Read Girls' Night Out (Bad Boys) for Free Online

God you’re going to push me to the brink. Give me that! I said I’d be over to pick you up.”
    Cory heard her sister-in-law’s voice. “Babe, you are way too protective for anyone’s good. Driving a car isn’t going to wear me out when it’s less than a mile away.”
    “Carolina, if I have to carry you, I will. Don’t make me out to be a domineering idiot. The doctor said to quit hauling and carrying and doing.”
    “Hush, Matt. Or I’ll tell the doctor exactly what my days and nights are filled with.”
    The clatter of a plate being rapidly dropped on the front table followed by a muffled thud sounded from the front of the house. Peering down the short hall, Cory saw Matt had picked up Carolina.
    “Jeez,” she let out a loud sigh. “Caveman alert. Shall I call the authorities?”
    “Definite possibilities, Cory.” The sound of laughter and a soft, “Let me go or I’ll say yes.”
    Matt’s voice, low and gravelly issued a firm warning. “Your job, young lady, is to find a seat. And stay there. If you don’t, I swear I’ll haul you upstairs in front of whoever and remind you just how close I am to going stark raving mad.”
    “Agreed. Just put me down.” Another soft muffled laugh. Then a high-pitched, “Ouch!” Carolina came into the living room, rubbing a hand over her bottom. Dressed in an apricot-colored sweater and matching corduroy shirt and tall boots, she smiled at Cory.
    “Oh. My. God!” Cory screeched. “You look amazing.”
    “I can’t perm my hair for another year so I decided to let it grow out. Do you like?”
    “You’ve hair to die for.” Straight and thick and long. It reached down to Carolina’s waist. “A year?”
    “No chemicals for the babies. And I plan on nursing for as long as I can. At least six months. Maybe a year. And you? Miss California dreaming! How is the sun and the fun?”
    “It’s another world. Really. I bet you understand.”
    “Oh yeah. Miami and Annona are polar. In a good, macho man sort of way.” She snickered into the face of Matt, carrying a large clay pot.
    “Did you make some of your black beans? I love them.” Cory hugged her sister-in-law, then released her and patted her belly. She couldn’t believe it was almost time for Carolina to deliver.
    “Thank you. I did.” Carolina shot an arched brow across the room at Matt.
    “Don’t,” he thundered, then pointed a finger in Cory’s direction, “encourage her. I’ve got my hands full as it is.” He disappeared inside the kitchen, but not before he scowled over to his wife with a knowing look full of promise.
    “He’s losing it,” Carolina whispered. “It’s been hard on all the guys with Mama’s illness.”
    “They’re like strong walls. You know outside. Not inside.” Cory nodded.
    “Exactly. It’s tearing them all up. They know how to be strong. Hard. Tough. They don’t do soft very well.”
    “How is Mama? Really. I can’t get a straight answer from Daddy and I haven’t had a chance to grill my brothers. Which I fully intend on doing. Carolina, with your medical background, tell me truth. Is Mama going to be alright?”
    Carolina captured her hands. “Everything looks good. She’s responding well to the treatment. Her condition has over a tremendous recovery rate. The treatment is advanced and the doctor is confident he can get this type of pre-cancer into remission. Early. I won’t lie to you, the chemo is hell. They basically eradicate the carcinogenic cells before they become truly cancerous. It’s a tough route. But Mama is strong. If anyone can beat this, she’d be the one.”
    “I wish someone had called me and told me.”
    Carolina’s brows drew together. “Oh Cory, no one wanted to worry you. Besides, they only just found out. And what was the point, with you coming home anyway? Mama is stable and now you’re home. She just needs to rest and relax and let the medicine do its job.”
    “But here, it doesn’t seem like she can rest. Especially with