Page 42 of Derailed
“You boys want dinner?” Deb calls down not two seconds later. “Jess and I fixedziti!”
“Last one upstairs has to clean the kitchen,” Austinshouts.
Food. It sends us all running for the stairs like starving children. We’re a bit delirious after spending almost twelve hours down in this basement today. Laughing as Austin holds Coy back from reaching the first step, I shove Trent out of my way and sprint to the top. Am I hungry? Hell, yeah. But Deb’s ziti doesn’t compare to the young woman who stands in the kitchen dishing out plates. Jess lifts her chin and greets me with nothing more than a smile. If it were possible, I’d happily trade her for dinner, but since it’s not an option, I cherish that smile—the one that’s only for me in the four seconds before the rest of the band races up behindme.
“Looks amazing,” I say, accepting the plate from Jess. I’m not talking about the food, and I wonder if she cantell.
Her gaze drops, a red blush creeping up her cheeks as she reaches for another plate to fill. “Thanks. All Deb. I justhelped.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Deb interrupts and drops a slice of garlic bread on my plate. “She’s a fast learner. A few more weeks and she’ll be able to do this on herown.”
“That’s my girl,” Coy says. He doesn’t get in line behind Trent, either; he cuts around the kitchen island to stand behind her and place a hand on herhip.
Jess turns her face to him and her smile, it literally shines forhim.
Fucker.
I want her to smile like that for me. I know it’s wrong, but that’s the first thought I have. I walk my food over to the table in the other room and give in to my second favorite reoccurring fantasy. The one where Coy gets hit by a bus. Also wrong, but it’s enough to keep a grin on my face throughdinner.
* * *
After our mealI retreat to the living room to sprawl on the floor, my belly full from way too much food. Trent joins me and reclines on an oversized chair while Austin helps Deb clean up the kitchen. Of course Coy and Jess head upstairs, and it takes everything in my willpower tonotthink about what they’redoing.
I almost drift to sleep.Almost.
“I’m bored. I want to go out,” Austin complains and flops onto one of thecouches.
“No, Aust. Bedo already said you could tomorrow.” Trent doesn’t glance up from his cell phone. He doesn’t care. He’s probably just waiting for Lexi to finish her show and FaceTime him. The rest of us are going stircrazy.
“We could sneak out.” Austin drops his voice. “It could be like oldtimes.”
“How about you boys play a game?” Deb suggests, walking into the room to give Austin a glare. I don’t know how she heard him. Mom superpowers must never really goaway.
Tony trails behind her, but when he notices me on the floor he races over to lick my face. Sitting up, I chuckle and pet the little twerp until he jumps out of my lap and back over toDeb.
Austin perks up and tilts his head. “Flipcup?”
Deb puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head. “Does it always have to be aboutdrinking?”
He flashes her a wide smile. “Those are the only games Iknow.”
“Do we have any cards?” I ask, because that could turn another boring night around. Nothing like a little friendly competition, and I do enjoy taking Austin’smoney.
“Check that closet. I’m sure you’ll find something in there.” Deb waves to a door and scoops up Tony in her arms. “We’re turning in for the night. Don’t get into any trouble.” She waves and we wish her good night before she retreats down the hall to the opposite end of thehouse.
“This could be fun. Game Night. I’m all about retro fabulous.” Austin rubs his hands together and pops off the chair to go over to thecloset.
“I’ll get the refreshments!” I call over my shoulder and head into the kitchen. I snag a bottle of whiskey from the pantry along with a couple of beers from the fridge and head back to the living room. Coy and Jess come around the corner too, hand in hand. I’m equally excited and irritated at their appearance. Unlike yin and yang, they don’t balance each other out, and I really do wish for Coy to leave and Jess to stay, impractical as thatis.
“Hey.” I lift my chin in anod.
“Looks like someone’s ready to party.” Coy laughs and eyes the liquor bottles in myarms.
“Game night.” I nod my head back to the living room. And as much as I hate this fucker, I glance over at Jess in time to catch her eyes light up at my words. I’m sure I’ll regret my words later, but if it brings a smile to her gorgeous lips, it’ll be worth it. “You should joinus.”
Jackpot. Her lips stretch with a smile that pulls across her face and she bounces on the balls of herfeet.
Coy grins, but not in a nice way. More in a caught-me-looking-at-his-girl, fuck-off way, but instead of telling me so, he turns to Jess and kisses her cheek. “Let’s go get a drinkfirst.”
