Page 54 of Home Sweet Home

“Exactly right,” West said, and a self-satisfied smile replaced Oliver’s uncertainty. “If we go into that game thinking we’re gonna lose, I can guarantee you it’ll happen.”

Silence filled the circle as West’s words sank in.

“Now, who wants to run more drills?”

The boys groaned but trudged back to their cones.

Evie tapped her elbow against West’s ribs. “Nice work, Coach.”

West raised an eyebrow. “What happened to being on our best behavior?” There was a pause as he looked out at the boys, who were running a lot slower than before, but they were running. “How about we go to Mel’s tonight?”

Like on a date?Evie thought.

“Rich is on his way down from Chicago, and I promised I’d show him a good time. Warm him up to Creek Water a little.”

Evie deflated, sinking down just as quickly as she’d floated up.

“You could bring Kayla. And if I remember right, it’s karaoke night.”

* * *

“Is he looking?”Kayla asked, glancing at the bar, where Kenny and his shop buddies swigged from bottles of Miller.

Evie surveyed them as she sipped her beer. “Staring right at you.”

Kayla snapped her head toward them before whipping it back around just as quickly. Kenny was laughing at something one of his friends had said and was definitely not looking at Kayla. She pinched a fry and bit off the tip. “You dipshit.”

“How’s the salon coming along?” West asked. “Put in a disco ball yet?”

He’d settled his arm on the back of Evie’s chair, a move that had sent her heart beating like a hummingbird flapping its wings. Kayla raised an eyebrow, and the toe of her flip-flop connected with Evie’s shin.

“Ha. No, but that’s a good idea,” Kayla said between sips of cabernet. “Taking clients starting next week. And you’re all invited to the grand opening. It’ll just be a few people. Some drinks. You know, break the place in.”

Underneath the table, West’s thigh pressed against Evie’s. “Can’t wait.”

“All right, Creek Water,” Wayne said into the mic. Feedback screeched through the speakers, loudly enough that Evie covered her ears. As if it would fix the problem, Wayne tapped the mic a few times, the feedback lessening with each tap. “Uh… sorry about that, folks. We’ve got a show for you tonight. Kenny, get on up here.”

Kenny’s friends at the bar erupted into cheers and pushed a grinning Kenny forward to the stage.

“Oh God,” Kayla said, covering her face with her hand. The karaoke machine kicked in, and the first bars of “Go Your Own Way” blasted through the speakers. “Prepare your ears, people.”

Kenny wasn’t a terrible singer, but he was drunk, swaying like he was on the deck of a boat in a heavy storm. His voice broke every time he got to the chorus. By the end of the song, he was panting and sweating, and he strutted back to his stool at the bar like Mick Jagger playing a sold-out Madison Square Garden.

“Ryleigh inherited his singing voice,” Kayla said with a sigh. “So much heart. So tone deaf.”

West leaned in close, his shoulder bumping into Evie’s. “Think they have Luke Bryan on that machine?”

Evie grinned. “Why don’t you go find out?”

West got up from the table, but Rich held out his arm, shaking his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Come on,” West said. “What’s wrong with karaoke?”

“You’re intoxicated.”

West nodded, like he hadn’t considered it. “True.” He’d had at least four beers, each one loosening his limbs, softening his smiles, and making his laugh come even easier than it normally did.

Rich sighed. “We don't need a video of you making an ass of yourself on the internet right now.”

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