I stood and clapped him on the shoulder. “You did too. You were thinking ‘there’s no way this old lady can take me down. I might hurt her.’ ”

Pink brushed across his cheeks. “Did not.”

“Did too.” I ran my hand around my waist to make sure my shirt hadn’t gotten tugged out. “Again?”

His little-kid grin warmed my heart. “I ain’t going soft on ya.”

I loved spending time with my nephews. I hadn’t done enough of it beyond spectating at their matches and games, going to plays and music performances. The last two years, I’d slacked off. Facing the inevitable “Where’s Aiden?” had caused more anxiety than it was worth. I’d avoided the family that had always had my back no matter how much I’d tried to be different from them.

Never again.

I grappled with Caleb. He was a strong kid, but he hadn’t hit his growth spurt yet. My body remembered all the moves. How to breathe so I didn’t get tired out. How to roll and twist in a way that wouldn’t hurt him, but would give him enough experience to make it worthwhile.

“I’m next. I’m next.” Corbin danced around us.

I took turns between the boys. I wouldn’t be able to walk tomorrow after pulling half the muscles in my body. My workouts until now had been as pointless and lonely as my marriage. The gym in our house—Aiden’s house—had all the amenities, everything but other people. It had seemed wasteful to join a gym when I had all the same equipment under my roof and twenty-four-seven access to any group fitness class I could stream. I had thought of taking up swimming just so I could justify the cost that I had no problem covering in order to be around other people.

I’d have to factor going to the gym into my budget and my time. Same with being with my family.

My distraction cost me. Corbin took after his dad and the little bugger tickled me during one round.

“You little shrimp,” I gasped between giggles. Jason used to do the same thing when he got tired of practicing. “I’m going to make you pay.”

“I’ll save you, Corb!” Caleb jumped in and I had to summon all my rusty knowledge to keep from being pinned and tickled by both of them.

The screen door squeaked. Had Mom come out to watch? My niece Violet?

“Kids,” Jason said. “That’s enough.” Why wasn’t he egging them on? That was more like him.

They didn’t listen. I barked out a laugh as Corbin tried to roll on top of me, as if his slight weight could pin me.

“Boys,” Jason barked.