“I like this girl,” Jace said.

I smirked.

*****

Afterward, everyone calmed down and stopped arguing, well, not as much arguing. A family still fights. They’re the Grays.

“So, since we must suffer together, please tell me we aren’t sharing a house while we’re on vacation,” Nixon said.

“Nope. Jonas and Cayson are,” Nate said.

“What?” Jonas and Cayson asked.

“Sadly, the inn is already full,” Nate said.

“Don’t you mean ark?” Cody said.

The others snickered.

“Cute, and that’s why we aren’t sharing a house,” Nate said.

“Why?” Cayson asked Nate.

“Because my boys will hurt your boys. Did you forget about Christmas?”

“Ahh, good times.”

“It never fails. Even when we were younger, I got saddled with Cayson,” Jonas said.

“Oh, why don’t you cry me a river, big brother? It’s not like you were my ideal choice either,” he said.

I watched Nate and his brothers in action. I thought the boys were crazy, but they had nothing on their dad and uncles, who were even more insane.

“You both were a pain in the asses as kids. I got saddled with both of you when we were kids, thanks to Ma,” Nate said.

Okay, now I know why the boys call Pat by Ma.

“She called the other day,” Cayson said.

“Did you talk to her?” Jonas asked.

“Nah, I let it go to voicemail.”

“Who sends their mother to voicemail?” Nathan asked.

“We do,” they said.

“But Grammy is outstanding,” Noah said.

“As a grandmother, yes. As a mother, not so much,” Jonas told him.

Nate smacked him.

“What? Do you deny this?”

“No, but we have listening ears,” Nate said.

“Well, at least, she didn’t ask you why you forgot your raincoat.”

“Oh, she did. Trust me. She did.”

Why would the guys forget their raincoats? I’ll ask Nash later. A raincoat is a necessity for the rain.

“Okay, since we’re leaving tomorrow, everyone needs to get packed. We’re all going to be bunking together,” Nate said.

Everyone groaned.

“I pick Mags as a tribute,” Nash said.

“No, you will not. Instead, you’ll share a room with Nixon and Nolan,” Nate said.

“Nolan? Are you kidding, Dad?”

“Hey, what’s wrong with me?” Nolan asked.

“Besides, you hump everything, nothing at all.”

“I do not!”

“Dude, you’re like a dog in heat. I thought that getting laid would cure your hormones. But, unfortunately, it didn’t,” Nixon said.

Everyone stopped and stared at Nixon.

“Nice one,” Nash told him.

“I thought so.” He shrugged.

“When did Nolan get laid?” Carson asked.

“Don’t ask,” the brothers said.

The trip will be fun. I can see it now.

*****

We all packed, then everyone headed to their assigned rooms. After everyone had gone to bed, Nash snuck into my room. Let me introduce you to my boyfriend, the rebel.

He crawled into bed and cuddled up with me while I slept. We had to be up early since our flight was leaving around eight in the morning. With everyone and three bathrooms, we would need the time.

I had to wonder what would happen this summer. All the boys without their girlfriends would be an exciting dynamic.

I’ve never seen the boys and their cousins together except briefly while growing up. Life would get interesting.