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

Chapter 44

FLETCHER

“Hurry, Fletch! Before she gets you!” Joey screams at me just as I look to my left and see Eden launching towards me. I quickly hurl myself down the inflatable slide, but not quick enough because Eden is right behind me and tackles me at the bottom of the slide. I grab her hips to flip her off, but once I’m on my knees Joey jumps on my back.

“Hey! I thought you were on my team.”

“I changed my mom, Team Mommy forever!”

Eden is laughing, trying to squirm out from under me, but I have her pinned and soon flip Joey up over my shoulder and he lands next to her and I pin them both to the ground. “Haha! I win!”

“That’s not fair,” Joey grumbles.

“How is it not fair? It was two against one, THAT isn’t fair.”

“It’s my birthday party, I’m supposed to win,” he says and then sticks his tongue out at me.

“Well, maybe you should be on my team next time.” I jump up off the slide and pull Joey with me. We each take one of Eden’s hands and pull her up as well. 

“Oh god, my hair is filled with static isn’t it?” She tries to smooth out her hair, but it is useless.

“Oh no, not at all, not even in the least.”

She smacks my chest, knowing that I’m being totally sarcastic with her. I lean down and kiss her cheek and then take Joey’s hand and lead him inside to finish setting up for the party. Today is his 5th birthday party and we rented a huge bouncy slide to put in the backyard. The guy dropped it off last night because he had too many deliveries today so of course we turned it on first thing this morning and we’ve pretty much been playing in it ever since.

Eden comes back out with her hair in a ponytail and we start assembling the trays of fruits and veggies. Damon is going to bring homemade pizza to put on the grill and my mom is bringing the cake. Joey has been talking nonstop about this party for a week now.

The doorbell rings and Joey runs to the door and I am right behind him. He swings the door open and Carly and Nathan are standing there with their kids Abram and Delilah. I open the door the rest of the way and welcome them in.

“Hello! Welcome. You guys are the first ones here.”

“Oh man, usually we’re late to everything.”

“That’s not true, shut up Nathan.”

“Look he just threw you under the bus.”

Carly elbowed Nathan in the side, “This is what happens when you get married, Fletch. Are you sure?”

“Shush, you all know I’m sure. Joey, why don’t you take the kiddos to the slide in the backyard.”

Abram and Joey run to the backyard and Deliliah toddles after them giggling and laughing. The adults follow me into the kitchen and Carly gives Eden a huge hug. “How are you doing, mama? Last birthday before kindergarten.”

“Stop doing this to me! You keep making me think about it and then I get all emotional,” Eden pretends to wipe away tears.

“I didn’t mean to. I was the same way just a couple of months ago, you know that.”

While the gals catch up, I turn to Nathan, “Can I get you a beer, Nathan?”

“Yeah, let’s go grab some drinks and watch the kids.”