hurts. My ribs hurt. And my scalp is itching like crazy. I can’t wait to get these stitches out tomorrow.” It had been longer than the suggested ten days, but I’d been feeling so tired last week that I’d made the appointment for after the weekend.
“That’s better. I’ll get the plates and stuff while you take a seat.”
Audrey came through the wooden door that adjoined our two small yards just then. She looked almost angry, but when she saw Casey and me, she softened. She was working really hard on that project and Troy, just showing up, probably pissed her off. She was always particular about her art. There’d been times when she hadn’t let me see something she was working on until it was completely finished, so having it right there in the open for everyone must have been like having your guts spilled out for the public’s appraisal.
“You look like you mean business,” Casey noted as he passed her on his way in to get plates and silverware.
“Don’t forget paper towels. Just bring the roll,” I shouted behind him.
“This smells really good, Blake. I’m starving.” I doubted she’d eaten all day.
“Thanks. So how’s it going over there? Getting close?” I took a seat at the table and she followed bringing the trays from the grill.
“I just smashed it,” she said in a huff. Then she picked a spare rib off the platter and began eating it. She tore into it like she was inflicting pain on the poor piece of barbecue.
“Smashed it?” I asked in shock. The heart she’d molded looked like it was all but finished when I’d seen it earlier. How could she just destroy it?
“Yep. It wasn’t working. Some hearts just don’t work the way they should,” she scoffed between hungry bites. I wondered if she was talking about more than just the clay heart.
Casey and Troy came out with what we needed and everyone dug in, so I didn’t get to ask any more about the piece. I could always ask her tomorrow when it was a little quieter.
We ate the meat like savages. I don’t mean to sound like a braggart, but it was perfect. Listening to their moans of appreciation proved it. Or else they were just doing that to make me feel good. Didn’t matter, because as banged up and bruised and nervous as I was about the conversation we’d be having—I did feel good. Better than I’d felt in a very, very long time.
“Anyone need another beer while I’m up?” Troy asked when we were piling up the remnants of the meal.
“I’m good,” Casey chimed.
“I’m fine, thanks,” I said.
Then Audrey said confidently, without hesitation, “I’ll take one.” The look on Casey’s face was priceless. He was both shocked and torn. I could imagine the idea of his little sister drinking, bouncing around in his sexy mind. She hadn’t asked for his permission, and I wasn’t sure if he’d give it. He just shook his head like he couldn’t believe it. Hell, he probably drank at a much younger age than she was.
“Audrey, I’m so proud that your first beer will be one of mine, because I’m sure my sweet, innocent little sister doesn’t drink.” Big brother sarcasm at its finest.
“Right,” she said with all of the ambivalence of a nineteen-year-old. “I hope I like it.”
“For the first time in my life, I hope someone doesn’t love my beer,” Casey muttered under his breath as he snatched up the last few dirty paper towels on the table.
The warm sun sinking out of sight told me it was only late in the evening, but I knew I wouldn’t last long. I didn’t want to tear Casey away from his friend or his sister, but what I needed to do was weighing heavily on my mind and it couldn’t wait much longer.
He must have sensed my energy running low, because before I could say anything, he announced, “I hate to cut the evening short, but I’ve got a lot to do tomorrow, and I think this one needs to get some rest.” He walked around the table to his sister and kissed her on the top of the head. “Don’t drink too much and don’t let this one get you into trouble.”
Casey wasn’t looking at Troy, but I was, and when he said that, Troy nodded and took a drink.
“I won’t. I’m going to drink this and head back over. I need to start over on my project,” she said solemnly.
“Good night, guys.”