Page 58 of The P*ssy Next Door
I was home.
The kittens chose that moment to let out a chorus of plaintive mews, drawing everyone's attention to the box in my arms.
“Uh, Willa?” Hayes raised an eyebrow, amusement, and curiosity warring on his face. “Is there something you want to tell us?”
I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me like a spring. “It's a long story. But first, who wants to help me wrangle some kittens?”
KINGMAN FAMILY GAME NIGHT - NOW WITH KITTENS!
HAYES
As my family basically took over the coffee shop and set up for game night, I couldn't keep the grin off my face. Seeing Willa's surprise and delight at Jules's secret plan made all the whispered conversations and covert planning worth it.
“I hope you're ready for this, sweetheart, because you have no idea what you're in for. Kingman family game night is intense to say the least.”
She laughed, rising up on her toes to press a quick kiss to my lips. “Bring it on, Kingman. I think I can handle a little friendly competition.”
As if on cue, a shout rang out from across the room. “Dibs on the lucky pillow!”
I whirled around to see Flynn clutching the faded green cushion to his chest, a triumphant grin on his face.
“No fair!” Jules pouted, her arms crossed over her chest. “You got it last time!”
Flynn stuck his tongue out at her, hugging the pillow tighter. “Snooze, you lose, little sis.”
I shook my head, chuckling under my breath. The lucky pillow, handmade by our mother years ago with the words “In this house, we bleed green” embroidered on the front, was the subject of much contention at every game night.
Legend had it that whoever sat on the pillow was guaranteed victory, and my siblings would stop at nothing to claim it as their own.
“Alright, everyone.” My dad clapped his hands, his voice booming over the chatter. “Time to pick your teams and your kitten mascots!”
There was a mad scramble as my brothers, all grown men who towered over six feet, dove for the box of kittens like they were fumbling for a football.
“Dibs on the orange ball of chaos!” Everett shouted, scooping up a squirming ball of fur. “And I choose Pen as my partner in crime.” Pen blushed and took the kitten from Everett as she sat down next to him.
Chris cradled a tiny tuxedo to his chest, his face softening in a way I rarely saw. “This one's ours, Trix. He looks like a winner.”
She laughed and smiled at him. “Only if we can name him Obi Wan Catnobi.”
Even Declan, the most competitive of us all, couldn't resist the charm of a fluffy orange and white striped one. “You and me, little guy,” he murmured, stroking the kitten's head with a gentleness that belied his size. He turned to his fiancée and said, “Kelsey, meet Winnie the Purr.”
She frowned at him. “No, Declan, no.”
“Meow-ore?” He gave the cat a sad face.
“No.” Kelsey was having none of it.
“Meowl.”
Kelsey shook her head again and gave him a warning wag of her finger. “Declan.”
“A. A. Mewln?”
Kelsey took the cat from him and cuddled it to her chest. “Why does he tease us like this Tigger?” She mock glared at Declan. “T-I-double Puh-urr.”
It was a lucky thing there were nine kittens in the box, because it almost came to fists over the remaining kittens. Willa leaned into me, her eyes shining with laughter. “I never thought I'd see the day when the Kingman brothers were brought to their knees by a bunch of kittens.Is it always like this?” she murmured, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and amusement.
I grinned, squeezing her hand. “Pretty much. Just wait until the games actually start.”This was nothing compared to when the competition really heated up. “It's about to get real. Real crazy.”