by Laney Monday
There was a time when Sammi would scarcely look at Will Riggins. When she blamed him for the legal consequences one of her friends had to face.
“Do something, Sensei Brenna!” Katie demanded. “We’re going to die of boredom. Besides, you owe me, remember?”
I scowled at her. No way was I going to be up and mopping the dojo early in the morning just to give these two their own personal day camp. I had grand plans to sleep until noon and eat a great, big, bacon-y brunch tomorrow.
“Well,” Will said, “You’re too young for a job shadow, but I might be able to arrange for you two to interview a full-time police detective this week. Ask about investigative techniques, things like that.”
Sammi said, “We’re not too young for a job shadow!”
“Sorry, there’s strict policy in place. So, no to an interview, huh?”
Katie elbowed Sammi.
“Okay,” Sammi said, “we’ll take it.”
Blythe said, “And I could use some shopping buddies this week. Brenna’s no fun when it comes to that kind of thing.”
The girls looked at me next. I guess they’d pretty much just invited themselves into our lives. I could live with that. “It’s supposed to get back into the eighties on Friday. I was thinking, if Will would let us borrow the hill out back, it would be perfect for a Slip n’ Slide.”
Blythe said, “Really, Brenna!”
But Will laughed. “I’m sure the grass will never be the same, but why not?”
I grinned, imagining the girls bulleting down the slippery, wet plastic. I’d add some dish soap to really get things going. And maybe, if they begged me, I’d take a few turns myself.
“Are you girls hungry? We have shish-kababs marinating, and the grill should be ready. You can have Will’s share.”
“Hey!” Will said.
Sammi said, “Okay.”
But Katie twirled a lock of hair around her finger nervously. “Well, only if there’s enough.”
“Of course there’s enough!” Blythe assured her. “I was just kidding.”
We all headed out back, and Blythe showed me how to not burn the kababs beyond recognition, while Will and Chloe and the girls found a soccer ball and started a modified game of dodge ball—Will versus the girls, with Chloe running interference for everyone. Wild barking and laughing, dinner sizzling on the grill—it was music to my ears.
Blythe leaned her head on my shoulder. “You’re a good sister, Brenna.”
“What?” I put down my tongs and turned to her.
“You are. I’m glad you brought me here with you. I’m glad you are who you are.”
I hugged my little sister. “I wouldn’t trade you for anyone, Bly.”
“I know.”
We’d always be there for each other, sharing our dreams and our fears, correcting each other when we needed to. Pushing each other forward with support, with encouragement, with love.
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Thanks for reading Single Elimination. If you enjoyed it, please consider taking a moment to leave a review. More Brenna Battle mysteries are coming soon! Subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to find out about new releases, freebies, and deals. Other books in the Brenna Battle series:
Taking the Fall
Poisoned Pin
Thrown Off
About the Author
Laney Monday is the bestselling author of a dozen books under different pen names. She never came close to making an Olympic team, but she loves teaching judo to kids, and dreams of living in a scenic small town like Bonney Bay.
She’s busy drinking lots of very strong coffee and ignoring the dust bunnies while dreaming up new adventures for her characters. Visit her at laneymonday.com.
Copyright 2016, Laney Monday
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