Page 76 of Muscle Cub

We all clapped, and Austin executed an ear-splitting whistle with two fingers in his mouth.

John persuaded David and some of his friends to sing a song of their choosing as a group while the cake was being cut. I didn’t know it, and they didn’t sound too terrible. What they lacked in talent they made up for with shamelessness. Austin’s performance had apparently reset the bar. He cheered them as if he were at a music festival.

I checked the time on my phone. “Shit. We should head out.”

“We haven’t had cake!” Austin protested.

“Well, we can take some with us. But if you’re gonna make it back to the lodge in time for dinner, we need to go.”

I typically liked to leave a gathering by ducking out before anyone even noticed, but Austin had to make a great show of saying his goodbyes. A casual observer would’ve thought they were his family. He had a final word, a laugh, and a hug for almost everyone.

Except for Mom. Since she was holding Missy, Austin opted for sloppy dog kisses. Mom gave his arm a little squeeze and a pat.

“Did you see that?” I whispered to Veronica.

Her shocked expression mirrored my own. “Wow.”

“She touched him. Like, actual physical affection.”

Veronica sighed dreamily. “Well, it’s official. Everybody loves him.”

Could it be that easy?

I’d hoped to at least escape without having to speak to Charles again, but waiting for a container of cake had slowed us down. He ambushed us near the gate.

“Maybe I’ll see you guys at the campground,” Charles said.

“Yeah, bro.” Austin slung his arm over my shoulders. “You should come to the Bear Run next weekend. Have you ever been?”

“I haven’t.”

“It’s the biggest event of the season.”

“I might have to check it out.” Charles said. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Austin.”

“You too, Charles.”

As soon as we were out of earshot, I said, “He hates being called Charles, you know.”

Austin grinned. “I do.”

25

As I drove back to my house, Austin wolfed down birthday cake. “Here,” he said, feeding me a chunk. “You have to eat at least one bite. It’s a curse on Sadie if you don’t.”

I allowed him to feed me, licking icing off his fingers.

“That was fun,” he said. “I really like your family.”

“Everybody loved you. Even Mom warmed up at the end.”

“Thanks to Missy.”

“Missy’s her favorite child.”

“See? I’m actually very family friendly.”

“I can tell how much you like kids.”