Page 49 of Devil's Hour

“What’s next?” Marc asked.

“Dinner won’t be here for thirty minutes, so we have time to start on your room.”

“Oh man,” Daniel said, stomping up the steps.

“Better to get it over with now,” Royce said, following them up the steps, trying not to laugh at their dejected body language. A minute later, he stood in the doorway of their shared bedroom and shook his head at the disaster. He couldn’t see an inch of carpet beneath the toys and clothes. “You know what to do here, boys. This is probably a two-day job. I tell you what, work as hard as you can without fighting, and I will let you finish the rest tomorrow. I want to see clear paths to beds.”

Daniel grinned.

“I don’t just mean shoving things to the side to make a path so that you can play around up here until dinnertime.”

“Fine,” Daniel said, crossing his thin arms over his chest.

“What’s for dinner?” Marc asked.

“It’s a surprise.” It wasn’t a lie.

“Pizza,” Marc and Daniel said at the same time.

“Not this time, fellas. Get to work and do not wake up your sister or disturb your mom while she’s taking a bubble bath.”

“A bath. Eww,” Daniel said.

“On purpose?” Marc asked.

“Ladies like taking baths.” Not just ladies though. Royce had discovered how much he enjoyed being submerged in hot water while having Sawyer reclining against him. He loved running his hand over sleek, wet skin and reaching beneath the water to grip Sawyer’s—Royce stopped himself right there.

“Mom isn’t a lady,” Marc countered.

“Moms are ladies too,” Royce said. “Stop stalling and get to it. Put your toys away, your clothes in your hampers, and make your beds. Let’s see how much you get done tonight.” They grumbled but started digging in.

Royce headed back downstairs to the utility room to retrieve the furniture polish and microfiber towels Candi used for dusting. He wanted to show the boys that it was perfectly normal and acceptable for men to do housework. As much as he loved Marcus, he had been a sorry ass around the house. Royce expected better from Daniel and Marc and knew their future spouses would someday appreciate his efforts.

Candi came down about fifteen minutes later, looking much more relaxed. “Oh, Royce. You don’t have to help me clean. For crying out loud,” she said, sounding on the verge of tears again.

“Don’t start with me. Sit down, kick up your feet, and let me work my magic.”

“No, I need to start dinner. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, but I have a stocked refrigerator. I haven’t completely lost my mind.”

“First of all, dinner is already on its way and should be here any minute. Second, there’s nothing wrong with your mind, Candi. You’re fucking exhausted.”

“I don’t feel like eating pizza tonight, but I’m sure the boys will love it.”

“It’s not pizza this time.”

“What did you order?”

“It’s a surprise. Sawyer ordered it for us.”

Candi smiled. “How sweet. I can’t wait to thank him.”

“How do you know you’ll like it?”

She laughed. “Based on the things you say about him, Sawyer seems like the kind of guy who takes pride in what he does.”

“Very much.”

“So, he’s put a lot of thought into whatever he ordered for us. I am looking forward to getting to know him better.” Her expression saidhint hint.Candi flopped down in the recliner, popped up the footrest, and sighed. “As you were.”