Page 3 of Hot Dad Summer

Then I noticed something else. All three men looked really uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong? Where’s Tyler?”

Wes, the oldest brother, stepped forward, mouth twisted with tension. “He, uh, didn’t call you?”

“My phone’s been dead for hours. Why?” Anxiety twisted my stomach into knots. “Where is he?”

“He’s not here.”

2

***Daisy***

Before I could process Wes’ words Hank took off running towards the house with the kids squealing and chasing him. “Is the door open?”

The panic in my voice alarmed the brothers but they didn’t move fast enough. I grabbed Rat’s arm and tugged him along with me as I hoped and prayed Hank didn’t eat anything before I found him. “Come on, kid. We still need to figure out what we’re doing about your mini car.”

“You’re not doing anything about it,” Wes called after me.

I pretended not to hear him.

Hank was in the kitchen on his back, licking his lips while the kids stared at him in awe. The dog looked pleased with himself, which was never a good thing.

“He just swallowed it.” Hazel sounded slightly horrified and slightly impressed.

“Swallowed what?” I looked around and was taken aback by just how dirty the place was. I’d only visited on holidays with Tyler but I’d never taken the guys for people who’d live in a mess. Maybe Flynn, but not Wes or Max. Yet, the house was just as chaotic as the kids.

“The chicken!” Charlie hopped in place. “He opened his mouth and then the chicken was gone! It was so cool!”

“What chicken?” I let go of Rat to move farther into the kitchen. “What kind of chicken did he inhale?”

Flynn’s amused voice replied. “The kind of chicken that Wes spent the morning slow roasting.”

“That dog ate a whole chicken?” Wes glared at Hank and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “Does he need a vet?”

“Nah, man, this dog is just built different. He ate a weed cookie in the car and I googled it. Says he’s fine but it didn’t mention the munchies. I get it, Broseph. I would kill for a whole chicken right now.” Rat fist bumped Hank’s paw and turned to me. “Me and the dog could be like Shaggy and Scooby. Rat and The Ears, or some shit like that.”

I had to suppress a nervous laugh. We’d just arrived and already Hank had ruined their dinner.

“Who are you?” Wes had directed his glare to Rat. “And why are you still in my house?”

Rat grinned and held his fist up to Wes. “I’m Rat. Driver by day, DJ by night. That’s my car out there that the kid smashed up.”

“Should you seriously be driving?” Wes shook his head. “Not my business. Did that dog seriously eat my whole chicken?”

I couldn’t stand the idea that I’d already inconvenienced them so I slipped into support mode. I crossed to the sink and washed my hands and when I turned back to the people watching me I was a different woman. In charge, in control, and in their kitchen whether they asked for me there, or not. “I’ll fix it.”

“Daisy, you don’t need to-”

I cut Flynn off with a bright smile. “I do. Rat, get my bags from outside, please. Grab my phone from my purse and plug it in, would you? Hazel? Will you show Hank the backyard? He’s going to need the bathroom very soon. Charlie, Poppy, go with her to make sure Hank doesn’t try anything. He tricked me into going to get his ball while he slipped back inside to poop in my suitcase last week.”

Rat gasped. “The suitcase I’m grabbing?”

“Different suitcase.” I was already loading the dishwasher, one eye on the job and one eye on the men. “Wes, Flynn, Max, you three just do whatever you need to do. I’ve got this.”

Part of me stiffened, waiting for them to tell me to get out and to take my damn dog with me. When no one said anything I grinned and got to work. The anxiety still making my neck prickle made me go overboard, the way I always did when worried that someone was upset with me. I put my head down and didn’t come up until the kitchen was sparkling clean and there was a huge dinner on the table waiting for them.

I baked for a living and genuinely loved pouring my care into baked goods I could share. The kitchen island showed that. There were cupcakes for the kids, way too many for just three kids, all under the age of nine, and two pies for their dads. The quick rolls smelled just as delicious as any bread I made and they were the last thing I put on the table before looking up to call everyone to dinner.