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War stomps over and leans close, taking a deep hit of her scent. I frown like an old man when he gets close to her mouth and does it again.
“She’s been drinking?” he growls, glaring at me like I’m the one who gave her the alcohol. Which I didn’t, but it would explain why her scent is so off.
“Fuck if I know,” I grunt, heading for the bunks. I take a step back when I remember she almost tumbled out of the top bunk while completely sober. Yeah, that’s not happening on my watch. I glance over to my bunk, but it’s also on top.
“We made it to the bus.” Tinley rubs at her eyes like a sleepy kitten.
“We did,” I agree, grinning at the way she squints. She’s kind of precious.
“How old are you, Tinley?” War asks.
“I’ll be twenty-one soon. My birthday is just before Thanksgiving. I’m a Scorpio.” She laughs, rubbing her forehead. “Those drinks were way stronger than I thought. Ava… Wait, do you know Ava? She’s the woman from Chicago. She’s nice. She’ll be graduating this year as an accountant.” She glances between us, like any of that is going to ring a bell. “Anyway, she said the drinks were kind of weak, but don’t know if I agree.”
War growls, spinning around like he’s about to make a scene. My forearm keeps Tinley cradled to my chest, which makes my hand tighten on her ass to keep her steady as I grab for War with the other.
I catch the back of his T-shirt, yanking him back.
“Stop,” I bark.
“Ahh,” Tinley squeaks, jolting in my arms. “Where did that come from?” She slaps my chest. “Inside voice, Sir Malone.”
“Sorry, shortcake.” My head tilts down to study her goofy grin as War turns back to face us. He prowls closer, and I fight the ridiculous impulse to turn away to protect her from whatever wrath is about to come from my twin.
“Do you know what the legal drinking age is in our country?” he asks like he wasn’t blitzed with me before we even hit eighteen.
“I do,” she says, blinking owlishly. “But I was really thirsty. The waitress forgot my water twice and…” Her lip pokes out as she pouts. “I wasn’t trying to get drunk or anything.” She wiggles her legs, patting my shoulder for me to let her down. “I’m not wasted. It was a long day. I’m just sleepy.”
“I’ll bet.” I chuckle, holding on to her arms as I set her on her feet.
“I’m sure that has something to do with the alcohol,” War mutters.
“I’m fine.” Her chin tilts in the air defiantly, and War lights up with a look I haven’t seen in way too long.
Maybe I’m not that great of a guy, because I’m okay with him tormenting her a little as long as it keeps that spark of life in his eyes. It’s been touch and go for a while. No matter what I do, he’s just kind of existing.
“After barely eatingall day, you thought, hey, why don’t I consume alcohol to see what happens,” he growls, raising his eyebrows.
I flick my eyes to hers to find out what she comes up with next.
“I already explained how that happened.” She swipes a hand through the air like she doesn’t know why she’s continuing to discuss this. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get into my pj’s and use the restroom.”
“And Fitz thought I would need to remind you.” I boop her nose. “Don’t let me stand in your way.” I step around her while War watches the interaction carefully.
“Thank you,” she grumbles, moving to dig in the drawers under Fitz’s bunk. “I’m going to have to have a serious talk with Fitzy about oversharing.”
I grin.
Listening to her mutter under her breath is kind of cute.
She wobbles as she stands, and War and I take a step forward, but she rights herself quickly. She’s obviously not shit-faced, no matter how badly War is wishing she was. After all, it would give him the perfect excuse to punish her.
Damn, maybe I’m the delusional one, making up stories. But I haven’t seen my brother’s eyes gleam like they do when he looks at Tinley since before he was attacked. I just need to figure out how to take that spark of life and turn it into a fire.
She stumbles into the bathroom door and grumbles, “I’m okay.” She makes it inside and shuts the door.
I laugh. “I think I finally see the appeal. She’s kind of a fucking mess, but absolutely adorable at the same time.”
War doesn’t say a word, but his eyes cut to the side like he’s trying to decide if he’s going to murder me to keep me away from her.
