My arms wrap around his neck. I press my face up to his for a kiss. "I want to fall in love with you, too."
"I don't know about you, but I felt the vortex today." Kerrigan pokes at the crackling fire with a stick.
We declined dessert at the restaurant, opting to roast marshmallows over the campfire instead. My parents stayed at the restaurant bar to have another cocktail, and Dominic retreated to our tent to prepare for the work meeting he has tomorrow morning.
I scoff at my sister's insistence. "You did not either, you liar."
Kerrigan throws a marshmallow at me. "I totally did."
"Not," Duke adds. "You totally didnot."
Grandma yawns. Exhaustion pulls at her eyes. Has she been looking more tired the last few days? Is it the travel, being on the road constantly?
"I think it's time for me to turn in," Grandma says, her hands finding the armrests on her chair. She pushes up to standing, and Rainbow, present like a shadow, is there to assist.
"Good night, Grandma," we chorus.
"Love you, kiddos," she replies. The three of us share a look. Grandma is many things, but emotionally demonstrative is not one of them. Unless we're counting fiery retorts, and putting somebody in their place.
Rainbow pats Kerrigan's hand as she passes, mollifying her. "Some people are more sensitive to the vortex than others." Her gauzy skirt flows with her retreating steps.
"See?" Kerrigan says, childishly sticking her tongue out at me and Duke. "People with blue or red auras get left out in the cold."
Duke rolls his eyes. "I thought you gave Mom and Dad the last of your shrooms."
I gasp. "I knew they were acting different."
"They only took them once," Kerrigan replies. "They're acting different because they're much calmer now that they're away from the stress of their lives."
I pierce a marshmallow with the pronged end of my poker and hold it over the open flame. "The rest of us deal with stress the old-fashioned way."
Kerrigan makes a face. "Like getting drunk-married in Vegas?" Her eyes widen as soon as she says it. Hand snapping to her mouth, she squeaks, "I'm sorry."
My lips press together as I avoid my big brother's judgmental gaze.
"I knew it," he says triumphantly, drawing my attention. "Your favorite thing to do is to not be a part of this family, but I knew that even you would not get married without telling us."
I sputter, offended and outraged. "Even me? Go fuck yourself, Duke. You were all set to marry Daisy even though it was obvious you weren't in love with her."
"Guys," Kerrigan hisses, playing the role of peacekeeper. "Please remember how important it is for Grandma to see us all getting along. We've been doing really good so far."
"Yeah, because everybody is on their best behavior." My marshmallow catches fire, and I quickly blow it out. "Imagine if we weren't."
"Bloodbath," Duke says, sipping his drink. He has forgone a s'mores making kit and elected for a tumbler of whiskey.
Assembling my s'more, I say, "I think what Grandma would prefer is for us to actually get along."
Duke taps the side of his glass. "That would require the help of a professional."
Kerrigan's laugh is hollow. "Getting this family to hash it out. Can you imagine? We never talk about anything."
"I suspect that's what Grandma wants from this road trip."
Kerrigan sighs. "Well, we can't always get what we want."
Wiping marshmallow from my chin, I say, "I triple dog dare you to go up to Grandma and say that to her face."
Duke rubs his palms on his jean-clad thighs, as if the idea excites him. "Make sure I'm there when you do it because I want to watch."
