Chapter Twenty-Three
Alice
“Alice, for the love of God, drive faster or there will be no food left when we get there,” Blake says. He’s in the passenger seat and has been nagging me to drive faster since we hit the road.
We’re meeting the entire clan for the picnic at my parents’ house and it made no sense for everyone to go with their own car, so I got saddled with Blake and Daniel. Nate had to oversee some reshoots today and said he wasn’t sure when they’d be over, so he’ll stop by later. It’s going to be a glorious day; I can feel it in the tips of my fingers. I so needed an outing with the family, and I’m happy everyone is coming. It’s also going to be the first time Nate joi
ns a family event as my guy. It feels like an important milestone.
“I don’t think the car can take it. Whenever I go over sixty, it starts making scary noises,” I explain.
“Here’s a thought: buy another car,” Daniel supplies from the back seat.
“But I like this one,” I insist. “It’s got personality.”
In the rearview mirror, I see Daniel dragging his hands down his face, staring at me like I grew a second head.
“Always knew you were nutty,” he says under his breath.
“Heard you.”
“I meant for you to hear me.”
Blake groans, then abruptly straightens in his seat, as if an idea just occurred to him. “Let’s bet.”
“On how long it’ll take us to get there?” Daniel asks, looking equally animated. Whenever we’re together, the children in us surface. That’s a universal truth, at least in our clan.
I’d forgotten how much fun the twins like to have at my expense. I can’t deny I like it though. It’s our thing, and it has been for as long as I remember. Funny thing is I’ve never allowed any of my other siblings to tease me the way I’ve allowed Blake and Daniel. I suppose all of us have our soft spots.
Ah, I don’t foresee much good for me in the near future. My nieces and nephews will have me wrapped around their little fingers.
“That too,” Blake says. “I was thinking about which one of our oldest brothers will be the first to give Nate the talk, Sebastian or Logan.”
“They’ll corner him at the same time,” Daniel says immediately.
“Agreed. They like to work together when it comes to intimidating someone,” I explain.
The twins fall into an almost eerie silence.
“You’re not worried?” Blake asks cautiously.
I shrug, focusing on the road again. As the sun comes out from behind clouds, I have to squint at the blinding light. Well, if there’s a time for blinding light, it’s mid-August.
“Nate can handle it. I have full confidence in him.”
Another silence follows, right before Blake bursts out laughing.
“You have love blinders on, sister. But I’m neutral. I can assess everyone’s potential better.”
“Me too,” Daniel adds helpfully.
“It’s a good thing we’re bringing ice.” Blake whistles, lowering in his seat.
“Ice?” I ask, not following.
“In case anyone gets a black eye.”
“Don’t be an idiot. No one will.”