“Jim,” Winifred said. “Outside, now.”
The liquid burned a pleasant path to my stomach. I set the glass aside, arched a brow at Jim, and turned around.
“Before you take him outside and beat him like he probably deserves—”
“Not helping,” he mumbled.
“I was wondering if we could take a break. From our lives. Just for an hour. Before it all gets crazy again.”
Winifred’s gaze had shifted from Jim to me as I spoke. Her expression softened, and a wisp of pity drifted to me. She was still plenty angry, though.
I shrugged and gave my best innocent face.
“Nothing will be the same once...well, things will change even more than they already have.”
More of her anger faded. She sighed and eyed Jim.
“You are not always right.”
“I understand,” he said, sounding contrite.
“I’ll tell everyone we’re staying.” She walked back out.
“Quick. Drink two before Carlos gets in here and rains on the festivities.”
Accepting the two shots, I lifted one to my mouth as the door opened again.
“We don’t have time for this,” Bethi said, stomping in. I turned without drinking and held the extra shot up to her.
“Can you beat Luke this time?”
Gabby and Clay were just coming through the door. I couldn’t see anyone behind them.
Bethi squealed and raced forward. She snatched the shot from my hand and slammed it back.
“Like drinking much?” I said.
“Nah, I like annoying Luke.” She grinned at me and stole the other shot from my hand.
“Bethi.”
Luke’s word of warning made her eyes pop. She quickly tried to drink, but his hand closed over her mouth. The shot spilled all over. Luke shook his hand and gave me a dirty look.
“She’s seventeen.”
I glanced at Bethi.
“Wow, your dad looks really young.”
She snorted behind his hand then bit him. I knew it was a bite because of his grunt and the immediate removal of his hand.
“We need music,” she said. She took my hand, and we went over to the digital jukebox on the wall. “Gabby! Michelle! Come help,” she called.
Our tastes in music led to an eclectic selection of pop, rock, and ballad. When I wandered to the bar, Carlos stood near the shots. Jim was talking to Thomas and Emmitt. Charlene and Winifred were sipping glasses of wine. The quiet conversation and relaxed atmosphere felt nice. It wasn’t the usual bar vibe of lust, mistrust, and disgust.
I reached around Carlos, grabbed a shot, and held it out to him.
“Want one?”
“No. If I drink, my guard slips. People get hurt when my guard slips.”
I eyed him. Was he mocking me? Scolding me? He met my gaze steadily, giving no hint why he’d just thrown my words back at me. It annoyed me.
“Fine.” I tossed another shot back and grimaced at the cloying sweetness.
“Ew. What was that?”
Carlos took the shot from my hand, sniffed it, and shook his head.
“Jim said they’re all different.”
“Really?” I eyed the shots again. “That makes this kind of fun.”
I picked up another shot. Before I could get it to my mouth, Bethi ran up to me, grabbed my hand, and poured the liquid into her mouth.
“Daddy’s going to put you in a time out,” I said, looking back at Luke.
“Just remember your promise,” Luke said. “She’s sleeping with you tonight.”
Crap. He was right. But the sun was still up, and we had plenty of time before we needed to worry about that.
“No puking,” I said.
She laughed. “Come dance.”
The shot I’d managed to drink had warmed me enough that I nodded.
I loved music. I loved moving to music. Granted, usually my moves involved kicks or jabs, but I knew how to dance. What girl could work in Ethan’s bar and not pick up a move or two?
So for a while, I lost myself on the dance floor. There was no pain or sorrow, just the moves and the moment.
Bethi and I had moves. Gabby and Michelle...well, they tried. Eventually, Emmitt joined Michelle, and Thomas and Charlene gave the floor a try. It was fun. A lot of fun. Their laughter clogged the air as much as their happiness. I soaked it up without meaning too. They didn’t seem to notice. They kept being happy.
I slipped from the group and went to the bar. Carlos still guarded the shots. I took two and downed one after the other.
The last one made my nose burn.
“Ugh! Keep me away from exposed flames.”
He didn’t comment. I turned to face the room and stood beside Carlos. He had a view of everyone having fun. Even Grey was to the side, joking with Jim.
“Why aren’t you out there?”
He turned his head and met my gaze.
“Are you inviting me?”
“Is that what it takes? An invitation for you to have fun?”
He shrugged and went back to watching everyone. I shook my head at him, reached back, and picked up a couple more shots. I took a sip from each.