Page 33

Jack

C ooters & Shooters is filled with pumpkins and ghosts, cobwebs and massive black spiders. Purple-caped witches on broomsticks are flattened against trees, and my youngest brother Hendrix is taking his two-year-old daughter Haddy out of her carseat.

“We’re here at last!” Raven cries, jogging up to give me a hug. “It’s so good to see you. I can’t believe it’s been four months. Is everybody inside?”

“Yep. They’re all waiting for you.” I return my sister-in-law’s hug. “You’re just in time. Dylan is waiting for you to help her with tonight’s Dare dish.”

Raven snorts a laugh, leaning forward as she steps past me to the restaurant. “I heard about this… Figs and barley?”

Shaking my head, I hold up both hands in surrender. “I’m staying out of it. She’s pouty enough with Craig and Allie teasing her all the time.”

To be fair, my little sister has been whipping up some seriously gnarly recipes lately .

“Hey, bro!” Hendrix straightens, holding his dark-haired little mini-me.

Her eyes are bright blue just like his, and it’s pretty incredible how much Haddy looks like he did as a baby.

“Hey.” I step forward to give him a hug, slapping his back.

“You’re looking good.” He nods, cocking an eyebrow. “Looking pretty relaxed. Hell, I’d say you’re glowing. What’s your secret? Could it start with an A and end with an ie ?”

“That does it.” I start to grab him by the neck when Haddy claps her hands and squeals.

“Take it easy, man, I’m holding an infant!”

“She’s two, and you’d better remember who’s in charge around here.”

“Where is Allie? In the kitchen?” He’s teasing, but it does make me smile.

Hell, I’m smiling a lot these days. After two nights sleeping on Allie’s couch, she got a text from an old friend back home that Rip had been spotted at a bar in New Orleans.

Garrett confirmed he had a check-in with his parole officer, and we were able to relax a bit. I sleep better in my own bed, but I do miss waking up on Allie’s couch with her curled up at my feet.

Possession, protection, satisfaction… all the emotions twined in my stomach at the sight of her there, staying close to me, trusting me.

If it were Kimmie, I’d carry her back to her bed. Instead, I wrapped a blanket around her and kissed her soft cheek before slipping out with the sunrise.

Talking to Austin wasn’t easy. Allie didn’t want to derail his entire senior year, but as the eldest son myself, and knowing how much he cares about her, I knew he could handle the truth.

He wasn’t happy, but I think he knows I’ll keep an eye on them. Still, I was glad to tell him things were back to normal for now .

Our big homecoming game is tomorrow night, and with my family all rolling into town, it feels like the holidays have arrived.

The summer heat has broken, and the sights and smells of fall are all around us. Everyone’s buzzy and excited.

I follow Hendrix into the restaurant, and at once we’re approached by Sadie and two of her cheerleader friends selling tickets to the Halloween festival and hay maze. They’re dressed up like those witches in Hocus Pocus , complete with wigs and makeup.

“Don’t miss the grand opening tomorrow night!” Sadie gives me two tickets. “Some of the guys are dressing up as Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger and Jigsaw. It’s going to be so fun !”

Hendrix grimaces. “Yeah, I’ll watch Haddy while y’all do all that.”

“You’re not scared of high schoolers, are you?” I can’t help teasing him.

“No, but I don’t like people jumping out at me. I tend to get punchy.”

My lips pucker, and I nod at the girls. “He has a point. Be sure to tell the guys not to get too close. You never know how people will react when they’re scared. We don’t want anybody getting hurt.”

“Yes, sir, Coach!” She does a little salute before skipping off to the next customers entering the restaurant.

“Hendrix!” Liv dashes forward to hug my brother. “Look who’s here, Gigi—it’s Haddy!”

She’s holding her daughter, and the two little girls start to squeal as soon as they see each other. They wiggle to get down, and as soon as they do, they take off running—with their parents right behind them.

“Don’t forget the playground,” I call as they cross the room.

After having four wild little boys, that playground was a feature our Mom insisted the restaurant have. She wanted an enclosed area so she could sit down and finish one meal without having to jump up every minute .

Hendrix swoops up his toddler, and they head out the screen door in the middle of the back wall facing the bay. I continue on to the kitchen where Garrett and Logan have joined the Thursday night crew.

Female voices laugh, and the conversations are lively and animated.

“Back away from the workstation, Dylan.” Raven points the sharp knife at her. “We are not putting orange marmalade in the chile de arbol.”

“I thought it would be interesting,” Dylan argues. “Chefs combine sweet and spicy all the time, and it works really well!”

“Your taste buds are wack right now, Pepper Spice.” Allie moves her hands in a sweeping gesture. “Go hang out with Logan and enjoy your pregnancy. Let Raven do this.”

Dylan crosses her arms as she walks over to stand with her husband.

“It’s okay, babe.” Logan leans down to wrap his arms around her shoulders. “I love all your pepper-free dishes.”

“It’s so wrong.” My sister leans her back against his chest, and he holds her.

My lips twist with a half smile, and I think about the day I’ll be able to do the same with Allie.

She’s standing beside Raven, chopping onions and mincing garlic. Her hair is swept up in that messy bun, and the laughter in her eyes, the easy smile on her lips helps my shoulders relax.

Her glasses have been swapped out for protective goggles, and they’re both wearing plastic gloves to keep the hot pepper oil off their skin.

Garrett and Craig are putting together a playlist, both wearing their blond wigs, and Kimmie is right in the middle, dancing around with Apricot in her arms.

Affection unfurls in my chest. This is my family.

“Hey, bro, you guarding the door?” Garrett motions for me to join them, and I walk over to stand beside Zane, who’s hanging around the edges quietly like he always does .

“Just making sure nothing’s on fire back here.” My eyes meet Allie’s, and her lips press into a smile.

A cute flush of pink tints her cheeks, and she’s fucking adorable. I wonder if she’s thinking the same thing as I am. You belong here. This is your home. I love you…

“The only thing on fire is this dish!” Raven calls, and I grin at how she also fits right in with this wild crowd. “You ready with the warning, Al?”

Allie pulls off her plastic gloves and goes to the sink to wash her hands. “Ready!”

“Let’s do this.”

We head out to the waiting crowd, and Dylan introduces Raven as her sister-in-law and partner in pepper-loving crime. Allie reads off her script about how to eat tonight’s dish, and with that, the party begins.

“Ring of Fire” is Craig’s first spicy song of the night, and as always I hang back, arms crossed as I watch the celebration.

From there, the music devolves to Halloween-themed tunes.

Purple and orange twinkle lights are strung throughout the dining hall and wrap around the columns in the center of the room.

I spot Kimmie near the booth where Miss Gina always sits, holding hands with her little cousins and jumping up and down to “Ghostbusters.” Haddy is more interested in Apricot, but Gigi is ready to dance.

“Who ya gonna call?” The female voice behind me puts my body on alert.

Turning, I look down at Allie standing in front of me with her arms folded behind her back. She lifts her chin and her breasts rise higher, and I’m ready to ditch this party.

“I can handle a ghost.”

“Would you say, you ain’t afraid-a no ghost?” She tilts her sassy head to the side, batting her blue eyes.

“I’d probably use better English, but yes.” Reaching for her hand, I pull her closer. “How are you feeling about old ghosts? ”

Her lips tighten, and her gaze slides to the side. “I kind of miss having my handsome protector sleeping at my house.”

“I’m not too far.” The music changes to the “Monster Mash,” and the kids squeal. Leaning down, I speak in Allie’s ear. “Will you go with me to the fundraiser tomorrow?”

She nods, stretching higher to reply in my ear. “Liv said we’re all meeting here to walk over as a group. But I’ll walk with you.”

Her hand is on my chest, and her body presses lightly against mine. I hold her waist, doing my best to cool the heat in my blood. “I won’t make you wait long.”

“Then it’s a date.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Are you going to dress up?”

My brow furrows, and I study her expression. She’s serious. “I didn’t get that memo. Are you?”

“Mm-hmm.” Taking out her phone, she taps a few times and shows me the screen. “I found this cute little Regency gown that isn’t too much work to get into. Or out of.”

Heat centers low in my belly as I study the soft gray dress. It has some sort of white ruffle around the neckline, and the straight skirt has a slit up the side to reveal white, thigh-high stockings.

“I like it.” Tightening my jaw, I think about what might go with it. It’s not a lot of notice. “I’ll find something.”

“It doesn’t have to be complicated.” She blinks up at me, almost apologetic. “Dylan and Logan are going as peppers. Liv is wearing one of her old dance costumes, and Garrett is wearing his football jersey.”

“If it still fits him.”

She leans closer. “I have your jersey, but you’re not getting it back.”

Taking her hand, I hold it in mine a moment, knowing I have an audience everywhere I go. “I gave it to you to keep.”

Giving her hand a squeeze, I release her, walking over to where Kimmie is twirling around and kicking her leg. Apricot has somehow managed to escape, and Rachel is monitoring the girls and Miss Gina.

“What is Gigi doing now?” The old lady asks.

“Garrett’s trying to dance with her, and she’s trying to get down.”