Page 18 of Beach Bats

Chuckling, Vin loved to hear it. “I’m glad we’re on separate ends of the house.”

“This is a beautiful house,” Evan said.

It really was. Four large bedrooms, three and a half baths, and an open concept living-dining-kitchen combo. The porch wrapped around the house, leading to a massive deck. A gate connected them to the small patch of private beach. The house that Gem rented was right next door, with white pavers that made getting back and forth easy.

Aries screeched before chasing Nix down the steps to the gate.

“I’ll get them,” Vin said as he put away the last of the canned goods.

“I need to finish setting up our room, if you could keep Nix busy for half an hour or so I’d appreciate it.”

“No problem.” Vin picked up the sand tools that he’d purchased with the groceries. “I’ll just make them both believe that the other can make a better sandcastle.”

“Evil genius,” Evan praised.

“Have fun getting things ready for your boy,” Vin said. He might not know what exactly Evan had planned but he was certain it would be what Nix needed.

“Have fun dealing with all the sand,” Evan retorted. “Better you than me.”

Vin gave his own smirk. “After sand comes the bath.” He loved bathing Aries and taking care of his boy.

Evan laughed as he exited the kitchen to head toward the room at the back of the house.

Following the giggles that seemed to be getting farther away, Vin picked up his pace. Carrying the toys, he stopped to grab a couple of beach towels then hurried.

He found Aries and Nix on the beach close to the water but still within sight of the house. Aries had tackled his brother and was currently sitting on Nix’s chest as Nix kicked his feet, trying to get free.

Vin tossed the packages of sand toys beside the boys.

Aries immediately stopped bouncing on Nix’s chest. “Toys?”

Nix grunted. “Get him off me. He’s heavy!”

“You pushed me,” Aries replied to his brother. He even bounced again, making Nix whine.

“How much weight have you gained?” Nix complained.

“It’s muscle,” Aries responded proudly.

“Look, toys!” Nix pointed in the direction of the packages.

Aries turned his head again.

“Evan said that he thought Nix could build a better sandcastle,” Vin said. “I told him there was no way. My boy would be best.”

Aries scrambled off his brother and over to the toys.

Squatting down, Vin opened the first package, handing the blue plastic shovel, rakes, bucket, and molds to his boy as Nix attempted to roll back over. After Aries had all his toys, he scampered off toward the ocean, bucket at the ready to collect some water.

Vin started to open the second package as Nix dragged himself closer.

“Are you distracting me, or Aries?”

“What do you mean?” Vin handed Nix a yellow plastic shovel.

“Evan hates the sand. He never would have come up with this challenge.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Vin lied.