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“I’m okay!” She exhaled. “I’ve been having terrible Braxton Hicks contractions this time.”
Ian hurried over, squatting by the pool. “Are you okay, baby?”
She waddled to the edge. “I’m fine, I promise.” She peered up at Chance. “Are you getting in?”
Shaking his head, he curled his lip. “I prefer not to swim in your baby juice, thanks.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not due for another month. Get in.”
I shimmied out of my cover-up dress, laying the drenched clothing just outside the pool. Chance slipped off his Sperry shoes and black fitted V-neck T-shirt, draping them over a lounge chair.
Ian hurried back over to the grill at the summon of Tyler, who was making sure the food didn’t burn. Dylan kicked his legs, attempting to get to Chance when he saw him getting in the water. Mila and I giggled at his desperation.
Chance chuckled, grabbing his yellow float. “Zooommm.” He zipped around in a circle, creating small waves. “Zooommm.” Rapidly changing course, he heaved him the opposite way.
Dylan laughed hysterically. Chance was his favorite person. Other than his own parents. The four other kids swarmed Chance and Luke while we watched in awe. Jenna reached for Dylan’s float, pulling him closer to us, protecting him from the others who were now roughhousing and splashing. The guys tossed the kids in different directions and let them jump off their shoulders.
“Never thought I would witness this.” A wide grin spread across Jenna’s face.
“What?” Mila asked.
“Any of this really, but mainly Uncle Chance interacting with kids like a dad would.” Jenna shot me a glance, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth. “I love seeing this side of him, honestly. I always felt sorry for his future kids,” she snickered, “but a lot’s changed.” She turned to Mila. “And I really never in a million years thought Tyler would be a good dad.”
She nodded. “When we met, he was really skeptical about it, but he asked to meet them.” She turned back over her shoulder, examining Tyler with a look of adoration. “The moment he met them, they all instantly bonded. I knew he was the one.”
Jenna sighed. “I spent so much time angry with him over something he was doing to protect me. I’m just really ecstatic he’s happy now.”
“Are you guys ready to eat?” Ian called out from the table under the covered porch, pulling us away from our conversation.
Everyone filed out of the pool over to the spread of food. The parents got the kids’ plates ready first and sent them off to eat nearby on towels next to the pool. They took turns making one another laugh while they scarfed down their dinner.
Taking a seat next to Chance, I nibbled on a potato chip while Ian gnawed the inside of his cheek. It was then I knew he had an ulterior motive for having us here. Something was different.
I decided to test the water. Clearing my throat, I beamed. “Thanks for having us over.”
He shifted his gaze to me. The way he cocked his head told me he knew exactly what I was doing. “We wanted to have you guys over, but there is something else going on tonight.”
Chance snorted. “What the hell is going on now?”
Ian, Luke, and Tyler remained composed. Jenna shifted in her seat, darting her eyes at her husband. She then pretended to be busy helping Dylan, who was in the highchair next to her. Tyler averted his gaze to the cement.
“That!” Chance snapped. “I know Jenna’s mannerisms better than anyone. What the,” he lowered his voice, “fuckis going on?!”
Luke grabbed his napkin, leaning back in his chair, wiping his mouth. “My suspicions about Alejandro were worse than we thought.”
“Unbelievable.” Chance scoffed. “I want that mother fucker dead!” He didn’t bother to lower his voice that time.
“Ohhh mommy!” Naya sang. “Chance saidfucker!”
Tyler let out a laugh before Mila shot him a glare. He became serious instantly. “We don’t say those words even when other people say them,” Tyler attempted to scold his stepdaughter.
Mila excused herself quietly to go sit with the children, probably to distract them. Chance turned his attention back to Ian and Luke, massaging his temples with his fingers.
“Is Roxy still okay?” I chimed in, desperate for another update.
Ian bobbed his head. “She’ll be out of work for a while, but she’ll make a full recovery. I don’t want you guys going to see her again, though. Not for a while, anyway. I believe people are watching you both for Alejandro.”
“Have you heard anything from him?” I shifted in my chair, uncomfortable at the mere mention of his name.
