Page 24 of Wild Mistake
“Thankfully my children aren’t old enough to argue about putting a jacket on.” Maeve sighs, looping her arm through Rainer’s. “But it’s coming.”
“It is. There’s something that makes a teenager refuse to acknowledge they need more than a hoodie,” Sarah agrees. “Crazy thing is, in the Valley they’ll insist it’s never too hot. My boys wear them at the start of the school year. Doesn’t matter it’s over a hundred outside.”
Maeve groans. “I’m terrified to have teenagers.”
“Well, maybe you should stop the presses,” Jackson teases. “You’re up to three now.”
“I love my little monsters.” Maeve shoots Jackson a warning glare.
“They’re monsters all right.” Jackson laughs. “I’m just thankful I’m not babysitting tonight. Alex is on the road, right? Who’d you sucker into coming over?”
“My husband is a truck driver.” Maeve explains to Sarah before narrowing her gaze at our brother. “And Riley was excited when I called her.”
“That’s because youpayher!”
We line up at the door, shuffling forward as the bouncer checks ID.
“I’m not paying my brother to spend time with his niece and nephews,” Maeve says, digging through her purse.
“It’s a crap deal,” Jackson deadpans. “Literally, so many diapers. You need to get them all potty trained.”
“Collin isn’t even one!” Maeve says, exasperated. The bouncer waves us all inside, only checking Jackson’s driver’s license.
I guess there are some perks to getting older.
“I’ll watch them for free anytime.” I scoot over to Maeve’s side and volunteer.
“Oh, you’re going to regret that.” Jackson shakes his head, nodding toward the bar. “Enough talkin’. Let’s get this party started.”
I turn to Sarah. “What are you drinking?”
“Oh, um, whatever.” She smiles. “Surprise me.”
“Got it.” On the inside I throw up a fist, but outwardly I keep it cool. “Maeve? Jackson? Rainer?”
“I’ll have whatever’s on tap,” Jackson says.
Maeve nods. “Same. Give us your jackets.” She motions with her hands. “We’ll find a table.”
“I’ll come with you to get the drinks,” Rainer says to me. We hand my sister our coats, then make our way toward the crowded bar. “I’m buying the first round. Doesn’t seem right to make the Army vet pay. Besides, you drove.”
“I won’t argue with you there.” I’m only having one drink anyway; after that I’ll switch to water in case we need to leave early. We make small talk until we catch the attention of a bartender and return to our group a few minutes later.
“Yes!” Jackson cheers, accepting his beer. “Thanks, brother.”
“Thank Rainer,” I say, handing Sarah her drink.
“Thanks, Rain!” Jackson says, slinging an arm around Rainer’s shoulder. “You’re the best. Seriously, man. Sometimes I wish you were my brother-in-law instead of Alex.”
“Jackson!” Maeve scolds.
But I catch the look that flashes across Rainer’s face and it confirms what I’ve always suspected. He might be my sister’s best friend, but he wishes he was more. I wince. That’s drama we don’t need tonight.
“Come on. Less gabbing, more dancing.” I herd our group toward an open space on the dance floor. The song is an older one and the moves come back to me as we shuffle, kick, and spin our way around the room.
There were a few times during deployment we’d get bored enough that a few of us broke out the country music and showed off our moves. The city folks made fun, but it was never too long before they joined in, kicking up dust and picking up the steps. It was always in good fun and one of the good memories I hold on to from my time in the Army.
Though I’ll take dancing in a country bar over a barracks in the desert any day.
