Page 32 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

He groans. “Fuck, I shoulda asked next week once the carpet was out.”

Rolling my shoulders, I take a drink of the bourbon. “Could be worse, you coulda offered when I was dealing with the septic tank.”

He scrunches his nose, pale eyes flashing with disgust. “Let’s don’t talk about that at all. If I never have to think about you taking a shit, it won’t be soon enough. I gotta study all morning for my level-three test, though. Then we can charge more and travel for work. This prep is kicking my ass, but I’m tryna set a good example for Jace. I don’t think Jack’ll ever do it if I do.”

“Unsurprising. Jack’s happy to just go along with whatever you two do.”

Jack Clinton Tucker isn’t the most motivated being I’ve met.

Smiling, I tuck my wings tightly together because the crowd is nearly pulsing with energy. I wrap my tail around my thigh, hanging the spade inside my knee so it doesn’t get tugged. When I’m not careful in public, it’s not uncommon for others to bump into me or try to touch my wings or tail—sensitive spots for any gargoyle male.

Spots I only want one person to touch.

“You alright, Hay?”

I glance down at Jasper, who’s staring at me with eyes narrowed.

“You’ve got that look, dude,” he says. “That determined look. What did you just figure out?”

Coughing to mask my surprise, I shake my head. “Nothing, man. Nothing at all. Just thinking about the game.” It’s a lie, but if he can tell, he doesn’t press me on it.

Bluebell bursts through the crowd, eyes wide and heart racing. It shocks me that I can hear it so clearly over the crowd, but I’m focused. Getting obsessive. It’s nearly impossible not to stare at her as she joins us but I make myself scan the crowd in case her brother’s watching.

“I made it all the way to level seven!” she shouts, high-fiving both of her brothers at once.

Jasper yanks on her hair. “Thought you’d make it to nine for sure. You off your game, sis?”

She rolls her eyes. “You know, it’s a scientifically proven fact that women with two or more brothers are prone to dying early. Probably because you’re such a pain in my ass.”

He only grins bigger. “Oh, you love me.”

“I do,” she grumbles, grinning at them both, although Jack’s already turned to flirt with the female gargoyle again.

Jasper claps my shoulder. “Wanna grab another drink? I need to grab Bloob one too.”

If I’m honest, all I want to do is get outta this crazy crowd and find a quiet spot to enjoy a drink with my Tuckers.

“C’mon, Alk!” Bluebell gushes, grabbing my arm and beaming up at me.

In that moment, I know if this woman wants me to hang out at the bar all night, that’s where I’ll be. Because I’m lost in those glittering blue eyes and the tiny wrinkles at the corners when she looks way up at me.

“Lead the way, Tucker,” I say with a laugh, flaring my wings just enough to help part the crowd in front of her.

She drops my arm and spins, pushing through the crowd toward the bar. Jasper and Jack trail behind me. It’s always easier for me to get us through a crowd. Wings and my general size are useful in that way.

At the bar, Bluebell orders us a round of drinks. Not that it’ll do me much good. It takes a metric boatload of alcohol to get me remotely drunk. I’m curious to see Bluebell three sheets to the wind, though, floundering around like a ship with all its sails amuck. Gods, I might be the only monster nerd who knows the meaning of that expression about being drunk.

Jasper cheers when the big troll bartender shoves four shots across the bar toward us. Taking them in hand, we clink our glasses together in universal cheers. Bluebell throws her shot back, staring at me while she does. She’s a little unsteady, slumping to one side as she downs the shot. Reaching out, she grabs my forearm with one hand, hanging onto me as she wipes her free hand over her mouth and grins. When she sets the shot glass back on the bar she smiles up at us.

Her hand is still on me and I dread the moment she moves it. She touched me so easily and I don’t want to lose that.

Is it hours later that we finally agree it’s time to leave? I’ve lost track of time because we’ve been at the bar drinking and laughing, and it’s everything I can do to pay attention to Jasper and Jack and not the beautiful woman living it up and laughing more easily than I’ve seen in many years.

She needed this. That much is clear. And that’s why I stay out so long. Eventually, though, her energy flags, and she sits at the bar with her chin in her hand, smiling at her brothers.

Jasper clinks yet another shot glass to mine. “Dude, take my sister home, would ya? She looks like she’s about to pass out on the bar, and that would be embarrassing for the Tucker reputation.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m gonna have to cut out early to study for a few hours, but I’m cutting her off now. Can I pass caretaking duties to you?”

Chuckling, I wrap an arm around Bluebell’s back and under her right arm. She shifts easily off the stool, although when she stands, she sways against me.