Early just went about his business like nothing was out of the ordinary and, really, nothing was. This was par for the course. “So that was my day.”
“Just another day in paradise. Did he get some Benadryl?”
“Benadryl, oatmeal bath, cortisone cream—he got the whole enchilada.” Early rolled his eyes and started moving food to the table.
“You’re a good dad.” Connor gave Early one more quick hug, then hung up his coat so he could help. “What can I do?”
“Salad. Green beans. Something healthy that we have to force our children to eat.”
“There’s leftover broccoli.” There was always leftover broccoli because their kids were not good eaters. He opened up the fridge, grabbed the bowl, and stuck in the microwave.
Early seemed…tired, maybe? Something felt a little dull, a little off. Not enough to worry about, he supposed. It was the end of another incredibly busy day with two active boys. He hoped the kids hadn’t brought a bug home; it was so close to the end of the school year.
He grabbed the bowl and carried it carefully into the dining room, setting down right in front of Jaxson. “It’s hot guys, careful.”
“Yay. Limp trees.”
Early’s growl was immediate. “You watch it, or I’ll serve nothing but brussels sprouts for a week.”
Oh, god. Not that. Not again.
Never again.
He reached over and put two florets on each of the kids’ plates. “No arguments.” Then he took some for himself because he actually liked broccoli. “Chicken parm was a good call, though.” He served them each some of that too, and himself before handing Early the plate. “Looks as good as it smells, honey.”
“Thanks.” Early chuckled and shook his head. “So, we’ve survived another school day. Go team Jericho.”
“Oh they’re yours again now, huh? Why? Because I didn’t lose my mind over the mouse?” Connor grinned at Early, teasing.
“He’s a nice mouse, Dad!”
He rolled his eyes. “Eat. Jayden, tell me about the math test.”
Jayden gave him a deadpan look. “You mean the one that I aced?”
He laughed. “I guess that’s the one. Nice work.”
“I got done early, that’s when I—”
“I don’t really need the details unless the principal calls me.”
Jayden arched one eyebrow, somehow looking just like Early. “Principal Shields always calls Daddy. She thinks he’s hot. She calls him ‘Mister Early’ and puts her hand on his arm.”
He mimicked that look, giving it to Early instead. “He is hot, but he’s mine.” And Principal Shields probably didn’t want to talk to him anyway, he’d been deemed “less reasonable” a few years back.
“Dad! Ew! That’s nasty!” Jaxson gagged dramatically, slumping against his brother, sending his fork flying, red sauce spraying across the floor.
“Jax! Ugh.” He sighed and got up, going for a damp towel. And another fork. “I know we taught you table manners at some point. Daddy insists on it.” He brought the towel back and handed it to Jaxson, then traded a clean fork for the one that landed on the floor. “Clean up the floor, please. Jayden, you keep eating.”
Jayden shoved an entire stalk of broccoli in his mouth, chewing dramatically.
“Did you want a beer, babe? I need a beer. There’s an open red wine in there too.”
“I’ll have the red. Thank you. Jax, that’s good enough. Hand that to Daddy and finish your dinner.” God, he was ready to broil them both.
Early headed back to the kitchen, turning on the music on his way. Ah, the boys were getting their next warning sign that Daddy was about to stroke out.
“Both of you finish up. Jax? Broccoli. Now. And then upstairs for reading.”