Chapter 16 – Jude
Chapter Sixteen
JUDE
It’s hot as balls at the amusement park today.
“Alright, time to get some lunch.” Twin groans ring throughout the air, these kids don’t want to stop but I won’t be held responsible for any overheated scenarios. Leeson would have a field day with something like that.
“Come on, the first one to finish their water can pick what we eat.” I shake the reusable water bottles that I made sure to pack right in their faces. My siblings are competitive as hell, opinionated too, so they jump at the chance to make a decision for everyone.
Mark is bigger but Everly has been better about keeping up on hydration, her water bottle is empty in seconds.
She tips her bottle upside down to confirm she’s finished. Her little celebratory dance is cute as hell and I can’t stop my chuckle when Mark sees she won.
“No fair!” Mark’s voice cracks and a small dribble of water splashes onto his shirt. Poor guy, he’s growing but stuck in that awkward not quite a teen or pre-teen phase that sucks major balls.
“I want chicken strips and fries !” Everly is still doing a shimmy in celebration.
“Alright, popstar, let’s get in line.” Everly lets out a final whoop and runs to get in line for the classic chicken and fries.
I walk alongside Mark, who’s still grumbling, “I wanted Teriyaki Stix.” I know it’s been our tradition to stop there for a teriyaki dish with rice and assorted vegetables whenever we are here.
It’s the only restaurant of its kind that remains open anywhere, as far as I’m aware, all the rest closed out years ago. At least in Utah.
“Don’t worry, bud. That’s the plan for dinner.”
I’d never thought I’d consider myself old at twenty-six but these kids are making me rethink my whole life.
I swear they’ve been on every single ride at this damn place twice and they are still acting like they could go for hours, but I know they are running on fumes and they would more than likely both pass out as I drive them home.
Leeson won’t not be pleased but I couldn’t give half a rat’s ass.
They were having fun and I was enjoying myself, and being able to give them the opportunity to actually be kids for a day.
I wasn’t as young as they are now when Leeson joined my life but I know how he expects everyone in his household to behave.
At all times.
“Alright gremlins, one more ride and then we gotta get outta here. I do have work in the morning.” They give half-hearted sounds of complaint before deciding on the freaky as hell wooden rollercoaster for their last hurrah.
That thing has freaked me out for years.
When I was small enough to actually fit on the ride, it was painted white. As the years progressed, the park had let the pain fade and chip. I’ve had my doubts of the regular upkeep for the rest of the roller coaster, but the kids love it and I don’t have to ride it.
“Those your kids?” An overly sultry voice fills my ear, confusing me for a moment.
I look over at a tiny little thing looking up at me with a hungry expression on her face.
“Uh, no. My siblings.” My hope that this is the end of the conversation is quickly squashed when cold fingers wrap around my bicep.
“That’s so sweet! Oh my gosh, getting in the practice before the real thing.
How precious.” I have to stop myself from jerking out of her grip, but I do give in to the shudder as the woman sticks her tongue out to wet her bottom lip.
Christ. Taking a longer look at her, I don’t even know if it would be appropriate to call her a woman.
She was closer to a girl and that made my stomach flip.
“I’m Kimber. It’s really nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, uh, Ju—”
“Brother! I’m ready to go!” Everly’s little body crashes into me and I swear I’m going to buy her a pony for getting me out of this awkward as hell interaction.
“Uh, sorry, gotta go. Duty calls.” I sweep Everly up in my arms and start to walk away, Mark falls into step next to me.
I’m a man on a mission, getting us to the exit and getting away from the probable teenager looking for a husband.
Leeson is standing on the porch, arms crossed and his ugly caterpillar eyebrows pulled down into a furrow so deep it almost gives him a unibrow. I texted my mom a heads up when, as I had expected, both of the kiddos passed out before I even exited the parking lot.
Leeson would have been annoyed that he’d have to carry the kids in if I didn’t forewarn them.
It was the lesser of two evils to let him stew and get most of his huffing and puffing out before we arrived.
I park and turn my car off, fully intending to carry both of the kids in myself while Leeson complains and follows me the whole time.
I nod curly to him as I unbuckle Mark, who wakes enough to stand against the side of my truck as I unbuckle Everly.
Once I have her settled, I hold my arm out to Mark, allowing him to climb up and snuggle against me.
“Leeson.” I have to acknowledge the ‘man of the house’ before I’m allowed entry.
“Son.” He smiles at me but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
He knows I hate it when he calls me that but I don’t have it in me tonight to care.
I just want to get my siblings in bed and get the hell out of this house as quickly as possible.
I’m not sure if I should be grateful or not when my mother meets me in the hallway, taking Everly out of my arms. “If you put him on the bed, I’ll get them in their pajamas and tuck them in.
Thank you for taking them today.” Her voice is whispered and quick.
I don’t respond, just turning into Mark’s room and doing as she says.
I don’t try to say good-bye to my mom or Leeson once Mark is out of my arms and somewhat settled in his bed. My skin is starting to feel too tight from the tense quiet of this house, I was ready to get back to the loud and lively Bunk House.
“Wait a moment, son.” Dammit, I almost made it, my hand is literally on the doorknob.
“Your mother never told me if you’d be coming to our get together.
” His tone is accusatory and I can feel his glare burning into my back but I don’t turn around to face him when I answer.
“Yeah, no. I have to be at a market that day. Big sale day, all hands on deck.” I turn the knob and open the door as I officially decline his invite.
“I gotta go. Early day tomorrow, you know?”
Leeson grumbles as I rush out the door, not offering a single look back at the house as I hop into my truck and do my best to get away as soon as possible while also respecting all speeding laws.