Page 74 of Blood
“He misbehaving?” Michael asks as we step close to our siblings.
Sam doesn’t answer. Instead, she looks like I hog-tied and forced her here.
Sliding into the booth on the empty side, she looks at anything but them.
“Anyone got anything to say?” I demand sharply, placing my arm on the back of the booth behind Samantha.
“No.”
“No.”
“Nope.”
Everyone answers together.
“Can I have ice cream?” Belle asks from her dad’s lap.
Sam’s wet eyes slowly look around the table.
“You don’t hate us?”
“Samantha.” Daniel’s stern voice breaks through the others’ rushed reassurances.
Sam closes her eyes, refusing to look at our big brother.
“Samantha,” he repeats.
I stroke my thumb on her neck, trying to give her the strength she needs.
Finally, she meets his gaze.
Neither sibling speaks, but a thousand words pass between them.
Sam nods, taking the menu that Michael offers.
I hold my hand out for one, and he scoffs. “Does it look like I work here? Get your own.”
Samantha gives a snotty laugh, and just like that, the tension melts.
“Does this mean you’re one babysitting team, or can I still count you separately?” Charlie asks cheekily.
“One,” Sam answers, “but double the time.”
I nod, grinning so hard that it hurts my cheeks when Samantha slides her hand onto my thigh under the table.
“You heard the lady,” I agree.
A young girl approaches the table with a pad of paper and pen in her hands. “Welcome to Judy’s. What can I get you?”
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t little June bug,” I greet. “I told your grandmother you’d look adorable with those braces.”
June blushes at my words, hiding behind her long bangs.
I nudge whoever’s foot is closest to my left shoe.
“I didn’t even notice,” Lara joins in.
I kick Michael under the table next.
