Page 21 of Play Dirty

“We could take the kids,” I say slowly. That would be so much safer than us being alone together. “I think it would be a lot for you to take them on your own, but what if we took them together? I could help wrangle them and we could still have fun.”

He squints. “Seriously? You’d do that?”

“Sure. You think the others would mind?”

“I doubt it. Connor’s pretty much a big kid, and then Canyon and Saylor could bring Ally. She’s almost old enough to babysit, so I left the older two with her last week when I had to take the baby to the doctor. I was only gone an hour and Saylor was on standby just in case, but it worked out well. She loved it and the kids think she’s great.”

“Then it’s… a date.”

“It’s a date.”

Chapter7

Marty

Packingup the kids to spend the afternoon at a carnival is a ton of work. Diapers and changes of clothes, the big stroller so both Emma and Brad can sit in it if they get tired. Toys and juice boxes and snacks because they can’t eat nothing but funnel cake and corn dogs all day. Sunscreen and bug spray and—I look around.

What have I forgotten?

I’m sure there’s something.

But I’m already late picking up Stevie and meeting the others at the carnival. We’d originally planned to go in the evening, but instead we compromised and are meeting up at four. That’s after my kids have all napped, but early enough for them to have several hours before they’re ready to crash for the night.

I see Stevie waiting outside as I pull up to Ivan and Chey’s house. She looks incredible in white cargo shorts, a pink tank top, and matching pink sandals. Her hair is in two braids, making her look younger than her twenty-seven years, and she gives me a breathtaking smile when she sees us pull up.

“Hi!” She slides into the front seat of my SUV and immediately turns to greet the kids. “Miss Emma, you look very pretty with your head band!”

“I still have your bow!” she announces proudly.

“I see that.” She looks to Martin. “I love those sneakers, little dude.” They have rockets on them and light up.

“Mommy bought them!” he says defiantly.

“And they are super cool!” She reaches back to tickle Brad’s bare toes. “Where are your shoes, little man?”

“He refused to wear them,” I say dryly. “Took them off as fast as I could put them back on.”

“That’s okay. I’d go barefoot all the time if I could too!”

She turns back to face the front, pulling on her seat belt. “So, who’s excited for funnel cake?”

“What’s funny cake?” Emma asks.

“Funnel cake,” Stevie said. “It’s like fried cake batter, with sugar on top.”

“Yummy!” Martin shouts. “Can we have some, Daddy?”

“If you mind your manners.”

“We’ll be good, Daddy.” I look in my rearview mirror to see Emma smiling sweetly.

“Fucky cake,” Bradley babbles.

“Oh no.” Stevie’s eyes widen and she bites her lip so as not to react.

“Brenna will have a field day with that,” I mutter.

“We’ll break him of it before he goes back,” she whispers.

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