Page 47 of Never Quiet

He hugged them and left. They started preparing snacks while Chaz and Shawn got ready for their evening out.

The couple appeared in the threshold as Heather and Julia were being shown how to roll pizza dough. Sterling was on the island counter on his knees, grunting and growling at the rolling pin as he seemed to fight the dough. All of them were covered in flour in ways only small children could manage.

Impeccably turned out in tailored suits, Amanda ran interception between Chaz, Shawn, and a child with a particular talent for destruction.

She signed and said quickly, “You keep rolling out dough while I walk the guys out and lock up, okay?” They nodded.

“It feels wrong to leave you guys here,” Chaz told them.

“Get out,” Davis replied as a piece of dough flew past his face, courtesy of Sterling. “Run while you’re still clean.”

“Understood.”

At the front door, Amanda murmured, “So glad you’re getting the moms out. They needed this.”

“Happy to help. You’ll call if you need backup?” Chaz asked.

“With these three? We won’t need backup. We’re going to make pizza and cookies. We’ll destroy your kitchen but I’ll put it back together. Then we’ll swim and watch movies.”

“You’re awesome with them, Amanda.” Shawn hugged her.

“Thanks. They’re easy. You guys look gorgeous. Have a blast and don’t worry about us.” Moments later, she returned to the kitchen and made funny faces at the kids. “How’s our dough looking? Skinny? We need it skinny. Still got some chubby dough there. Let’s push on it together.”

For hours, she and her cousin provided entertainment for three little children who soaked it up. It was fun and silly and didn’t require any thinking.

They cleaned up and the girls were out cold in Amanda’s usual room next to the couple’s gym. Sterling was sleeping soundly in one of the twin beds in Davis’s usual crash space.

She had a crazy amount of energy built up. Changing into workout gear, she peeked her head into the living room but there was no sign of Davis.

“I’m in the gym!” he called just loud enough to keep from waking their sleeping charges.

Chuckling, she walked into the room and put her hand on her hip. “I thought you might be worn out.”

“No chance. I’m as sugared up as those kids. It’s only the hours of pool time that made it possible for them to be sleeping right now. As for me, I haven’t sparred in days so bring it, cupcake.”

“Cupcake. You’re gonna pay for that.”

She wound her hair into a snug bun and wrapped a band around it. Only her family ever saw her in such an outfit. Davis was part of that group.

If she worked out in public, she covered herself with sweats or big t-shirts. The form-fitting shorts and sport tank were much more revealing but left her complete freedom of movement.

Barefoot, she met him in the center of the mat.

He grinned. “As your cousin, I’d like to say you got even prettier in the last year. Jesus. We’ll have to beat the guys away.”

“Same for you, buddy. I’ll have your back.” He wore snug training shorts. The rest of him was bare. “Let’s do this. Show me the new stuff you’ve learned.”

They bumped fists.

Pulling their punches and kicks, they drove each other around the room. Davis was taller and stronger but he couldn’t match the length of her legs or her speed.

Twice, he managed to make her tap and she gently tapped the side of his face several times with her foot. The last time her leg came up, he caught it, flipped her, and she landed on the mat. Sweeping his legs out from under him, he landed beside her and they laid there, hysterical.

“You’re spending your Saturday night sparring?” came Erick’s voice from the door.

Sitting up and doing what she could to gather her composure, she looked over her shoulder with a smile. “Nah. We spent it babysitting, making pizza, watching Frozen…”

“Twice.”

---