Page 11 of Bragg's Match

I growl. “Don’t make me kick you in the nuts.”

“Kinky.”

“You don’t have an off switch, do you?”

He leans close to whisper in my ear, “Wouldn’t you like to explore and find out?”

I shiver at the feel of his breath along my neck. Damn him. Before I have a chance to make it clear how Soleil and Brody will never be more than roommates, he lifts me up and places me in the seat.

“Buckle up,” he orders as he shuts the door and hurries around the front.

“What’s this weekend’s festival for anyway?” he asks as he switches on the truck and begins driving through the yard.

“I forget you haven’t lived in Winter Falls very long and don’t know all of our traditions.”

He places a hand over his chest. “Ah, you think I fit in.”

I lift my chin. “I said nothing of the sort.”

“But it’s what I heard.”

Does he annoy me on purpose? I clear my throat and move on to a safer subject.

“Litha – also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice – marks an important transitional moment in the Earth’s seasonal cycle. Fertile energy is at its peak and new life is rapidly growing. Seeds have been sown and begin to grow in abundance until Lughnasadh, which is the first harvest.”

“I assume luging is another festival.” He bounces in his seat. “Do we race down the mountain in a sled?”

“It’s Lughnasadh not luging,” I correct.

He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter what the name is. Knowing Winter Falls, it’ll be a blast.” He waves to a police officer standing in the middle of the street. “Hey, look, it’s Peace.”

He stops and rolls down his window. “Hello, half-Bragg, how are you today?”

Peace rolls his eyes. “I’m not a Bragg.”

“Thus, the label half-Bragg.”

Peace sighs. “Sometimes I wish your brothers never did that genetic test.”

He’s referring to the genetic test Brody’s brothers did that led them to Peace and Winter Falls. Apparently, Brody’s dad – Damon Bragg, Sr. – confessed to cheating on his mom when he was on his deathbed. Brody’s brother Elder decided to go in search of any possible siblings and discovered Peace is their half-brother.

Brody grins at Peace. “But you love me and my brothers. We’re a great addition to your life. Plus, your mom adopted us and there’s no take-backs.”

Peace ignores Brody to address me. “Good morning, Soleil.”

I smile and wave.

“Didn’t expect to witness you breaking the Winter Falls’ rules today.”

Winter Falls’ claim to fame is being the first carbon neutral town in the world. One of the ways we keep our carbon footprint small is by banning internal combustion engines such as the engine this truck sports. Most people walk or use the golf carts freely available around town.

“We’re not,” I claim. “Elder has a permit to have a truck.”

“For his brewery business. Not to randomly drive around town.”

“Good thing we’re not driving around randomly.” Brody motions toward the bed of the truck. “We’re delivering Soleil’s pottery to the community center to sell during the festival.”

Peace scans the truck bed. “Sorry, Soleil. I didn’t realize.” He motions for us to move along.

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