Getting the Axe - Nikki Mays Page 0,57

make our way outside to the deck where we have long tables set up. We leave Dee and Noah standing in the kitchen in a silent standoff, that I’m sure Dee will be winning. “Just put everything down right here.” I point to one of the tables covered in a beach-themed table cloth.

I made sure to go all out with matching plates, cups, tiki torches, and a bunch of little knick-knacks that got me several side-eyes from a certain pain in my butt. It really came out awesome, if I do say so myself.

I look around the backyard with a smile. Absolutely perfect!

I feel Mac come and stand next to me. We both recline our butts against the railing of the newly stained deck and watch in amusement as we watch Dee and Noah glare at each other from the sliding glass door.

“I wonder how long it’ll be before they both decide to play nice?” I muse out loud.

Mac looks down at me with a smirk. “It depends on whether or not Ben and Mase got the same type of talking to that Noah did before they get here.” He rubs his beard thoughtfully. “But considering how stubborn all four of them are, I’m thinkin’ that we’re all in for an entertaining evening. Because none of them like to lose. But at least the rest of us get to sit back and enjoy the show.” He chuckles.

Five Hours Later:

You would think that the four of them would’ve given it a rest already, but nope, not them. They’re still going strong with petty remarks and glacial looks. To be honest, Dee might actually be the worst one out of them. Not that I’ll ever say that out loud. No one needs to be on her bad side.

Despite the mini-war going on, it’s been a great day. All the kids swam like fish, barely taking a breather to eat before jumping right back in the pool. All of them eventually started falling asleep while standing. Kayla and Marc took their brood and Ella home for the night already, leaving only the adults. Well, adults, as long as you look past certain behaviors. Everyone had a bunch of fun instigating, even more, looks from the four of them, because how can you not when they’re all acting so silly?

I don’t think that I’ve ever laughed so hard as when Mac was the one instigating it either. I swear that man fits right in with the lot of them. He is just as bad at stirring up trouble as Dee is. Those two are definitely two peas in a pod.

Speaking of the mischief-maker himself, he plops down in the seat next to mine and hands me another drink, even if he’s giving my drink of choice a bit of a sneer. Too bad, so sad, because there are no laws when drinking claws.

“Thank you.” I chirp when he hands me the white can.

He shakes his head before reclining back. He tilts his head in the direction of our entertainment. “What are they on about now?”

I roll my eyes and shake my head. “I don’t know. They stopped making any sense about an hour ago. I don’t even think they know what they’re arguing about anymore.” I look over at them and frown. “I’m pretty sure that Mason is so drunk that he’s not even arguing anymore. I think he sits there singing to himself.”

Mac chuckles and shakes his head. “That boy is exactly like his momma. Ben and Noah have their daddy’s stubbornness and personality.”

My head swings in his direction. “You knew their father?” I mentally roll my eyes at myself. “I mean, I know it’s a small town but…”

Mac takes pity on me and smiles. “That woman right there.” He points at Dee with the hand that’s holding his beer. “That woman has been the love of my life since I was seventeen.”

If I had been taking a drink, I would’ve spit it out all over myself. “What?” I can feel how large my eyes are. There is no way that I could pull off any other look besides shock.

He nods his head. “Yup, I met her when we were teenagers. I was already a bit reckless and had just gotten my first Harley by the time we met. I saw her walking down the main street as I was driving by and thought that she was the most beautiful thing that I’ve ever seen.” He looks at me and winks. “Dee was