“Done.” Ryan shrugged and walked over to the closet to pick out clothing.
She turned to Casey, who grinned. “Smart guy, my big brother.”
“I always forgot what a massive brain he hides behind that sarcastic tongue of his.”
“You weren’t complaining about it last night when I had it buried inside you,” Ryan said.
“Maybe I did and you couldn’t hear me. I was sitting on your face.”
“Burn,” Casey called, laughing.
“Pretty good, Lei. I’m glad to see you’re learning more from me than sexual skills.” Ryan glanced over his shoulder and winked.
“Smart ass.” She scowled.
“Don’t be mad, Lei, my little Hawaiian flower.”
“Oh God.” She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t hold back the smile that rose. He’d been the one to coin the nickname Lei. Three years older, he hadn’t been able to say Leighton when she was born. It’d always been a special thing between the two of them.
“Dude, you’re so hokey sometimes.” Casey snickered.
“Really? Mr. Sensitive?” Ryan returned to dressing.
“Fuck you.” Casey stood from the bed and did the same.
Nervous about seeing their father for the first time she could remember, Leighton smoothed down her plaid shirt and prayed he wouldn’t be completely disgusted. Losing another father right now would be too much.
***
“Come on you, guys, staring at the house won’t do us any good,” Ryan said, opening the door of the truck and hopping down. She followed after him, taking his hand as she jumped the last few feet. It’d snowed on their way over, and the ground was slippery. Carefully, they made their way up the wooden stairs to the one-story home the boys had grown up in. They knocked on the door, and Steve answered with a huge grin.
“It’s good to see you guys. I hoped you’d get in here before the next storm hit,” he said. He stepped back and let them enter. They stomped their feet on the floor, loosening the lingering snow, and began to unlace their boots.
“Hey, Pop,” Ryan said as they lined their shoes by the door to contain the watery mess that would form as the snow melted.
“Hey, Dad,” Casey said, offering a smile as they stepped onto the carpet.
“Steve,” Leighton said, offering up a smile.
“What’s new, kids? I got some meat and potatoes ready to go in the Crockpot for supper.”
They all looked at one another and paused.
“What? Cat got your tongue?” Steve frowned.
“Nope. It’s pretty much the same old, Pop,” Ryan said.
Leighton breathed easier. Springing this on him first thing didn’t seem like the best way to go.
“Yeah, I know the Lodge is doing well. I want to know about what happens when you head home. Lei, honey, are they treating you well at the homestead?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her into the dining area.
“They’re behaving themselves quite admirably.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to kick their asses.”
She laughed.
“That’s the smile I wanted to see. How are the tiny tykes?”