Page 87 of Terms and Traditions

“What the… Nash?” I choked on a laugh, but Liz didn’t bother refraining hers.

Four small children each pinned one of Nash’s limbs, and Emmett’s preteen stepdaughter perched directly on top of him. He wasn’t going anywhere.

At my question, Nash’s head popped up, his hair deliciously disheveled and his glasses askew. “What’s going on? I was ambushed, that’s what.” He glared at Emmett. “You double-crossing surprise ruiner.”

Emmett only smirked and shot him in the forehead with a dart.

“Dad said no head shots, Uncle Em,” an eight-year-old boy, Ryan and Kelsi’s oldest, draped over Nash’s left leg hollered.

Emmett winced at the nickname, and Nash howled in laughter. Which only made Emmett shoot him again. In the torso.

That curbed his laughter, and Nash grunted. “Seriously? All because I mentioned I was bringing a Nerf gun? I had no plans on shooting you, just surprising the kids. Did you even have a Nerf gun before this?”

“Nope,” Emmett’s daughter declared, shoving a loose piece of blonde hair out of her face as she sat on Nash’s chest. “He went out and bought it this afternoon.”

Emmett frowned at her. “Way to keep a secret, Sadie girl.”

Sadie just giggled, eyes dancing. She was the mini version of her mother. “Off with his head!” Her Queen of Hearts impersonation was flawless—Kelsi, theatre nerd she was, clapped loudly—but it was lost on the younger kids who immediately burst into an argument.

“We’re not cannibals!”

“You mean murderers. Cannibals eat people.”

“We don’t do that either!”

“Nobody’s eating or killing anybody,” Emmett grunted in confirmation before the conversation completely spiraled out of control.

“Are they for real right now?” Juliet whispered behind me.

“Oh yeah,” Liz confirmed, choking on a cackle.

“Can I get up?” Nash asked, the barest hint of frustration leaking out of him. “I’ll admit I’m beat, say uncle, or whatever other sadistic demand you have. I can’t feel my legs.”

“Juliet here’s a lawyer if you want to sue for damages or need a hostage negotiator,” I offered.

Juliet snorted. “I do contract law. Rogue children and foam darts are not my wheelhouse.”

Nash just groaned and flopped his head back. “Not exactly how I envisioned this meeting going, ladies.”

“Aww, he thought about meeting us.” Paisley transformed into a giant heart-eye emoji, clasping her hands under her chin.

“Daddy?” Sadie asked, glancing at Emmett for permission to release the hostage.

Emmett sighed and lowered the weapon. “All right. Thanks, kids. Your doughnuts are in the kitchen as promised.”

“You bribed them with pastries?” Nash huffed, sitting up.

“It worked.”

The kids darted past us, arguing over who wanted sprinkles or jelly-filled, then Emmett fired one final shot at Nash. Right in the chest. “Now we’re even,” he declared.

Nash scoffed and straightened his glasses. “Not even close. This was supposed to be payback for the Freshman Shower Escapade. Now, I’ll have to think of something else.”

“It was a terrible prank, and you never reveal your plans to the enemy. Live and learn.” Emmett shrugged. “You’ve had fifteen years. Another fifteen won’t kill you.”

“You’re the worst,” Nash grumbled, giving Emmett a shove as he passed. Stopping in front of me, he offered a heart-stopping smile. “I’m sorry you had to witness my humiliation and utter betrayal at the hands of a rogue army.”

I grinned up at him. “Oh, I don’t know. The karaoke was probably worse. Gabe sent me the video footage for a memento. So, I guess you’ll have to figure out a way to redeem yourself.”