Page 84 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Those are some great moves, Gusto.”
“Do it with me!” Gus said.
Sasha spun around, waving her arms. “Come on, Ez. Do it with us.”
As Gus led them through a series of ridiculous moves that only a five-year-old would think were cool, Sasha put her all into it, following his lead and adding her own funky moves. They danced to half a dozen fast songs, acting silly and earning endless giggles from Gus.
A slow song came on, and she scooped Gus into her arms. “Do you think we can get your daddy to slow dance with us?”
“You’d have a harder time getting me not to.” He took Gus, settling him on his hip, and put his other arm around Sasha as Gus put one arm around Ezra’s neck and the other around hers, keeping them close. He had everything he wanted right there in his arms, and he’d give just about anything for the song never to end.
But, of course, it did, and a short while later, the buffet was brought out. They headed for a table, where Rebel, Cowboy, and Sully were settling in. “Mind if we crash your table?” Ezra asked.
“Not at all,” Cowboy said.
“Thanks.” Ezra pulled out a chair for Sasha.
“You guys were so cute dancing together,” Sully said.
“Gusto can make anyone look good,” Sasha said.
“I’m a good dancer,” Gus exclaimed as he climbed onto the chair beside Sasha. “If you want, I’ll dance with you later.”
“I’d like that a lot,” Sully said.
“You’ve got a little Romeo on your hands, Moore,” Cowboy said.
“Yeah, he’s got it all going on. Guess I’m next to you, Rebel,” Ezra said as he sat down between Gus and Rebel. “How’s it going?”
“I’ll let you know in a minute,” he grumbled, and downed his drink.
Ezra felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and turned to find Rebel’s oldest brother, Denver standing behind him, which explained Rebel’s sudden discomfort. “Hey, Denver. It’s nice to see you.”
“You, too.” Denver was about six five and had an easy twenty pounds on Rebel. He had dark hair and a thick beard, and he was as gruff as Rebel was easygoing. “When are you going to get your ass home, little brother?”
“Dad, he said a bad word,” Gus said hushed and urgent. “Is he making a point?”
“Yeah, little man, I am.” Denver crossed his arms over his chest and lowered his chin. “I asked you a question, Raleigh.” Raleigh was Rebel’s given name.
Rebel held his steady gaze. “The answer hasn’t changed since you asked me last night.”
“It’s time to cut the BS and come home,” Denver said gruffly.
“Get over yourself.” Rebel pushed to his feet and walked away.
“Nice going, Denver,” Sasha said. “Why do you have to push him all the time?”
Denver’s brows slanted. “What did I say? We all miss him. He belongs back home with us.”
“Maybe you could’ve led with missing him,” Ezra suggested. “He has a life here, and it would probably be good if you acknowledged that, too.”
Denver scrubbed a hand down his face. “Right. Thanks.”
As he walked away, the clink of silverware on glasses rang out around them, urging Dare and Billie to kiss. Dare never needed a reason to kiss his new bride. He hammed it up, motioning with his hand for everyone to do it again, bringing rise to laughter and moreclinking.
Tiny stood to make a speech, and the noise quieted. This was one of the few times Ezra had ever seen Tiny without a bandanna around his head. His gray hair was pulled back and tidily braided, his long beard was groomed, and as he stood before them, holding up a champagne glass, he was looking at Dare and Billie with so much love, it felt tangible. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out to celebrate Dare and Billie’s first anniversary.”
Murmurs of confusion rose around them. Ezra looked at Sasha in question. She shrugged and shook her head. Even Wynnie looked confused.
