We chase each other around the backyard for what feels like forever. I haven’t seen Oliver have this much fun in a long time.
Seeing him smile and laugh fills me in a way I can’t explain. I love that kid so damn much, and watching him find his light after such a long, dark stretch means everything.
And it’s all thanks to Maverick. He’s an awesome kid. He oscillates between talking like a forty-year-old tech executive and a normal seven-year-old kid.
The juxtaposition is a hilarious version of whiplash.
I get them with a few snowballs, but it’s mostly them ganging up on me. I don’t mind. I’m just glad they’re having fun. I’m soaked to the bone, though.
The sun will be going down soon, so I’ll have to put an end to this sooner rather than later. I just can’t bring myself to end it yet.
When they’re distracted, I sneak around from the back of the house to the front. I’m crouched beside the steps leading to the porch, trying to catch my breath after running around for the last hour.
Kids have far more energy than should be legal.
I hear their voices growing closer, and I sigh, knowing my break is about to come to a screeching halt.
I grab two of the snowballs resting beside me on the ground. Peeking over the steps, I launch the snowballs at them.
They collide with their legs, one after another. Their heads snap up in unison as they discover where I’ve been hiding out.
“Get him,” Maverick bellows, holding two of his own snowballs.
They descend on me in the blink of an eye. I throw the remaining premade snowballs at them, but they are more prepared than I expected.
They pelt me with a kind of precision that is far beyond their years. I end up flat on my ass, resigning myself to just take it until they run out of ammunition.
The icy mush doesn’t feel great when it hits my face, but I’m still smiling when traces of female laughter hit my ears.
I’m instantly swiping the wetness from my face so I can peer around the boys.
Sure enough, Abby is standing on the sidewalk. A huge smile is spread across her face.
“Boys,” she scolds, but it’s half-assed and shining with far more amusement than concern for the current state I’m in.
“Oh… hey, Mom,” Maverick says, turning to look at her.
“Have you two just been beating up on poor Wyatt?” she asks, brow quirked. She’s trying to look serious, but it isn’t very convincing with the smile she’s unsuccessfully trying to hide.
The boys share a look and just shrug.At least they didn’t lie.
“Go get your stuff,” she tells Maverick.
He nods, glancing down at the last remaining snowball in his hands. His eyes dart between it and me a few times before he tosses it backwards in my direction. It collides with the middle of my chest.
“Maverick,” Abby hollers after him as the boys run into the house.
I flop back into the snow, laughing so hard my side hurts. My eyes are closed, but I can hear her laughing, too.
“Shit,” she breathes out. “They got you good.”
I pry my eyes open to find her extending her hand to me.
She hisses when I slide my cold hand into hers. I’m wearing gloves, but they aren’t doing much to keep me warm anymore.
She pulls me up with more strength than I would have guessed she possessed.
I slip just as I’m getting my feet under me. My arms band around her to keep my body weight from sending her careening into the ground.
