Page 24 of Far from Destined
“No.” Nate got out of the car as I did.
“They had other things planned. We are the only ones heading over.”
“What about Myra?” I asked, not saying Dakota’s name. I wasn’t sure I could without accidentally revealing the things I wasn’t all that good at hiding.
“Not sure. Don’t know about Dakota, either,” Nate said pointedly.
We glared at each other before turning to the house, nearly stomping our way to the front door. Prior opened it before we even got there, and Joshua ran out.
“Macon!” the little boy called out. I went to my knees and hugged the kid tight. I looked over Joshua’s head and raised a brow at Prior, who only shrugged.
“Hey there, big man. I didn’t know you would be here.” I picked him up for a moment until he wiggled down. I was grateful since my body hurt. I had gained back a lot of my muscle mass after the shooting, but I still wasn’t in tip-top shape. And while boxing was helping that, it wasn’t helping the aches. And since I had pressed Joshua to my bruised side, I knew I was going to pay for it later.
“Mom had to work late, and I still don’t have a babysitter. Paris said she’d take care of me and brought me here. Now, we’re going to eat, and I get to hang out with you guys. I didn’t know you were coming. I’m excited because you’re my favorite person, Macon.”
I nearly took a step back, shocked, warmth filling me.
“I am right here,” Nate complained, roughing up Joshua’s hair.
“I like you, too, Nate. But you’re not Macon.”
“Ouch,” Nate said with a laugh.
“Hey, buddy. That’s not nice.” I held back a chuckle.
“Sorry, I do like you, Nate. I like all of you guys. You’re fun, and you let me play sports, and we can talk about farts because we’re guys. Mom wouldn’t let me talk about farts this morning. I don’t know why.”
I held back a chuckle, feeling Nate’s entire body shake at my side. “We can talk about anything you want, kid.”
“I’d watch what you say,” Nate muttered. My brother had a point. The last thing I needed was Joshua asking about something I couldn’t answer.
Was the kid old enough to ask about the birds and the bees? Did he even like girls at this point? Why did I not remember anything about being six other than trying to wrestle with my brothers while keeping Arden safe because she was the only girl in our family?
“Do you want to help me set the table? Paris said I had to do it, but I still can’t reach the glasses.”
“I’ve got you, buddy. Lead the way.”
“Yay!” Joshua said and tugged my hand.
I followed the kid into the house, nodding at Prior. “Hey there,” I said.
“Hi, glad to see you’re finally coming into the house. I know I’m no Joshua, but still. I was feeling a little left out.”
I didn’t flip him off, but I almost did.
“I’m glad you could come.” Paris beamed. I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, and she got a dazed look on her face. “Well, what was that for?” she asked.
“You’re family. And I kind of like you.”
“Aw, you say the sweetest things. Now, go help Joshua with those glasses before he breaks them. Although, if you break a couple, I wouldn’t mind because…did you see what Prior bought?” she asked, and I full-out belly laughed.
Prior strolled into the room, his brow raised. “I heard that. Just because you don’t have taste like I do does not mean you can throw away my shit.”
Paris narrowed her eyes. “First, language. Second, did you just say I don’t have taste? Because you’re about to sleep on your couch if you did.”
I shook my head, ignoring their bickering. They loved to squabble. It was like foreplay to them. And there were some things nobody else needed to see.
I helped Joshua set the table, listened as he chatted about his day at school and how he missed Miss Nancy. I wasn’t a fan of Nancy since she had left Dakota in the lurch, but I didn’t say that. It wasn’t my business.