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I wave to them both as I lower myself down on the couch.
“Very nice to meet you,” I say, and August nods toward me, his thumb twisting a ring on his wedding finger.
“Where’s Matt?” Magnus asks, and I nod toward the door.
“Sem pulled him aside. He’s helping him bring in the bags.”
“Oh, awesome. That’s just so thoughtful of you both. We can always use stuff for the classroom and new toys for our treasure boxes. The kids love it, really motivates them to do well.”
I look over at August, who is sitting quietly, watching Emery traipse the kids around on his back.
“So, are you two…” I ask, waving my hand between him and Emery.
August nods. “Yeah.”
Emery falls to the ground and turns over, tossing one of the kids into the air. They squeal at that and clamber onto him, asking for another turn.
“Good god, Emery, please be careful,” Magnus chides, but Emery is unbothered by it.
“I am the most careful! I never hurt anyone. Ever.”
He hops up onto his feet, trying to dodge the kids who are trying to cling to his legs, and runs straight into a wall, denting the drywall and making Magnus gasp.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry!” Emery cries. “I didn’t mean it. These goblins were after me!”
August just sighs and leans toward Magnus. “Just send me the bill.”
“Oh, you know I won’t. I know what inviting Emery over means. And it’s well worth it. The kids’ll sleep like logs,” Magnus replies with a smile and then stands up.
“You know what? Let’s leave the kids to it and go outside. I can’t think with Emery’s hollering.”
We all stand to leave and as we do, Emery shouts and a ball knocks into the back of my head. I glance over my shoulder and see Emery chasing the little ones down a hallway and can’t help but laugh.
“He’s good with them,” I say, and August and Magnus nod.
“Oh god, they love him. He really gets down on their level. It’s amazing.”
We take a seat on the porch, watching as Sem and Matthew carry bags into the detached garage, neither of them speaking. I can see the way that Matthew watches Sem, almost warily, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s uncomfortable, but then realize that Matthew will do just about anything to make a good impression. He doesn’t want this to go south.
“Sem has been waiting for Matt to get here,” Magnus says, taking a sip from his straw. “Was peering through the windows like a little kid.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Mhm, he has something he wants to show him.”
My eyebrows rise and I sit back in my chair, crossing my ankles and trying to appear casual.
“Something bad? Will I get my husband back in one piece?”
Magnus grins at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oh yes, he’ll be fine, don’t you worry.”
I don’t know what that means, but I have to trust him. If this is what helps Matt get back in Magnus’s good graces then so be it. He’s been talking about doing more, showing up and making an effort, maybe this will fast-track it.
“Alright, just as long as he’s not traumatized.”
“He won’t be. Just some time alone with the fam. Sem really wants to make an impression.”
August lets out a small chuckle and Magnus grins in return. My eyes turn to Sem as he throws a finger over toward a hunk of metal that looks like a four-wheeler, and I watch as Matthew meets my steady gaze.
