Bonus Chapter
SUTTON
My Black Cat - The Pizza Party
Sipping on a beer in the corner of the bar, away from the action, is not my usual MO at a party.
Normally, I’d be the one out on the dance floor trying to coax the quiet ones out with me to have a good time.
Somehow that always seems like my role as the middle child, but this isn’t my party and thankfully that’s not my job tonight.
Tonight’s an even rarer treat because it’s a party that I’m not catering or cooking for.
If TJ or Grace would have asked me to cater a party or host an event at Gloria’s, I would have done it without hesitation.
TJ is my best friend and his new wife, Grace, is quickly becoming a close friend too.
I’m so happy for them and that they found each other.
That still doesn’t mean that when I heard Tanner was throwing them a pizza party at The Chairlift, I was a bit relieved that I could relax tonight and just watch the crowd.
Maybe more accurately, I just want to watch one shadow that’s been lurking in my thoughts for what seems like ages now.
I look out on the dance floor to watch her dancing up near the karaoke machine in the corner that Grace and TJ are setting up.
I could watch her all night and never get tired of admiring her.
From her black hair with the bangs I want to brush out of her eyes to the low cut tops she wears that show a hint of her sternum tattoo — I want to look at all of her, all the time.
“I thought that was you,” a familiar voice draws my eyes away from the only place I want to be directing it.
I look to my right and almost can’t believe who I’m seeing.
If Grace hadn’t mentioned that her best friend was hanging around in town lately, I definitely would not believe my eyes right now.
Her familiar red hair is now in a pixie cut and she’s gots some noticeable tattoos and piercings that she didn’t have a decade ago, but my whole family knows that wild personality all too well.
I pull my attention away from the group by the karaoke machine and turn to Josie. “I heard a rumor you were in town, Josie.” I tip my beer to her. “It’s been what, nine or ten years?”
She nods and takes a sip of her cocktail and doesn’t bother to acknowledge my recognition of our shared past. “Yeah. Something like that.”
To my surprise, she pulls up a barstool and joins me at my high-top table. I shake my head and look back at her. “Who would have thought that the married couple both happen to have best friends from the same little town in New Mexico? Small world, right?”
“Yep.” She pops that syllable and takes another sip of her drink. “Small world. I’m glad to see you and your brothers got out of Sterling Springs too, though.”
I shake my head and shoot her a glare. “Not all of us. Just me and Slade.”
I let that little bit of info sink in, but she doesn’t seem to take the bait again.
“So what has you moping around away from the party tonight?” her voice trails up in an amused tone.
I try not to look over toward the karaoke machine, but my eyes betray me.
Josie must pick up on that because her lips curl into a feline grin.
“Ooooh. Coffee shop girl. Interesting. I figured you’d be looking for someone bright and cheery to match your always sunny disposition. ”
I roll my eyes and grin back at her. “I see you have the same sense of humor as always. Glad that hasn’t changed.”
She hums and flashes that wide smile. “Yep, you know me.”
I’m about to say something else when I spot my brother, Slade, walking toward us. Shit. That’s just what I needed tonight — more conversation when I just want to relax and enjoy watching the person that I’ve been obsessed with for a year have a good time with her friends.
Slade reaches the table and starts to say something when he looks at Josie. I see the moment he recognizes her, new haircut and all. “Holy shit. Look what the cat dragged in.”
Her eyes roam up and down my older brother and she lets out an amused hum. “Still obsessive about your appearance I see.”
He shrugs. “Yeah, whatever.” His eyes drift to me and he quirks a brow before looking back at Josie. “What’s my little brother’s deal tonight? He looks way too mopey for a party.”
Josie grins and tips her chin to the girl I’ve been watching since I got here. Slade follows her gaze and snorts a laugh. “Man, get over her. She doesn’t even know you exist and we’re going to be opening the Seattle restaurant soon.”
“You two are really making tonight so much fun, you know that? I wasn’t expecting a Sterling Springs reunion.”
“Oh, come on,” Josie says, bouncing a little on her feet. “What are the odds of this? Let’s have a little fun.”
She reaches out over the table with her drink and tips it at me and Slade. “To getting out of small towns?”
Slade reaches in with his beer and looks at me. “Come on, for old times’ sake.”
I shake my head and groan. “Fuck it. For old times’ sake.” I clink my drink to theirs, but I don’t repeat Josie’s toast because I’m in no rush to leave Jackson anytime soon.