Page 57 of Hot for the Jerk

“We don’t ask that.It’s rude.”Bennett tipped his head to the sky.“This child is giving me more gray hairs every day.”

Justine half turned her face to look up at him.“Oh look, there’s a new one in your beard.”

It was Aya’s turn to roll her eyes.“Why is it rude?I just asked.”

I smiled at my little niece, regret in my belly.“Unfortunately, I did not bring you guys anything.I’m sorry.It was a bit of a chaotic time and I just … I forgot.Next trip, okay?”

“We’re just glad you’re home safe, Uncle Jagger,” Emme said, wrapping her arm around me again, and leaning in for another hug.

“I thought you said you needed to pee,” Aya asked, her hands on her hips.

“Oh, right.”I smirked at my brothers and their partners.“Guess I need to do that.”I headed toward my house, which was the last one in the row, furthest from the gate.Wyatt followed me with my bag, and the gravel crunched under multiple shoes as all the kids followed me.It was like rats and the Pied Piper.Though they were more like adorable, cheeky little rabbits than rats.And I really did miss them.

We never locked our houses on the hill.I didn’t even bother fishing out my keys and just stepped inside.Besides, our cousin Logan, from our mother’s side of the family was living with me, and presumably was either in the house, or down at the pub working behind the bar.

“We’re so glad you’re home, Uncle Jagger,” Talia said, ditching her shoes and bouncing onto my brick-colored leather sofa sectional, with Aya right behind her.

“Why don’t you have a Christmas tree?”Aya asked, grabbing the cream chenille throw blanket draped over the back of the couch and covering her and Talia’s legs with it.The blanket was a favorite among the kids, and when they came over, they often fought over it.It was so soft and warm to snuggle under.“You never have one.”

“There are five Christmas trees on this property,” I said, taking my bag from Wyatt and setting it on the bottom stair of my staircase.“I don’t need one.If I want to see one, I’ll just go to one of your houses, or down to the pub.”

That answer didn’t satisfy the children at all, and they each made a face of frustration.Emme and Jake—who both loved to read—had already pulled books out from somewhere and were sitting on the floor in front of my gas fireplace reading.Silas and Griffin pulled out the deck of cards for the game Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.

“I think Uncle Jagger might need a few minutes to just get settled again,” Wyatt said, glancing at the kids, then me to see if that was actually what I wanted.

I shrugged.“I just wanna have a quick shower and put some different clothes on.Also, put some laundry on.They can stay though.I don’t mind.”

“Yay!”the four littler kids cheered as Talia and Aya slid to the floor to play the game with Silas and Griffin.

“Send them home if they’re annoying,” Wyatt said, heading for the door.

“They’re always annoying.”I smirked.

“Hey!”Aya shouted, making a cheeky face of pretend ire.“I heard that.”

“You were supposed to.”I winked at her, then focused back on Wyatt.“I’ll send ’em home if I need to.”

“Pizza for dinner at our place at six,” he said, hand on the knob.

“Sounds good.”

Then he left, and I headed upstairs with my bag to shower and put on some laundry while my six favorite people in the world warmed my heart and soul with their ridiculous banter downstairs.

As we sat around Wyatt’s living room, everyone cradling a plate with homemade pizza on it— made by our resident Italian—it was impossible for me not to reflect back on the last few days.

While I missed my family, especially my nieces and nephews, I knew they were functioning and getting along without me just fine.Now that my brothers had welcomed women back into their lives and homes, there were more people to look after the kids.I wasn’t needed as much.

Yes, I was still needed from time to time because all the women worked, but I was needed less.The kids were also getting older and had more independence.We had a walkie-talkie system on the property, where all the dads—and me—had a walkie-talkie on us at all times if we headed down to the brewery and pub.The kids each had one in their house too, and we were all on the same channel.So if anybody needed anything, they could send out a call, and one of us would respond.

Griffin came to sit next to me, holding his own plate with pizza.Since my homecoming was a special occasion, the kids were allowed to eat in the living room.

“Ah, on your knees at the coffee table, please,” Wyatt said, joining us with his pizza, followed by Dom and Chloe.Logan was working down at the pub, and Vica was in the kitchen serving up Jake and herself.

With a pout, Griffin slid to his knees to eat.Chewing, he faced me.“When are you going to get married and have kids, Uncle Jagger?”

“Please chew, swallow,thentalk,” Wyatt said, the same kind of exasperation in his voice that Bennett often had when dealing with the precocious Aya.Griffin and Aya were the wild ones of the bunch.Outspoken, cheeky, and very opinionated.Aya was also a bruiser and never backed away from a fight.Bennett had been to the principal’s office a few times this year because his daughter stood up to bullies and social injustice with her fists.

Griffin made a dramatic swallow before facing me again.“So, when are you?”

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