“Maggie was taking over the music situation,” Logan said.
“Great,” Sully said. “The woman hasn’t had more than a drink for over a year.”
“She’s had at least two of those apple ciders,” Jake said.
“Three,” Max replied.
“Shit,” Sully said.
Noting his grin, I knew he wasn’t actually upset.
“So, young padawan, how can we be of service?” Drew stood tall, attempting to project an air of superiority, which was squashed when Jake immediately knocked his brother upside the head.
That was pretty much par for the course with these two. Heck, Logan and Levi weren’t much better. And Max and Sully might as well be siblings. It all made me miss Declan more than I could say.
Jake stepped closer to me. “Let’s see, last time we talked, you were having a severe lack of ‘spicy times’ at your house and were worried you might hurt Grace, right?”
“I thought thespicycode word was just because the kids were with us,” Logan said.
“I like it.” Levi gave me a wink.
“Bet you do,” Logan said.
“Jesus.” I rubbed a hand over my face. “Okay, let’s get this out before anyone else joins us. I was worried, but we did talk about it and that helped.”
“And things”—Jake cleared his throat—“have improved?”
I let out a little laugh and shook my head. “Spice levels have risen, yes.”
“But…,” Max prodded.
“But I’ve got a lot on my mind. My mom pointed out some stuff I hadn’t noticed. And then the daycare we’d planned on using fell through, and we’re scrambling to figure out what we’re doing come January.”
“Shit,” Logan murmured.
“Damn, man, I’m sorry.” Levi looked at me from across the fire.
“Any leads?” Jake asked.
“Nope. But we’ll figured this out,” I said.
Levi held his can up and I knocked mine against it.
The door to the back porch opened, and Maggie stuck her head out. “Boys, why are you all standing around a firepit when you could be dancing?”
“She’s all yours, man,” Max said to Sully with a wide smile visible even in that beard of his.
Sully shot a finger his way as he headed to the house, calling to Maggie, “Babe, are you done with the whiskey?”
Maggie immediately stepped out onto the porch with her hands on her hips.
“Uh-oh,” Levi said next to me.
“Yep. That about sums up that situation,” I said.
“Cole Sullivan, I’ll have you know that I’ve had three drinks. Three!” She held up three fingers in his face as she looked up at him from her new vantage point on the porch, her voice easily carrying to us in the yard. Heck, if Logan had any neighbors, they’d hear this exchange too. “I’m tipsy but not drunk. And I don’t appreciate your trying to rain on my parade here.”
Sully let out a visible sigh as he stepped up to Maggie and, in my opinion, took his life in his hands as he pulled her to him. “Princess, I’m not trying to rain on anything. I just don’t want you passed out tonight or hungover tomorrow when El is spending the night with my parents.”
