“He loves it, though.”
“Don’t care.” Her eyes narrowed at me. Ever since becoming a mom, Josie turned into this scary person—or rather, a mama bear. Regardless, I still shot her a grin.
“You’d think he would have learned his lesson months ago,” Landon muttered behind me.
“What can I say, I love to keep you all on your toes.” Josie nor Lydia were thrilled when I tossed the kids in the air. It didn't matter that they only went a foot above me, and I was more than capable of catching them. Plus Jayden and Wrenley were four, so they loved it. I probably should have stopped after they reamed me the first time, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Momma.” Jayden made grabby hands for Josie, so I handed him over.
“You’re lucky she doesn’t cut your balls off,” Wyatt commented, smacking my back in greeting.
“Nah, she wouldn’t. Jo loves me.” I shot Josie a wink that had her rolling her eyes, but a smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. “We’ve always had a thing.”
“Uh huh.”
“Don’t worry. One day our love will triumph.” I dramatically threw my fist in the air. Damn, I really should have gone into acting.
Landon interrupted my performance. “Okay, let's get something to eat.”
“Pizzaaaa,” Wrenley yelled. I grabbed her and hauled her into my arms as we headed for Alessandro's.
“Let's go get one that doesn’t have gross pineapple on it.” I purposely said it loud enough that Josie heard, which earned me a, “Hey!”
As we all headed into the restaurant, Wrenley talked excitedly in my ear. Some of the words, I couldn’t understand, but I acted like I did, dramatically gasping so she’d giggle. I had no clue how cute kid’s laughter was until I became an uncle. Now, I’d do anything to hear the sound.
Thankfully, the restaurant wasn’t that busy. Then again, it was only eleven o’clock on a Wednesday. We grabbed a table near the back for some privacy, and everyone got the kids settled. Kai and Wrenley sat together, working on the coloring pages the hostess gave us. Jayden sat happily in Josie’s lap, chubby fingers playing with her brown hair.
“Where’s Tasha and Trevor?” I asked once everyone was settled in their seats.
“Tasha wasn’t feeling well, and Trevor said he had something planned for her,” Josie answered. “But they said they’ll be here for your first game.”
“Mom and Steven will be back from their cruise before then, too,” Landon added.
“Can’t believe they’re gone for a whole month on a cruise.” I shook my head. Being stuck on a boat for that long sounded like torture, but at least our mom was happy and out enjoying life. She deserved that more than anyone.
Evelyn Boone was the best mom anyone could ever ask for. Our father—or, sperm donor, as I liked to call him—left when I was born, leaving my mom to take care of three boys on her own. She worked multiple jobs to make sure we had everything we needed, always sacrificing her own happiness to make sure we could pursue our own passions.
There wasn’t a single game in high school or university that she didn’t come to. She was always front and center, cheering me on. And the same went with my brothers. We wouldn’t be the men we were today without her.
“I love that Steven surprised her with the cruise,” Josie sighed.
“Yeah, so cute,” Wyatt mumbled. Out of all of us, it was still weird for Wyatt to see his hockey coach dating our mom, but Steven Barnum was good to her.
“Honestly surprised he hasn’t proposed,” Lydia remarked. “They’ve been together a long time.”
Wanting to get the conversation away from the idea of my mom getting engaged, I changed the subject. “How’s Bryton and Mila doing with everything?”
Josie’s smile dampened a little, her arms tightening around Jayden.
“They’re doing okay. Of course Mila’s really disappointed the adoptive mom didn’t pick them, but they’re set to meet another one in a week or so.”
It sucked what the two were going through. They’d been trying for a baby over the last few years only to find out they couldn’t have one. Something to do with their biology. Aftera continuous string of bad news, they both decided they wanted to try adoption, but it hasn’t been an easy process.
“The next one is going to be it. I can feel it,” Lydia said with a firm nod, like if everyone said it enough times it could be true. Which I hoped was the case.
We all fell quiet before the waitress came back to take our order. Once she left, I held my hands out to Jayden, who was squirming in his mom’s lap.
“Want to come help me color, big guy?” We played a game of pass the kid until Jayden was in my lap, the two of us with crayons in our hands.
