“That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to ride a motorcycle, but my mother would probably kill me. Are you like a biker babe with your own motorcycle?”
“No. My father would lose his shit. He’s old school in that way. A woman’s place is in the kitchen or on her knees. Wow. I talk way too much.”
Justin chuckles. “I like that you don’t hold back from who you are.”
“Noted.”
“You guys ready to order?” Our server saves me from embarrassing myself further.
“I haven’t hugged you in forever. When did you get so big?” I stare at Sorin and Luna. They’ve gotten at least five inches taller.
They grin at me, both missing their front teeth.
“Hey, now. You didn’t tell me they lost their teeth.” I slap my sister on the arm. My niece and nephew laugh at the exchange.
“Gee, I missed you too, Sis.” Yara brings me in for a much-welcomed hug.
I breathe her in and try not to cry. Yara and I have always been close. We’ve never been apart this long in our lives. Not even the one summer she decided to go live with our mother. It didn’t last long as she hated our stepfather but still.
“There’s my favorite sister-in-law. Missed you, Frito.” Whiskey joins in on our hug, smelling of home. Like smoke and leather.
“I’m your only one. Unless Gentry or Zuko got married and no one told me about it. In which case I’m a beat someone’s ass for excluding me.”
My sister rolls her eyes as I pull away from the pair of them. “As if. Those two can’t even commit to fucking changing their underwear daily.”
“Gross,” Luna says while scrunching her nose up.
“You’re telling me.” I give her a squeeze. I’ve missed them more than I realize. “Okay who is ready to go ride some rides and meet Prince Charming?”
“That the guy you told me about?” Yara puts an arm around me as Whiskey wrangles the twins.
“Yup and we have him to thank for the special passes. So be nice and don’t embarrass me. He’s not like us.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’s a nice guy.”
“Are you saying we aren’t nice? What are we, trash?”
“I don’t mean it like that. Ugh. I’m simply saying he doesn’t cuss or make inappropriate jokes. He doesn’t smoke. He doesn’t drink. Justin comes from a nice family.”
“Sounds like a real tool,” Whiskey mutters.
“You guys. I like him. Okay. I don’t want him to think I’m not good enough for him, ya know.”
“He sounds like a real snooze fest, but if you say he’s nice and you like him that’s all that matters. You have my word. I won’t say a thing to embarrass you. I won’t even tell you that Whiskey invited Fisher and his new girlfriend over for dinner the other night.”
“Shut up!” I scowl at Whiskey. “You didn’t.”
“Why, are you jealous that he isn’t sitting at home and crying into his beer? Singing Hank Williams and drinking himself stupid.”
“That’s so not what I was saying. But come on. You’re my family. Your house is my territory.”
“You don’t live in Hell anymore.”
“Sorry to say it, but my man has got you there.”
“Is she prettier than me?” I hate that I want to know.