When I came to a stop in front of everyone, I swung Kai off my shoulders. Before setting her on the ground, I planted a kiss on her cheek with a loudmwah. As soon as she could, she darted for her cousins.
“Man, she has energy,” I commented, rubbing my neck from how hard she gripped it.
“She’s a handful,” Landon said, but a soft smile graced his face. Who knew the grumpy man could actually smile. Something he never did until he met Lydia.
“Thanks for letting us drop by today, Maty.” Josie came up to my side and flashed me a grin. Throwing my arm over her shoulder, I gave her one of my own.
“Of course. Glad you guys could come.” I looked at Josie and Lydia before asking a question I knew would start something. “So, we’ve decided that football is way sexier than hockey, right?”
Wyatt shot me an unimpressed look. “Excuse me?”
“What? I think we all know I’m the sexiest one here. Tasha, Mila, Trevor, and Bryton would agree if they were here.”
“I think your ego grows every time we see you,” Landon deadpanned.
I just grinned. My favorite pastime was giving my brothers shit. It was beyond entertaining. You’d think after all these years the guys wouldn’t fall for the bait, but they always did.
“Not ego if it's the truth. Right, babe?” I smirked at Josie.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” She shook her head at me, but she looked amused.
I shrugged. “Nope.”
“One day, they’re going to kick your ass,” Lydia remarked.
“They’ve been trying for years.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not concerned.”
Wyatt’s eyes narrowed in my direction. “Just because our kids are here doesn’t mean we won’t beat your ass.”
“Oh, I’m so scared.” I took my arm off of Josie’s shoulder and waved both hands in front of me. I was purposely goading them, but that’s what I did. I was the one that kept things lighthearted and fun around here.
Landon tilted his head toward Wyatt. “Want me to go first or you?”
Wyatt waved him forward. “By all means.”
I bounced on my toes, lips curled into a smile, because I knew what was coming. I twisted on my back foot and turned just as Landon lunged in my direction. With a loud cackle, I took off across the field.
“Mateo!” Landon yelled.
Never wanting to be left out, little yells came from my nieces and nephew. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed their involvement as they ran after their dads, Landon and Wyatt right behind me.
It was beyond adorable watching their little legs try and keep up. The few teammates that were still on the field stood there and watched. When I ran past Jake and Perry, the two cheered.
With a wide grin, I turned in a circle, breezing past my brothers. Little Jayden was the closest, so with one arm, I reached down and swooped him up.
“Gotcha.” I ran toward Josie and Lydia, the two standing there watching us behave like children. Jayden giggled as I hoisted him in my arm and ran faster. I could feel Wyatt and Landon right behind me, so I did the only thing that I knew would work.
Stopping right before the girls, I turned and held Jaydenout like he was Simba onThe Lion King. The last thing they would do was tackle me with him in my arms.
Jayden’s legs kicked the air as my brothers came to a stop in front of us, breathing heavily. I grinned victoriously as they glared at me.
“Are you seriously using my son against me?” Wyatt asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “You’d never let your daddy hurt me, huh, Jay-Jay?” I tossed him up in the air as he giggled.
“Okay, first off, never say the worddaddyagain.” Wyatt faked gagged. “And second, Josie will kill you if you keep doing that.”
“Just because I’m not a dad doesn’t mean I can’t be a daddy.” I forced my face to remain neutral.
