Page 82 of Challenged by the Single Dad

“Good luck with that, Otto,” Wyatt said, shaking his head. “So, I take it he was exactly the way we expected he would be? Refused to acknowledge or accept any responsibility?”

“Said it was the first he was hearing about it,” Dom said. “As if I wouldn’t immediately catch him in that lie. The whole island knows we all live on the same property and raise our kids together. Of course I’d find out Aya got in trouble.”

“Not with me she’s not,” Bennett said.

Aya craned her neck around to grin at her father as he sat on the couch behind her. “I get ice cream tonight. Right, Daddy?”

“Sure do, my little warrior princess.”

Griffon sighed and his shoulders slumped as he slid a bright-green bead onto the string. “I would have helped, but we’re not supposed to hit girls. Or even touch them without asking. I didn’t want to push Carnation, or hit her, to defend Silas.” He glanced at his dad. “I didn’t mean to stand there and do nothing.” Then he appealed to his older brother. “Right, Jake?”

Jake looked sad too and nodded before making eye contact with their father. “You tell us not to hit girls.” Then he quickly flashed his gaze at Vica who was in the kitchen dishing up bowls of pasta. “And after what happened with Vica and that guy … I just—”

“It’s okay,” Wyatt said quickly as the reality of how the boys were feeling sunk into all of them. Here they were praising Aya for standing up for Silas, when it should have been all the children receiving praise. Because it wasn’t like Jake and Griffon abandoned Silas. They chased after Carnation to make sure Silas was okay. “You boys were just as brave and stood up for your cousin too. I understand how blurry the rules are right now. And honestly, I think you did the right thing.”

Dom nodded in agreement. “Me too. This could be so much worse if one of you had hurt Carnation.”

“I’ll take care of things, guys,” Aya said, sitting up on her knees a little taller. “Don’t worry about it.”

Bennett rolled his eyes.

“Besides,” Aya went on, tossing her dark blonde curls over her shoulders, “kids think I’m pretty badass to get detention.”

“Excuse me,” Bennett warned. “Language.”

Aya smirked then whispered a totally pretend apology.

“All right, pasta is ready.Buon appetito,” Vica announced. “Come and get it.”

Dom wasn’t aware that he was having dinner at Wyatt’s, but he loved Vica’s cooking. So he wasn’t about to argue. He followed the rest of them into the kitchen and accepted the bowl from Vica with thanks. The kids had to eat at the table, but the adults made their way back into the living room and all found a spot on a couch or chair.

“I think we need to go have a chat with Carnation’s parents,” Bennett said, blowing on his spoonful of pasta as he brought it to his mouth. “Things are getting out of control. Last year Aya had so many issues and run-ins with that child, and it’s all happening again this year. She’s a huge problem, and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.”

“I’m doing something about it,” Aya yelled from the table.

“Yes, dear. We know,” Bennett said blandly.

“Anyway,” Dom shoveled a big, heaping spoonful of the little, twirled pasta ribbons that Silas made, into his mouth, “Si is playing hooky tomorrow. He’s going to help me at the pub.”

His brothers simply nodded.

“Do you like the pasta, Dad?” Silas called out from the table.

“I do, bud. What’s the sauce?”

With deer-in-the-headlights eyes, Silas glanced at Vica. “Uhhh …”

Vica giggled softly. “On thebusiatewe havepesto alla Trapanese,which is a Sicilian spin on the traditional pesto. It has fresh tomatoes, almonds, and pecorino. In addition to basil, olive oil, and garlic.” She winked at Silas, then pivoted back to grab Wyatt’s attention. “Wyatt is going to serve it on the menu, right?” Her tone was teasing, but there was a glint of hope in her eyes as well.

“Thinking about it,” Wyatt said casually. “At least make it a special one day. This is the bomb, babe.” He shoved another heaping spoon into his mouth.

“On thetrofiewe have a creamy fennel sauce with shallots, garlic, nutmeg, and a little bit of whole grain mustard.” Vica shrugged. “Not typically Italian, but I saw the recipe on Instagram and thought it sounded good. And lastly, we havecavatellialla vodkawith tomatoes, onions, garlic, cream, and vodka.”

“But don’t worry,” Griffon said quickly, “the goofy part of the goofy juice cooks off so we won’t be bouncing off the walls or anything.”

Dom’s lip twitched with mirth. His nephew was such a funny little smart-ass.

“And I made sure to take my dairy pills so I don’t stink up Uncle Wyatt’s house,” Silas added, slurping up a coiled noodle.

---