Page 17 of Sandcastles & Sunburns (DKAG Summer Shorts #6)

Liam

“I don’t think we’re doing this right.”

Looking over, Liam had to hold in a laugh. How had Nicky managed to get more sand in his hair? Was his bestie pouring the bucket over his head? “Too much water,” Liam said helpfully.

Nicky sighed before poking at the sandcastle wall with his finger. The wall collapsed.

Liam leaned his shoulder against Nicky’s. “You don’t have to get it perfect on the first try.” Liam had been making sandcastles for a month, and he still messed them up. Heck, half the fun was smashing the sandcastles and starting over. Even when Liam’s Daddy huffed at him for it.

“I know,” Nicky said, kicking the sand with his bare foot. “I really thought that I would be better at this.”

Liam shrugged. “You should come play with me more often.” Liam wanted more playdates with his bestie, and it was even better when he had a Daddy to watch over the both of them. No need for big-boy thoughts when Liam’s Daddy worried enough for all of them.

And just thinking of Jude made the man appear. Maybe Liam was magic. “Hi, Daddy!” Liam waved as Jude approached them.

“Hello, baby,” Jude replied with a smile. “Are you two having fun?”

“Yes!” Liam clapped, making the sand covering his hands flying all over him and Nicky.

Nicky sighed. “He keeps clapping and showering me in sand.”

Did he? Looking back over at his bestie, Liam had to admit that Nicky’s dark hair did have even more than a minute ago. Liam giggled. “Oops?”

“Oops?” Nicky glared at him.

“Boys.” Daddy’s stern voice drew Liam’s attention.

“Yes?” Liam questioned.

“No fighting,” Jude told him.

“We not fighting,” Liam denied. He moved a little farther away from Nicky since he didn’t exactly trust Nicky not to prove him a liar.

“I brought you both some more frozen lemonade.” Jude offered the two bottles.

Nicky grabbed one while making a happy sound.

Liam liked it when his bestie was happy. Nicky should always be happy. That was why he needed a Daddy. Liam was determined that Nicky would have a Daddy at least half as wonderful as his own.

That was why Liam had insisted that Nicky come over for a playdate. Liam had a plan. But he was a very smart boy and hadn’t shared his plan with anyone else since he was almost certain that Daddy wouldn’t approve.

But Law was coming over to grill with them and it was time that Nicky and Law met.

After meeting Law and now hanging out with him a few times over the last month, Liam could see that Law would be the perfect Daddy for Nicky. Especially as Nicky was still using that awful dating app trying to hook up.

Nicky needed someone who wasn’t intimidated by his success but could also pull Nicky back when his work started to take over his entire life.

It was a good thing that Liam had moved so close.

Liam was forced to yank Nicky out of work mode and make him relax and play. Liam didn’t mind being there for his bestie, but he also wasn’t the best at being the responsible one. Jude, on the other hand, was great at it. Liam was sure that Law would be as well.

And since Law was already a Daddy, it just made perfect sense. At least to Liam. Now he just needed a little cooperation for the two stubborn men who were perfect for each other if they would just let Liam have his way!

“It’s time for more sunscreen,” Jude told them as he shook the bottle he’d brought.

Both Liam and Nicky groaned.

“I don’t want to hear none of that,” Jude chided. “This isn’t the sticky stuff.”

“But, Daddy!” Liam whined. It was playtime!

Nicky snickered. “Liam first.”

Liam glared at his bestie, the traitor.

“You have fairer skin than me,” Nicky pointed out.

Jude attacked Liam with the spray. Okay, he didn’t really attack. He carefully sprayed Liam but even as Liam wiggled, he couldn’t get away. Then Daddy started to rub the sunscreen in, and Liam didn’t mind that at all. He never minded his Daddy touching him.

“Your turn,” Jude told Nicky.

“I’m good. I naturally tan,” Nicky replied.

Liam snorted. Nicky had already tried that. He’d still been slathered down before Liam and Nicky had been allowed outside.

Nicky sighed. “Fine.”

Again, Daddy sprayed the sunscreen carefully before he rubbed it in.

Nicky grinned at Liam.

Wait a minute! Liam smacked Nicky’s leg. “Don’t enjoy it!”

“Enjoy what?” Nicky asked even as he leaned into Jude’s hands.

“Stop it!” Liam ordered. “Daddy! Nicky is being naughty.”

Jude chuckled. “It’s fine, baby. You know that I only have eyes for you.”

Liam pointed to his own eyes then at Nicky’s. He’d totally poke Nicky’s eyes out if his bestie didn’t behave.

Nicky smirked in response.

“You have about thirty more minutes of playing before it will be time to eat,” Jude told them. He rocked back on his heels before standing. “Burgers and hotdogs. I’m sure you’ve both worked up an appetite.

“Is Law here yet?” Liam questioned. His plan wouldn’t work if the other man didn’t show.

“He just called. There was a problem with one of his team’s jobs and he needed to clear it up with the client’s manager,” Jude told him.

Liam sighed. This was the third time that Liam had tried to hook up Nicky and Law. Each time one of them ended up canceling. Liam was really getting annoyed.

Jude patted Liam’s back. “He was very upset that he couldn’t make it. Law said he’d make it up to you.”

Liam grinned. That meant a new toy! Law loved to spoil Liam with toys!

Nicky nudged him. “Maybe we should just race the cars over the mound. Like a track or something.”

That was suspicious. Liam narrowed his eyes at his best friend. “You just want to cheat at racing again.”

Nicky gasped while slapping his hand over his heart. “I would never!”

“You boys have fun,” Jude said scratching the top of Liam’s head briefly. “Thirty more minutes.”

“Okay, Daddy,” Liam agreed. He pointed a finger at Nicky. “No cheating.”

The brat smirked at him. “Of course not.”

Liam was totally going to tell his Daddy!