Page 20 of It Runs in the Family

Even if she was stone-cold sober when we left tonight, there was no way I was getting back into that car with her behind the wheel. But that was a problem for Future Iris.

I hurried inside, wanting to put as much distance between me, the car, and my cousins as possible.

T-Birds was a large country bar just across the Mesquite County line in Dalton County and drew people from both sides. It was always busy on the weekends, and tonight was no exception. They often had up-and-coming country bands play at ten, which helped draw a crowd, sometimes by the hundreds.

After I paid my cover charge to get in, I stopped just inside the entrance and surveyed the crowd, looking for an empty table. I spotted one on the left side of the room and pushed my way through a group of people to get to it, including three guys chatting up a group of girls wearing bachelorette party sashes. Since the flirtiest of the group was the bride, I didn’t give the marriage long.

A couple of guys were also closing in on the table, but I hopped up on the stool first and gave them a smug look. “Taken.”

One of them eyed me up and down, his gaze sticking to my cleavage for a second longer than necessary before drifting back up to my face. He motioned to the two empty stools and his mouth lifted into a sly smile. “Looks like you have room for two more.”

“And those two more would be my cousins,” I said in a stern but friendly tone. “But they’re always lookin’ for new friends, so come back later with drinks and they might be happy to make your acquaintance.”

He gave me a dubious look but didn’t say anything as he walked away with his friend.

I glanced toward the door and saw my cousins walking in. They scanned the room until Ava spotted me. When she waved her arms, shouting with excitement, she drew the attention of the men around her. To be fair, though, she would have caught their attention even if she’d stood stock-still and wore one of Trinity’s calf-length dresses.

Ava and Mary Ellen were by far the prettiest of all my cousins. They had long and full blond hair, big blue eyes, and curves in all the right places. They were larger than life—always fun—and had a vivaciousness that drew a people in—men and women alike.

I realized how much I’d missed them. When had I cut myself off from everyone? And why? But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. They hurried over, huge smiles on their faces as they took the empty stools.

“You got a good spot!” Mary Ellen said. “Who did you kick out to get it?”

“I didn’t kick anyone out, nor did I flirt. That’s y’all’s MO. But…” I leaned closer. “Don’t be surprised if two men show up with drinks in a bit. They tried to take your seats, and I told them they were claimed but that y’all like makin’ new friends who bring you drinks.”

“Way to go,” Mary Ellen said, beaming. “We’re corrupting you already.”

“You could stand to flirt more,” Ava said, resting both hands on the table. “When was the last time you got laid?”

I choked on my own spit. “Buy a girl a drink before you start askin’ things like that.”

Ava’s eyes brightened. “Fine.” She waved over a haggard-looking waitress, then ordered beers and shots of tequila for all three of us.

Once the waitress left, Ava gave me a smug look. “I figure we need to get this party started.”

“I’m all for getting it started,” I said with a sigh.

“What’s goin’ on, little cousin?” Mary Ellen asked. “You can tell us.”

I sat up in defense. “Who said anything’s goin’ on?”

“You’ve never called us to hang out. We always call you.”

Guilt made me squirm. “I … it’s not like I don’t want to hang out with you.”

Ava waved her hand as though batting my comment away. “We know that,” she said with a laugh. “You’re the grown-up one.” She shrugged. “Well, you and Garrett.”

I thought about how crappy my life currently was. “That’s not entirely true.”

Mary Ellen laid her forearm on the table and propped her chin in her hand. “You’ve always had your shit together, Iris. Hell, you were living on your own at sixteen. You didn’t even go live with Granny.”

“I lived with Granny when my mother dumped me on her when I was six until she came back two years later. Besides, Granny had her hands full with Stacy.” Stacy had been fifteen and wild, which was why Aunt Marcie had dropped her off at Granny’s to straighten her out.

“See?” Ava said. “Responsible.”

“I haven’t always lived alone. I had roommates.”

“Yeah, you lived with Tiffany, Hannah, Selena, and then Rita. But who paid the rent? Who cleaned and kept the fridge stocked?”