Zailey (Sequel) ✔️

Part Eighteen

"Bailey!"
A smile formed on my face as the adorable kids, known as Kaylen and Luka Evans sprinted towards me.
"I did good in school today!"
Kaylen declared, a wide grin on his face.
I leaned down to swoop both the boys into a hug at the same time.
"Me too!"
Luka chimed in.
"That's awesome."
I told the boys, stepping back to smile at them.
"What are we going to do?"
Luka asked eagerly, practically bouncing on his feet.
I was limited about what I could do with them, considering I couldn't yet drive on my own.
"Are you hungry?"
I asked, looking between the youngest of my brother's.
They both nodded eagerly, offering me toothy grins.
I tried to envision a map of the town in my head.
It would probably take about ten minutes to walk to the Diner from the Primary School.
I'm sure Kaylen and Luka can handle that.
"How about we go to the Diner?"
I suggested.
"Yes!"
Luka fist pumped.
Kaylen nodded vigorously.
On Monday night I'd received a call from Debbie, just moments after I'd gotten home from visiting Zander.
She told me Kaylen and Luka desperately wanted to see me.
I had my first riding lesson back on Phoenix yesterday, so we'd arranged that I'd meet Kaylen and Luka after school and we'd have a couple of hours together before I walked them home.

"This is the best!"
Luka declared, his green eyes sparkling and sporting a milkshake moustache.
Kaylen and I both laughed at him.
"I've missed you guys."
I told the boys honestly, glancing between them.
"I've missed you too."
Kaylen answered, smiling slightly sheepishly.
"Me too!"
Luka declared.
"Here we go."
A middle aged waitress arrived with our food.
Luka had ordered a kids' hotdog, Kaylen had ordered a kids' Hawaiian pizza and I'd ordered chips, cheese and gravy.
"Thank you."
I offered the slightly familiar waitress a smile as she set our plates onto the table the boys had chosen.
She smiled back at me.
"Thank you!"
Kaylen and Luka chorused.
"You're very welcome."
The waitress assured them, her Hazel eyes soft as she smiled at them.
"You're lucky to have such a nice babysitter."
Luka pulled his milkshake straw out of his mouth.
"She's our Sister!"
He declared.
The surprise was obvious on the waitress' face.
"Oh."
I laughed lightly, feeling a little awkward.
"It's nice to see a big sister making the effort."
The waitress told me with a kind smile.
"Well done."
She praised before turning to head back to the Diner kitchen.
"Can we go to the park after?"
Luka asked eagerly.
"Eat all your food and we sure can."
I agreed with a nod.
"Yes!"
The boys cheered.

It was an eventful afternoon watching Kaylen and Luka hoon around the local park.
They showed me how they could master the swings, plus even the biggest slippery slide.
Kaylen even conquered the smaller of the monkey bar sets, much to my amazement.
He's only seven years old!
After they'd been through the play equipment twice, they pulled a soccer ball out of Kaylen's school bag and started to kick it around out on the grass.
But Kaylen soon got cheeky and started to keep the ball away from Luka, being he was two years Luka's senior.
"Baileyyyyyy!"
Luka ran over to me with a frustrated expression on his face and a whine in his voice.
It didn't take a genius to work out what he wanted.
"Kaylen!"
I called out.
The seven year old stopped the soccer ball and turned around.
"Share with Luka!"
I told him.
"Okay!"
He called back.
I offered Luka an encouraging smile.
He beamed and ran back towards his brother.
I sat cross legged on a park bench, watching my kid brother's run around and my mind for some reason wandered to my future.
At least Kaylen and Luka always had each other to play with.
I decided then and there that I would endeavour to at least have two kids.
That way, they might argue and annoy each other, but at the end of the day they'd at least always have somebody else to share their life and their experiences with.
I sat up straighter, suddenly noticing that a group of other kids had arrived.
My nerves eased when it appeared they seemed to know Kaylen as they flocked around him.
And Luka was suddenly being left out, never getting a chance to get near the soccer ball.
"Baileeyyyy!"
The five year old approached me yet again, this time with a shining of tears in his eyes.
"Kaylen!"
I called out.
He looked sheepish as he turned away from his friends to look at me.
Obviously he knew what was going to happen.
I waved him over.
He shot a regretful glance at his friends, but jogged over, leaving the soccer ball with his pal's.
"Yeah?"
He asked, just a little breathless.
"Luka is upset."
I told him, gesturing to the five year old who was now sitting beside me.
"He always whinges!"
Kaylen denied, folding his arms across his small chest.
Ouch.
"No i don't!"
Luka retorted.
"Please include your brother."
I requested.
Kaylen sighed heavily.
"Fine. C'mon Luka."
He gestured for him to follow.
Luka sprang up from the bench seat and ran across the grass with his brother.
Within only a few minutes Luka was complaining again.
I was out of ideas short of stopping this game and taking the boys home.
Or at least threatening to.
Debbie said she'd be home by half past five.
I checked my phone for the time.
It was only half past four.
Damn.
I scrolled through my contacts.
Brady...
Codie...
Hmm...
I tapped on Keegan's contact and placed my phone against my ear.
"What's up Bails?"
My brother answered almost instantly.
"What are you up to?"
I asked, eyeing the group of young kids who were trading my youngest brother.
"Sweet fuck all."
Keegan replied.
"What're you doin'?"
"I'm at the park with Kaylen and Luka."
I explained.
"And I was hoping to call in a favour."
"Uh oh!"
Keegan sounded weary.
"Are Brady and Codie about?"
I asked.
"Phew ya don't want me. And yeah they're here. Arian pretty much has 'em on lockdown and we all know ya don't fuck with Arian."
Keegan laughed lightly.
I almost smiled.
Almost.
"Care to bring them over?"
I asked.
"Kaylen and Luka annoying ya now?"
The amusement was clear in Keegan's voice.
I rolled my eyes.
"No."
I explained.
"Kaylen has had some friends arrive. Kaylen and Luka were playing with a soccer ball, but now Luka can't get a look in with the ball."
"And you don't wanna be the sucky sister who he doesn't wanna hang out with anymore coz she can't do anything about it."
I smiled sheepishly.
"Something like that."
"Okay ill round up the knuckleheads. Where are ya?"
"The park."
I reminded him.
There was only one park in town.
"Kay we'll be there soon."
Keegan replied.
"Thanks bro."
I chirped and hung up.
"Baileeeyyyy!"
Luka came back over to me, looking defeated.
"Still can't get the ball?"
I asked him sympathetically.
Pouting, he shook his head.
"How about you go back on the playground for a bit?"
I suggested.
"You could always try again after."
Luka sighed heavily and headed for the play equipment.
It tugged at my heart strings to see him look so defeated.
Hopefully Brady and Codie would arrive soon and I could encourage them to be on Luka's team.