By the Book

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Test of Time

An hour later, the patio of The Proud Cougar had become our private haven of chaos. The empty glasses crowding the table told a vivid tale—sibling rivalries rehashed, embarrassing memories gleefully retold, and just enough alcohol to make the world feel soft around the edges. The fairy lights swayed lazily in the breeze above us, their glow mingling with the warmth of the heaters, creating a bubble of pure comfort.

I sank back into my chair, the laughter bubbling out of me uncontainable as Tyler wrapped up yet another ridiculous story. His words slurred just enough to let me know he was as far gone as I was. "...and that's how Kare here ended up on stage, singing backup for a band she'd never even heard of! Absolute legend."

"You're leaving out the part where you bribed the bouncer to get in," I shot back, my words dragging just slightly as I pointed an accusing finger at him. "You were underage, Ty! That could've gone so wrong."

He waved me off with exaggerated flair, his grin stretching ear to ear. "Details, Kare. Minor details. It was for the greater good."

Ben, sprawled in his chair with a soda he hadn't touched in twenty minutes, snorted. "I can't believe I missed all this. By the time I'm in college, you two will probably be boring adults with, like, minivans or something."

"Excuse me?" Tyler squawked, slamming his hand on the table for emphasis. "Speak for yourself. I'll never be boring. Never."

I poked him in the arm, giggling uncontrollably. "You're already boring, Ty. Can't even beat your sister in a drinking contest."

His eyes went wide, his expression mock-offended. "Kara! That's a low blow!" He clutched his chest dramatically, swaying in his chair. "The night's not over yet."

"Uh-huh, sure," I teased, crossing my arms smugly. "You're all talk."

"Talk, she says," Tyler mumbled, leaning forward and squinting at me as if he were trying to size me up. "You're lucky I'm a gentleman, or I'd wipe the floor with you right now."

"Oh, please!" I laughed, holding up my nearly empty glass like it was a trophy. "I've been winning this for—" I counted on my fingers, rounding up, because math was hard, "—ten years. Admit defeat, Ty."

Miles, who had been quietly watching from his seat beside Ben, chuckled, his tone warm and easy. "You're both completely knackered."

"Am not!" Tyler shot back, pointing a slightly wobbly finger at Miles, as if Miles had personally insulted his honor. "I am perfectly—perfectly—what's the word?" He paused, his brows furrowing in concentration before he blurted triumphantly, "Functional! Yes. Functional."

I snorted, barely keeping my laughter in check. "Ty, you literally forgot the word functional."

"That's not forgetting," he argued, his tone indignant. "That's dramatic timing, Kare-bear. You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, I understand," I said, rolling my eyes and finishing off my drink with a flourish. "I understand that you're trying to distract me from the fact that you're losing. Again."

"Losing?" Tyler leaned back in his chair, placing a hand over his heart like I'd mortally wounded him. He leaned over, resting his head on my shoulder, the perfect of a sweet younger sibling—an outright lie. "Sweet sister of mine, the night is young. You might be ahead, but I'm a comeback king. Just you wait."

As Tyler delivered his proclamation of impending victory, the music playing softly in the background shifted. The opening notes of It's Gonna Be Me filled the air, and I froze mid-laugh. My and Tyler's heads whipped toward the speakers at the same time, and we both locked eyes, wide and unblinking.