Hunter worried—that’s what happened when girls got bullied. Even when they weren’t so little anymore they still had to deal with the emotional garbage left by jerks and assholes. Mercy sighed. I tried to protect her, but I was only a kid, too …
“Hey, are you not into dancing?” Kirk asked as he pulled a little away from her.
“I am. It’s just…” Mercy’s gaze automatically found her sister.
Kirk took her chin in his hand and gently turned her face up. “Don’t let Hunter stress you out. I’ll try harder to make her like me. Promise. And you know how charming I am.” He kissed her then, softly—sweetly.
“I absolutely do and you absolutely are.”
“Sorry I was kinda douchey before,” he whispered as they swayed together. “I’m a dick when I’m nervous.”
She pulled back to look into his eyes. “You were nervous?”
His blue eyes pulled her in and trapped her. “Yeah, of course. I know I’m not your sister’s favorite person and I wanted everything to be perfect for you tonight. I shoulda gotten you something besides my ring. It was stupid of me to think that—”
“Shh.” Mercy cut his words off by pressing her finger against his lips. “I love that you gave me your ring. Best present ever. And don’t worry about H. She’ll come around. Now I need a wiener!” He opened his mouth to say something she was sure would be douchey—again—and she pressed her finger back against his lips. “This is one of those learning experiences we talked about. Every time I say wiener you don’t have to make a dick joke.”
He laughed. “Got it! Now let’s go get you some sausage!”
Mercy decided that was an improvement, albeit small. She searched for Hunter as she and Kirk made their way to the grills and the hotdog dressing station, but her sister had her head together with Jax and didn’t look her way. Mercy squelched a sigh. It’s going to be okay. Hunter will get used to Kirk and Kirk will get used to Hunter, and I’ll get my happily ever after.
Three
Mercy finally spotted her bestie coming from the direction of the porta potties and hurried to intercept her. “Hey Em, have you seen Hunter?”
“God those things are so fucking gross.” Emily grimaced and wiped her hands delicately on her jeans. “Sorry, what’d you say?”
Mercy sighed. “Hunter. Have you seen her?”
“Oh, yeah, she’s been with Jax all night.” She fluttered her fingers at the lake. “I think they’re taking pics of the moon over by the dock, which is weird, but definitely the norm for your sis.”
“Mom’s present to her was a bunch of attachments for her phone so Hunter can take night sky pictures.” Mercy dug into her bottomless bag and checked her phone. “Sod it! It’s eleven thirty! We gotta get outta here now so we can be home before midnight.” Quickly, she texted:
WHERE R U?!
Then Mercy looked around the groups of semi-drunk kids. Some danced by the fire—some made out in the shadows—and a big group of the pom squad was skinny-dipping—or whatever it was called when you left your panties and bra on and jumped, squealing, into the lake from the dock. “Oh, bloody buggering hell! Is that Hunter over at the edge of the dock? She’s not skinny-dipping, is she? She’ll never dry before Abigail sees her!” Mercy started to rush toward the water, but Kirk’s big hand on her shoulder stopped her.
“Did I hear you sssay those two magic words—sssskinny-dipping?” He leaned heavily on her and slurred his words.
Mercy turned to frown up at him. “Not tonight.” I asked him not to get wasted! She shrugged his hand off her shoulder. “I gotta get Hunter and go. You know Mom wants us home before midnight.”
He bent and booze-scented breath wafted over her. “Can’t you be a little late?”
“No.” Emily stepped between them and put her fists on her hips like Wonder Woman. “They can’t. Abigail is cool, but when it comes to family traditions she does not play—just like she doesn’t play about dudes who drink too much when they’re out with her daughter. Go away, Kirk. Sober up. Byyyye.” She hooked her arm through Mercy’s and pulled her around Kirk.
“I’ll text you tomorrow. Be sure you don’t drive home.” Mercy blew him a kiss and waved.
“Hey! I thought I was taking you home!”
“Not drunk you’re not,” Mercy said, but she smiled at him. “It’s cool, though. Stay. Have fun. Just don’t drive. Later!”
Emily didn’t say anything, which made Mercy sigh. “You