Mannies Incorporated by Michael, Sean (phonics books .TXT) 📗

Sighing, he grabbed a couple more towels and tried to mop up the rest of the mess on the floor, his clothes soaked and dripping.

It didn't take long before Slayde was back. "I got this. Go get changed and I'll put the towels in the wash. Mindy'll be on Skype soon."

"And you'll want to talk to her. I can get changed and deal with this. Really." He started taking off his shirt, because honestly, that had been a good idea. "I'm not going to make extra work for you."

Slayde didn't answer; he just gathered the towels, headed downstairs.

Great. Now the man was pissed off at him again after he'd tried so hard to get Slayde to finally accept his help.

He took off the rest of his clothes, leaving them on the floor so he didn't drip anywhere else, dried off and headed for Mindy's room. But of course, his bag wasn't up there yet. Great. All he had to wear was…Mindy's robe. Mindy's silky, frilly, pink robe.

He didn't exactly have an alternative, though, did he? Not unless he called down for Slayde to bring up his bag and damn it, he wasn't going to do that.

Sighing, he put the thing on -- it went down to just low enough not to be showing his junk -- tied it in the front and headed downstairs, hoping to zip over to where he'd left his bag and get back up again without being seen.

Slayde was on the stairs, his bag in hand, eyes huge. "Uh. Here."

Shit. He felt his cheeks heat. "Thanks, man." He mumbled the words, grabbed the bag and high-tailed it back up and into Mindy's room. Great. Just great.

Slayde had to think he was the world's biggest moron. And he hadn't done a damn thing all day to prove otherwise.

***

Christ on a crutch.

"How's it going?" Mindy looked too amused.

"Great. He looks fab in your robe."

Her eyes went wide and Slayde winked. "Kids are ready for you, Mom."

"You're evil," she informed him as the kids came rushing over and he settled them in front of the computer.

They talked and chattered and he listened with half an ear. Drake didn't come down the entire time. The man was either hurting more than he'd said, or embarrassed at being seen in Mindy's robe. Not that Drake had anything to be embarrassed about, from what Slayde had seen. The man was a stud.

Mindy didn't waste her time talking to him, despite his opening salvo, she was focused on her babies. He supposed he should go check on Drake. Just in case the man was hurt worse than he'd let on.

"I'll be right back, kiddos." He ran upstairs, grabbed the rest of the wet towels and stuff. "Drake, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good." Drake came out of Mindy's room in jeans and nothing else. "Feeling a little stupid."

Yeah. Yeah, he got that. He did. Abs of steel. Made his mouth dry. "Happens. Mindy's talking to the babies."

"Oh, good, so at least they didn't see Uncle Drake in all his pink glory." Those abs rippled as Drake spoke. Fucking rippled.

"Yeah. They wouldn't care." He couldn't help but wonder if Drake's size showed everywhere.

"Maybe it would have even won Maggie over."

"Maybe. She likes pink." Okay. Okay, focus. "I'll get back to work. Glad you're not hurt."

"What needs doing after the kids are done with Minds? I swear I'll be more help than I was at bath time." Drake rubbed the back of his head and winced.

"I'd hate to see you in the shape you'd be in if you were in worse shape."

"It wasn't that bad!" Drake glared at him.

"No? You sure about that?"

"Shit, you're busting my balls over water and bubbles!"

No. No, he hadn't been. He'd been teasing, okay. Okay, fine. "Whatever."

"Whatever… Right." Drake rolled his eyes. "So, you needing help with anything or what?"

"I got it." Asshat. He headed back downstairs, grabbed Jenny, who was wandering, looking for him. "Did you all say good night to Momma?"

She nodded. "Say g'night t' Unca Dake."

"Yes, ma'am." He looked in on Christian and Maggie, who were sitting on the couch together watching the Wizard of Oz for the ten thousandth time. "I'll be back for you next, Maggalooni."

She smiled at him and snuggled in closer with Christian.

Then he took Jenny up the stairs, meeting Drake on his way out, this time with shirt. "Jenny would like a good night hug."

Drake beamed at her and opened his arms. She leaned over and Drake took her out of his arms. "Hey, Jen."

"Read me book?"

"You bet. Have you got a favorite book in your room?"

She nodded. "Slayde?"

"Go on, baby girl. I'll be in to tuck you in."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Looking pleased, Drake carried Jenny off to the bedroom.

He headed down to pick Christian up, the little boy was sound asleep, Maggie still watching the movie. He could do her after instead of first.

"You're next, girlfriend."

She nodded, thumb in her mouth.

He tucked Christian in, turned on the Batman nightlight, and headed in to kiss Jenny. Drake was sitting on the floor, Jenny curled up in his lap as he read Goodnight Moon to her. He knew the book by heart, and so did Jenny, who recited along happily.

When it came to the end, she clapped her hands. "Again! Again!"

Drake chuckled and went back to the first page, starting over again. She'd have Drake sitting there all night at this rate.

"Spoiled girl. One more time, then bed."

Drake was the one who answered. "Yes, Boss."

Jenny just waved.

He cleaned up the kitchen, listening for the Scarecrow to sing, that was his cue. He danced in, arms open to Maggie. "You ready, Dorothy? You and me, the yellow brick road?"

She laughed and climbed up into his arms, her head landing on his shoulder.

"Follow the yellow brick road," he sang, dancing her up the stairs.

She sang with him, softly, almost asleep. He eased her into her bed, then patted her bed.

"Book?"

"Let me kiss your sister and I will." She'd be asleep before he got back.

He went into Jenny's room, finding