Credence

He loads the steaks on a plate, I take the grilled corn, and Tiernan runs inside to grab the macaroni salad and potato chips.

We set everything down on the picnic table in the shop, the doors open, and the music playing as the evening air grows crisper. The beer lulls my veins, and I polish off the bottle as I reach behind me and grab the bottle of Patrón off the worktable.

I pour us each a shot, handing one to Tiernan.

“Uh, no,” she says, setting the condiments on the table.

“Yes.” I nod, placing it next to her plate. “We’re getting fucked up.”

Kaleb walks over, taking a seat, and I throw back my shot, blowing a breath at the burn. I slam the glass down and let out a yelp as it hits my stomach, leaping around the table, scooping Tiernan up, and flipping her over my shoulder.

“Because she’s ours all winter!” I spin around, hearing her squeal.

“Noah!” she barks.

But I laugh anyway. Thank fuck this day is ending better than it started. I might’ve actually had to stand up for myself and walk out of here for good.

Having her around will make this house bearable. She makes my dad bearable.

“For Christ’s sake, sit down,” Dad orders. “Eat like a family.”

I put her back on her feet, chuckling and pushing her down in her chair.

Popping another beer, I watch as her eyes lock in on the tequila and she cocks an eyebrow.

Come on. My father never drinks enough to get drunk, and Kaleb could drink my weight in Jack, Jim, and Jose together and still not feel anything.

She takes a deep breath and picks up the glass as my dad doles out the steak, and she tips it back, swallowing the entire shot in one gulp.

And without training wheels. Good girl.

I refill my glass and then hers.

“Stop.” She holds out her hand. “I don’t need to be puking.”

“Tell you what,” I say as she scoops out salad onto our plates. “I’ll make you a bet. If I clean my plate of all my food before you, you have to do two more shots.”

She looks at the T-bone on her plate that’s bigger than her face.

“And if I clean mine first??

? she asks.

“Then I’ll do the two shots.”

“You were going to do the two shots anyway.”

I snort. Yes, true.

“I’ll do your laundry this week,” I offer.

“No one else touches my underwear, thank you.”

“Yeah, that’s clear as day.”

Her eyes bug out, and my father breaks into a quiet laugh, he and her sharing a quick glance right before he shuts up.

She purses her lips and glares at me.