After we put our gear away, we hike our hockey bags over our shoulders and walk through a pack of women on the way to Kane’s car. He usually drives us everywhere—he’s loving his new car—so when we’re in Seattle, my Jeep rarely leaves my garage. We make our way across town, and enter suburbia where all the houses are similar and all the lawns neatly mowed. There are kids bikes in the driveway and numerous toys on manicured lawns. It’s a nice place to raise a family.
We hurry up the walkway and Kane rings the bell about ten times. “Maybe I should let us in.” He reaches into his pocket for his key, but the door flings open, and my head rears back as I take in Jaclyn’s frazzled state. Her long hair is a tousled mess, her clothes have food stains and her cheeks are red like she’s been running a marathon. With three rambunctious kids under five, I supposed that’s comparable.
I reach a hand out and stop midair. “Ah, I think you have a noodle in your hair,” I say and she rolls her eyes and tugs it free.
“Yup, there it is.” She glances over her shoulder. “Kids, Uncle Kane and Rider are here.” Footsteps pound on the floor behind her, and she gives us both a fast hug. “Sorry I didn’t catch the game live. Caleb is away on business, as you know, and the sitter bailed earlier.” She glances over her shoulder as three kids come running. Cameron, the oldest of the three, is in kindergarten, and the twins, Carly and Carter, are toddlers. “I don’t blame her,” she says under her breath. “These guys are a handful.”
“If you ever need a break,” Kane says.
“You’ll watch them?” she asks, her big blue eyes hopeful.
“Well, I was thinking Rider here could since he has lots of spare time.” He gives me a knowing wink. “He doesn’t seem to be doing much on his days off.”
She narrows her eyes and glares at her brother. “And you’re too busy on your days off.” She holds her hands up. “I don’t want details, but if I see one more picture of you and some bunny in the paper.” She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “It’s time you find yourself a nice girl and settle down.” She pokes her finger in to Kane’s chest, then into mine. “You too.”
I laugh at that. “Not going to be happen, but I’d be happy to help you out. Although I don’t know anything about kids.” I do, however, know someone who does. Whoa! Why the hell did that thought pop into my brain? Jules grew up the oldest of four, but I’m not about to ask her to babysit with me. Maybe I’m not quite over that concussion from last fall. It’s the only logical explanation for my ridiculous thoughts.
Carly sits on my foot and wraps her little legs around mine. Carter jumps on the other one, while Cameron grab’s Rider’s hand.
“We want a ride. We want a ride,” Carly says, and my damn legs are so tired from the game, it takes effort, but I’m not about to disappoint them. I walk down the hallway and they squeal as we enter the kitchen. I go still when I see Cameron showing Kane the picture stuck to the fridge.
“He had to draw his family and wanted to show you guys,” Jaclyn says.
My heart misses a beat and I suck in a breath to restart it when I see that I’m standing next to Kane, a hockey stick in my hand.
“I’m in it,” I say under my breath.
Jaclyn whacks my stomach. “Of course you’re in it, stupid.”
“Why is everyone calling me stupid tonight, and hitting me?” I say, even though I’m not upset.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” Carly and Carter begin chanting as they rock against my feet, wanting to be carried around and letting me know in no uncertain terms I’m not living up to my end of being the uncle.
“That’s not a nice word,” Jaclyn scolds with a wave of her finger, and my jaw drops open.
“Exactly,” I say, and she whacks me again.
I let out a loud oomph and get her in a head-lock to run my knuckles over her hair. She squeals and the kids all laugh.
“Say uncle,” I say.
“Uncle!” the kids all yell, and I let Jaclyn go. She works to smooth her hair down and I stop her. “Don’t. I think I improved it.”
She gives me the death glare, one she perfected at eleven, and reaches for the kids. “Okay guys, leave Uncle Rider alone. He’s tired after his game.”
She picks them off my feet and they dash into the other room. I pull out a chair as Kane tells Cameron how much he likes the picture. “Why did you draw Rider bigger than me, though?” he asks and flexes his biceps. “I’m much bigger.”
Cameron laughs, and flexes his arms, mimicking his uncle. “Daddy says I’m strong.”
I squeeze his bicep. “These are bigger than Uncle Kane’s,” I tease and Kane throws me a challenging glare.
“Don’t hate me cause the ladies like me better, bro,” he says.
“Okay, on that note time to get ready for bed, Cameron,” Jaclyn says. “Give your uncles a hug and go brush up.”
After Cameron dashes off, Jaclyn says, “Thanks for stopping by. I know you guys are busy, but the kids have been missing you.” A bang sounds from the other room and she winces. “I think I need to check that out.”
Kane checks his phone. “No worries we need to get going anyway.”