Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series Ainsley Claire (primary phonics books .TXT) 📖

my head. “You stay as long as you need to. One of my players needs a bodyguard now, so I’ve become familiar with a good company if you think we need to worry about Marco.”

There are tears in her eyes. “I doubt it. Marco should be in jail for a while.”

I put my hand on her arm. “I want you here. I adore the boys. My assistant, Kelly, has her kids in an elementary school in the Avenues. We can introduce the kids, and then they’d know someone they’ll go to school with.”

She gazes out at the boys, who are playing well together. Clay, the oldest, has his baby brother on his lap as he zips down the slide. “Clay has only been homeschooled. We just moved too much to put him in a classroom. He may be behind.”

“He’s only in first grade. We can get him help if he’s behind, but maybe staying put for a while will be good all of them. Plus, we can enroll Duke in kindergarten and find a daycare for Laird. That way you can focus on baby Tavish.”

“It’s all so overwhelming,” she whispers.

“You’re not alone.” I reach for her hand. “Do you remember when Marco slipped me that pot brownie laced with LSD when I was in sixth grade?”

She nods. “He thought it was funny. Even today I won’t accept anything from him.”

“You were there while I tripped for almost two days. You managed Mom and Dad. You made sure I was okay.”

“It was my fault you got the brownie. Marco wanted me to eat it, and I wasn’t hungry.”

“It wasn’t your fault. I would have done the same for you. You stuck by me, and I will always stick by you.”

She doesn’t look at me, just watches the boys. They’re sun-kissed towheads and you can definitely tell they’re brothers. “I’ve made so many mistakes,” she whimpers.

“Me too. But we’re going to get to a happy place.”

She sighs. “Tell me about your friend. She’s not a girlfriend?”

“She is, but we’ve not had the talk.” I really like Mia, even though I don’t usually get serious.

“What talk is that? Do you want to go steady?” Alana teases.

“Pretty much. We need to get our expectations on the table, and we’re still getting to know each other.” I think back to last night when she offered to go bareback, and I freaked a little. I’ve always wrapped it up. Also, I still don’t have the full picture of what she’s dealing with right now. Damn. We were supposed to talk more last night. I can’t say I’m sorry we didn’t, though….

“What’s holding you back?” Alana asks.

I snort. “What do you think?”

“Dad.”

I nod. “Mom was busy, and he liked young and pretty legal secretaries. I’ve never been very serious with any woman I’ve dated.”

“So, you think you’re just like Dad.”

Philandering could be in my DNA. It’s the reason I’ve never allowed myself to get too involved with a woman. “I think I decided a long time ago that I’d never marry and have kids. I just keep it light. What’s happening with Mia is new for me.”

“You’re the favorite uncle, and you’d make a great dad. And unlike Dad, you wouldn’t marry a woman who turned a blind eye to cheating.”

I shrug. Duke runs over. His knee is bleeding, and he’s upset because his older brother wasn’t letting him hang out with him.

Alana stands and calls the rest of the boys to come over. They do immediately. I can tell she’s an outstanding mother, and I know she’ll always do her best. Maybe with my support, she’ll stand on her feet.

We all walk back to my place. Alana has her youngest on her hip and is holding Laird’s hand. I hold Duke’s hand while Clay holds SoBe’s leash.

My cellphone pings.

Kelly: We’re in the neighborhood and thought we’d stop by.

 

Me: We’re on our way home from the park now.

“My assistant, Kelly, is at my place,” I tell my sister. “She’s the one who has two boys. Talk to her. She knows how to manage kids in this city.”

Alana nods, but remains quiet.

Kelly is standing with her boys on my doorstep in front of two large cardboard boxes when we arrive.

“We brought some toys and clothes since we didn’t know what you’d have,” Kelly says, reaching out to shake my sister’s hand.

I adore this woman. I open the door quickly and usher everyone inside as I bring in the boxes.

“Let me introduce you to my nephews.” I put my hand on each head as I make introductions. “This is Clay.” I turn to him. “Can you tell them how old you are.”

“Six and a half,” he mutters.

“This is Duke.”

“I’m five.” He proudly shows his fingers stretched wide.

“This is Laird. Can you tell them how old you are?”

He hides his face in Alana’s skirt.

“He’s three,” I report as I take my youngest nephew from my sister. “And this is Tavish. He’s eighteen months but thinks he’s six and a half.”

“My name is Thomas and I’m seven, and this is my little brother, Tyler, and he’s four,” Kelly’s son tells everyone.

“Alana, this is Kelly.”

She opens her arms, and Alana steps in.

“This is so generous of you,” Alana says.

“Most of the clothes will work for the two youngest, but since they turned four years old, my boys have gone through the knees of every pair of pants.” Kelly laughs. “At least it’s a little bit less you’ll need to scramble to get.”

“That is so kind of you.” Alana smiles as the boys tear through the toys. My living room looks like a toy store exploded.

I look at Kelly and mouth, Thank you.

She smiles. “We thought maybe Clay and Duke might want