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He rolls me over. Kneeling over me, he takes off his mask and grins down at me. I remove my own mask.
“Even covered in paint, you’re pretty,” I tell him. “It’s unfair.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” he says and then is interrupted by a very loud, very annoyed grunt.
I look behind me and see Rob standing on the grass. His legs are spread wide, as if in a fighter’s stance, and his fists are clenched. That strong jaw is practically granite as he bites down, looking at the scene before him.
“What are you two doing?” he bites out.
Cade and I both lift up our guns.
“Paintball,” we say in unison.
Rob raises an inquisitive brow. “Just the two of you?”
Suddenly, a rush of noise comes from the woods, and with a loud pop, Molly shoots Cade in the back.
“I win!” She jumps up and down as Cade and I start laughing with how sneaky the little bugger just was.
Jesse comes jogging over from the truck. “Paintball! Cool. Did you bring these, Uncle Cade?”
“I did. And now, I’m dead. I could go for round two if you’re up for it. I need payback from this little twerp.” Cade takes Molly’s hand and pulls her toward him so he can give her a noogie on the head.
“Yes! I’ll go change.” Jesse heads into the house.
I stand and slide my mask completely off my head. I feel something in my hair so I glide my palm down to get it out.
Cade appears behind me, picks something out of the strands, and then holds it up to me. “You have leaves in your hair. Wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t chased me and eventually tumbled to the ground.”
I take it from him and roll my eyes. “Because you shot me in the boob!”
Rob grunts again, eyeing Molly.
Cade and I stop and maintain adult decorum.
“You’re home early,” I state.
“Not really. You must have been having such a good time that you didn’t notice how late it was.” He turns to Cade. “What brought on the surprise visit?”
“I was in town to see Mom and thought I’d drive on out here to see the kids. Heard Tara was staying with you. It is all the family wants to talk about. Apparently, there’s quite the family drama with everyone sharing their thoughts. Mom would like you to return her calls, by the way. She said she’s been calling you.”
I blink up at Rob, finding it interesting that he’s been dodging his mom’s calls.
“Why doesn’t she just come out here?” I ask.
“I saw her last weekend when I took the kids to her house. Tell her to stop acting like the martyr. I’ll call her when I have time.” Rob states to Cade and then asks, “You staying for dinner?”
“If it’s not too much trouble. I’d like to spend time with my girl,” Cade says and Rob furrows his brows until his eyes look to Molly and he nods.
“I’m making ribs.” Rob turns around and walks toward his truck. He takes out a large box of tools and then walks it down toward the shed.
Jesse returns from the house, wearing a long-sleeved shirt but still has his shorts on, paired with old sneakers. “Whose gun am I taking?”
“Take Tara’s,” Cade offers. “I want a chance to kick your ass. This time, we’re making it ten shots to the kill. You got that?”
Jesse and Molly nod while I slide my gun off my body and hand it to Jesse.
The kids are reloading their guns with paint as Cade whispers in my ear.
