Inheritance

- A Serialized Novel -

 
Sorting out Carson's legacy only leads to more questions.
 

Author’s Note: So… while Mackenna can drink two guys under the table, it’s still going to hit her sometime, right?


A Few Too Many

“Carrie is going to kill Nick, you know.”

Mackenna shrugged. She wasn’t sure she cared, though she should because she’d managed to drink both those boys under the table and then some, laughing the entire time. She had started feeling it toward the end of the meal, but they were already well past that point when she hit it. Carson had designated himself the driver, and she wasn’t sure what that meant, either. Did he not drink, was that it? Was that why he hadn’t had anything? Or had he just decided to be the responsible one? “Why are you sober?”
He grimaced. “Biggest lightweight of all lightweights, and I so don’t need to give my brothers anything else to humiliate me with.”

She could believe that. They were the type that would never let a good joke die. She’d enjoyed dinner—enjoyed it way too much. “They’re fun.”

“Yes, I saw you had plenty of fun.”

“Are you drunk?” Mackenna shook her head at herself, hearing him snort like he was trying not to laugh. “I mean, are you jealous?”

“Why would I be jealous? You just got adopted, Sis.”

She grinned. “So, I’m officially a part of the family?”

“You are to me.”

She found herself widening her grin. She couldn’t help it. She wanted to smile, wanted to laugh, even wanted to hug him. Hugging would be okay, maybe, since he’d done it first. “I think I finally know what it feels like to be all warm and squishy inside.”

Cameron gave her a look. “I think you’re gonna puke in a minute.”

“Maybe.” Now that he’d brought it up, she was sure she would. She didn’t want to do it here, though. She had to get moving. “Do I still get to sleep in your sleeping bag if I do?”

He laughed. “Yeah. I gave it to you, remember?”

“Oh.”

He shrugged. “Besides, I threw up after breakfast the other day. We’re even.”

“Okay.”

He put an arm around her, helping her along, and she sighed, hoping she could make it up to his apartment before she passed out or puked. She didn’t want to make a mess of him or of her shoes. She liked these boots. They were her favorites. They fit just right. Perfect shoes. Wonderful shoes.

“Where’d you learn to drink like that anyway?”

“I’d blame it on Mac and his Legion buddies, but it’s my aunt’s father who’s to blame. When we moved in with her parents…” Mackenna stopped. She held a hand to her mouth while Carson kept her upright. She was going to fall and puke if she let go. “I’m dizzy. Can’t walk anymore.”

He frowned. “I doubt I can carry you properly. You want to try riding piggyback?”

She giggled. “Yes. Please.”

He knelt, letting her fall onto his back, and then he hoisted her up, heading up the stairs. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto him. Closing her eyes, she kept smiling. She liked this. It felt good. “You’re a good brother. Not just for me. For them, too.”

“Just because I’m the designated driver doesn’t mean much.”

“Yeah, it does.”

“I suppose you’d hate me for thinking maybe you should have the bed because it’s closer to the bathroom.”

“Not sure it’s going to matter. I’m going to puke then pass out, so…”

“So I can put you wherever I want?”

“No. If I agree to that, I’ll end up on the floor or someplace weird like the bathtub.”

He stopped at the door, and she slid off his back, leaning against the wall as he opened the door. She let him help her inside and back toward the bathroom. “Thank you, Carson. Next time remind me that even I have limits.”

“I don’t think there should be a next time.” He sat her down next to the towel seat. “You shouldn’t do this to yourself.”

“I don’t. Not often. Not as often as I might have been tempted to do it, that’s for sure. Just one drink with the Legion every once and a while. I swear.”

She felt him brush back her hair, gathering it up. “I don’t have anything to hold this for you so be careful when you do puke.”

“Should have something in my bag.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

She smiled. He was being way too nice. “Thank you. You… You’re taking good care of me.”

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