Page 93 of Embers in Our Souls
“Damn it,” I say, pulling my wallet out.
“Why?” Indy looks between us, confusion marring her expression.
“You haven’t told her?” He eyes me, then looks to her, putting his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. I’ll corrupt you soon enough. We bet on everything. And your hubby here took a bet he shouldn’t have.” Pointing his beer bottle in my direction. “He didn’t have confidence that I’d keep my mouth shut.”
“Because you almost let it slip twice on one shift alone,” I confess, tossing my money in his direction.
“But I didn’t actually tell him, did I?” River says, his devious smile growing.
Kennedy walks up to us, tossing money to her fiancé. “Damn, I really thought I’d win this one.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Malloy just confirmed he was genuinely surprised.”
I laugh, Indy looks amused by the interaction too.
River puffs out his chest. “See, Indiana, they don’t have any faith in me.”
“You suck at keeping secrets.” Kennedy pins him with a stare.
“Oh really?” River starts to walk toward her, and I hear him say, “Say suck again, Skipper.”
I look over at Indy and laugh. “That’s pretty much the norm with River. And the betting thing is really something you should expect. He and Clay have always bet on everything. Now we’re all addicts.”
Malloy and Baylee approach us, and I pull him in for a side hug.
“Happy birthday, old man.” I smile as I pull away from him.
“Thanks for coming tonight. I can’t believe you guys did this for me.” He looks around Kennedy and River’s place with awe.
“Baylee, this is Indiana.”
Baylee is petite compared to most, but next to Malloy, her small stature is even more evident. She’s barely over five feet, with raven hair, and dark eyes. Where Malloy is burly with ginger hair, she’s his polar opposite, with a black cat personality to boot. But they complement each other perfectly.
“It’s so great to meet you.” She smiles. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Thanks for having me.” Indy shakes her hand. “Malloy, happy birthday. I actually brought you something.”
She told me she had something special to gift Malloy for his birthday, but didn’t elaborate. I told her she didn’t have to bring him anything, but she insisted.
Indy opens her oversized purse and pulls out a perfectly wrapped gift. It’s the size of a book, which isn’t surprising because of the industry she works in.
“That’s very kind of you, but you really didn’t have to,” Malloy says as he retrieves the item from her hands.
“It’s just a little something. I thought you’d appreciate it,” she says.
“Should I open it now?” he asks.
“Sure.” She looks over at me, her smile ticked up on one side.
Malloy rips the paper, and it is, in fact, a book. The moment he sees the title, he yells, “NO. FUCKING. WAY!” He looks at Indy, then yells for Abby to join us. “Abs, come here! Kenny, look at this.”
“I thought I told you not to call me that!” Kennedy retorts.
“Just look at this!” he ignores her protest.
He holds the gift above his head as if it’s Simba fromThe Lion Kingand both women gasp. I can’t help but laugh because I’m completely lost.
“How the hell did you get this?” they both say in unison. They try to grab it, but Malloy keeps it high above his head so they can’t take it from him.
“I have people in high places.” He has a conceited smile on his face.
