“Reed Ashton Campbell,” Brooke erupts, “that’s not nice.”
Jax chuckles and starts ushering them towards the living room. “Come on, kids. Let’s go to the other room before a war breaks out.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lexie
I tug on Sadie’s snow pants and bundle her up as we head outside. Tiff and I volunteer to take the kids, so Brooke and Nate have some alone time. Ashton and Jax drove into town to grab some more food and supplies.
“Okay, is it just me or were you expecting someone more like Ashton?” Tiff asks me as we watch the kids attempt to build a snowman.
“Maybe,” I tell her. Actually, I fully expected some Gucci model to be here all weekend. All Brooke ever told us about Nate was how wonderful he was.
“Well, I’m just saying I didn’t expect that.”
“But, if she’s happy, then we should be happy for her.”
“Oh, I’m not saying that. I’m shocked, that’s all.”
I nod, because I am too.
“Mommy, come play with us. You too, Aunt Tiff.” Sadie’s face is red and beaming. I can’t say no to that face.
I jump up with Tiff, and we help the kids build a snowman. It isn’t the greatest creation, but it’s not that lopsided. We use my scarf and Tiff grabs a carrot from the kitchen. Reed and Sadie find a couple sticks for the arms. We all four step back and see what we’ve done when it’s finished.
“That’s so cool,” Reed says.
“It would be better if it would sing like on Frozen.” Sadie shrugs. “It’s still good though.”
We all turn to hear the van pulling up in the driveway, seeing Ashton and Jax.
“Dad, we made a snowman.” Reed points to it like its a masterpiece.
“That’s the best one I’ve ever seen,” Ashton says, gathering up some bags, going into the house with Jax.
“Can we go sledding, Mommy?”
I nod to Sadie, and the kids run over to the side of the house to grab a couple sleds that Ashton had set out for them. The small hill is on the backside of the house. Tiff and I stand at the top, watching the kids race, and see how far they can go. It’s funny watching them come back up the hill, slipping and sliding. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but Sadie and Reed are covered in snow. Sadie falls at the top of the hill by my feet, panting.
“Are you going to make it, Sadie?” I tease her. “You’re not tired, are you?”
Sadie shakes her head, but I can clearly see that she’s exhausted.
“Come on.” I help her to her feet and grab the sled. Reed follows me with his. We set them back up by the house. That’s when I hear a snowball hit the back of Reed’s jacket. We turn to see Jax and Ashton quickly round the corner of the house.
“Dad, I saw you!” Reed yells at him. He begins to gather snow, but his hands are too small.
“Here, Reed.” Tiff makes a larger one and hands it to him, and then makes one for Sadie. “Go get them.”
The kids race to the side of the house, but stop when they turn the corner.
“They’re not here.” Reed sounds sad.
“Ouch!” Tiff yelps out next to me, and then I feel a slight sting between my shoulder blades. We whip around and see the guys standing there, grinning like teenage boys at us.
“Here, Mommy,” Sadie hands me the snowball, and without thinking, I fling it towards Ashton, hitting him in the shoulder.
“This means war,” Ashton says, gathering more snow.