Page 83 of Pretty Little Scars

“Nothing.”

That must be where she tossed whatever burned. I don’t smell anything.

“How did you almost burn the house down while I was gone?”

Darby blows out a breath and her shoulders sag. “I tried to get fancy with a handheld blowtorch and things went sideways. So now I have to make cupcakes, which I can do in the cabin kitchen, since you’re making dinner in here.”

“I’m not using the oven,” I inform her. “Work your magic, Duchess.”

“Let’sgo to Lucky’s for some pool and beers,” Easton suggests after dinner. Dad already went home with his girlfriend, and now it’s just the siblings here at the ranch. Even Harper’s husband, Blake, is with us, since he has a rare night off from the hospital.

“I feel like I’ve been at Lucky’s alotlately,” Darby says with a laugh. “They’re going to think I have a problem. Although, I can’t drink tonight. I’m on call.”

“Same,” Blake says with a wink at my girl. Darby’s known Blake Blackwell and his family since she was a little girl. They’re practically family. “You and I can drive.”

“I can’t reach the wheel anymore, so I’m out on drinkinganddriving,” Harper says with a pout, and Blake kisses her lips. “But I can sit like a pro, so I’m in.”

“Let’s do it,” Ava agrees, and Xander’s already got his hoodie on, ready to go.

“I’ll head home,” Chad says, making Ava frown. “You should absolutely go, but I have to be in court first thing tomorrow, so I should go home and look over my case notes. Call me if you need a ride.”

I share a look with Xander, who rolls his eyes.

We take three vehicles, including my truck, since I also don’t plan to drink, and before long, we have a table secured in the back of the bar, with a round of drinks ordered, whether alcoholic or otherwise, and Xander breaks the balls on the pool table.

I don’t know that we’ve everallgone out together like this. All the siblings with our significant others, and I have to say, it’s fucking fun.

“Hey, guys,” Ivy, the bartender says with a bright smile as she carries a loaded tray into our area and sets it on the table. She stops short when she sees Xander, and her pretty blue eyes widen.

“Well,hello,” Xander says, his gaze traveling from her long red hair, down her shapely little body and long legs, to her feet. “Thanks, beautiful.”

Ivy’s cheeks go bright red as she hands out the drinks, and then walks away.

“Dude, you know her,” Ava tells our brother as Easton laughs into his hand. “That’sIvy.”

Xander frowns. “Who?”

“Ivy. She was in your class,” Ava replies.

“I don’t ...” He’s still frowning, shaking his head. “I don’t remember her. She’s from here?”

“She told me she was born in this building,” Darby replies. “But maybe she looked different in school. Most of us did.”

I tug her against me, her back to my front, and loop my arm around her chest as we watch Xander and Easton play.

After a few rounds of pool, Darby glances up at me. “I’ll be right back.”

I kiss her cheek, and then she wanders over to the bathrooms, and when I look up, I see my whole family watching me.

“What?”

“We like her for you,” Harper says with a little smile. “A lot, actually. She fits in, and you’re so smitten, it’s really sweet. You deserve all of that happiness, big brother.”

“We’re having drinks at Lucky’s, not a wedding,” I remind them, but they just smirk or smile at me, and I lift a shoulder. “Thanks. I’m keeping her.”

“He almost punched me in the face for using a nickname for her,” Xander says as Ivy delivers another round of drinks. “Hey, thanks, Izzy.”

Jesus fucking Christ.