“I sure hope so,” Jace replies. “Gets me out from behind my desk for a while.”
“That’s what you get for going the corporate route,” I joke.
He grunts. “Yeah, yeah. The ladies love my suits.”
“Not this girl.” Sutton wrinkles her nose.
Jace glares at her. “You don’t count as my target audience.”
“You’re the only one who does for me,” I whisper against her temple.
Her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink. She bites her bottom lip and sighs.
“And there goes my appetite,” Jace mutters.
Alice swats his arm. “Be nice. You’re just jealous.”
He rolls his eyes. “Sure, let’s call it that.”
Barry wipes at his mouth with a napkin and looks my way. “Heard from your mother lately?”
The air in my lungs turns sour. The answer is no. She’s been gone whenever I’ve tried to visit recently. I drop off a load of groceries and leave without pause. It’s hard to remember when I stopped concerning myself with her whereabouts over a decade ago. She’ll go on benders for weeks on end without a care except pumping the poison into her veins. I had to sever ties to save my own sanity. Doing the bare minimum is about all I can handle these days. That doesn’t keep the guilt at bay.
My silence must tell him everything he wanted to know. “Well, I hope she checks in soon. But enough of that.” He pushes his empty plate away.
“Dessert?” It’s no shock the question comes from Sutton.
Alice rubs her hands together. “I have all the ingredients for s’mores. Who’s up for a bonfire?”
A chorus of agreement erupts from all of us. I feel right at home.
20
Sutton
Happy something #66: Reading ghost stories in the dark, under a blanket with a flashlight.
Iallow my eyes to slide shut for a moment while a cool breeze kicks up. A heavy sigh follows close behind. The oppressive heat is finally wilting with the waking moon. This summer has already reached record highs and we’re only halfway in. That muggy humidity brings the temperature to unbearable limits. Having a slight chill tickle my skin is a pleasing reprieve. Without that break, sitting around a bonfire would border on torture.
A fresh burst of bright orange and yellow flames crackle to life in front of me. Utter contentment hangs in the air, just beyond my reach. I avoid the glowering shadow looming on the edge of my vision. Easier thinking than doing. That pain in the ass doubles his efforts at stabbing holes into my bliss.
My parents hit the hay thirty minutes ago, leaving me alone with Grady and Jace. All was well until my boyfriend tugged me onto his lap. My brother has been shooting daggers at us ever since. That doesn’t stop me from perching proud on Grady’s thigh. Jace needs to get over it.
My brother releases another obnoxious groan. I toss my hands up, more than done with his hissy fit. “What’s your deal? I thought us being together was fine with you?”
“What gives you the idea that I'm not? Did I say something to offend you?” He shoots me a smirk.
“You don’t have to talk. That surly expression is plenty.”
He yanks the brim of his hat lower. “Excuse me for caring. I’ve been protective since you were born, Sutt. Cut me some damn slack.”
“For real, man?” Grady’s voice is pure grit behind me.
Jace folds his arms. “It’s still weird as hell.”
“Well, this is happening. Get used to it.” I paste on a toothy smile.
My brother scrubs over his face. “I’m doing my best, thanks for asking.”
