Page 65 of The Playboy's Playbook

Matthew smiles. “The boys would watch, too. They rush to get showered and in their pajamas just to sit and watch the entire broadcast for the chance of seeing you.”

I close my eyes and turn my head away, saying a prayer to not cry. “I’ve missed them. Seeing them today…I didn’t think they were real for a moment because of how much they’ve grown. I mean Clay is getting so tall and Jen is still the same bubbly kid, but he can form full sentences now.”

Matthew nods his head. “Yeah, they’re something else. They’ve missed you. Luke will never admit it because he’s a grumpy old man, but he’s missed you, too” Matthew stops and looks at his hands and begins fiddling with them nervously.

He wants to say more, but he remains silent before taking in a deep breath before continuing. “Are you going to the reunion this weekend?”

In the fuss of today’s events, I completely forgot that our graduating class planned to have an “almost ten year” class reunion picnic this weekend. The timing of my mom’s trip is impeccable, I swear.

“Uh, yeah. Are you going?” I ask, staring at him intently. Before he can answer, Clay runs down the stairs and into my legs, Jen and Nola not too far behind him.

“Are you mad at Uncle Matty?” Clay asks, catching me off guard.

“What do you mean, Boots?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level.

“It’s just…when you and Uncle Matty see each other, you always hug and kiss, but you didn’t. And you’ve been gone for a really long time, so you have to be mad with Uncle Matty,” Clay explains.

“I can kick him!” Jen exclaims, fully prepared to send a strong kick to Matthew’s shin.

“Jensen Dean Turner, you better not,” Matthew says sternly, causing Jen to pout.

“Boys,” I sigh and pull Clay and Jen into my lap, holding them close. “Uncle Matty and I had an argument. Do you know what that means?”

“It means that you had a fight because Uncle Matty was stupid,” Jen says, causing me to chuckle.

“Stupid is an ugly word, Jensen. Daddy told us not to say that,” Clay reprimands his brother.

“Daddy said not to say it in front of Uncle Matty. He calls Uncle Matty stupid all the time,” Jen says matter-of-factly.

“Remind me that when I call your dad later tonight, he and I are gonna have a long discussion on what he says about me around you two,” Matthews says pointedly before glancing back in my direction. “Uncle Matty made a very stupid mistake with Auntie Lala. She’s mad with me right now, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you boys.”

“Exactly! I love you two and have missed you so much. Just because Uncle Matty and I aren’t friends doesn’t change us. Okay?”

I look at both of the boys on my lap and they nod their heads. I pull them closer into a tight hug and feel tears prick the back of my eyes. I look over at Matthew and he looks equally pained watching our interaction.

Against my better judgment, I hold out my hand and gesture for him to move closer and join our huddle. Matthew hesitates for a second before he slides over to us, wrapping the boys and I in his arms. Nola, not wanting to miss out on the attention, hops onto the couch and lays on Matthew’s lap.

For a moment, I forget we’ve had no contact for a year. For a moment, it feels normal for us to be in each other’s arms, cuddling Nola and the boys.

But eventually the moment will end and we’ll return to reality.

Chapter Thirty-One

MATT

After Laila helped me get the boys ready for bed, she helped clean up around Luke’s house before gathering Nola to head back to her mom’s house.

I could tell that when Clay asked if she was mad at me how tortured she was. Jen loves Laila, too and he was equally upset when she stopped coming around, but Clay was nearly as devastated as me. They bonded from the moment they met. Laila has many super powers and making anyone fall in love with her is one of them.

“The boys sleep?” Luke asks, bringing me from my thoughts. His flight landed a few minutes ago and as soon as he checked into his hotel, he called wanting to see the boys like he always does when he goes on a trip.

“Yeah. Laila put them to sleep about an hour ago,” I answer.

“How’d that go?” Luke asks, setting his phone down and looking at me expectantly.

“She helped me cook dinner for the boys and get them in bed. Before you yell, I’m sorry I took them to the park before they did their homework, but you know I can’t say no to those two.”

Luke sits in silence before a small smile cracks across his bearded face. “I could yell at you for taking the boys to the park before they did their homework, but considering that you saw the love of your life again…I can’t really be mad at you, can I, bud?”

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