“Happy birthday, son,” Tyson says as I step outside to let the rest of the crew hug the matriarch of the family.
“Thank you, sir.”
“It’s not his birthday until tomorrow,” Charli sasses as she joins us on the porch.
“And I’ll be sure to tell him tomorrow too,” he replies before bending down and placing a kiss on his daughter’s cheek. “Love you, Charli.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
“Keep an eye on our girl, will ya, Quinn?”
I glance toward Charli, trying not to show any outward reaction to his reference of her beingourgirl. She’s not mine, at least not in any way other than a platonic friend. Sure, I might now know her very intimately, but she’s made it very clear that was a one-time thing.
“I don’t need anyone keeping an eye on me, Father,” Charli sasses.
“Of course you don’t, sweetheart. I taught you how to defend yourself, but when you’re drinking, your reflexes and awareness aren’t one-hundred-percent.”
She makes a face. “But Quinn’ll be drinking too.”
“Yes, but it always helps to have someone watching your back.”
On reflex, my eyes drop to her ass.
Thankfully, if Tyson catches me, he doesn’t call me out on it.
“So, I should watch Quinn’s back too then, huh?”
“Of course,” Tyson says with a decisive nod. “That’s what family does.”
Before she can argue any further, the door opens and the rest of the group files out. “You’re all with me,” Camden announces, pointing to me, Charli, and Sommer.
“I’ll need my car tomorrow,” Sommer argues. “I’m having breakfast with my niece.”
“Well, then drop it off on our way to the bar, and I’ll pick you two up,” Camden states as we all head for the vehicles.
Collin and Lizzie climb into her vehicle, Cade and Oaklee into his truck, and Charli and Sommer head for her car. I jump into Camden’s truck, and we pull out at last, following behindhis sister and her best friend. Sommer picked Charli up before dinner, the same way Camden did for me. The fewest number of vehicles we have the better.
By the time we swing by Sommer’s place to pick up her and Charli, they’re laughing and carrying on as if they’ve already been drinking. “Oh! I love this song,” Charli declares, diving over the console to turn the radio up. When she does, since she’s sitting behind me, she practically falls against my seat and lays on top of my arm. Her tits press firmly against my forearm, and I hold completely still.
If she realizes what she did, she doesn’t draw attention to it. She sits back in her seat and starts belting out the lyrics to the classic Faith Hill song. Charli loves to sing, and she’s pretty good too. I’ve heard her sing karaoke or with her brothers around a campfire several times, and it’s always one of my favorite sounds.
Sommer joins in and I can tell it’s going to be one of those nights. Both ladies seem to be cutting loose already, singing loudly and carrying on, and neither have had a lick of alcohol yet.
Camden glances over, catching my attention. “Gonna be one of those nights,” he whispers just loud enough I can hear over the music.
“Yep,” I confirm, shaking my head and returning my attention to what’s in front of us.
A few minutes later, we pull into one of the small parking lots near the bar. The street is already lined with vehicles, an indication it’s going to be busy tonight. After Camden parks, we all climb out and make our way to the front entrance.
Cade and Oaklee are there, waiting, and step inside when we approach. Classic Toby Keith plays on the jukebox, and Lizzie’s already behind the bar with Jani, while Collin is stocking the cooler.
“What are we having tonight?” Camden asks Charli and Sommer.
“Something sweet and fruity. Have Lizzie make it,” Charli demands, turning to her friend who nods in agreement.
He glances at me before asking, “All American?”
“Yep,” I confirm as we make our way to the bar.
