Page 92 of A Little Luck

“I was doing fine until he showed up.” Britt hooks her thumb at Drake.

“I’m not sure you should be on your feet this long.” Her mother clutches her forearm as if to check her pulse.

“Ah, Gwen Bailey. I don’t think we’ve met.” Drake steps up to Britt’s mother. “I heard you sicced the Fireside Ladies on us.”

He exhales a laugh, and I’m starting to wonder how this guy is so successful. He’s clearly a dumbass—or he really doesn’t know how to read a room.

“The Fireside Ladies are a powerful group of women.” Gwen’s voice is stern. “I wouldn’t make fun of them if I were you.”

“I heard they’re a coven of witches,” he counters. “Hey, Cass, didn’t you work with this lady? Does that mean you’re a witch now, too?”

“Gwen isn’t a witch—” Cass starts, but he keeps going.

“It all makes sense.” His eyes widen as if to make fun of them. “I finally understand how you bagged Alex Stone. Witchcraft!”

Alex’s fist flies so fast, I almost don’t even see it. I only hear a loudcrack!, and Drake flies on his back onto the tabletop, sending plates, glasses, and chairs crashing to the floor. He keeps going as well, sliding across the table to the floor and losing a sandal in the process.

“Fuck!” Alex groans, shaking his hand.

From the sound of it, I’m pretty sure he broke something, but my brother, the groom, is not finished. He lunges for Drake, but Aiden catches him around the waist just in time.

“Let me go, Aiden,” Alex growls.

“Nope.” Our oldest brother barely restrains him, and I hustle closer to help. “I don’t want to have to arrest you on your wedding day.”

“Sounds like the party is really getting started now!” Drunk Emcee is on the mic again. “You know, they say it’s not a party until somebody loses their pants. Or in this case, their sandal! Tell me, does this guy have some style or what?”

The band quickly exits the stage, taking their instruments with them, and “Party Rock Anthem” blasts through the speakers.

Drake is on his feet, blood running from the corner of his mouth, and I duck just in time to avoid a punch in the face. He staggers forward, almost falling to the ground from the momentum, and I can’t help thinkingFuck, that would’ve hurt.

“Get him out of here,” Aiden shouts over the music, and I catch Drake around the waist.

“Let’s go, asshole.”

Drake turns in my arms, pointing back at Alex. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

“I can’t wait.” Alex goes for him again, but Aiden has a better hold on our brother now.

Cass is at their side, and Pinky runs at top speed with both hands up, yelling, “Can I karate chop him, Daddy?”

“No.” Gwen reaches down and catches Pinky. “That man said a bad thing, and your father took care of it. It’s over now.”

I’m wrestling Drake to the exit when the music switches to “Kung Fu Fighting,” and I see Drunk Emcee giving us the thumbs up. The kids race to the dance floor and start karate chopping and kicking, and I see Piper sitting at the table with her face in her hands.

I’ll take care of her once I’m done with this jerk.

“Let go of me, Adam.” Drake throws his arms up once we’re outside the door, and I let him go. “I was assaulted.”

“You’re lucky that’s all that happened to you.” My hands are on my hips, and I wait as he paces back and forth in the grass in only one sandal.

“Your brother should be arrested, but of course he won’t because Aiden’s the sheriff.”

“My brother’s got at least ten witnesses who’ll say you provoked him.”

“All family and friends.”

“It’s a wedding, asshole, of course it’s family and friends. And in case you’re too stupid to notice, you’re not welcome here.”

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