Page 28 of Demitri

“Last call!”

The dude bros groan and rush the bar, as expected. Nothing like sucking down a pitcher of beer twenty minutes before getting in your car to drive home. Idiots.

“Who’s your designated driver?” I ask before handing over the pitcher.

“Loser in the corner. He lost the first game tonight. Quit drinking after two,” dude bro one says.

“You know he’s military and can kick your ass, right?” dude-bro two replies.

“Not a chance. I’m still his big brother.”

The two grab their beer and continue bickering on the way back to the table. A few other people come up to either pay their tabs or get one more drink, and thankfully, no one seems too sloshed to make it home safe. At midnight, I walk the last customer out and turn the lock on the door while flipping off the open sign. I turn and face the people still remaining.

“I’ll go get our boy,” big guy one says, standing from his stool. “He in the office?”

“I’m right here,” Demitri answers, appearing from the hallway. “And I think I need a drink.”

“And then we all talk,” big guy two and Nola say at the same time.

Without a word, I flip over two shot glasses and grab the bottle of Beluga Gold Line and pour. We take our shots and I pour another while filling two cups with ice for water.

“I guess it’s time,” Demitri says after taking his second shot. “Aunt Linda is going to be so pissed off.”

“Boy, I knew you wouldn’t be able to keep your trap shut. Guess it’s a good thing these are the people you surround yourself with.”

Aunt Linda appears from the back hall, and I’m stunned into silence. How the hell did she get in here? When Brodie sticks his head out of the kitchen window, I have my answer. He looks at me with a guilty expression before turning to Aunt Linda.

“Good to see you again, Auntie. Mia, I’m done and gone. I don’t need to know what all this is about. See you tomorrow.”

I wave to Brodie and wait for the back door to slam closed. That boy can never leave anywhere quietly, but I guess it’s good to know he can open things with no sound.

“Well, let’s get this shit show on the road,” Aunt Linda tells us, sitting on a bar stool. “And make me a beverage, will you?”

CHAPTER TEN

DEMITRI

From not tellinganyone to telling everyone, I guess? That’s all I can think when I look at the bar full of people. Aiden and Grady are one thing. Even Aunt Linda being here shouldn’t freak me too much, but Mia’s friends? I don’t want them anywhere near this mess. This is my mess. Because no matter what I try, I’ll never get away from my family completely.

“What did she say to you?” I ask Mia.

“Nothing. Said she was driving through, but didn’t give anything else away.”

“How did you know?” Aunt Linda asks.

Mia looks at me, not giving anything away when she replies, “Her eyes. She has the same eyes as Demi—John.”

“Ugh, seriously, can we cut the John shit? Everyone here knows?—”

“John, dear, watch yourself,” Aunt Linda sternly replies.

“Actually, I didn’t,” the woman sitting at the end of the bar says. She’s got brown hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. “I only know you as Beluga Boy.” The smirk on her face almost makes me laugh, but Aiden beats me to it.

“Beluga? Like a whale?” he laughs.

“No,” Mia deadpans. “Like the vodka. The expensive shit, unlike that draft drivel you two drink when others are paying attention, big guy one. Or should I call you Old Fashioned, Irish boy?”

Aunt Linda snorts into her glass, and Grady chuckles next to him.

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