Page 41 of Love Shots

“You got any siblings?”

“Nah. I was enough of a handful for my parents, at least that’s what they told me.” Many, many times. Summer was used to being the ultimate disappointment. She honestly assumed that her parents stopped with her because they were mortified by the idea of having another child turn out the same way.

When it came to Mr. and Mrs. Willis, nothing Summer did was ever good enough. Her grades, her hobbies, her friends. The most important thing to her parents was what other people thought. So when Summer refused to go to college, that was the final straw. Heaven forbid she forgo a college education and travel around the world instead. Apparently only stoner hippies wanting to bring shame on the family did something so shocking.

“Are your parents still in Bluestone?”

“Nope. Florida. They moved over there a while ago.” To get away from all that shame Summer assumed.

“I’m guessing you guys aren’t close?”

“That obvious?” Summer’s attempt at breezy fell short. Really short. She didn’t like to think about her parents, let alone talk about them. Throw alcohol into the mix and let’s just say she was pretty fricking close to losing her buzz.

“Kinda, honey, but we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I know how it is. I’m kinda an expert when it comes to shitshow families.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah. So, if you ever wanna compare notes ... you have my number.”

“I just might take you up on that,” before Summer could say anything more, their attention shot to the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of the night! Kicking off this evening’s karaoke is the lovely Alice Mitchell from Bluestone County.”

Cheers and whoops filled the bar, the loudest being from Laney, Sam, and Ivy, who were hollering from the dance floor as Alice jumped on stage.

Looks like Summer had been wrong. The party was only just beginning.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Teddy stood by the entrance. Arms crossed. Brow crinkled. And lips twitching. As he watched an extremely drunk Summer try her hand at karaoke. This time it was piña coladas that she was singing about.

Why was she always singing about drinks? And why the heck had he let her leave the house in that goddamn dress? If that tiny piece of blue polyester rose any higher, he was ready to storm the stage and carry her home. Caveman style.

Whoops and cheers from the male punters had Teddy’s blood pressure rising and his fists clenching.

“Easy, man.” Jake clapped his shoulder. “We’re here to take our women home ... not take out every drunk dude in the bar.”

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