Page 57 of Breaking Bristol
“Oh, nothing.” Susie spoke for her. “Just a night of fun and drinks. And men,” she added with a laugh.
I gripped the handle of my knife. “Excuse me?”
“Susie!” Bristol yelped, her cheeks getting pink, and her eyes avoiding mine.
“What?” my cousin asked innocently, but I could tell she knew exactly what she was doing. “Am I wrong?”
I fucking hoped she was.
“We just had some drinks at The Tap last night,” Bristol assured, pouring some gravy on her potatoes. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“I didn’t know y’all were friends.”
“We are now,” my cousin informed me matter-of-factly. “She works with Reese.”
Reese was Susie’s best friend. “I see.”
“Are you still liking your job?” Aunt Heidi asked, being the hero and moving us on from the obvious tension in the room.
“I do. I love it.” Bristol talked about how grateful she was to be able to make an impact in children’s lives, and her passion for her work was evident.
“Sounds a lot like Beck.” Uncle Lou nodded in my direction. “Boy wants nothing more than to help people. Spent his whole life sacrificing his time and energy just to make a difference.”
Susie snort laughed. “And make a shit ton of money.”
“Suzanne,” Aune Heidi chastised.
“What? I’m just saying.”
“How about you say with fewer words, missy,” Uncle Lou suggested.
I elbowed my cousin and she kicked me under the table, and we both got yelled at.
But just like that, the tension was gone.
Bristol pretended to wipe her mouth a couple of times, but I could tell she was spitting out the pot roast. When I caught her, her eyes doubled in size, and my shoulders shook. “Told you,” I mouthed.
After dinner, we had pie, and as soon as his plate was finished, Uncle Lou disappeared into the den with Susie. Bristol offered to help with the dishes, but Auntie wouldn’t allow it. “If you’re sure, then I’ll just be getting home.”
“Of course. Thank you for joining us.”
“Thank you for having me. It was delicious.”
“Beck, be a gentleman and walk her to her car.”
She wasn’t subtle, but still. “I was planning on it.”
Bristol gave my aunt a hug and then said goodbye to the others on our way outside. I opened the front door for her and walked down the steps to do the same at her car. “Thanks.” She sat down and peered up at me with her gorgeous spheres of amber. “Have a good night.”
There was so much more I wanted to say… so much I wanted her to know, but now wasn’t the time. “You too, sweetheart.”
“Bye, Matthew.”
I cupped the side of her face, took a step back, and waited for her to drive away. As soon as I got back inside, I called Susie’s name, then stormed out the back door, knowing she’d follow. “You summoned me.”
“What the fuck was that?” I barked.
“You’re smart, Beck. You know exactly what that was.”