“We’ve got room for you.” Adam’s voice carries from the front.
“Adam. Please. I am not leaving the force to bang nails. That works for you. It doesn’t work for me.”
“Farrah said she likes the roughneck guys. Maybe I’ll date her.” Billy comes up for air and when I swing at him again, he dodges it.
“Ha! Missed me!”
“Watch your mouth about her.”
“Oh, brother, my favorite, less handsome twin. You’ve got a lot to learn.”
“Says the eternal playboy.”
“He’s changed, Tom. You’ve missed a lot. My threats seemed to have worked and cornered him into being a one woman man.” Chelsea laughs and turns in her seat. I see her give a wink to Billy.
But all I hear is ‘you’ve missed a lot’. And if I don’t get my shit straight, I’m going to end up missing it all.
* * *
“Go Comets!”
“Come on, boys!”
“Give it to ‘em, Coach Gage!”
“I’ll give it to him if he wins.” I watch my sister elbow Britt and I groan out loud. “Oh, Tom, how do you think we got that beautiful baby boy?”
I shake my head and look at Adam. “We don’t want to know a thing.”
“Now, do you understand why I gave him a black eye?” Adam retorts. We laugh and fist bump.
I lean over to Chelsea. “Do you want to punch Billy every time you see him with your sister?”
“Every damn time!” She laughs.
“Mommy, Mommy!” Dominic comes running up the first few steps of the bleachers and throws himself around Chelsea’s waist. I see Farrah holding Cecilia and holding the hand of Eliana as she navigates the steps. I quickly step down to meet them and whisk Eliana up in the air. She squeals with delight.
“Thank you. This one’s getting a little heavy.” She nods to Cece and I smile.
“She’s big boned, like Adam.”
“You calling my daughter fat?”
I bark out a laugh. “No, I’m calling you fat.” I poke him in the ribs, which still doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him.
“Try again, brother.”
I step beside Farrah, urging her to go ahead of me. “Come on, come have a seat.” She gives me a quick smile as she walks by me. I try to avoid being too obvious in inhaling her scent as she walks by. And I also try to avoid staring at her ass as she climbs the steps in front of me.
It’s hard, though.
And now? So am I.
Fuck.
“How were they today, Farrah?”
“Dominic is the sweetest and such a big help.”