Page 15 of The Way We Score

My brother Zane follows as Rachel leads Miss Gina to her favorite booth in the back of the restaurant, away from the noise. I watch as he kisses the side of her head before leaning down to hug the old blind lady.

He whispers something in Rachel’s ear, and her eyes light. The satisfied smile curving his lips really fans my optimism. It’s kind of awesome to see my broody second-oldest brother so content. After all the nights I spent worrying about him following his injury, it’s been a long time coming.

She rises on her toes to kiss his lips, and he crosses the room headed for the pool area. I figure he’s going to check on her younger brother Edward, who they keep now. He’s got some special needs, and all the noise and partying of Dare Night is a bit too intense for him.

I’m reaching for another cup of ice cream when Dylantouches my arm, rising onto her tiptoes to yell in my ear. “I think we’re good for now!”

My attention returns to the room, where the line is gone and the brave customers who dare to try the pepper from hell are taking careful bites and fanning their mouths or watching or dancing. Dylan’s right. A cover charge would be dumb, considering the number of folks who just come to join the party.

Not to mention, the girls are selling Fireball shots faster than we ripped the tops off vanilla ice cream cups.

“Sin Wagon” by The Chicks starts up, and boots are stomping.

Craig yells at me. “Get up here!” And I look up to see him shaking his ass with the girls to Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.

Holding up a hand, my eyes scan the room until I spot Liv at Miss Gina’s booth, hovering over her mom, who appears to be on her second cup of ice cream with the blueberry fire sauce.

“I can’t tell you what I’d give to see you and Liv dance together again.” Dylan is carefully rolling the plastic gloves inside-out from her hands and depositing them into the trash behind the bar. “You two could set the room on fire. You were hotter than anything I could cook up.”

Huffing a laugh, I try to play off the surge her words provoke in my lower stomach. “I haven’t danced with Liv in years.”

“I bet you remember how.”

She goes to the sink behind the bar, and I watch as she takes out a tub of coconut oil to slather all over her fingers and fingernails. My eyes drift again to the back booth, and this time, Liv’s eyes meet mine.

A careful smile curls her lips, and my feet carry me in her direction without even being told. I cross the room, through the stomping, singing, and laughter. When I get to their table, I lower to a squat, so I’m not hulking over them.

“Hello, ladies, can I bring youanything?”

“Garrett Bradford, have they got you waiting tables?” Ms. Plum reaches out to squeeze my forearm.

“I offered to help out, but don’t get excited. I’m not much of a waiter. Can I bring you some drinks while you still have taste buds?”

“I’m safe!” Miss Gina waves her hands, laughing. “I’m too old for all this spicy food. I might not survive it!”

“I don’t think it matters how old you are.” Liv leans into her side. “I’m not having any either.”

“I ate all of theirs!” Ms. Plum waves a hand over three empty ice cream cups in front of her.

“You didn’t eat mine!” Rachel cries, and I lean to the side to inspect the two partners in pepper-crime.

“Purple lips.” I nod, like I’ve cracked the case. “A dead giveaway.”

“What!” Rachel’s eyes widen. “Are they…?” She taps her phone camera to inspect the damage. “Oh, no! Zane can’t see me like this. I look like I drank all the grape Kool-Aid!”

Ms. Plum only laughs. “I don’t have anybody to impress. I’m only sad it’s over.”

Leaning closer, I speak out of the side of my mouth. “I bet I can get you some more.”

“Would you?” She bounces in her seat, eyes sparkling like a little kid at Christmas.

“Is my brother over here asking Liv to dance?” Dylan skips up behind me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Ahh,” I stand, and she holds on, gripping my waist with her knees and moving to a piggyback. “Get off me, banshee!”

I swat at her like a sasquatch.

“Please dance with Liv for me!” Dylan’s head tilts to the side. “It’ll be just like old times.”

---