20
1328 Words
Del leaned back in her chair, still giggling from the last story. “Okay, so, honest question,” she said between bites of biscuit, “are Rae and I still banned from matches, or has the statute of limitations expired on that one?”
The laughter around the table died just a little.
Momma Anna and Papi Sam both slowly turned their heads toward the girls—matching looks of long-suffering disbelief on their faces.
“Oh no,” Remi murmured, looking between them. “This sounds like trouble already.”
Momma Anna folded her arms. “You mean to tell me you two still wanna play with fire after what you did last time?”
Del smirked, twirling her fork. “Define ‘play.’”
Papi Sam groaned. “Anna, don’t—just don’t encourage it. I still remember the smell of that burned-up truck.”
Elijah blinked, nearly choking on his coffee. “Truck? Wait—what truck?”
Trey leaned in, eyes full of delight. “Yeah, do explain, because that sounds like something I shouldn’t miss.”
Rae exhaled slowly, clearly trying to look innocent and failing. “Okay, in my defense, he totally deserved it.”
Will raised an eyebrow. “…This should be good.”
Del gestured with her fork. “See, there was this guy Rae was dating back in high school. Thought he was smooth—had her thinking he was all in love, all that sweet talk.”
Momma Anna rolled her eyes. “Mm-hmm. Until we found out he was sweet-talking three other girls in the same week.”
Rae shrugged unapologetically. “He thought his dumb ass wouldn’t get caught cheating. I just made sure karma came a little early.”
Remi blinked, halfway between amused and alarmed. “What exactly does ‘a little early’ mean?”
Del’s grin widened. “We might’ve… borrowed his keys. Just for a minute. Rae handled the gas, I handled the matches.”
Trey leaned back, grinning like he was watching a movie. “You torched his truck?”
“Just the front half,” Rae said quickly. “We didn’t want to hurt anyone. Just… make a point.”
Elijah laughed, shaking his head. “A fiery breakup, literally.”
Will smirked. “I’m guessing that’s how you ended up banned from matches?”
Momma Anna slapped her hand on the table. “They got arrested, that’s how! Lord have mercy, I had to drive all the way to county to bail ’em out—still in my nightgown!”
Papi Sam pointed his fork at Rae and Del. “And you two were just sittin’ there in the station like you owned the place! Rae sayin’, ‘Well, at least he can’t drive to her house now.’”
Rae groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “You promised you wouldn’t tell that part.”
Momma Anna laughed so hard she had to wipe her eyes. “Oh, I promised I’d never let you forget it, cher.”
Remi turned to the boys, eyes wide and teasing. “And you three thought we were the chaotic ones.”
Trey chuckled. “I’m just glad I wasn’t the poor guy who crossed her.”
Will smirked, glancing at Rae. “Good to know what happens when someone breaks your trust.”
Rae arched a brow. “It’s a warning, not a threat.”
Elijah lifted his coffee cup in salute. “Remind me never to make you mad.”
Del clinked her mug against his. “Smart man.”
Momma Anna huffed, trying not to smile. “And that’s why neither of you are allowed near anything flammable when you’re here. Not even a lighter.”
Papi Sam nodded. “You can sit by the fire pit, but that’s it. No touching, no sparks, no ‘accidents.’”
Rae grinned. “Oh, come on, that was years ago.”
Momma Anna pointed at her sternly. “And I’ll remind you—it only takes one spark to burn a dock, cher.”
That sent everyone into another round of laughter, even as Rae groaned and dropped her head to the table.
Trey leaned over to Will, whispering with a grin, “You think she’s kidding?”
Will smirked. “Not even a little.”
Remi smiled softly, shaking her head. “You two really haven’t changed much, have you?”
Del grinned proudly. “Nope. Just got better at not getting caught.”
Momma Anna gasped dramatically, hand flying to her chest. “Lord help us all.”
Before Papi Sam could jump in with his usual lecture, he cleared his throat instead—far too calm, far too pleased.
“Well,” he said, folding his hands on the table, “since we’re already airin’ out old sins… I reckon this is a good time to say congratulations.”
Rae froze.
Del’s grin faltered just a fraction.
Remi blinked. “Congratulations… for what?”
Papi Sam smiled, slow and knowing. “To Rae and Del. On their recent… investment.”
The table went quiet.
Rae’s head snapped toward Del. Del stared straight ahead, suddenly very interested in her biscuit.
“Investment?” Elijah echoed.
Trey leaned forward. “Oh, this just got good.”
Papi Sam continued, clearly enjoying himself. “That little bourbon distillery just right down the road—the one been in the family for three generations? Was fixin’ to file for bankruptcy. Owner couldn’t keep up with costs, didn’t wanna sell to some big corporate outfit that’d change the recipe.”
Momma Anna nodded. “He wanted someone local. Someone who’d keep it the same.”
Remi’s eyes widened slowly. “Oh no.”
Rae turned fully toward Del, voice low. “You told him.”
Del finally looked at her, unapologetic. “I didn’t tell him. He figured it out.”
Rae narrowed her eyes. “You dared me.”
Del shrugged. “You said you were bored.”
“I was drunk,” Rae hissed.
“And sentimental,” Del added helpfully.
Papi Sam chuckled. “Turns out, that ‘drunk idea’ saved the man’s business. Paperwork ain’t finalized yet, but he’s real happy to have found buyers who actually care about the bourbon.”
Elijah stared between them. “You bought a distillery?”
“Almost,” Remi corrected faintly, looking at Rae. “You almost bought a distillery.”
Rae dragged a hand down her face. “It was the night before we left Chicago,” she muttered. “We were celebrating. One drink turned into six.”
“Eight,” Del corrected.
Rae shot her a glare. “You said I wouldn’t do it.”
Del smiled sweetly. “And you hate being told that.”
Trey laughed outright. “So let me get this straight—you celebrated leaving Chicago by drunkenly agreeing to buy a failing bourbon distillery?”
Rae groaned. “When you say it like that, it sounds irresponsible.”
Will smirked. “Because it is.”
Momma Anna leaned back, pleased. “Still, I gotta admit—it’s very on brand for y’all.”
Papi Sam raised his glass. “Couldn’t have picked better buyers if I tried. Locals, loyal, and just reckless enough to make it work.”
Remi shook her head, half laughing, half stunned. “I leave Chicago with two best friends and end up co-signing chaos.”
Rae shot Del another glare. “You’re paying for this forever.”
Del clinked her mug against Rae’s. “Worth it.”
The table erupted in laughter again—loud, warm, and familiar—as Rae dropped her head back with a groan.
“I swear,” she muttered, “one dare is gonna ruin my life.”
Papi Sam grinned. “Or make you a legend, cher.”
And judging by the looks around the table, no one was betting against that.
- Writer
