Page 58 of The Fight for Forever
Now if we would just get the word that Moses is out of the picture, we could all relax. Creighton called with an update a few days ago, but it wasn’t exactly what Gabriel wanted to hear. Moses is still alive, but the mob knows where he is, and they’ve given their word that they won’t let him get near any of us. Every time he moves, they’re on him.
It’s something, at least, but we’re not sure why they haven’twhackedhim. There has to be a legitimate reason. According to Gabriel, he thinks that they want Moses alive to use him to their advantage, or to take a fall for some mob-related crime later. He says that’s how they work, so I have to take his word for it.
Considering that I’m not used to being in a position where I’m waiting to find out whether some bad guy is still alive or has met his maker, I don’t have a problem with them babysitting him and making sure he can’t hurt us.
To me, that’s like finding a spider inside your house and using a piece of paper and a glass to trap and remove it rather than squashing it. I’m pretty sure Gabriel and I have differing opinions on how to deal with spiders, though. Which is fine.
Stop worrying about everything,Good Scarlett hisses in my brain.You’re going to this family barbecue, and you need your head in the game. Time to impress the only family Gabriel really has.
The reminder comes at just the right moment, because we’re passing the service station and slowing down to turn into the driveway of the white house at the other end of the long green fence that conceals the scrapyard from the road.
“We’re here! Time for football!” Bump claps from the back, and Roux shoves her head between the two seats in the middle where Gabriel and I sit.
Bump has been staying at Big Mike and Joanie’s about half the week, and the other half with Gabriel and me. It’s been a bit of an adjustment, but I know it’s exactly as it needs to be. Even with the mob babysitting Moses, neither Gabriel, Q, nor Big Mike feel comfortable letting Bump go back to his apartment alone at night.
The front door of the house flies open as soon as Hal puts the SUV in park, and a girl who looks to be about middle school or early high school age stands there waiting.
“It’s Melanie! I’ve missed her! She’s going to be so happy to see you, Roux. You know that, girl?”
Thanks to Bump, I now know who she is. Q’s oldest sister’s daughter.
We all climb out of the SUV, and an older woman joins the girl in the doorway.
“You’re just in time. Mike has only started devouring the guacamole. You might be able to get some before he finishes it,” the older woman calls.
Gabriel holds my hand as we head up the walk, and Roux slides by us and dodges right between the two women, making her way into the house. The younger girl giggles as Roux’s tail slaps her leg.
“Bump! I brought my Xbox so we can play after Grandpa’s game is over. Aunt Zoe set up a giant screen in the backyard so we can watch outside, and the players will be as big as you!”
“No way! As big as me?” Bump high-fives her, but the girl’s smile disappears when she sees me, and a look of apprehension sneaks over her features.
Wait. What’d I do? I hope I didn’t mess up this family barbecue thing already. Did I?
“Joanie and Mel, this is Scarlett. Scarlett, meet Joanie, Q’s mom, and Melanie, his niece.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you so much for inviting us today.” I hold out my hand, but Joanie ignores it and wraps me in a hug.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you, Scarlett. You have no idea how long we’ve been waiting for one of these boys to meet someone we could invite over.”
“Mom ...” Q’s voice comes from behind the two women, who are still blocking the doorway.
“She knows what I mean, Marcus. It’s not like she wasn’t aware of Gabe’s reputation when she started dating him.” Joanie turns her attention back to me. “Please, come in. It’s probably not what you’re used to, but it’s our home, and we hope you like it.”
The younger girl bites down hard on her lip, and I think I see a little of what’s going on here.They know exactly who I am.
Sometimes, being well-known is a double-edged sword because people have all sorts of opinions and expectations about you before you even say hello. So I do the only thing that I can think of to reset things to even.
“I’ve never been to a family barbecue before, so you’re going to have to tell me if I’m screwing something up. I don’t know how to cook, but I amreallygood at setting a table and washing dishes. Please, put me to work. I’ve got two hands, and they’re at your disposal.”
The girl’s eyes go wide. “Youwash dishes? No way. Seriously?”
I wiggle my very capable hands in the air, spirit-finger style. “Of course. That’s what you do after you get them dirty, right?”
“But you’re Scarlett Priest. You’re like a bajillionaire celebrity. If you still have to do dishes ... what hope is there for me?”
Thankfully, her teenage exasperation breaks the ice, and everyone, including Gabriel, Q, and Joanie, starts laughing.
“Poor kid. She was really hoping that when she’s a rich and famous YouTuber someday, she won’t have to cook, clean, or do laundry,” Joanie says, wiping a tear from her eye. “Her dreams are crushed.”
