He may be taller, but I’m still broader, and I use that to my advantage. I knock out his arm and throw my leg into his neck. “You know, words are the ideal form of communication. You’re going to have to learn this if you want to have a healthy relationship.”
“You don’t know anything about my relationship,” he growls, pinching my leg until I release him.
“And whose fault is that?” I shove him down before pulling myself to my feet.
Trent scowls. “You’re right.”
I plant my hands on my hips. “Was that so hard to adm—”
My legs are swiped out from under me, and I land in the mud. And a rock.Ow.
Trent’s on me again. Seriously, did Grant fall asleep over there?
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, how many times do I have to say it? I’m trying to be better,” I grunt.
Trent sighs, his hold on me loosening, slightly. “I know. I’ve noticed. I’m actually…” his face screws up and he grimaces. “Kind of grateful to you,” he grits out.
“All I’m asking for is a thank you,” I grin. Which is the wrong thing to do because the next thing I know I’m coughing up mud again. “But it’s not a deal breaker.”
“Good. Then I forgive you. But so help me, Sean, if you ever pull another stunt like that again, I will castrate you.”
All good apologies end with a threat of sterilization.
“Also, you owe me.” He hops up and holds out a hand.
“Just say the word.” I grab his hand. He pulls me up enough just to let me fall again then leans over to give me a noogie.
My brother is back.
I trip him again, just for fun this time. He comes up coughing and shaking his head. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have kept my program from you.”
“I get why you did. I’m kind of needy,” I tease. “I’m glad you found what makes you happy.”
“Me too,” he nods as we sit in the mud together.
A blast of icy water hits me, and I turn to find Michael with the biggest water gun I’ve ever seen. And he’s clean. Not for long.
I sprint for him and he squeals like a little girl. Trent catches on and tackles Michael from the other direction, slamming him into the mud. Then we are all rolling around, chucking mud at each other.
Immature?
Totally.
Cathartic?
Totally.
“Grant! I told you not to let them kill each other!” Lennox yells from somewhere in the house. So much for getting the baby to sleep.
“Ah, they’re just playing. Look at them, they’re like a little pack of puppies.”
Grant doesn’t make it far after those words are out of his mouth before all three of us are hauling him into the pit. And it takes all three of us. The dude is just that big. But he’s part of the family now which means he should be in the mud as well.
I’ve heard good things about mud baths, how they are soothing and such. This one isn’t quite that. But I feel good anyway. Nothing a little fight can’t fix between brothers.
Lennox groans. “Well, come in when you’re clean. I’ve got pizza and ugly onesie pajamas for you all.”
Chapter 23
