“Hey, you finally had someone move in next door.” Wire stares at the image in the bottom corner of the screen.
I forgot that I had aimed a camera that way while it was empty to keep an eye out. Sitting on her deck next to a lit fire is the irritating woman. She’s got a book in hand and a mug on the arm of the chair. “Yeah.”
“She’s awfully pretty. You must hate her.”
All of my brothers think they know me so well. The firelight glints off her hair, turning the dark locks fiery. “Looks have nothing to do with why I don’t like her.”
Wire chuckles. “If that was my neighbor, I’d be over there offering her a beer.”
“And your old lady would bash you upside the head with it.”
“She is a little feisty.” He grins.
A motorcycle roars into our driveway. Saber arrived. Creed stands up and walks over to the gate.
I follow his movements with the cameras.
Saber misses the kickstand twice before getting the bike settled.
Tell me I’m wrong and that kid didn’t ride here drunk.
“ARE WE READY TO PARTY?” Saber grabs a case of beer out of his saddlebag that looks a bit too wobbly to be full.
“I’ll call Lyun.” Wire reaches for his phone.
“No. Let’s see how the kids respond.” I turn on the outside microphones.
“Saber, buddy, how many did you have on the way?” Creed walks over to him.
“Just a few. Like four or six.” Saber shrugs and lurches to the side.
Creed offers him a shoulder and takes the case of beer from Saber. “We were supposed to meet here for drinks.”
“I know.” Saber nods, rocking them both forward. “But I wanted to start the party early.”
Carefully, they walk back to the backyard, leaving the gate open behind them.
The rest of the kids are standing waiting as they reach the deck.
“Kross, call his dad. Grim, get Saber some water,” Creed says.
“Why are you calling my dad?” Saber stops walking suddenly. “The party is just getting started.”
“Yet it’s almost over for you. What were you thinking riding over here drunk?” Creed asks.
“I was thinking about my friend in the ground. And then, I was ready to start the party. How can you all just stand there so calm when our best friend died? When our brother is rotting in the ground, cold and alone.”
Creed helps Saber into the chair Kross was in. Rykka starts to bring him their blanket when Creed steps between the girls and the drunk kid.
Good. Creed remembered me telling him never to trust a drunk, especially around a woman.
“You raised that boy right.”
Yeah, I did. “All the brothers helped.”
Wire nods.
Grim holds out a bottle of water to Saber, who knocks it to the ground. “I don’t want water. Gimme a beer. This is a PARTY. LET’S PARTY!!!” Saber moves to stand up.
