Page 16 of Through the Fire

“Oh, so you only have hugs for my baby?” I teased her.

She playfully rolled her eyes, but she did open her arms for me too. I loved getting my way with her. I took a deep whiff of her sugar cookie scent. She smelled just like one of the dessert carts surrounding us. I licked my lips, releasing her and stepping back. Turning to Jayce, I dapped him up.

“What’s up, Heim,” he greeted me.

I shook my head. “Nothing much. Enjoying my day off, getting some quality time in with my little one.”

On cue, she started begging for something.

“Daddy, can you win me one of those stuffed animals?”

I glanced in the direction she was pointing to see a stand for pitching. I rubbed my hands together.

“Oh, yeah.”

Jayce’s hating ass decided to join in. “Man, your daddy don’t know nothing about baseball. You need your Uncle Jay to secure the win.”

I waved him off. “There’s no way you’re better than me.”

“I got a hunnid on it.”

I shrugged. “Shit, I got two.”

Island chuckled from between us. “Y’all are so competitive, but count me in because I have a pretty good arm too.”

She caught us both off guard, but the glimmer in her eyes said she was for real. I think we all fussed the entire walk over to the stand. The attendant wasn’t prepared for our very unfriendly competition. There was a lot of shit-talking and missed throws. Poor Shy Shy didn’t walk away with a damn thing because we were all terrible.

“Daddy is better at basketball,” I said, trying to mask the embarrassment.

“Daddy is delusional,” Island whispered.

I flipped her off, making her giggle.

“As fuck,” Jayce chimed in.

“We’ll see about that.”

When we made it to the stand, I paid for a game then took my stance. I bounced the ball twice, blew out a breath, and took my shot. The basketball soared through the air and landed straight in the goal.

“What’s that y’all were saying?” I smirked then sent two more easily inside the goal.

Island’s silly tail came in front of me holding up her arms like she was on defense. Jayce stood off to the side with Shyla watching us. I thought the gesture was too cute and was a fan of her playful nature. I took a step forward then fake pumped to the right but went left instead. I chuckled as I sent the ball flying.

Island watched it go in the goal, turning her plump backside to me. I smacked her on the ass and bent down to whisper in her ear.

“I accept apologies in the form of kisses.”

She dropped her chin to her chest as she blushed.

“Which one do you want, Shy Shy?” She raced over excitedly to pick out a prize she didn’t have to do anything for. Island stood beside her as they looked over the options.

Jayce walked up beside me and spoke in a low voice. “I can’t help but notice how friendly you are with my little sister. What’s up with that?”

I ran a hand down my face unsure of how this conversation was about to go. “We have gotten close since I started going by her shop for Shyla’s eczema.”

He rubbed his jawline with a straight face.

“Is it serious? My sister has been through a lot and can’t afford any more hurt.”

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