Beyond The Ghosts (Legacy Falls Project) Read Online Free PDF Page B

beer?”
    “And I thought you were hanging out. I gave it to Scott here.”
    “Hi, I’m Scott.” He extended his hand for a shake, and I met his grasp.
    “Nice to meet you. I’m Peter, Beth’s brother.”
    “She was telling me.”
    “What else was my baby sister telling you while you drank my beer, Scott?” I didn’t mean it to sound so harsh, but I was very thirsty and I was one beer short.
    “I’m sorry, man, let me get you a beer. Bartender, can we get two more, please?” The bartender gave him a nod and was quick to bring back two long-neck bottles and place them in front of us.
    “Happy now?” my sister chided.
    “Yes, I’m thirsty. Munchkin over here dragged me onto the dance floor before I was even able to hydrate. I was not prepared for this.”
    “Oh, stop being a sissy. Live a little. Life isn’t all plans and missions, Peter.”
    I refused to complain about my feet. My sister was already calling me a sissy about the whole dancing thing. I had survived worse. Long walks with bleeding blisters on my feet but still had to march on and suck it up. I couldn't whine and bitch about my feet in front of my men. I marched right beside them, bleeding feet and all. If I could survive those long marches through desert mountains, I could survive one night in dress shoes.
    Scott was a sloppy drunk, and even though he stayed upright, his words began to slur, and whatever aspirations my sister had with the guy were over a few beers later. Beth’s mood soured as his drunkenness progressed and Scott burned his bridge.
    “I’m gonna go home,” she blurted out after Scott told yet another dry joke.
    “Hold on, let me tell Christina goodbye and we can go.”
    “No, you stay. She needs a designated driver anyway. Make sure she gets home.”
    “I’m ready to go.” My feet were ready to go two hours ago.
    “Can you please be a gentleman and make sure she gets home?” I really was ready to go, but I couldn’t leave Christina by herself. She wasn’t done yet and was still dancing with a group of girls in an organized line dance resembling a modified electric slide.
    “And how am I supposed to get home?”
    “Just drop her car off tomorrow. I’m exhausted, and I have to work tomorrow. Please?”
    She peered up at me with a pouty mouth—her lip hung low and she batted her eyelashes. She looked so pathetic, she needed a paper clip to hold her saggy lip up.
    “Fine, but you owe me.”
    “Whatever. Love you, muah.” She blew me a kiss and left me on DD duty.

    I found Christina back on the dance floor and joined her and the other females dancing. I didn't realize it was nearly the end of the song and the next was a slow number. The music was quieter and gave me the opportunity to tell Christina Beth had left me to assure she got home.
    “Hey, Beth took off,” I told her leaning close to her ear so she could hear me.
    “What? Why?” She looked around frantically for Beth to stop her.
    “She was tired and has work tomorrow. I suspect she was just upset that guy Scott got wasted.”
    “Scott is always wasted. I don’t know why she bothers with that guy. He is super clingy.”
    “I have no idea, but it is my job to make sure you get home.”
    “I haven’t had that much to drink.” We moved off the dance floor to a side table, but when we reached the table she kept moving and stumbled.
    “Okay, maybe I did. I was fine until I tried to stop moving.” I reached out to help steady her and she leaned into my chest. “That’s a little better.”
    Her gait steadied, and when she was comfortable, she pulled away and stood opposite me.
    “I just want to see something,” she said cocking her head to the side. “Come here.” She wiggled her finger in a come hither motion, and I leaned down to meet her. She cupped my cheeks with both her small hands and planted her soft lips on mine. Nibbling at each lip, she followed each pinch with a swipe of her tongue to soothe it. I opened my mouth in a gasp, and