From there, the room falls into complete chaos. In unison, the twins screamfood fight!and we’re all pelted with rice. Once the chicken and veggies start flying, parents scoop up their children, putting an end to the madness and dinner.
“I’ll clean this up after bath time.” Winnie nods at the mess on the table as she pushes her boys toward the stairs.
Finn and Hope have already taken her girls upstairs to get cleaned up.
“Don’t worry about it. Get the kids taken care of. I can handle this.”
“I’d stay and help,” Vivi says, “but I promised Willow I’d watch a movie with her and I’m already late.”
Not only is Willow Vivi’s best friend, but her dad, Cortney, is Dad’s best friend. Even if the two men act more like an old married couple.
Cortney and his wife live next door, and if Willow is in town, that means she’s home from college for the weekend.
“I’m fine. I promise,” I say as I stack plates.
JJ follows me, his hands full of cutlery. “I’ll help her.”
My jaw clenches. Why can’t he give me five fucking minutes alone? He’s everywhere lately. Home and practice and workouts. I can’t even shower without thinking of him because his damn body wash taunts me from its spot next to mine.
I put the dishes in the sink and when JJ reaches around my shoulder to add the silverware to the pile, I growl.
“I’ll wash them. I’m not leaving them for you to do.” His breath is warm as he teases me, his chest to my back.
I flex my shoulders, forcing him back and giving myself some space.
“I’m just putting them in the dishwasher. I don’t need your help for that,” I snap.
I should feel bad about my reaction. I would, truly, if I could get five fucking seconds to myself.
“Right, of course.” His heat disappears instantly, and then he’s gone, hustling out of the kitchen.
Head hanging, I growl again. Dammit, Addie. Way to be an asshole.
I scrub each plate before loading it into the dishwasher, working out my frustration. Then I add soap and hit start.
Still feeling like I’m bursting from within, I decide to go for a run, so I rush up the steps, change, and head out.
The moment I step back inside, Finn mutters an “Oh duck!” from the kitchen. It’s followed by an “Oh shit, what happened in here?” from JJ.
I rush into the kitchen, only to slip the second I hit the first tile. “Holy duck,” I squeal as I cling to the kitchen counter.
“Bubbles!” Dec rushes in, sliding just like I did, though he goes down, landing on his butt with a thunk.
“What the?—”
“Winnie, no,” I warn, as my sister rushes in. Fortunately she grabs the wall before her feet go out from under her.
“Where is it coming from?” she asks, her face twisted in confusion.
Laughing, Finn points at the dishwasher and the bubbles pouring out from either side and the top of it.
JJ smirks, his focus landing on me. “Thought you said you could handle the dishwasher, Angles.”
I groan, my stomach dropping. “This is so embarrassing.”
Winnie shuffles along the wall. “Did you use dishwashing detergent?”
“I don’t know,” I say, the words a little too high-pitched. “I used the one on the sink.”
