TAINTED (book II)

XLLIII

6 weeks later – summer vacation

Mo slammed the door shut of the trunk of his car after passing out the last moving boxes to Tristan. He patted his hands clean on the back of his jeans before leaning back to observe the house. The exterior was in good shape – the bushes around the driveway needed some trimming and the picket fence could do with a fresh lick of paint but other than that, it looked good from the outside. Even the backyard, though overgrown with weeds at the moment, had been well maintained which wouldn't take much time to get back in a neat state.

It was mainly the inside of the house that required refreshment. Mo had already promised to come back to help the boys repaint the walls and redo the bathrooms. And a nice man, a carpenter, who lived a few houses down already offered his help to remodel the kitchen.

Mo had also liked the location, a quiet and clean neighborhood with friendly neighbors who mostly kept to themselves. It was a low traffic area where mostly pedestrians roamed the streets but still only a ten-minute drive away from town.

All in all, Jordan had found a gem. Who knows, maybe this would finally be their forever-home. God knows they deserved it.

A faint smile ghosted over Mo's lips as he watched Noah chasing Jade with a water gun. It was the end of the schoolyear and judging by the weather, it promised to be a hot summer. Jade shrieked as she was drenched in water, it was nearly impossible to retaliate as she couldn't match Noah's speed and vigorousness.

Mo had to hold onto his car to keep his balance when Jade slammed into the back of his legs. She hugged him with all her might as she hid behind him, wetting his jeans in the process. Noah stalked towards her after having refilled his gun.

Jade squealed while giggling at the same time. She couldn't stand still as she practically buzzed behind him. Mo couldn't tell if she was either scared or having the time of her life.

"Noah, don't you dare," Mo warned when the boy picked up his gun, aiming at the pair with a mischievous grin.

"Do it, Noah!" Jade laughed from her safe spot behind the man's legs.

A high-pitched scream pierced Mo's eardrum when Noah relentlessly sprayed them with cool water. Jade left her cover and moved to stand in front of Mo instead, twirling around in circles as she caught most of the water, laughing all the way. Her curls had escaped her bun, sticking to her heart shaped, glowing face.

"Okay okay, that's enough. Take this somewhere else now – boy –" Mo sputtered when Noah aimed at his face instead.

"Noah!" Tristan yelled, casually making his way back outside, his smooth shirtless chest glistening with sweat. A playful smile pulling at the corner of his lips at the sight of the unamused man. "Now, look what you did to the poor guy. You alright, Mo?"

"Missed a spot," Noah grinned as he shot Mo's face again.

"Alright, you've had your fun," Tristan chuckled, grabbing his little brother's shoulders and shoving him away in jest. "Go help Ash put the bedframes together. Jade, babe, you go get Mo a towel please."

"Okay!" Jade sprinted off. That's when Tristan noticed she had taken off her sandals again after reprimanding her umpteen times already. There were all kinds of stuff littering around on the floor, he didn't want her to hurt herself.

"And put your shoes back on, Jade!" He yelled after her, though he doubted she had heard him. Tristan turned to Noah who pumped his water gun again. "Noah."

"Fine," Noah grumbled but his sly smile didn't leave his boyish face. He picked up his water gun again. "See ya, Mo!"

"Bye, Noah – of course," he spat out another mouthful of water, wiping his wet face. He should have seen that one coming.