“Three shots of tequila,” I wave my fingers and give my order.
Jax and Julia look at each other.
Good. Let them. They’re downingthese shots with me. The bartender slides the shots in my direction and winks, and I push them at Jax and Julia. She’s wrinkling her nose.
Because I’m still kind of mad at her, I get a kick out of the look on her face. Besides, it’s about damn time she learns how to drink actual booze. Not those fruity concoctions she slurps down without ever gaining weight.
“Bottoms up.” I hold my shot in the air with my left hand, and a lime wedge in my right.
Jax sighs and turns to Julia. “You don’t have to do it.”
“It’s okay,” she answers back quickly.
I roll my eyes.
“Okay -” Jax says, “we’ll do this shot with you, Beth. But then, we’re slowing down. For real. I’m not carrying you out of here tonight, got it?”
I look at my brother and his twin. That’s right. There are now two of him. I giggle at how serious their expression is.
“Beth . . .” Jax says.
I don’t know why I’m so tickled, but I am. I try to put on a super serious voice to match my brother’s expression, but I keep laughing. “Okay, Jax, you’ve got yourse — you’ve got your — you’ve got yourself a deal.”
I feel warm. And my brother is cracking me up. So earnest! That’s how he’s always been. He’s the happily married man, and I’m his drunk, cackling, and annoying single sister.
Warily, Jax and Julia lift their shots and look at me, as if for directions. “To true love!” I declare loudly. I don’t even know if I’m being sarcastic. I’m just so drunk. Maybe this shot isn’t such a good idea. But I’m not going to back out now.
I knock it back and bite my lime, seizing it in my mouth like it’s a life preserver and I’m drowning. I shudder.
“Wooo!”
Jax and Julia look at me funny. Oh, so I can’t even yell now after taking a shot? They are so boring. I’ve had enough. I’m making my own fun.
Just as soon as I decide this, “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” comes on.
Oh yeah. This song is my jam.
I start grooving in my stool. I close my eyes. The music takes over my body.
I’m getting up and shaking what my momma gave me.
Jax and Julia already seem embarrassed by me. I’m just getting started.
Plus, I’m curious. How many heads will turn once I start dancing?
I step on a rung under my stool and push myself up onto the bar. Jax reaches out. “Beth, what are you doing?” he says, frowning. I swat away his hand.
I’m just having a bit of fun.
I lift my arms above my head and close my eyes, letting KT Tunstall’s voice carry me away.
5
Joey
I’mglad I’m not the only one who can’t keep his eyes off of Jax’s sister. Every straight guy here with a pulse is looking. It’s impossible not to. She’s moving her hips like she’s twirling an invisible hula hoop. Her body is throwing off more raw heat than any fire I’ve ever encountered.
Lord have mercy.
