The waterlogged bunch decided that they would follow the plan that the women had set for the day and dry off so they could head to Busch Gardens for dinner, rides and fireworks.
"I don't do roller coasters, but we can find some place to talk while the others ride some rides." Jon promised Tayler.
Tayler looked at him with wide eyes. "Are you crazy? The best part of going to an amusement park is riding the rides! Finding another family to go with is a God-send. Devin hates rides and Colt loves them. We have a constant battle because I can't leave Devin alone while I ride with Colt and I don't want Colt to ride by himself, either. So, going with ya'll will be perfect. Especially if you don't do rides! Now Devin has someone to hang out with." Colt and Tayler's smiles were huge while Devin shrugged his shoulders in an almost apologetic manner.
Colby chimed in. "I love roller coasters but no one else ever wants to go with me. Can I ride with you guys?"
"Sure!" they agreed quickly.
"So four of us are riding and four are staying on the ground." Galina clarified, smiling up at her husband. "See? All works out. You have friends to hang out with and I have friends to play with. Life is great!" She linked her arm through Tayler's and the two women led the group towards the exit of the waterpark.
Jon walked beside Joe on the way out. "Dude, you need to reign in your wife. How am I going to get close to Tayler if Galina is constantly maneuvering and butting in the way she is?"
"Did you seriously just say 'reign in my wife'?" Joe asked with a voice filled with mirth. "You have SO much to learn." he crowed as he threw his arm around Jon's shoulders and shook his friend merrily. "And, just a word of advice so you don't get killed, don't ever let Galina hear you say that. Ever. She'll kill us both. You for saying it and me for not beating you for that idiotic comment."
"My husband is right. Learn from him." Galina called back over her shoulder as the women headed for Tayler's car.
"Daddy, can I ride with you?" Joe picked his daughter up and put her on his shoulders.
"See what you've done? The two of them are taking off and we are here with the kids. Dude…" Joe was smiling at his daughter as he grumbled at Jon.
Jon glanced around. "Kids? Wait… One, two, three… Where's Colby? How did we get stuck with all three kids?" Joe bit his lip so he didn't laugh out loud as he realized that Jon's hands were starting to shake. "Colby? Colby? Where are you?" The missing man ran over to his two friends, thrust JoJo's car seat into Jon's hands, and raced away. "What in the world?"
Colby spun around and ran backwards as he yelled to the men. "I am riding with them. We'll meet you there!" He turned and continued running without breaking his stride.
"N-NO!" Jon shouted.
"It's too late." Joe said with a smirk. "They're gone."
"You don't like kids?" Colton asked.
Jon looked at Colton and Devin. "That's not it. Not it at all." he said with a sigh. "I just wanted to spend time with…" He released a heavy breath again. "I just thought… Never mind."
Colton had sympathy on the lost-looking older man. "Look, I don't know if I'm ready for my mother to date yet but she promised that we'd have to like the guy if she's gonna let him stick around." Jon swallowed hard. "So I'm gonna tell ya, don't treat us like we are little brats or a chore to have around. Treat us like we are young adults, people. Talk to us."
Jon nodded. "Just not used to kids." he admitted. "Kinda scare me."
Devin looked at him with wide eyes. "You're not the only one." Colton dropped a reassuring arm around his brother's shoulders. Jon took in the closeness of the brothers and realized that he had to step-up – and fast.
Stepping around the boys to put his arm around Devin's shoulder as well, he said, "I guess we need to figure this out together then. Whadya say we take this slow and easy, the way your brother suggested?"
Devin whispered, "But you're big and strong."
Jon squeezed his shoulders. "Can I tell you a secret?" he whispered. Joe watched this interaction with interest and baited breath. Jon lowered his voice to a whisper that only the boys could hear. "I've never been around kids, even when I was a kid. I have no idea how to do this and it scares the shi-crap out of me. There are so many ways I can screw up." He pulled the boys in even closer. "Being big and strong means that a man needs to take care of his family. I haven't had a family besides Joe and Colby."
Devin looked up at Jon. He whispered, "So we could help you learn how to not be scared of us and about being around kids?"
Jon nodded. "We can help each other." he agreed.
Devin and Colton looked at each other. Then they looked at Jon and said, "Okay." Joe was almost to the SUV, so Devin scampered ahead to help him with the door. Colton held back to look Jon in the eye one last time. "We're good, as long as you don't blow up any more. We don't need that in our lives. Not again."
As the young man started to walk away, Jon stopped him. "Colt, what you heard last night was unusual. I know Colby told you that." He looked at this boy and saw shades of himself from years ago, trying to act older than his years. "Someday, when we are a little more comfortable with each other, we are going to have a long talk. I want to know what's gone on in your lives because there are things that, as a man, we have to learn in order to protect those we love. The only way to learn them is from other men. It sounds like you've had shitty role models in your life so far." He put his hand on Colton's shoulder. "I swear to you that I won't be another. You don't know me well enough to take my word for it, but know that Joe and Colby will hold me to it."
"Quit gabbing! The women already left. We need to hit the road!" Joe yelled.
"I will hold you to that promise." Colton said as they reached the SUV. They got the doors shut just before Joe peeled out of the parking lot.