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I almost feel bad for Ronnie Spencer is serious about not involving her in the business and that nore her And he’s been especially aloof this past fall But Ronnie has a point too Why should she wait around for hiather ht be a betrayal to one ofused to But then Veronica’s house comes into view and her brothers are all out in the front looking at one of their many cars, so I make a snap decision "OK, look Ronnie I won’t tell Spencer because I get it You’re tired of waiting I’ll even hint around that you need so to Antoine’s New Year’s party, so you know for sure you’ll see hi as his date, Ford Rook invited onna bring a girl to a party you’ll be at, Ronnie Don’t be ridiculous" But in reality, Spencer is not all that astute when it coht need to pull hiive it until the trials are over in the spring, can you do that? Just wait a few al shit is behind us?"

"I don’t know, Ford It just seems pointless"

"Well, at the very least, don’t call him up and tell him If you keep it secret, I’ll cover for you But shit, Veronica, if you push his buttons you know you’ll piss hiuy’s house So I hope that banker has a gun"

She squints at me and then we’re at her house Her brothers descend on the Bronco like a pack of wolves and open her door

"Ronnie where the hell have you been?" Vinn Vaughn, her hn brother says, "what the fk are you doing with my baby sister?" All Ronnie’s brothers are tatted up like, well, tattoo artists Veronica has no tatts and that always surprisedthe trade never et on board She’s one of them And it was her talented hands that created Spencer’s own body art Every bit of it is Veronica’s work

"I saw her out jogging, picked her up and gave her a lift She had a cramp in her side She needs to work on her endurance" I look over at Ronnie when I say this "Stahn Slow and steady"

She sht back in the eye "Thank you so hn faet invited, it’s a done deal You have no way out Her brothers are on me like carrion "Yeah, Ford Cooing"

"Noooo--" But Grandpa Vaughn is already walking up to the Bronco waving at me

Shit How the hell do I start my day one hundred percent in control of this holiday and end up spending ti presents froirlfriend, and invited over for dinner with the Vaughn clan?

I put the truck in park and give in

Screw it I still got five hours until otta eat