Page 64 of Whiskey Sour

Everest and Max step to the side as I engulf Skylar’s sweat-slicked body. I press his sobbing face against my bare chest as I rub circles up and down his back. “It’s alright. It’s over now.”

“A-Are you o-okay?” Skylar asks, his tears searing my skin as he shakes.

I nod. “I am. Everything is fine. Everyone is okay.”

“Why w-would you d-do that?” he cries. “You k-know I d-don’t like it w-when you f-fight.”

My body stiffens. I catch Knox’s eye over Skylar’s shoulder, and the look he’s giving me is enough to send chills running down my spine. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say that fighting is sometimes good, that sometimes it’s necessary, and that it’s notas bad as he thinks. I feel the need to defend myself and what I’ve been doing behind Skylar’s back.

But now isn’t the time.

So, I kiss the top of his colorful head, inhaling his strawberry shampoo as I pull him closer. “I promise. No more fighting.”

Knox scoffs as he laces his fingers with Elton’s and walks away. Rhys seems to be debating something, but one tug from Everest has him following the others.

“So, rave over?” Max tries to defuse the tension.

Butch just shakes his head at him. “Yeah, Bambi. Rave’s over.” He sighs as he drags the weight of his world down his face. “Let’s get these kids in a car, and then I’ll take you home. I think we all just need a good night’s sleep.”

But later that night, with Skylar wrapped in my arms, still coming down from his flashbacks, sleep doesn’t come.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Skylar

This is the dream team.

Well,dreammight be a stretch, but it’s the best we have.

Everest, Max, Butch, and I are sitting in one of the booths at the club. They’re examining the carefully crafted lists and plans I’ve created to make the shelter prom the best it can be. Everest volunteered after Rhys told him what we were doing, Max just wanted an excuse to hang out, and Butch… Well, I’m not too sure what he’s doing here.

“This is…” Everest trails off, gesturing at the list. “It’s thorough.”

“The kid is being nice. It’s a lot, Skylar,” Butch grunts as he shakes his head. “You want a fog machineandan ice sculpture of a panther?”

“Don’t forget the chocolate fountain,” Max points out, reaching over Butch to point at the list, which has the big guy scowling. “Personally, I’m most excited for the flamenco dancers.”

I pout. “Sue me for wanting to make this night memorable for the kids.”

Everest shakes his head. “It can still be memorable and not so…”

“Extra. The kid wants to say extra,” Butch deadpans.

Max’s eyes widen as he catches something on the list. “We get to meet baby alligators!”

“Wait,” Butch drawls, leaning forward on his elbows as he narrows his eyes at me. “Exactly how much money did Davis give you?”

I gulp.

Okaaayyyy, now I can kind of see what they’re getting at. I just had so many ideas that I couldn’t narrow down. I want everything for these kids. If this is the only way I can help, I want it to be special.

But I guess maybe we can keep the gators in the swamp.

“Fine,” I relent with a groan, snatching the list from Max. “What can we take off?”

“I would keep the fog machine and the chocolate fountain,” Everest suggests. “Since Cass is going to DJ for free, and the club is already set up with lights, I think we should focus the money on decorations and food.”

“So no flamenco dancers?”