“I’m not judging you,” Tak said. “Just think about your actions. There’s nothing wrong with someone having too many spirits, especially in celebration. But they become our responsibility, and we have to look out for them.”
I stroked Tak’s arm, proud of his commitment to truth.
Tak stood up and straightened his shirt. “There’s something I need to do. Be right back.”
When he didn’t head for the restroom, I got butterflies. He stalked toward Lakota, who was busy racking up pool balls. The dim light made it difficult to see anything in the back except for the overhead lamps shining on the billiard tables.
Lennon glanced in that direction. “Wonder what that was about.”
“I bet I know,” Melody sang, waggling her brows at me.
Lennon snickered. “Maybe he just needed to borrow a pencil.”
“Or a recipe for banana nut bread,” Melody said with a snort.
“Or maybe they’re discussing quantum physics.”
“Ormaybehe wants to invite my brother into a secret knitting circle.”
When I realized what was going on, I sprang out of my chair while Mel and Lennon carried on with the one-upmanship. My palms grew sweaty, and my heart raced as I neared the back of the room.
After tapping Lakota’s shoulder, Tak straightened up.
“What’s up?” Lakota asked, pool stick in hand.
Tak wiped his forehead, and before he opened his mouth, I grabbed his thick arm and yanked him away.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
He gave me a look of reproach. “What I should have done weeks ago. I’ve been waiting for the right moment.”
“For what?”
Sweat touched his brow. “No man should think he has the right to a woman’s heart without proving his worth. If your family is the condition, then I must also wintheirhearts.”
I took a nervous breath. “Now? In a bar?”
Lakota was giving us a suspicious look as he chalked his stick.
Tak’s steadfast loyalty to Lakota was evident, but could he convince Lakota that he was worthy of being his brother? When courtship was involved, it was customary for packmates to decide if an outsider would be divisive or an asset to the pack. Since I didn’t have one, much of that decision fell on my family.
Tak shook his head. “Don’t look so nervous. You’re makingmenervous, and I haven’t even gotten around to the hard part of speaking with your father.”
Now I understood why Tak looked especially handsome this evening. Others only saw black cargo pants and a sleeveless shirt, but I saw a man who’d selected clothes that would put those fresh scars on prominent display. Not to mention my necklace. And his perfectly braided hair with the elaborate tie at the end. All the food and drink had gone on his tab, and he’d been cracking more jokes at the table than usual.
“I’ll be right back,” he informed me.
My feet rooted in place as I watched him pivot around and tap Lakota on the shoulder again. When Lakota turned, he didn’t have the same smile stamped on his face as moments earlier. His eyes darted back and forth between us, and then he set his pool stick on the table and folded his arms.
Tak cleared his throat and said something I couldn’t hear.
“What?” Lakota asked, straining to hear him over a guitar riff.
“Turn down the music!” Tak boomed. A few seconds later, the volume decreased, and people rubbernecked to see what was happening. “I love your sister,” he repeated with perfect clarity. “I’m in love with your sister.”
“Yes, and that’s what concerns me.”
I circled around to watch the conversation from a closer distance—Tak on the right and Lakota backed up against the pool table.
