Page 56 of Sack

“Come on, man, please.”

“Ask Oz.”

“The dickwad already bailed.”

“Where’d he go?”

“Hell if I know. Probably back to that Irish place. Seems to be where he’s been spending all his free time lately.”

Colt craned his neck to look over the crowd. “What about Garret?” He jutted his chin. “Doesn’t look like he’s doing anything.”

“I can’t ask him. You’re my bro.”

Colt hated when Linc played the friend card. He hated saying no when Linc asked for a favor with how many times he’d come through for Colt’s Kids. “Fine. But if you’re gone longer than an hour, I’m bailing, too.” He wanted to stay at least that long anyway after downing that beer.

“Deal. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

The blonde’s name was Samantha.

“But everyone calls me Sam,” she giggled, latching on to Linc’s arm.

Her friend was Isabel. She was pretty in an overly made-up kind of way that gave off the vibe she was trying too hard. Nothing like Ivy’s natural beauty. “You kids have fun. We’ll be fine,” Isabel said, shooing Sam and Linc with a wave of her hand.

Sam was quick to pull Linc away, but Colt didn’t see him protest and soon they were swallowed by the group of dancers in the middle of the room.

“You want to dance?”

Colt turned his attention back to Isabel. “I don’t dance.”

A few beats of silence passed before she tried again. “How about a drink?”

Colt knew he had to do something to keep her entertained for the hour he was left to babysit, so he shrugged. “Sure.”

He led the way to the kitchen assuming she’d follow. Back at the cooler, he dug through it and asked, “Beer or hard lemonade?”

“Lemonade.”

He handed her a can and pulled another water out for himself.

“You don’t drink?”

“Not when I’m driving.” He planted himself on one of the kitchen chairs.

Isabel followed suit. “Well, that’s commendable.” She batted her lashes which had Colt suppressing a groan.

“So, Colt,” she took a sip of her drink then set the can on the table, “tell me all about yourself.”

Colt wasn’t sure how it had happened, but he spent the whole hour talking about Ivy. Isabel, he noted, spent that time yawning into her hand.

“Oh, thank God,” she said, perking up.

“Pardon?”

She threw him an apologetic look. “I mean, oh, look, there’s Sam and Linc.”

Colt turned to where she pointed, and sure enough, he saw Linc pulling a disheveled Sam through the crowd. They both stood and met them halfway.

“I’m out of here.” Colt held out a hand and Linc slapped it.

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