When We Go Back Again (Mason Brothers Book #1)

Chapter 18

FLETCHER

“I think I’m too little to get a basket!” Joey huffs and then stomps off to go get the ball again. He missed another basket and the ball bounced all the way to the backyard fence. I’ve never seen him act like this before, but Eden has told me about his tantrums and how he gets frustrated.

“Hey, Joey come here.” He grabs the ball and sulks over to me. I kneel down on one knee so I’m at his height. “Hey, Joey. If you aren’t having fun with this, we can go back inside. Or I can lower the basket and maybe then you can get it up there.”

“You can lower it? I didn’t know that.”

“That is because you were too busy getting mad, huh?”

“Sorry, Fletch,” he lowers his head. 

“That’s fine, buddy. We’re allowed to get mad now and then, but you need to talk and use your words.”

I pat him on his head and grab the broomstick leaning against the house. I use it to bring to hoop down to the lowest notch. I probably should have started it there, but I wasn’t thinking at the time. I place the broom back up against the house when the back door opened and all my brothers pour out and head our way with huge smiles on their faces.

“What in the he….heck did you do here, Fletch?” Damon catches himself before letting the curse word out.

“I thought it would be a good idea, give us something to do when we’re over here. I can’t fit it at my place so mom and dad said this way cool.”

“Sweet. Can I try to dunk?”

“Sure, but don’t break Joey’s hoop.”

“Hey Joey, my name is Damon. “

Damon puts his hand out and Joey shakes it, even though he seems a bit tense and doesn’t move too far from me. He remembers Cade though and smiles when he comes up to him,

“So are we all allowed to play?” Cade asks Joey.

“Yeah! I couldn’t make a basket so Fletch had to move it down. It might be too low for you big guys.”

“No way, this is perfect for trick shots.”

Cade and Damon start tossing the ball back and forth, trying to make ridiculous shots. Parker gives me a sturdy pat on the shoulder. “Good move, Fletch. Joey, is it? My name is Parker.”

“You’re Fletch’s brother too? Wow!”

“Yeah, four of us. Can you believe Miss Lydia raised us all?”

“I wish I had a brother.”

Parker starts to open his mouth, but I look at him and he shuts it. The last thing we need to get into his head is anything about us growing families and having little siblings. Although I’d be lying if I said I was freaked out by the idea. In fact, a few nights ago I had a dream that I was watching Eden and Joey dance at the festival, but this time she had a round belly.

“We have a sister too, her name is Mel but she lives in Denver. Do you know where Denver is?”

Joey’s eyes light up, “Of course! The Rockies play there.”

“Are you a baseball fan?”

Joey nods his head with excitement, “Yes! Fletch said that he’d throw a ball around with me some time too. Did you know Fletch used to play baseball? It’s so cool.”