CHAPTER SEVEN
Ingram
Ky came home just in time for dinner. It had turned into a big affair. Lake and Bridget were setting the table. Brand and Cami were filling glasses with all kinds of drinks. Laurel was flying solo, which made me feel a little less out of place.
The table was full and so were the plates in front of us. Chris brought over a funny looking glass filled with a light yellowish liquid. He winked down at me before taking his place on the other side of Ky.
“Chris,” Ky ground out staring at the drink that I had not touched yet in front of me.
“Don’t start,” Chris said sternly. “She’s almost twenty and she’s not going anywhere tonight. One glass isn’t going to hurt her.”
“She’s months away from twenty. And that’s not even close to twenty-one.”
“Are you trying to throw laws around, babe?” I could see Chris’ reflection in the windows that lined the room. His brow was raised in a way that said he knew Ky would have nothing to say back to that. “It’s wine, Ingram. Try it if you want to. If not, then that’s okay too.”
Everyone began to eat and I was thankful that all eyes weren’t on me waiting to see what I would do. While Ky had dropped it, I could tell that he wasn’t all that happy about it.
Halfway through my meal, I reached for the glass, holding it the same way that I’d seen Cami and Laurel do. I took a small sip, same as they had.
“Oh, this is good,” I said drawing everyone’s attention.
It was sweet and a little bitter. Even a tiny bit fruity. And as I swallowed, it reminded me of flowers for some odd reason.
“This is one of my favorites,” Laurel said with a smile. “Well, one of my favorites now.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant but I felt like now wasn’t the time to ask.
“Nothing wrong with a decent cheap wine,” Chris added and I didn’t have to look at him to know he winked at her.
I took another small sip then set the glass back down.
“I love your tacos, Chris,” I said after I’d stuffed half of one in my mouth at once. “I missed these so much.” I moaned like I was in Heaven.
There were a few laughs and hums of agreement.
After dinner, I scooted away to get Chry ready for bed. Chris followed after me to help. I was glad because the wine had made my head feel a tiny bit swimmy.
“You feel it don’t you?” he asked with a little chuckle as he got out Chry’s pajamas.
“A little, I think,” I replied and I felt my cheeks get warm.
“The more you drink the more you feel it,” he said while giving me a pointed look.
I loved Chris. He let me experience things. He didn’t treat me like a kid. But he also had that big brother side to him.
“I think I am good with one,” I said and let out a little giggle.
Then Chris shooed me away. He loved putting Chry to bed and reading him stories until his little eyes closed for good. I didn’t mind sharing that part of my day with Chris every now and then.
The next couple of hours went by with all of us sitting around talking. I looked around feeling so much love and support. These people were my family and I was so glad that I’d found them.
I had to admit, two years ago I had been hesitant about coming here after what my grandmother had told me. She didn’t outright condone Ky’s choices and the club, but she was unsure of me making the journey here. She loved Ky, that was clear in how she talked about him. The moment she saw me, I could tell that she loved me too. Even though she didn’t know a single thing about me, she took me in right away.
That was the first time I felt real, true, unconditional love.
She held me when I cried. She talked to me when I was scared.
I would have stayed there but I knew it would have been too much for her, especially with a baby on the way. She was old and though I didn’t know what was wrong, I knew that her health wasn’t the best. That was why I’d come here to find my brother. He was my last hope. My last light in this lonely life.
