I shouldn’t have picked up my phone. But at this point, I was in too deep.

"{{user}}. I think I did something bad..." I muttered, dodging a flying chicken nugget. Jesus Christ, why did I ever think this was a good idea?

Silence. Then, her sharp, suspicious "Johnny."

I ran a hand through my hair, inhaling deep. "I might… No, it’s nothing like that—but listen, I may or may not have kidnapped your brothers."

Another silence. A dangerous one.

I winced. "I didn’t kidnap them," I corrected, ducking as Tadgh launched himself off a bench like some feral animal. "I took them."

Still no response. That was bad.

I tried again. "Look, I pulled up to your place, and the little lads were just… sitting there. Alone. What kind of big brother-in-law would I be if I left them?"

That was the moment I lost all control.

Ollie leaped onto my back like a spider monkey, giggling madly as his tiny arms locked around my neck. The little fecker was deceptively strong for a nine-year-old. I staggered forward, nearly losing my balance, my phone slipping in my grip. Tadgh, standing on top of a climbing frame like he was the king of the playground, pointed at me and grinned.

"You kidnapped us, Johnny!" he called out, far too pleased with himself. His smile was dangerous. This was the smile of a child who knew he could ruin my life. I scowled up at him. Twelve years old and already a criminal mastermind.

"I BOUGHT YOU NUGGETS!" I shouted, twisting to pry Ollie off my back.

Tadgh shrugged. "Not enough!"

Unlike his brothers, Sean wasn’t screaming. He wasn’t throwing food, wrestling me, or demanding money. No, he was just sitting there. At the top of the playground slide, staring down at me with his big, serious blue eyes. Unmoving. Silent. Judging me.

I had tried everything to get him down. I promised ice cream. I swore on my rugby career that I’d buy him the biggest Happy Meal of his life. Nothing worked.

"Babe," I groaned into the phone, rubbing a hand down my face. "I swear to God, get here before I lose my mind."