Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
I caught Sloan and Luke chuckling about something together in the corner. Scheming Daddies and scheming brats? Or maybe Luke and Sloan were just getting to know each other better. They sure looked chummy.
Feeling the need to clear my head, I grabbed Greer as soon as he returned. We had work to do. Luke’s list was miles long.
“Don’t forget to hang the mistletoe, Daddy!” Kit said.
Right. Mistletoe. Of course.
Over the next couple of hours, we ticked items off the list one by one. Mistletoe up—in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. All the Christmas decorations boxes went up in the attic. A pot on the stoop for the smokers tomorrow. Readying the beds in the guest rooms. Checking inventory for the bathrooms, resulting in Greer stepping out to buy more toilet paper. In the meantime, I gathered the china we’d use for the buffet and stacked everything on the table in the dining room. Then Reese stopped by with a big box filled with Band-Aids.
“You wanna come in for coffee?” I asked.
“Would if I could, but I’m meeting up with Shay in twenty.” He handed over the box. “Fourth mission to find River something for Christmas. He’s fuckin’ impossible to shop for.”
I grinned. “What’s wrong with a year’s supply of ramen cups?”
He offered a flat look. “Everything. Fucking everything, Colt.”
I laughed and set the box on the floor.
“What did you get Luke?” he asked under his breath.
“He’s easy, I’m afraid. Couple nice shirts, a new Kindle, and a pair of leather shoes he’s been eyein’ for months.”
They’d cost a pretty penny.
Reese sucked his teeth and ran a hand through his hair.
“You’re buildin’ a new house next year,” I pointed out. “What about somethin’ for that?”
“Reese, is that you?” Luke called from the kitchen.
“Yeah—sorry, I can’t stay, hon,” Reese called back. Then he turned his attention back to me and said, “We’ll think of something.” He pointed to the box next. “You mind putting your boy to work?”
“Not at all,” I assured. “I know the drill.”
“Perfect.” He gave my arm a squeeze and opened the front door again. “See you tomorrow—and thanks for letting us snatch one of the guest rooms.”
“’S’what they’re here for, buddy. See you tomorrow.”
I closed and locked the door, then carried the big box into the kitchen. Kit and Corey were still at it, but I could tell the excitement had worn off. They must’ve decorated over a hundred cookies by now.
“I have a new project for you when you’re done here, boys,” I told them.
Corey gasped. “Is that the annual Band-Aid supply?”
“That’s right, son. It’ll be Kit’s first year, so I’m sorry to spoil the surprise, baby.” I placed the box on an empty stool and flipped it open. Countless packets of Band-Aids, plain ones and kid-themed ones, filled the box—along with small cellophane bags and greeting cards from the twins.
Kit sucked an icing-coated finger into his mouth and peered into the box. “So is that the Tenleys’ Secret Santa gift or something?”
“No, it’s unrelated,” I replied.
“They give the masos a packet of Band-Aids every Christmas,” Corey explained. “Last year, I got five Star Wars Band-Aids!”
Kit grinned and scrunched his nose. “A weekend supply, then.”
I chuckled. “You’ll be sortin’ all these once you’re finished here. Five in each bag, with a card.”
It was River and Reese’s way of wishing everyone a merry Christmas.
“Okay, Daddy,” Kit replied.
“Will do, Sir,” Corey chimed in. “Beats sorting through Mclean House propaganda.”
“Hey, now.” I ruffled his hair.
“Colt, may I have a word…?” Luke nodded toward the doorway.
I inclined my head and followed him out.
…and up the stairs, apparently. He wanted privacy for whatever he was going to say.
In one of the guest rooms, he sat down on the side of the bed and patted the spot next to him.
“Am I in trouble?” I smiled.
He smirked a little but said nothing—until I sat down.
“Are you okay?” He shifted toward me and pulled one leg up on the mattress. “You’ve been broody all morning.”
Broody? My eyebrows hitched reflexively. Maybe I’d come off as broody, but… “No, I’ve just had a bit on my mind.” And I might as well fess up. “I think Kit’s ready to explore group play, so I wanna prepare myself. Rewire my brain a little.”
Luke wasn’t surprised. We’d touched on this before.
“Why would you need rewiring?” he wondered. “We’ve enjoyed some group play before.”
Hence the need. “That’s the thing, innit? I was more relaxed before we met Kit. Now I’m stompin’ around to protect my territory, and that’s no way to live.”
Luke grinned faintly and pressed a kiss to my shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. We’re not as open as many of the others, and that has nothing to do with us being territorial.”
That was true, but I had limits. “Still. I’ve made the leash too short. While you’ll never find me at one of Mack’s events, or including others in our relationship, I wanna explore those dirty playdates we used to talk about.”