Turning to Whitney I ask, “What are your plans the rest of the day?”
“Nothing, why?”
“I want to see you, and Evan needs me to watch the kids for a couple of hours. Will you come with me?” I wait for her reply. Her face softens and she gives me a sweet-as-sin smile and nods.
“Sure, man,” I tell Evan. “Give me ten and I’ll be right over.”
“Will they mind? I mean that I’m coming with you?”
Reaching over, I run my thumb across her cheek. “No, they won’t mind, and even if they did, I wouldn’t care. They need me. I need you. It’s that simple.”
“Aaron.” My name falls from her lips all soft breaths, turning me on.
I meant what I just said. I need to be around her today. This morning I was sure she was done with me, yet here she is. I need time with her. If Evan and McKinley need a sitter, they will deal. Although something tells me that my sister is going to be over the damn moon excited to see me arrive with Whitney at my side.
“Let’s take these so I can show Evan. He and I are partners in Midnight Rain.”
“Just Midnight?”
“No, we have a few others as well. I’ll have to take you through the stables sometime and introduce you.”
She laughs. “That would be nice. I always loved the ponies at the carnival when I was little.”
“We should ride sometime.”
“I don’t know how.”
“You can ride with me.” I wink at her and stand. “Ready for a few hours of my two favorite little people in the world?”
“Yeah.” She takes the hand I’m holding out to her, and I lead her to my truck. “You do this a lot?”
“Yes. As often as I can. I take my title as uncle very seriously.”
She laughs. “I can see that about you.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Little Lexi already has you wrapped around her finger.”
No use in denying it. “She does. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I pull into the drive and turn off the truck. I quickly climb out, not giving her a chance to stall. I can see it written all over her face. She’s nervous.
“Aaron, are you sure this is okay? I mean, McKinley is my boss,” she says as we make our way to the front door.
Reaching out, I grab her hand. I was trying to show restraint, but fuck that. I need to reassure her. “Promise. They more than likely won’t even be shocked after I insisted on taking you with me last night. Don’t stress, okay?” I give her hand a gentle squeeze.
I don’t bother knocking. Instead, I just push open the door. “Hello,” I call out.
“Unca Awon!” I hear Lexi cheer, and then the pitter-patter of her little feet as they slap against the hardwood floor. She slams into my legs, hugging them tight.
“Hey, Lex.” Reaching down, I pry her arms off my legs and scoop her up. “You ready to hang out with the cool kids?” I ask her.
She bobs her little head up and down, her eyes on Whitney. “Hi, you work wif my mommy.”
“She does. She’s also a very good friend of mine. She’s going to hang with us today. Okay?”
“Otay.” She wiggles so I let her down.
“She’s a ball of energy.” Whitney laughs.
“That she is. Come on.” Keeping her hand in mine, I lead her to the living room. Evan is on the floor with Walker, Lex is on the couch surrounded by Barbies, and my sister walks into the room from the kitchen at the same time we do.
I watch as she smiles at Whitney. Then she notices our joined hands. Her smile widens. “Hey, guys. Thanks for doing this. We get so much more accomplished when we don’t have to bring them both.”
“And Daddy gets some Mommy time,” Evan coos to Walker.
Kinley laughs. “And that. We won’t be gone long. Just going to the grocery store.”
“Food,” Evan corrects her. “I’m taking my wife for food, just the two of us. I don’t care what it is, but we are sitting down and eating a meal. Then we will do the grocery shopping.”
Kinley’s eyes go soft as she watches him. “Yeah, so a few hours,” she says, watching her husband.
Evan is the best guy I know. Sure, it was a little weird, but I knew he would take care of her. He worships her and their kids. I couldn’t ask for more for my baby sister.
“Hey, Whitney, you sure you’re up for this?” McKinley gives her a big, cheesy grin. “Walker just ate, so he should be good to go while we’re gone.”
“Yeah, I think we can handle it.”
“Divide and conquer, right, Whit?” I ask her.
Evan laughs. “What he means is that you get diaper duty while he plays Barbies with Lex.”
Lexi’s eyes light up. “Yay!”
I chuckle at her enthusiasm. She knows I’ll play any damn thing she wants. I can’t say no to her.
“Go, have fun. We got them,” Whitney says with confidence.
“Right.” My sister’s grin looks like her face could split at any minute. Lex passes out sloppy kisses, and then they are gone.
“Unca Awon.” Lexi holds out a Barbie.
Whit chuckles. “I’ll take little man. You have fun with that.” She hip checks me and frees her hand, taking Evan’s spot on the floor.
Walker is getting restless and fussy, so I pick him up and cradle him in my arms. “Hey, buddy. What’s wrong?” I coo at him. I lean up against the couch and snuggle him close.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and then a leg fly over my head. “Better,” Aaron says, bending down and peeking at Walker. Leaning back, I’m sitting between his legs.
“My need a bweak,” Lexi announces.
Aaron’s body shakes with laughter. “Me too, Lex. What do you say we watch some TV?”
“Yeah,” she says with no enthusiasm. You can tell it’s time for a nap for sure.
Lexi curls up in a ball on the couch. I grab her pink fuzzy blanket that fell on the floor and hand it to her. She gives me a sweet, tired smile and snuggles into it.
“You want me to take him?” Aaron asks, his hot breath against my neck.
“No, I’m good.”
He sits back and places his hands on my shoulders and starts to massage. Walker is nodding off, and with how great Aaron’s hands feel, I think I could too. I slept most of the day, but Aaron has magic hands.