“Uhhhh.” She tiptoed to kiss my cheek then rushed back toward the stove.
I looked back at Kiano who had his head down, pointing something at the table. I looked from him to Morocco and Jiselle to Xy and Drake back to him and Joss. I scratched the back of my neck and cleared my throat.
His eyes lifted to me. I swallowed, exhaled, and walked over.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
I leaned down and kissed him on the side of the head too. Kiano looked up at me. I smiled, leaned down, and kissed his lips then and didn’t look at any of my brothers to gauge their reactions.
Instead, I noted Kiano was sitting in front of Joss’s math homework and apparently helping him work through the problems.
I shook my head. Coming home to Jiselle cooking and Kiano helping my little brother with his homework had my chest tightening.
“How long have y’all been here?”
“Just an hour or two,” Kiano answered.
“And how did we decide Jiselle would be cooking dinner for us?”
“Kiano buys the groceries. I cook them. That was the agreement,” she answered from somewhere behind me and I nodded.
“You’re grocery shopping for my house now?” I gripped Kiano by the back of his neck and he grinned.
“Say hi to Uncle Stone.” He spoke to Junie instead of answering my question and I snickered but leaned down and winked at Junie who giggled immediately.
“Instead of being all in everyone’s business, go get in the shower, Mr.,” Jiselle sniped.
I looked over at her and she stuck her tongue out at me. I chuckled but nodded.
“Alright.”
I stood, made a face at Junie, and headed to my room to wash the mechanic shop off me. I tossed on a T-shirt and basketball shorts then headed back out where Morocco was now in the living room with Junie and Joss, Drake stood beside Jiselle, and Xy was now at the kitchen table getting help with his homework.
“Alright.” I clapped my hands. “So, what are you cooking?”
“Pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans,” Jiselle stated. “You’re free to go.” She nudged Drake lightly. “Stone will take over the assisting.”
“Shit. Bet.” Drake hit me on the shoulder and handed me the spoon he was holding.
Then, he headed straight for the stairs.
“How’d you get him to help you anyway?”
“Junie whined for her daddy and I asked if anyone else wanted to help so he could grab her. Drake volunteered.”
“You realize you don’t need to cook for us, right?”
“You realize I’m basically unemployed, right?” She lifted an eyebrow. “What else am I going to do with my life if it isn’t helping take care of the family?”
“Of the family, huh?” I repeated.
“Uh huh.”
I gripped her by her waist, yanked her into me, and kissed the side of her head then her cheek and throat. She turned her head to kiss me then slipped out of my grasp.
“Get over there and mash those potatoes.” She swatted at me and I nodded.