He still wouldn’t stop talking, ‘why this? How about that? But why? But why?’ My God, he felt like he was going to lose his mind when Delilah walked in and he dropped to his knees before her, hugging her around her hips. “Please, make him stop. Why won’t he stop?”
“You fed him?”
“Duh, he had two burgers,” he mimicked in a kid’s voice, “I don’t need no bread or nothin’ just the meat and some cheeses.”
She giggled at his impression. “Well, did you give him ice cream or something?”
“Hell yeah, I think Dee is starving him. He’s so skinny. I gave him some cupcakes and a few scoops of ice cream and that brownie that was leftover from yesterday. Then he said he needed to try some pie because he hadn’t ever tried a pie.” He clicked his tongue, “Who hasn’t tried pie, Del. I’m fixin’ to have a talk to her when she comes.”
“What kind of pie did you give him?”
“Cherry, why?”
She yelled over his shoulder, “Hey, Carter, what’s your favorite pie ever?”
He did a few jumping jacks; he was always doing some kind of activity. “I likes apple best. It has a yummy thing on the top that tastes so good.”
Blake shot to his feet, “Hey.”
He felt Delilah’s small hand on his chest, rubbing in small circles. “I grew up with the twins, they were always getting into trouble. You have to think like a kid.”
He hoped she heard his disbelief, was she just joking with him? “You’re kidding right? I’m like the world’s biggest kid. Ask my parents.”
The front door to alpha house was unlocked, so Justin strode in pulling Dee reluctantly behind him. “It’s fine. They left it unlocked for a reason. Come on.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded to Dee, before bellowing, “Blake, where are you?”
There were heavy footfalls right before Blake came into the atrium carrying Carter. He shoved the boy at Justin before announcing, “Here ya go, I’m just gonna go now, Del needs me.”
“No way brother, where are his clothes?”
Noting the drink in Carter’s hands appeared to be a homemade slushee like they used to make when they were kids. Justin gave Blake the evil eye and Blake winced. “They got messy so we put ‘em in the washer. We’ll send them to you another day.”
Justin put the boy down and watched as Carter ran into his mother’s arms. “Mama, I had so much fun with my alpha.”
Wiping something that looked like cherry pie from his hair, she asked, “I bet you did. It’s been a long day and we should get you home to bed.”
He slurped his drink. Clearly it was on its way to being done because it made that really annoying sound that drinks make when there is only ice left, but the kid refuses to give up and keeps trying to savor the spent beverage.
“I can’t get to bed, Mama, I’m awake. Plus, I’m wearing active wear so I gotsta be active, I can’t even sits down.”
He modeled his new pants that were indeed little workout pants. Holy crap, Blake was about to get in trouble. Justin’s smile was malevolent, waiting for Dee to blow her top.
Before she got a chance to say anything Carter continued, “Did you know that helicopters gots their name because they have hella coppers.” Another question must have popped into his mind. “But, mama, how do they fit the cops on there and how do they get down when someone does something bad to take ‘em to jail?”
Justin pulled Carter into his arms quickly as Dee’s jaw dropped. “On that note we should go. See ya later, bro.”
He snagged Dee’s arm on the way out and felt like someone smacked him upside the head when Carter asked, “Yer coming to live with us now? I’m so happy.” His little voice got low and he asked, “Can I call you paw paw?”
Refusing to even look at Dee he said, “Uh…let’s just play it by ear, little man.”
Slurp, slurp. “Why do you play with your ear?”
Dee growled, “Bloody hell.”
Slurp, “Mama, you says the bad word. I’m gonna tell alpha Blake on you.”
Justin knew it was going to be bad, but he understood her frustration so he took a step back and allowed her a moment. He tried to take the drink from Carter but he said, “Hey, I’m not done.”
Watching her attempt to gain composure, Justin had to turn his head and chuckle to himself. Only hours with Blake and Carter would be a nightmare to deal with all night. He’d have to remember to ask someone else to watch Carter when they needed it.
Taking a deep breath Dee began, “I appreciate all your help, Alpha, unfortunately Justin and I have some unfinished business, so I’m going to have to ask you to keep him overnight.” She turned to Carter, “Won’t that be fun Carter, a sleepover with your alpha?”