“I looove Uncle Greer!”
Viper hid his laughter as he whispered something in Aisha’s ear.
“Really?” Aisha’s eyes brightened. “I guess I can go to school today.”
Viper set Aisha on her feet. She was adorable with her backpack on and her lunch bag in her hand. Her daughter was a mixture of both her parents. She had Viper’s long legs and Winter’s brown hair.
As they walked through the lobby, they each held one of her hands. A commotion had them turning around to see the three rambunctious boys running through the door while the principal warned them to slow down.
“I’m sorry. They took off without me,” Lily apologized. Her late stage pregnancy was apparently making it impossible to keep up with the cousins.
The boys’ youthful enthusiasm vanished, not at the principal’s reprimand, but at seeing Viper’s censoring gaze.
Hanging their heads, they walked behind Winter, Aisha, and Viper.
As they entered the long hallway that would lead them to the classrooms, Winter heard Lily tell the boys goodbye.
“Bye, Mom,” John said in a respectful voice.
“Later, Aunt Lily,” Chance and Noah chorused together.
Lily kissed her son goodbye despite his scrunched up face. Chance and Noah rolled their eyes, embarrassing him more.
“Have a great day, boys. You, too, Aisha,” Lily said softly, her gaze on the principal who was watching them.
“Can I go with you, Aunt Lily?” Aisha’s feet began slipping on the floor as she tried to pull away from them to reach Lily.
“Aisha…” Winter tugged fruitlessly on her stubborn daughter.
Viper was laughing so hard he was completely useless.
Seeing Viper was preoccupied, Chance and Noah took off down the hallway. Winter thought John would take off with his cousins. Instead, he held his hand out to Aisha.
“You can walk with me. You’re in Mrs. Jones’ classroom. It’s next to mine. I had Mrs. Jones two years ago; she’s cool. She lets you keep your teddy bear in your desk.” He took his eyes off Aisha to cast an embarrassed look up at Viper.
“Really?” she asked in awe. “I didn’t bring my teddy bear today. Mommy said I couldn’t. Daddy, can I bring it tomorrow?”
Winter raised her brow, waiting for Viper to answer. This time, his self-preservation kicked in.
“We’ll talk about it tonight.”
“Okay.” Aisha’s face dropped.
“We’re going to be late if you don’t come on. I don’t want to go to the principal’s office.” John was more afraid of the principal than he was of Viper.
“Okay. Bye, Mommy, Daddy.” Aisha blew them off, walking next to John. “Is the principal mean?” she asked conspiratorially.
“Yes, she was Noah and Chance’s teacher last year. They said she was the meanest teacher in the whole school. Mr. Long was the principal, but he retired last year. They said he was nice.”
Winter and Viper stared at Aisha as she walked toward her class without looking back. Winter tearfully took out her cell phone, snapping several pictures as they disappeared into their respective classrooms.
“I cried John’s first day of school, too,” Lily said sympathetically. “Beth did, too; except, hers were tears of joy.”
Winter and Viper laughed so loudly the principal moved closer to them.
“We need to set an example so the children learn how to compose themselves.” She didn’t try to hide her disapproval of Viper’s leather vest showing he was president of the Last Riders.
“Yes, ma’am.” Viper took Winter’s arm when she opened her mouth to explain she wanted to take pictures.
The principal’s stern gaze followed the parents after they apologized, escaping outside.
“I thought Chance and Noah were exaggerating, but they might be right.” Lily giggled.
“She reminds me of how I acted my first year as principal. I’m sure she’ll ease up once the school year goes on.” Winter was tempted to go back inside, but Viper wouldn’t let her.
“I hope so, or it’s going to be a long year for Beth and Razer. See you tonight.” Lily waved as they got in their cars.
Winter buckled her seatbelt then crossed her arms over her chest, giving Viper a stern look. “Exactly what did you promise Aisha if she went to school today?”
“Huh?”
“That look may be cute on a five-year-old, but not so much on a thirty-nine-year-old man.”
“I told her, if she didn’t like it, she didn’t have to go back tomorrow.”
Her mouth dropped open, getting ready to blast her husband since she was still fired up over the principal’s judgmental attitude.
“I’m just joking.” Viper held his hands up in defense. “I told her that, if she went to school, I would get Uncle Knox to drive her to school tomorrow.”
“Oh…” Damn, she hated it when Viper outsmarted her.