Page 69 of The Triple Threat

“Hurry the fuck up and tell us,” Carter said irritably. “The game starts in an hour.”

“Alright, impatient some.” She cleared her throat. “A big sloppy blow job from a mean and tired cowboy.”

Everyone laughed, well everyone except Austen who at fourteen probably shouldn’t have been playing, but all the fucking ‘grown-ups’ were out on the patio getting drunk on pear wine and JD, so what did they expect but for us to lead the kid astray.

“Oh my God,” Bronte said around a laugh. “That’s hilarious.”

“It’s not that funny,” Ellie replied, glancing at me as she picked up the final card. “Okay, so during sex I like to think of a web of lies.”

“What the hell is that?” I said, totally bemused. “It’s supposed to be funny.”

“It is,” Carter replied a little sulkily. “Anyway, it’s all I had left.”

“I don’t understand the question.” Austen sighed and scratched his head.

“You’re not supposed to squirt.” Shaw rubbed his head. “And don’t tell Mom and Dad I let you play. I vote that Bronte’s lesbian fish wins that one.”

“Yeah, me too.” Ellie gave me a sarcastic smile, like I gave a shit I hadn’t won the round.

“Okay,” Carter said as he dragged all the cards toward him. “What shall we do now? I vote, drink beer and have some guy talk about the game.”

He stared at Bronte who flipped him off.

“No. It’s Thanksgiving, we should stay together,” Austen said giving moon eyes at Ellie. “Hunter, Ellie, think of something to do.”

Ellie and I shrugged, but a wicked gleam came over Bronte’s face.

“Let’s get the folks back in and play Sardines.”

Ellie’s mouth dropped open. She knew and so did I why Bronte wanted to play Sardines, and with all the parents.

“I don’t think so,” Ellie said as she pushed up from the table. “We have American Trivia, let’s play that.”

“No,” Austen replied, his eyes shining excitedly. “I think Sardines is better. Shaw, you prefer Sardines, don’t you?”

Shaw smiled at his brother and shook his head. “I’ve got a call to make, squirt. I’m gonna do that before the game.”

Austen groaned. “He has a girl.”

“Yeah?” I slapped Shaw’s back. “Something serious, buddy?”

Shaw shrugged. “I don’t know, man. She’s hot and real smart, but… I’m twenty.”

“Look at Mom and Dad,” Bronte said as she helped pack up the cards. “I know they didn’t start dating seriously until after college, but Mom said Dad took her on a couple of dates in high school. Melinda and Henry actually met at college.”

“And my mom and pop were real young too,” I added.

Shaw gave Austen a sideways look and then patted him on the back. “Hey, Aust’, why don’t you go ask Dad if you can have one beer?”

Austen’s face lit up. “You think he’ll let me?”

Shaw shrugged. “You never know.”

Austen raced off and Bronte rounded on her brother. “He’s only just let you start drinking at home, there’s no way he’s going to let Austen.”

“I know, but I needed to get rid of him.”

“Why? You need some advice on the fairer sex?” Carter asked with a grin.