Page 56 of Flame
The chair legs squeak against the hardwood as they move. The other chairs fall to the floor in noisy crashes. I keep pushing until Banks is in the corner with both sides blocked off.
“No one is leaving here until that’s cleaned up,” Mom says.
My palms smack the tabletop, and I glare at my little brother. “Now give me your puppy dog eyes and say something witty before Ibeat your fucking ass.”
Banks starts to talk, but Mom casually slides a sandwich down the table to him.
He smiles at her. “Thanks, Mom. This looks great.” He lifts the top piece of bread. “Oh, and you didn’t forget the pickles. You’re a gem.”
This motherfucker.
He looks up, giving me a cocky smirk before taking a bite of his sandwich. Then he returns it to the plate like he has all the time in the world.
“Want a snack, Foxx?” Mom asks. “We have ham and turkey.”
Banks puts his phone next to his plate. “The ham is excellent.” He touches the screen, and a video begins to play.
He has to be kidding me.
I place two fingers on the side of his plate and drag it slowly to the side of the table.
His mouth falls open. “What the fuck?”
I hold his gaze and place the same fingers on his phone. Then I drag it across the table, too.
He gasps. “What the fuck do you think you’re—ah!”
I dive across the table and tackle him into a pile of chairs. The little shit manages to slide far enough to the side to avoid a direct hit. He grabs my shoulders from behind, sliding one hand under my chin like he thinks he can pull off a chokehold.
“Aw, is this what you wanted,” he mocks, fighting to keep in position. “Did Foxxy want to cuddle?”
I’m not sure if it’s the auction that has me the maddest or the audacity of him thinking he can fight me. Either way, he’s only hurting himself because now I’m not going to take it easy.
I scramble to the side. My ribs slam into a chair.Oof. I’m too old for this shit.
Somehow, I manage to get an arm through his legs and another arm around his neck and shoulder. We tussle until I get him right where I want him. In one quick burst of motion, I bring him over my shoulder and slam him onto the table.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Mom mumbles.
Banks squirms, sensing his mortality. I pin him to the table with my hand on his throat.
“I’m sorry,” he says, writhing around. “I’m sorry for putting birdseed in your backyard so the birds shit everywhere.”
My jaw clenches.I knew that was him.
“I’m sorry for borrowing your hammer drill and then losing it,” he says, gagging.
You little motherfucker.
I squeeze harder. Tears begin to fill his eyes.
“I’m sorry for … humiliating you … in front of the whole town … and Bianca,” he says, barely able to get the words out.
I grab him with both hands and lift him off the table. He’s clawing at my hands to let go as he lands on his back again.
“You never stop running your mouth,” I say, shaking him. “For once in your life, stop fucking talking.”
Jess and Maddox come in the back door. As soon as they see what’s happening, they start to laugh.
