Page 15 of Karma

“Not too bad,” Dare said. “I’ve got the DARE assignment.”

They all rolled their eyes at the irony of the name, but it was his favorite way of interacting with the kids. Teaching them about the Drug Abuse Resistance Education was Dare’s main way of dealing with his past mistakes. He’d been the one to push to get DARE into the middle and high school. It was the old way of thinking to believe that telling fifth-grade kids about the hazards of drug use would keep them from caving to peer pressure when they were in ninth grade.

“And you?” Cara asked Sam, pulling on a long sip of beer.

“Dunking booth,” he said with a frown.

Dare let out a loud laugh, and Alexa joined him.

“Can’t wait to test my pitching arm,” Cara said, swinging her arm around for good emphasis.

“If you dunk me, you’ll pay,” Sam warned, his eyes glittering dangerously.

Instead of backing down, Cara merely rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “I can’t wait to see you try to make me.”

Alexa rolled her eyes.

Dare agreed with the assessment. “Sometimes you two act more like brother and sister than friends.” He took a sip of his cold beer, enjoying the brew and the relaxed atmosphere. “What about you?” he asked Alexa.

“Dad’s taking the day off, so I’m on call. Which means I’ll be around to take a throw or two of my own,” she reminded Sam with an evil grin.

“Not worried. You throw like a girl.”

“Hey!” she said, clearly offended.

“Isn’t that your sister-in-law?” Cara asked, interrupting and pointing at the front of the bar.

Dare turned. Sure enough, Faith stood in front of Joe’s with Kelly by her side. “It’s both of my sisters-in-law, actually.” He craned his head but didn’t see either of his brothers come in behind them. Dare hadn’t spoken to them this afternoon, so he had no idea what their plans were for the night.

“So, how’s it feel to be the lone bachelor in the family?” Sam asked.

“I’m happy for Ethan and Nash, but my life’s just fine the way it is. I need to get a bigger place, though.” Dare was living over Joe’s, having taken over Kelly’s sublease.

The apartment over the bar had become the family road stop. Faith had rented over Joe’s before she married Ethan and moved into the mansion, then Kelly had taken over her sublease until she’d married Nash. Now it was Dare’s turn to take over the small apartment until he found something more permanent.

Cara leaned back in her seat. “Did you ever consider buying? I know we’re young and all, but I know you’ve been saving and it’s a buyers’ market. There’s a condominium complex I’m looking at in Easton. It would take about ten minutes to drive to and from work, and it’s within the twenty-mile radius the department insists on. Want to check it out?”

Dare didn’t have to think twice. “Definitely.”

She nodded. “Okay, we’ll figure out something after work one day this week or next.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t all of my favorite police officers,” Faith said, walking up to the table.

Dare glanced up at his sister-in-law. “Hi, Faith. Kelly.” He smiled at the women. Since his friends knew his family and vice versa, no introductions were necessary. “What are you two doing here solo?”

Faith shrugged. “I thought we’d get together and discuss committee work, but I forgot it was Ladies’ Night. It’s so noisy I don’t think we’ll be getting much work done here.”

“What kind of committee?” Alexa asked.

“I’m the chairman of the Beautification Committee fundraiser this year.”

“Congratulations,” Cara said, more to be polite than because she cared at all. “What are you planning to do with the money this year? Plant more flowers in the center of town?” she deadpanned.

The center of town was overflowing with colorful beds and a bird fountain. It didn’t need another thing to complete its look.

Faith merely shook her head and grinned, obviously not insulted by Cara’s comment. Besides, Dare knew she was in complete agreement with the sentiment.

“Actually, we’re going to push for the money to go to a cause near and dear to all of your hearts. The youth center.”

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