Page 23 of Big Trouble

“Actually, that’s why we’re early,” Walker says.

“Yeah, if she wants to head over to my house with the rest of the kids, then I can drive her over there, then come right back,” Jace offers.

“She’d probably love that, yeah, let me go ask her. Y’all help yourself in the kitchen. You know where everything is,” I say.

“Where’s your nanny?” Jace asks.

“None of your fucking business.” I stomp out of the room and hear my buddies laughing at my expense.

Well, fuck them. They both recently fell in love with amazing women that fit perfectly in their lives. Not all of us get second chances like that.

I find Clementine and tell her about the movie party at Jace’s house. She loves the twins, so I know she’s going to jump at the chance.

“Oh, I bet Winnie will want to go too!” my daughter says.

“I think maybe Winnie needs a night off, don’t you?” I suggest.

She stares at me for a moment, then nods. “You’re right, Daddy. You’ll have to take good care of her while I’m gone though.”

“I will, pumpkin. Promise.”

I help her gather her things, packing everything into her sparkly mermaid backpack. Then I bring her downstairs, kiss her and send her off with Jace.

By then Tucker has arrived and he and Walker and I go about making our plates in the kitchen and settling into our spots at the table. Tucker starts giving us an update on his concussion when I see Winnie step into the kitchen.

She starts when she sees us at the table, then frowns. “I thought it didn’t start for another twenty minutes. I apologize. I’ll just…” She throws her thumb over her shoulder like she’s just going to go back upstairs.

I stand and walk to her. “Don’t worry about it, Killer. Poker night is informal. Come meet the guys, then fix yourself a plate.” I put my hand on the small of her back and lead her further into the room. “Guys, this is Winnie.” I point to the men at the table. “That one is Tucker, he’s a rodeo clown.”

Tucker holds up his hand, flipping me the bird.

“And that one is Walker. He’s even grumpier than me,” I fake whisper to her.

“Well, that’s can’t be true. You’re the grumpiest of them all.”

The men at the table laugh.

“By the way, Clem went to Jace’s house with the other kids for a movie marathon. So I guess you’re off tonight. I don’t know if you want to go meet up with friends or whatever.”

She frowns. “I’ll just stay in my room and read.”

Why do I want to pull her into my arms and hold her against me? It doesn’t matter that I want to do that, I can’t. Especially with the guys here.

By the time she’s done filling her giant purple cup with iced water and made herself a plate, Jace has returned. I introduce him before Winnie escapes and runs back up to her room.

Once I’m back at the table and have a mouth full of chips and guacamole, I realize all the guys are staring at me.

“What?” I mumble around my food.

Walker punches me in the arm. “You are totally fucked,” he grumbles.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I stand from the table. “I’m gonna get a beer anyone want one?” I don’t bother waiting for a response before slipping into my garage and grabbing a six-pack from the outside fridge and bringing it inside.

“You’re in love with her,” Jace says matter of factly.

I lower myself into my seat and take a swig of my beer before answering because the truth is, I haven’t exactly admitted that to myself yet. But the minute he says the words, I know, without a doubt, he’s a hundred perfect right.

“Yeah, I’m in love with her,” I say.