Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,251

be as a parent.”

Forrest snorts at his wife’s tongue lashing of me. “And when did you become so morally righteous? What were you doing as a twelve-year-old?”

Well, maybe he has a point. I was stealing cans of beer from Keaton and Bowen’s parties in the farm fields. And actually, probably doing much worse than an innocent game of manhunt.

“Fine, if this is what the kid wants for his birthday, I’ll make it the best damn manhunt party he’s ever seen.” I clap my hands together.

“Uncle Fletch! Uncle Fletch!” Matthew and Travis run into the driveway, the garage lights from several houses illuminating the block.

“My dudes!” I high five my adopted nephews and then ruffle their hair.

Who knew I’d love being an uncle so much? The kids are a blast, and I get to let my goofy side out, even more, when I’m with them. I help Forrest and Penelope out a lot by picking them up from practice or school, and they look at me as more of a friend than an authority figure. I know that Molly will do the same one day, but for now, she just has me wrapped around her miniature-sized pinky.

“Are you going to be on my team?” Travis bounces up and down, not yet at the age where excitement is no longer cool.

“You bet your ass I am.” I elbow him after I curse, and the boys giggle. “We’re going to crush those hiders. How many kids you got coming to this thing, anyway?”

He ponders the question for a minute, while Matthew begins sneaking bites of cookie off the snack table his mom set up. “About thirty. Plus all the old people.”

And by old people, he means my brothers, sisters-in-law, and myself. Damn, are we really being called the oldies now?

“Well, the old people might just kick your butt.” Bowen comes walking up, hand in hand with Lily.

They greet me with a fist bump and a hug respectively. “Where is baby lady tonight?”

Lily’s eyes look weepy. “Eliza is watching her, she’s already asleep. I’ll have to run home in a few hours to feed her, but Bowen thought it would be fun to get out.”

“Don’t sound so miserable about it.” Bowen kisses his wife’s forehead as she sniffles. “Molly is fine, babe, and it’ll be fun to get out just the two of us for a little while.”

“You’re right. I just miss her already.” My sister-in-law blinks rapidly, and Bowen leads her away for some privacy.

“Okayyyy,” I blow out a breath, not wanting to deal with that kind of emotional baggage tonight. “Let’s get this party started!”

About half an hour later, nightfall has descended, and so have the town’s pre-teens. They’re all gathered in the driveway, listening to Penelope lay ground rules about the game.

“You’re going to split into two teams, one will hide first and the others will hunt. No straying, if we get a call that you’re on Main Street, you’ve gone too far. No physical violence, we’re not playing tackle and capture here. If I find you destroying property, I’ll escort you down to the police station myself. Don’t spook the neighbors, who have been warned about this little game going on. All in all, have fun, but be respectful!”

I’d say that’s a fair ask, and the kids don’t voice any objections. I can see a couple of the boys and girls eyeing each other, and it makes me nostalgic. I remember the days of first crushes and innocent flirting.

“Okay, split up, and we’ll give the hiders a five-minute head start. Go!” Forrest yells, and all the kid’s scatter.

“I’m going to own these kids!” I holler, feeling the adrenaline course through me.

So, what, I’m almost thirty and still enthused by backyard games? I’ve used about eight of my nine lives and have to find enjoyment in the little things.

The world goes silent as some hide and others try to sneak up on them, and I edge around the side of Forrest’s house. My feet tread lightly, and a summer breeze brushes through my T-shirt as I snoop about.

There is a form in the shadows, and I smirk at how poorly someone hid. Here, in the trees behind Penelope and Forrest’s house, is such an obvious hiding spot. Or maybe that’s what they were going for, thinking that no one would check here because everyone would run miles away.

I skirt around the other side of the clump of hedges, careful not to make too much noise or the person will suspect me