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

"Possibly, but you're still dear." God, she looked tired.

"Are you sleeping?" he demanded. "You look like shit." And she still had more than eleven months left in this tour.

"I am. This isn't the most fun thing in the world, you know."

"I know, Minds. That's why I thought…" He sighed and rubbed his face. "Fuck it. I'll go, okay?"

"Well, do you have to go today? Slayde is exhausted. He hasn't had a second's break in weeks now. I know him; he hasn't even let himself have a beer."

"Then why the fuck has he made me feel anything but welcome for showing up to help?" He didn't need a fucking medal or anything, but he sure as hell didn't feel even a little bit welcome.

"Drake, you were calling him nanny-boy just a minute ago and telling him he wasn't family."

"I was pissed off! He wasn't even going to let me in the door."

"He's never met you. You're a cop, Drake. Do you want him just letting people in the house with my children?"

Oh. Okay, yeah. She had a point there.

He wasn't quite ready to let go of his hurt, though. "He still seemed pretty put out to see me when I showed him my ID."

"Did you warn him you were coming? Do you have any idea how hard he's working to keep everyone on schedule? Cut the man some slack, Drake. He's working twenty-four days a day for minimum wage."

"Then wouldn't my help be welcome?" He got that Slayde was stressed and busy, but then why wouldn't he want any help? "I came to help."

"Good. Be nice to him. I know you don't approve of him, but he's a good man. A truly decent guy and those kids need him."

"When did I say I didn't approve?" He'd never said that. Okay, so he might have voiced an opinion that nannies were usually female…

But not to Slayde's face, right?

One of Mindy's blonde eyebrows went up. And up. And up.

"Oh, fuck off."

"You'll have to watch what you say, Uncle Drake, or I'll let Slayde wash your mouth out with soap."

He stuck his tongue out at her, because she would. The bitch. God, he loved her. Which was why he'd dropped everything to help her out. "So, am I staying?"

"Can you for a little while, at least? Give Slayde time to take a breath?"

"I'm prepared to stay until you're back, honey." He'd quit his fucking job, for Christ's sake.

"I love you, Drake." She sighed, rubbed her forehead. "I have to go. Can you get Slayde for me, please?"

"Sure thing." He reached out and touched the screen. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will." He got a tired smile.

"Love you, honey." He blew her a kiss and gave her wink before getting up and calling for Slayde. "Yo, Slayde! Minds wants you back."

Slayde came out of the kitchen, long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, T-shirt dusted with flour, coffee in hand. "If you wake the kids up before two, I'm going to beat you with a skillet."

"Sorry -- Mindy wants to talk to you now."

"Cool." Slayde headed in. "Hey, you. You need to get to bed."

Drake wasn't sure where to go, but he didn't want to be rude and listen in, so he headed for the kitchen, wondering what Slayde had been up to that he was all flour-y. There was what looked like cookie dough on the counter, along with a pile of bills, the man's phone playing music softly.

This was Slayde's break? He really did need Drake if the break meant baking and paying bills and shit, so it was a good thing he was staying.

He went over and stole a bit of cookie dough, tossing it in his mouth. Oh, man. So good.

The sound of Slayde's footsteps were muted, but he heard them. "So, Mindy says you should take her bedroom. I don't go in there, but I imagine you'll want fresh sheets. I can help you make the bed, if you want."

He shook his head. "Can do it," he muttered around another stolen bite. "Thif if weally goo'."

"Yeah. You and Maggie. Leave enough for the beasties. Those are the last of my chocolate chips until I get to the store." Slayde took the bills, the checkbook, his phone, and the coffee cup and sat at the table.

Drake couldn't keep himself from stealing another little bit of the cookie dough, but he made that it. "Why don't you make me a list and tell me where the store is and I'll do the shopping." See? He could help.

"Sure, do you have Cozi on your phone?"

"A what now?" He stared at Slayde blankly. It was like the man spoke a different language.

"Cozi? It's an app."

"That does what?" He pulled out his iPhone. He knew it did all sorts of shit, he'd just never really had the time to figure it all out. "I could have it." It had come with all sorts of shit included.

"It lets me share lists with you. I have everything in there, so I know what brands Mindy wants."

He handed his own over sheepishly. "I just use it for calls," he admitted.

"Oh, I'm attached to mine. I have the kids' calendars, the grocery lists, medicines, everything. Do you have your app store set up with your password and stuff?"

"Um… yes? Maybe." Tech had set it up for him. "I'm not a technophobe or anything. Really."

"Well, we'll get you set up, huh? It's just easier." His phone was handed back to him, and Slayde offered him a half smile. "I'll probably have to do it tonight after bedtime. I need to get these bills paid for Mindy."

"Well, can you write me a list then? I still want to do the shopping." He needed to prove he could be helpful.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can possibly print from the Cozi. Just please, no gluten. Not any."

"How do I know if there's gluten or not?"

"You read the ingredients. I'll make you a list of nos."

"Okay, that I can handle." It would probably take him