Page 70 of Beyond the Hate

Miles climbs into the seat behind Paisley. “What are we talking about?”

“Are all of my brothers going to join us in my SUV?”

“It’s not our fault you decided to buy a vehicle bigger than the Smuggler’s Hideaway school bus,” Miles says.

“My SUV is not as big as a bus,” I grumble.

Paisley’s nose wrinkles. “It is pretty big, though.”

Zane and Miles stick their heads between our seats. “What do you know about size, Paisley?” Miles asks.

“Yeah.” Zane nods. “Do you know what six inches is?”

She appears adorably confused. “Of course, I do.”

Miles rolls his eyes. “Paisley the Perpetual Know It All knows everything.”

Paisley shrinks into herself and I growl before slapping Miles on the shoulder. “You do not tease Paisley with a childish nickname.”

Miles focuses on Paisley and grimaces. “I’m sorry, Paisley. I didn’t think. I won’t use the term again. Cross my heart and hope my surfboard doesn’t die.”

“It’s okay,” Paisley mumbles.

“No, it’s not. You’re Eli’s now. I should have more respect.”

“I don’t belong to Eli. Women are not property.”

He holds up his hands. “You’re Eli’s special lady friend now was what I meant to say.”

“Special lady friend?” Zane asks. “What are you? Four?”

Miles shoves him. “If I’m four, what are you? A baby?”

“Out of my SUV,” I order everyone.

Zane launches himself at Miles, who opens the door and shoves him outside. He tumbles to the ground while laughing.

Paisley observes them. “Are we certain an amusement park is a good idea for them?”

I grin at her. “It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t think your definition and my definition of fun are the same.”

“I guess we’ll find out.” I hop out of the SUV and rush around to open the door for her.

I’m helping her down when Jaxon and Rhett arrive.

“Where’s Mom and Stuart?” Rhett asks as he surveys the group.

“If they skipped out on this juvenile event, I will not be amused,” Jaxon mutters.

Miles scowls at him. “Could you at least try not to be boring on my birthday?”

“It’s not your birthday yet.”

I clap my hands. “You know the rules. You have to behave on family day.”

“What kind of stupid rule is ‘you have to behave’?” Zane asks.

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