Page 137 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

She turns before I can speak, grabbing my wrist hard and leading us all outside. Dad’s setting plates of barbecue onto the table. When he looks up, his eyes find me, before they find Auty. But when he sees Rue in Turkey’s arms, he lights up, nearly dropping the food before wiping his hands and reaching for her.

“There’s my perfect granddaughter,” he coos, taking her and holding her close. “You’re getting too big, Rue Bea.”

Mom takes a gulp of something that looks utterly refreshing. A panicked noise reaches my ears, and by the way Rico’s gaze snaps to me, I think I was the culprit.

He guides me to the seat farthest from her, on Dad’s right, before taking the seat next to me.

Mom rolls her eyes, before perking up. “I made margaritas!” she sings, jiggling her cup.

“I’m, uh… sober. About a year now.”

“So you were in rehab then?” Dad asks, taking his seat next to me. He grabs a rib off the dish and hands it to Rue, who begins to gnaw on it immediately. “I understand.”

“Well, I don’t,” Mom snaps, taking another gulp. “Why the hell would you need rehab?”

“Dad, can I go inside?” Deucey asks, rolling his eyes.

“Royce–”

“My name is Deuce,” my nephew mumbles, cutting off his grandmother.

“Deucey, mind your manners.”

“I don’t need you defending me from my grandson.” Mom curls her lip at Patience, but it’s Auty who shrinks in her seat.

Turk chuckles mirthlessly, but Patience stands and takes Rue when she reaches for her.

“We’ll be inside. Deucey, can you make our plates?” Patience levels her glare on Mom while Deucey obeys her. The day is mild, but now sweat builds on the back of my neck and I fidget, glancing at the pitcher of margaritas only a few times every few seconds so no one notices me.

“And what are you looking at, little girl?” Mom grits as Deuce walks away.

“Nothing at all,” she volleys effortlessly, before leaving us outside.

Dad tries to shoot a glare at Mom, but she waves him off before finally noticing me. “Girl, just grab some if you want it.”

“She just said she went to rehab, Mommy. Actually, I’ll just take it–”

“You better not touch my fucking margaritas, Autumn Night. Bad enough you bringing all this sin into my house. If your sister wants to drink with her mom, she has that right. Don’t you think? Uncle Rico?”

“Mom.” I lick my lips, finally finding my voice. “I’ve been gone a year. I thought we could have a nice, family lunch. Can we just have that?”

When Mom’s eyes shift to me, they soften, just a little.

“I wish you’d stop with those wigs,” she mumbles, before her whole face transforms and she gazes at Dad. He throws an apologetic smile my way before clearing his throat.

“I’m glad you’re okay Wynnie. Glad you’re safe. Both of you; my girls. How are you, Autumn?”

Auty sits up, opening her mouth to reply, but Mom cuts her off.

“You know how she is, Aaron. On an expressway to damnation and dragging our poor grandbaby with her.”

“You never had this much to say before?! I’ve been with Patience for years!”

“And now your ‘girlfriend’ is married to your baby daddy, and you have Royce thinking all that shit’s normal. I don’t know where I went wrong with you… both of you. What happened with Cochise, Wynter? How did you let him slip through your fingers for… him?”

My hand reaches to scratch my neck, but I took my press-ons off, and my blunt nails aren’t doing the job. Shifting in my seat again, I reach out and take Rico’s hand, placing it in my lap.

“Mom,” I try in a soothing voice I don’t feel, “I’ve known Rico for a long time. He actually helped me get sober last year. Helped me clear my mind.”