Page 33 of Havoc's Fox
Havoc nodded, an unreadable expression on his face. And that is why she was here. Christian. Which he was really glad about, because it meant that Analise wouldn’t have Christian to pal around with and he’d have better access to her if she couldn’t run to Christian.
“Makes sense to me,” Havoc said, eating a broccoli bite from the platter next to him.
Bam had disappeared without a word to anybody right after having been introduced to Addie, and his voice could suddenly be heard from the other side of the house. “I said not to give her vodka again!”
“I didn’t!” Emmalyn answered.
“Is she not holding a drink?” Bam demanded.
“It’s not vodka! It’s bourbon!” Emmalyn snapped.
“She is standing right here. And she’s old enough to drink whatever the hell she wants! And stop talking about me in the third person!” Analise yelled at both of them.
“Last time it took you three days to recover,” Bam said protectively.
“Last time I was still in high school and had never had a drink before. This time I’m an adult and have more than enough experience drinking whatever the heck I want to drink, Daddy. Relax, alright? It’s Christmas. Everybody else gets to have a beer or wine or whatever. Why is it a problem if I do?” Analise asked.
“Excuse me,” Everly called over her shoulder as she darted from the kitchen to the side of the house the yelling came from, and that held her daughters’ bedrooms. Seconds later they heard her voice. “Hush! Every one of you hush! You’re making everybody uncomfortable with your bickering.”
“Analise is drinking again,” Bam informed her.
“Oh, my God. I have a drink now and then when I’m out with friends. Why is it a huge thing?” Analise demanded.
“You remember last time, right?” Bam demanded right back at her.
“That was more than six years ago, and for the record, it’s not the last time!” Analise shouted.
“I knew you shouldn't have left home!” Bam exclaimed.
“Mom!” Analise begged.
“Bam, go in the living room,” Everly ordered.
“But…”
“No! She’s a grown woman, with a grown woman’s life. Stop treating her like she’s sixteen.”
“I’m not!”
“You are,” all three shouted at him.
“I’m just trying to make sure she’s okay.”
“I’m fine, Dad,” Analise said. “You’re turning this into a whole thing.”
“Because I care. And I don’t want this to go bad so you wait another six years to come home,” Bam answered.
“I won’t do that, Dad. I promise.”
“You’re not planning to leave this afternoon?” he asked, his voice making it clear he already knew the answer.
“I… But… I haven’t decided fully. I was thinking about it,” Analise answered defensively.
“You just got here,” Bam said, his voice quiet now. The only reason they could all still hear him in the living room was because they were shifters and trying to.
“I won’t leave this afternoon, okay?”
“Promise?” he asked.