Page 52 of Take My Name
“If I bring her, do you promise not to embarrass me?” I ask, pinning my gaze to hers.
“Of course! I’ll even leave my Warren hearts Maisie T-shirt at home.”
I roll my eyes, already regretting this, but I can push my original plans to another day.
“Alright, fine. Can you get us a table for six?”
Mom opens her mouth like she wants to say something but then clamps it shut.
“Yep, I’ll make it work. It’ll be the most romantic table in the whole place. Fairy lights, roses, a private violinist?—”
“Okay, that’s not necessary.”
“—chocolate-covered strawberries, candles, and a view of the mountains that’ll have her wishin’ she never has to leave.” Aunt JoJo sighs in delight at her obnoxious ideas.
Mom stares at her and Aunt JoJo furrows her brows in confusion. “What?”
“Keep it simple, okay? I’m not tryin’ to scare her.”
Aunt JoJo gives me a thumbs-up. “Sure, okay, yeah.”
Why do I have a feeling she’s gonna do the exact opposite?
After we say goodbye and I gently push them out of my house, I grab my phone to text my least favorite brother.
Warren
You. Are. Dead.
Bodie
THEY FORCED IT OUT OF ME!
Warren
If you have plans in the near future, cancel them. You’ll be too busy working overtime and sore from what I’m about to make you do.
Bodie
OH COME ON! I didn’t tell them anything bad!
Warren
Emptying all the water troughs and scrubbing them clean with a toothbrush, picking rocks in all the pastures and corrals, and sheath cleaning all the stallions.
Bodie
DUDE. No fucking way am I doing all that or touching a horse’s dong. You act like I rented out a billboard and told the entire town!
Warren
This will remind you to shut your piehole next time, won’t it?
Bodie
Seven years of no sex turned you into an asshole. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime!
Warren
