Read Online Tempting Fate by Lisa Mondello - Free Book Online Page B

clear the dirty dishes from the table. "Mom, is it okay if me and Bruce skip dessert? We're gonna catch an early movie."
    "Sure, just be home by nine."
    "How about eleven," Zoey bargained. "The movie gets out at nine and we thought we'd get a pizza or something-"
    "You've got school tomorrow," Will said firmly. "Be home by nine-thirty."
    "Awe, Dad. Ten-thirty."
    "You're sixteen years old, young lady. The curfew still stands."
    "Me and Max will hunt you down," Kyle cut in teasingly. Although he smiled, he kept his eyes fixed on Bruce. What his sister ever saw in this guy, or the portfolio of tattoos he displayed, was beyond him. The best thing he could say about them dating was that their hair colors matched.
    "Stay out of this, Kyle," Zoey shot back.
    Being the peacemaker of the family, Judy clapped her hands together and cut in with her usual flair, before WW3 erupted.
    "I have a cheesecake for dessert. I hope everyone left room for some," she said. Lauren stood up and started helping, but Judy held up her hand. "No, no. You just sit here and relax. I can take care of it. Zoey, will you help me with the coffee before you leave?"
    The little ones excused themselves and scooted into the family room to watch a video.
    Bruce bounded from the table and exited the room with Zoey. Both Kyle and Will dropped their heads forward in disgust.
    "I don't know what the heck I'm going to do with that one." Will rubbed his face with both his hands and looked up at the ceiling. "Please, Lord, tell me she'll outgrow him."
    Zoey swung through the doorway, her Army coat draped over one hand, a tray with plates topped with cheesecake in the other. She deposited the tray on the center of the table and rushed to kiss Will on the cheek. "See you, Dad."
    "Remember what I said. Nine-thirty on the nose." She rushed out of the dining room and he added under his breath, "Or I'll take Max and hunt you down."
    Kyle chuckled and looked across the table at Lauren. She shifted nervously in her seat, seemingly uncomfortable with the conversation. He wondered if she was thinking of herself at that age. Of her own parents' disapproval. Hard as he tried, he couldn't imagine her dating someone even remotely like Bruce.
    A scuffling noise erupted from the kitchen that sounded like scratching paws on the tile floor. He heard the familiar bark. "Oh, no," Kyle groaned as he bolted to a stand.
    "Whoa! Incoming!" Zoey called from the other room.
    "Kyle Preston!" Judy screamed.
    As if on cue, Will dove to the center of the table and grabbed the cheesecake tray just as Max pounced into the dining room. Kyle chased the dog around the table unsuccessfully until the animal lunged on top of the table, sniffing and slobbering for tidbits. Lauren jumped from her seat and stepped away from the table, her hand to her chest.
    "I got him, Ma," Kyle said to Judy when she appeared in the doorway, hands on hips and scowling. To Lauren he said, "In case you were still wondering, this is what happened on Thanksgiving."
    Judy's lips were tight. "Except that time this...this..."
    "Max," Kyle offered.
    "This animal got away with the turkey and dragged it through my house." Her nostrils flared with anger.
    Will cleared his throat and eyed Kyle in a message that said he'd better take care of Max before the woman of the house blew her lid.
    "Come on, boy." Kyle clutched the dog by the chewed leash and yanked, while Max continued to sniff for leftovers on the floor. When he got to the doorway, Judy glared at him and stepped back to let them pass. Kyle shrugged and said quietly, "Sorry, Ma."
    "Oh, go. I swear, Kyle Preston, you get worse as you get older. You don't have to take in every stray that wags its tail on your doorstep," he heard his mother say as the kitchen door slammed shut.
    As he crossed the driveway, he saw the red taillights of a car exiting the driveway. "I hope she knows what she is doing, Max," he said to the dog. Max whined, pulling away until Kyle ground his feet in to keep