Page 54 of Undone

Gracie giggled, looking up at Sawyer with wide eyes. “Daddy, did you know Uncle Sawyer’s the fastest runner in the whole world?”

Colt let out a low laugh from across the table. “Fast? Didn’t you trip up the steps outside walking in?”

Sawyer shot him a glare. “That has nothing to do with speed, brother.”

“Yeah, you’re just clumsy and slow,” Dotty cut in, smirking as she took a seat next to Noah.

Noah laughed beside her, nudging Dotty. “I was expecting a peaceful dinner again tonight, but this is already exceeding my expectations in the best way.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at that, moving to grab the pitcher of iced tea from the counter.

“You know, your mom used to always call the four of you the chaos crew,” my dad chimed in.

“Can I be the new chaos crew?” Gracie asked.

“Well, there is only one of you, but I do think you cause enough chaos for four kids.” I chuckled.

Gracie wiggled in Sawyer’s lap and then turned her attention to Noah. “Noah, is Uncle Sawyer faster than Daddy?”

Noah’s smile grew as she looked at me. There was something about the way her eyes lingered, weighing her next words, but she quickly turned her attention back to Gracie.

“Well, your daddy’s got the brains. Uncle Sawyer has the… speed.”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “Brains,” I echoed. “Glad someone around here appreciates intelligence.”

Colt, ever the smartass, muttered, “Someone has to. The rest of you are rather questionable.”

Gracie’s head swung back toward Dotty. “What about Aunt Dotty?”

Dotty didn’t miss a beat, puffing her chest out in mock pride. “Oh, I’ve got the whole package. Brains, speed, and charm.”

Trent looked at his fiancée, the dumb fuck, too smitten for his own good. “I’d agree with that,” he said.

Sawyer let out a loud laugh, tossing a crumpled napkin in her direction.

“Charm? Says the girl who put gum in some kid’s hair in elementary school.”

Dotty rolled her eyes, grabbing the napkin and tossing it back. “That was warranted.”

“Sure,” Colt added, chuckling.

Noah leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, grinning.

Gracie glanced up at me, her face full of innocent curiosity. “Daddy, would you put gum in someone’s hair?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “No, I leave that to your Aunt Dotty. That’s her specialty. Like she said, she’s the whole package,” I said sarcastically. Dotty shot me a look that was half amused, half defensive, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“Finally, some respect,” Dotty said, bowing dramatically, reaching for a bread roll.

My dad, who’d been watching all of us from his spot at the end of the table, finally spoke up. “If you’re all done bickering like children, we should eat before the food gets cold.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Sawyer said, already reaching for takeout containers.

The conversation moved on as we all started to eat. Gracie, still sitting close to Sawyer, began talking about lessons with Noah, her new drawings, and everything that was currently occupying her six-year-old world.

She beamed up at Noah every time she chimed in with encouragement, like her approval was the most important thing in the room.

“So, Sawyer,” Dotty said, leaning back in her chair. “Any big games coming up?”

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