Page 87 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

Her sky-blue eyes twinkle as she tucks her long, glossy, straight hair behind her ear. “I’m so excited to be here! It’s totally my fault we’re here two days early. I wanted to have time to sightsee before we start nailing down wedding details.”

I stifle the smirk that’s creeping on my face and look over to see Chase’s shoulders shaking. The fact she thinks she can “sightsee” Sugarlake only shows how little Eli has talked about his hometown.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to see everything we have to offer.” I grin as I lock eyes with Eli. “Speakin’ of weddin’ details, I’m just gonna give y’all Becca’s number so you can call her yourself.”

Eli’s shoulders stiffen. “What? I don’t want to do that, why can’t you just talk to her for me like I asked you to?”

His tone grates on my nerves. “For one thing, Eli, I’m not your dang slave. For another, I did ask her and she wasn’t exactly responsive.” I think back to how weird she got when I brought it up. “What happened with you two, anyway?”

Eli rests his hand on Sarah’s thigh, his eyes hardening. “Nothing important.”

I laugh. His accent is barely noticeable after years of being away. “Well, she gets psycho whenever I bring you up. Acted like I was the Devil himself for askin’ her to help. I’m not in the business of tickin’ off my best friend, so like I said… I’ll give you her number.”

Eli’s nostrils flare as he clenches his lips. Sarah pats the hand on her thigh and smiles at me. “That’d be great, Alina. I have no problem giving her a call and setting something up.”

I grin back at her but watch Eli grimace from the corner of my eye.

I let it go, for now, not wanting to delve into that conversation with an audience. “How’d y’all get here, anyway?”

“Pops picked us up a couple hours ago,” Eli says.

My head turns sharply toward Daddy. “You drove to the airport to get them?”

“Why wouldn’t I? He’s my boy, if he needs me then I’ll be there.”

My teeth grind. Of course, he’d be there for Eli. Even though I’m the only one who’s been here for him. “So you knew they were comin’ in today and didn’t tell me?”

He shrugs and necks his beer. I wonder how many he had before he left to pick them up. Too many to be on the road, that’s for sure.

I glance at my lap, trying to stem the tears that want to bubble up. Eli’s eyes bounce between us, the wrinkle between his brows deepening.

Daddy doesn’t put his best foot forward for company. Try as he might, the drink always wins the battle. By the time we’re having coffee and dessert, he’s switched to whiskey and is well on his way past coherent.

“You want to come with us tomorrow, Lee? Help me show Sarah the town?” Eli asks.

I choke on my coffee, surprised he’s inviting me. Irritated he thinks we can just hang out like no time has passed.

“I can’t. I have to work.”

He smacks his forehead. “Right. It’s so strange to see you grown. Sometimes I forget.”

“Maybe it wouldn’t be so strange if you’d been around for all the years in between.” My face muscles burn from the effort of keeping my smile in place.

“Alina. Mind your manners. We got… we got company.” Daddy’s voice is loud but slurred. The whiskey makes his tongue thick and his mind sluggish.

I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m just speakin’ truth, Daddy.”

Eli speaks through clenched teeth. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Alina.”

My eyebrows raise. “Oh no? Why don’t you enlighten me then, big brother?”

“I would have, if you had ever taken the time to ask,” he snaps.

My mouth parts, surprise rendering me speechless at his words. I ask... Don’t I?

“Your mama. She would be… disappointed in you, girl.” Daddy points his finger at me, the usual sneer on his face.

The table falls silent. Chase’s chair scratches against the floor as he comes around to stand behind me, squeezing my shoulders. “Mr. Carson, with all due respect, it’s not Alina that Mrs. Carson would be disappointed in right now.”

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