Page 100 of The Way We Score

I study the can of sparkling water. “I don’t know.”

He leans back, grinning like he won some kind of award. “She’s just a kid. She was in seventh grade when we graduated.”

My lips part, and my eyes widen. “How do you rememberthat?”

“She told me.”

“That was a long time ago. I doubt she’s still just a kid.”

“Hang on, you two.” Zane holds up a hand in a time-out gesture. “Liv, if it makes you feel better, I’m pretty sure Aubrey is on Gloria and Sandra’s team. Not to be stereotypical, but they all went to the Indigo Girls concert last summer, and I’ve never seen her with a boyfriend.”

I huff an exhale. “That’s hardly proof of anything. Everyone likes the Indigo Girls.”

“Not everyone…” Rachel mutters, glancing to the side.

A strong arm wraps around my shoulders, and Garrett pulls me close. “Listen, Cherry, I’m not interested in anyone but you. Hear me?”

Butterflies swoop through my stomach at his bold statement. Zane’s eyebrows flicker up briefly as he takes another sip of beer, and Rachel bites back a grin, her green eyes sparkling.

“What did I miss?” Dylan calls as she, Allie, and a young guy I don’t know carry all the food to the table.

“A lot.” Rachel practically shouts, and I want to kick her under the table.

“No!” Allie cries. “Y’all can’t be telling all the good stories without us!”

“We haven’t even gotten to the story yet.” Rachel winks as she stands to help them pass out the plates.

She gives Dylan a little nudge, and the two exchange a glance. Garrett’s expression is smug as he has another sip of beer, and Zane rests his arms on the table with a grin, looking up at his younger brother.

I’ve known this family long enough to guess what they’re all thinking, and after everything that’s happened, I’m ready to stop being the holdout.

“Here’s what we’ve got.” Dylan sets baskets down the center of the table. “These are the buffalo wings—mild for Liv, but I brought some hot sauce if anybody wants it.”

“I do!” Rachel holds up her hand.”

“Chili-cheese burritos with extra cheese.” She puts the next basket in the middle. “Thomas’s version of a White Castle, which is basically his classic burger, slider-size.”

“I want that!” I’m already drooling.

“And last, but not least, Zapp’s salt and vinegar chips.” Dylan hands me my own bag.

“And my mom’s beignet recipe for dessert!” Allie puts a basket of golden-brown pastries on the end with a silver, cup-sized shaker. “With powdered sugar. It’s not Krispy Kreme, but it’s pretty sweet.”

Dylan’s helper takes the trays to the kitchen while she and Allie pull up two chairs at the end of the table.

“Anybody need more beer?” Allie circles her finger over the group, counting the raised hands.

She runs to the small bar again, while everybody takes a serving of food.

“This is something to look forward to.” Zane lifts a chili-cheese burrito from the basket nearest him.

“As long as the cravings aren’t too weird.” Rachel pours hot sauce over her buffalo wings. “I’ve heard stories—pickles with mayo, raw onions on strawberries…”

“No!” Dylan cries. “Why would anyone do that to a strawberry?”

Allie returns with the beers. “Tell us about the snake wrangling!”

“Like I said, I didn’t do much.” Garrett polishes off his tinyThomas burger, wiping his fingers with a paper napkin. “Aubrey rounded up a nest of sixteen baby black racers in less than ten minutes, no lie.Sixteensnakes, and those suckers are fast.”

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