Page 123 of Dream Chaser
And I curl up a little closer to Dad. Because the way I feel right now? That big, terrifying, this-could-actually-be-something feeling?
Yeah. I’m gonna need backup, and I’m sure the girls would offer a hand while I’m sink, sink, sinking. But Dad would, too, right?
My phone goes off, and I stand to pull it out of my pocket and see it’s from Riley.
Riley:
Mick says the meat’s ready for the rub. BUT, if your mom’s sweet-and-savory dip blend doesn’t make it into my mouth ASAP, Baby Hart and I are taking hostages. Also, tambourine, cowbell, harmonica. We got Maddox talked into playing fiddle in Lexi’s absence.
I blink, reread it, and groan.
Of course. That’s why I came home.
Not for the peace and quiet. Not for a … love intervention.
Nope. I was on a mission.
I fire back a text with one thumb while heading to the spice cupboard.
Me:
On it. If you hear frantic jingling and cursing, it’s me and the tambourine getting reacquainted. You’re welcome.
Another ping.
Riley:
Make sure it’s THE cowbell. a said the other ones sound like they belong at a kindergarten circle time.
Me:
Great. Now I’m afraid of disappointing a. Be there soon.
“You need help finding something?” Mom asks.
“I came here for spice and?—”
Skinner chuckles, and I turn and look at him. “Really?”
He holds his hands up. “So many things I could say, but this is probably not the time and place.”
“You think?” I turn back to the cupboard and see Mom out of the corner of my eye. Her head is bowed, shoulders shaking. I turn to see Dad, who’s looking down, shaking his head, smirk on his face. “Shouldn’t you be, like, cleaning a gun or something to scare him off?”
“Oh, please.” Mom fully laughs. “Your father and Griffon … same exact personality.”
I want to argue—I really do. I should just for the sake of arguing.
“I don’t have time for this right now. I have instruments to procure and spices to gather.”
“Procure,” Skinner says slowly.
Dad chuckles.
I sigh in frustration. “There’s gonna be a jam session.”
Mom tilts her head. “A what?”
“A jam session. Music. You know, like we used to do. Maggie wants to play. Harper convinced Maddox to play fiddle. Lo and Riley are doing tambourine and cowbell. I’m on harmonica. It’s … a whole thing.”
