But before we could host a party, we needed to have people wanting to attend one. That meant making friends, and in Cats Peak, everything revolved around the Grill. Unfortunately, so did Paul Simmons and his friends. The last time I'd been there was when Ash and I had gotten arrested. Still, Billy thought it was a good idea, so we made plans to have a family dinner there that evening.
When Faith got home, I told her about it. She asked if Emily and Zeke could go too. Evidently this was one of those rare nights when Zeke's mom didn't have to work late. Violet thought it was a great idea, so she told Faith to make sure they knew it was on Ash tonight, and that we would love their company.
That evening, we headed out. It took two vehicles to carry us all, but between my truck and Darnell's SUV, we managed to not need any more. Just to balance things out, Ash decided to ride with Darnell, but we arrived within seconds of each other. When I pulled up in front of the Grill, I saw people inside turn to see who had arrived, and then we all began piling out.
Until that moment, I hadn't realized just how big our party really was. There was me and Faith, Ash, Cy, and Violet, then Cessily and Darnell, and now we had Billy along as well. That was eight, which meant that when Emily and Zeke showed up, we were a pack of ten. Ten people in some strange extended family that I would never be able to explain to anyone who wasn't wrapped up in the middle of it.
We barely made it into the door before someone called out, "Well, well. Looks like Southwind has decided to join us!"
I was braced for the worst, but that voice belonged to none other than Bev, the same woman that Bev's Grill was named for. Violet smiled and waved at her, then Bev gestured for us to head around to the open tables along the side.
"I think we can fit some of these together," she offered. "How many of y'all are there?"
"Ten," I said, since I'd just counted. "Point me in the right direction, Bev, and I'll move them around."
"We've got enough muscle," Billy said, moving to my side.
Bev paused when she saw him. "Do I know you?"
"William Blankenship," he told her, offering his hand. "I don't think we've met, but I can't guarantee it."
"Billy?" she asked. "No, we've never met, but Vera pointed you out one time when I came by. It was back in the day when you were just a kid yourself. She said you reminded her of her own little girl. Well, needless to say, she'd be thrilled to know you decided to stick around." She flicked her hand at a group of tables. "You kids set those up however you want."
Faith giggled at Bev calling us all kids, but I let it go. To her, I was probably an old man, and I didn't want to think about that. Instead, I pointed for her to pick a spot near the end so she could have a little privacy when Zeke showed up. When she claimed a seat, I was surprised to see Billy sit next to her.
For a moment, I wondered why he was so interested in her. After what Brody had done, my mind was ready to jump to the worst-case scenario, but I knew better. What he'd said last night at the table? His comments about how he wouldn't let anyone shatter the rainbow? How emphatic he was that her color made her equal to the rest of us? That was why. The most dangerous man at this table wanted to sit next to her because he could keep her safe.
I could be wrong, but I didn't think so. Pressing my hand low on Violet's back, I guided her to the other side of the table, to chairs that were close enough that I could keep an eye on Faith, but not crowd her. They'd kept telling me that Blaze was dangerous, and I'd assumed that was the normal kind of danger. Now, I was starting to realize that he was something new. Something I hadn't encountered before.
Billy was a killer, but he was also a brother. The most dangerous thing about him was that he would do what we asked of him, but he couldn't always erase the consequences of it. That was the price he charged, making it cost just enough for someone to prove how much it mattered to them. I also had no doubt that if I ever betrayed the Shades of Trouble, then Billy would make me regret it - if I lived that long.
"What?" Violet asked when I looked down the table one time too many.
"I think I just figured out my newest brother," I explained. "He's guarding her, isn't he?"
"Probably," she admitted. "He has strong opinions about how kids deserve safe childhoods. I promise that he's not creeping on her."
"Yeah," I said, huffing out a laugh. "That was actually my first worry. Well, reaction. I mean, after what she's been through..."
Ash and Cy claimed the chairs across from us. Cessily sat beside Violet, then Darnell claimed the spot next to Ash. That left the last two open chairs on the wall side - next to me - for Emily and Zeke. I also realized that I was the only strong guy on my side. If things got a little Western tonight, I would have to make sure our ladies didn't get hurt, but the other guys had placed themselves just right so that there was a wall between us and everything else.
Just as Bev came over with menus and a nervous-looking waitress, Emily and Zeke arrived. I looked over and raised a hand in greeting, only to have Emily wave back like she was actually excited. Wrapping her arm behind her son, she guided the boy over. While they claimed their chairs, the young waitress began taking drink orders like we were at a real restaurant.
"My tab," Ash said to Bev, just as Emily got comfortable. "Everyone here."
"And I'm going to bet you won't allow me to make it on the house, will you?" Bev asked. "After the last time you were here, I feel like I owe one to Southwind."
"It wasn't your fault," Ash promised. "We just wanted to let things blow over."
"I still feel bad," Bev told him.
So Ash smiled and turned in his chair to face her. "Well, I do happen to know how you can make it up to me. I wanted to try something, but I'm not sure if it would work, and Cats Peak is the perfect demographic."
"Go on..." Bev said, her eyes narrowing with playful suspicion.
"You know how people have Tupperware parties?" he asked. "I've even heard of sex toy parties, or some jewelry companies have a similar system. Avon too, I believe. A little social get-together where people can see the product, try samples, maybe even win prizes. Do you think something like that would work with women's undergarments? Specifically, lingerie?"
Bev's mouth flopped open, hung like that for a moment, and then she laughed. "Oh, that's a great idea! Now, I know that most of those things have a reward of sorts for the host. I'm assuming you'll be giving away panties?"
