Page 79 of Bossy Baby

Hayley collapsed into giggles, barely managing to swallow his food.

“Hayley! Your BFF is here!”

“Avery!” Hayley jumped down and raced to the front of the store. Mac reached for him, but Hayley was nimble and slipped through the open space.

Growling sounded behind him.

Hayley was probably going to pay for that later, but Avery was there!

“Avery!” Hayley hugged his friend when he reached him.

“Hi, Hayley.” Avery said, patting his back. “Sorry I couldn’t come by earlier. We wanted to check on you.”

Hayley held up his colorful cast. “Look! Isn’t it pretty?”

“Okay, yeah,” Avery said, frowning. “But doesn’t it hurt?”

“Not too bad,” Hayley said. The prior day’s tantrum did not need to be brought up. “Mac’s taking really good care of me.”

“Like making him eat so he can take his medicine,” Mac stated, coming up behind him.

“I’m just being polite,” Hayley spun around and told Mac. “They’re guests.”

Mac snorted. “Nice try. Now get your cute little behind back to the counter and eat.”

Avery giggled. Hayley grinned. He grabbed Avery’s hand with his uninjured one and pulled him to the counter.

“Do you want to sign my cast?” Hayley asked Avery as they reached the counter.

Instead of answering, Avery looked down before his gaze went beside Hayley again.

What was that about? Oh! Avery hadn’t met his brother. “Avery, this is my brother, Jayme. He came down to help.” Hayley glanced around. Lance was gone. There was no sign that he had ever been there.

Huh, that was weird. Hayley glanced at Jayme.

Jayme grunted. “He does that. Drops in suddenly. Calls me weird. Then disappears.” Jayme grinned at Avery. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m the cool brother.”

Avery giggled before he waved. “Hi.”

Mac and Jace were speaking quietly as they reached them, so Hayley quickly climbed back up on his stool. He didn’t want to make Daddy mad. Hayley was hoping for a special treat again.

“Baby, Jace invited us to the club tonight with the other boys. Master Finn wants someone to check out the play area before the opening night.”

“Really?” Hayley almost fell off his stool again.

Mac grabbed his waist. “Not if you break your other arm.”

“Sorry! But that would be so cool!” He glanced at his brother. Jayme was looking down at his food. “Could Jayme come?” Maybe they could find someone to grab his brother’s attention.

“I don’t see why not.” Mac turned to Hayley’s brother. “Jayme, would you like to join us?”

Jayme shrugged. “I don’t want to be in the way.”

“You won’t!” Avery hopped over to Jayme. “The club is fun. And I can’t wait to see the playroom. Master Finn even asked me for my advice. Are you scared to go alone? Don’t be afraid. I’ll stay by your side. We can be friends.” He spoke fast.

Jayme’s eyes had widened as Avery spoke. Jayme looked quickly at Hayley before returning his attention to Avery. “I would like to be your friend. I don’t know anyone here besides my brother. Well and Mac, now.”

“Yay!” Avery jumped around before hugging Jayme. “I love making new friends.”

---