BBQ Brawl

The BBQ had turned out pretty well. Sookie and I actually had to make a couple more runs to the grocery. My waitress instincts had kicked in hand I went around asking if anyone needed something to drink. I kept dashing in and out of the kitchen getting people refills. Finally Sookie had to stop me in between trip and snatch the drink out of my hand. "They are not paying you honey. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the party." Sookie said with a smile. "If you don't I'm going to kill you." She finished playfully.

I didn't know that Hoyt and Jason were no longer speaking. It wasn't until Sookie mentally got me up to speed that I began to notice how pissed off Jason looked to see Hoyt by the grill speaking to Tara. Sookie wouldn't tell me what it was about but whatever it was Sookie and Arlene had to fight to have Hoyt stay.

It wasn't until 8:30 that people started showing up and we had to move the BBQ outside permanently. I helped Sookie grab some lawn chairs from the shed as well and bring out some of the kitchen chairs. It was cool that evening. Strange weather for Louisiana.

Since it was a Sunday Sam was able to close down a little early. That was one of the good things about being your own boss…if someone had a problem with you…who else were gonna complain to?

I tried my best to avoid Sam and I was doing a pretty god job up until now.

"Casey?"

Speak of the devil.

I turned around to see Sam. He hadn't shaven but the five o-clock shadow look looked good on him.

"Hey Sam." I said with a big smile.

He smile faltered when he saw me smile and I immediately toned it down.

"How is everything?" He asked.

"Good good…just…you know…." I didn't know what else to say. "You?"

"Good…been real good….so…how is work?" I asked awkwardly.

"I took some time off but I start up again tomorrow so everything is….good." I said. Again

"Good." He said.

"Yeah." I said. It was turning into who is going to have the last work I guessed.

"Well...it as good seeing you!" I said quickly and disappeared into Sookies house.

I walked into the kitchen and looked for any excuse I could to seem busy. I don't know why I agreed to come to this damn BBQ to begin with. I should have just told Sookie I wasn't feeling well…but….that wouldn't have been right. My mind was fighting with itself.

I immediately went to the fridge and did something I never had before. I got a beer.

I looked at it momentarily trying to think. Well they say that this is liquid courage. Maybe if I got a little buzzed I wouldn't notice people staring at me….or at least wouldn't care. The plan sounded like a pretty good one to me. With little effort I popped to cap off of Jason's beers and took a big gulp.

I immediately spit it into the sink. "Oh my god…this is what I have been serving to people?" I thought to myself.

There then came a laugh from behind me and I immediately turned around to see Aaron standing there. He was leaning against the threshold of Sookies front door. And BOY let me tell you. Thank man KNEW HOW TO WEAR a pair of jeans. He was also sporting the 5 0'clock shadow look and he had grown his hair out a little since I had last seen him. He was wearing a black button up t-shirt that hugged his body in just the right way. He rolled the sleeves up a quarter of the way and was dawned a simply silver chain around his neck that disappeared into his shirt. I thought his hair was black when I first saw him but now that it was a little longer and in the light it was a deep brown.

So much for appearing classy.

"Hey." I said as I grabbed a paper towel and wiped the beer away from my chin. I saw a little bit of makeup come off but it didn't seem like a lot to me.

He didn't say anything at first. He just stared at me. "Did you find the place ok?" I asked trying to snap him out of it.

"Huh- oh yeah. Sorry about that." He said as he made his way towards the kitchen.

"Aren't you hungry? " I asked while pointing to the food outside.

"You told me to bring my appetite so it's here. I just wanted to find you first. I would feel pretty damn uncomfortable showing up to someone else's house and eating their food without a proper introduction first." Aaron laughed.

I smiled and slowly made my way towards the door which he was still blocking. I stopped about three feet away from him. "Um….the homeowner is outside." I said with a small chuckle.

"Oh IM SORRY." Aaron said while laughing. "It's just…you…look amazing." He said. I could tell he meant it but I didn't want to dwell on it. Of course he would find me attractive. This damn blood in me made me irresistible to the opposite sex. It was slightly frustrating. This was why I wanted Sookie to meet him. Maybe she could get into his head and see if there was anything I should know about him.

"I got you something." He said while handing me a small bag.

I gave it a once over. It was a small purple bag with silver tissue inside.

"You didn't have to do that." I said laughing. I grabbed the bag. It was a lot heavier than I had expected. I reached inside and pulled out a small wooden brand piano. "Open it." Aaron said with a small smile. I did and I discovered that it was actually a music box. It played a hauntingly beautiful song. I couldn't help but stare at it.

"You….really…..REALLY didn't have to do this." I said fighting to maintain my smile. It was the sweetest gift I had received in a long time. Strangely enough I immediately thought about Sam and the book he gave me for my birthday. I don't know why I had been avoiding him. I don't know why I was thinking about him. My mind had turned to mush and I decided to worry about it another time. Right now all I had to worry about was the amazing gift I had received.

"It was no problem." Aaron said, snapping me out of my daze.

"Well…I love it thank you." I said and gave Aaron a light hug. He returned it and surprisingly, it didn't creep me out. It was exactly what it was suppose to be. A thank you/ you're welcome hug. I gently yanked at Aaron's shirt. "Come on. I want you to meet the most awesome girl in the world." I laughed. I immediately spotted Sookie. It was easy with her blonde hair. She was talking to Jason, Sam and a couple of Jason's friends.

"Sookie!" I hollered to get her attention. But between the drunken laughing and the radio that Jason had blasting from his portable boom box. It was hard for me to even hear myself let alone expect anyone else to hear me

Sookie. Turn around. I thought.

She immediately turned around to see me. She smiled and waved me over.

"Stay close! This is a rowdy bunch!" I joked as Aaron and I passed a couple of children running around. Judging by Arlene chasing after them, they must have been hers.

"I believe you." Aaron said and took my words to heart because I felt his hand rest on the small of my back. It sent ice cold chills up and down my spine and I tried to keep it cool. After a couple seconds of deep breathing I got use to it.

We made it to Sookie unharmed. "Sookie I would like you to meet my neighbor Aaron Callaghan. Aaron this is Sookie, her devastatingly handsome brother Jason Stackhouse." I said making a little dig at Jason. Ever since he found out that we were about 5% related he tried his best to avoid contact with me….even eye contact and I had to admit, it was fun making him uncomfortable.

Sookie gave me a playful pinch on the arm.

"And this is my part time boss and full time friend Sam Merlotte." Sookie laughed. All the men changed the ceremonial many handshakes while Sookie and I simply rolled our eyes.

Sam just starred at Aaron. "Nice meeting you." He managed to get out.

"Hey Sookie I just came by to say hello…I….I think I am gonna have to cut it short thought. There a lot of work I gotta get done at the bar." He managed to get out.

It was obvious that Sam was lying but I was kind of happy to see him leave. The entire night he was either staring at me or trying to make small talk. It didn't come off as flirtatious…just very awkward for some reason.

He said goodbye to everyone, except me, and left. A few hours after that Tara had to leave and Arlene's children were complaining about being eaten alive by mosquitoes so they had to leave as well.

After the mindless mingling; as well as the pounds upon pounds of snacks, gallons of ice tea, an uncountable number of steaks, hot dogs and drumsticks. People Everything was going great and was surprised everyone was still able to stand. It wasn't until I heard two men shouting that I knew I had spoken too soon.

"What's going on?" Aaron asked.

I shrugged and walked over to the noise. It wasn't until I heard Sookies voice being to rise that I put a little pep in my step. Sookie was standing in between Hoyt and Jason. She was small but standing between the two of them Sookie looked dwarfish.

"What the hell do you mean I don't get it?" Jason hollered drunkenly. "Don't you start telling me what I do and *hiccup* don't get Thoyt Hotenberry." Jason said is a growled slur.

I couldn't help but laugh at the Thoyt line.

"Calm down Jason." Hoyt said. He was drunk as well but not nearly as drunk as Jason. "Jason you're obviously drunk…let me just—" Hoyt didn't get to finish his sentence. Jason laid a MEAN right hook to Hoyts face which sent him flying into the picnic table Sookie and I had laid out.

I made like I was going to jump into the middle of it all when Aaron grabbed my shoulder. "Where the hell do you think you're going?" He asked while walking towards the middle of the fight.

Hoyt and Jason were tall but they weren't anywhere NEAR Aarons height nor were they as muscular. Aaron immediately held Jason back with ease. "Alright brother…you won. Now let's go inside." He said.

Jason was not having any of it though. He shoved Sookie aside and charged into Hoyt as if he were reliving his glory days from football. Everyone with the exception of Aaron was either too drunk or too scared to jump in. Aaron did the best he could, he was big and all but Hoyt and Jason were lean and quick he didn't even see the blind Jason blind punch and I didn't want to interfere.

Jason's punch sent Aaron staggering back into Sookie. That was when I quickly grabbed her by the arm and yanked her toward me hoping no one else would notice. My speed caused Sookie to let out a blood curdling yelp. I look around and no one seemed to notice.

When I saw that Sookie was ok, I was about to see if Aaron was ok but he seemed to have taken the right hook to the jaw pretty well because he was getting ready to head back into the mess. This time he dodged Jason's swing and did a little tackle of his own. His right shoulder met Jason's midsection and pushed his away from Hoyt. The sight looked slightly comical.

"Where do you want this?" Aaron asked as Jason began to flail around like a fish out of water.

"Just take him inside!" Sookie hollered. "Alright everyone parties over. Thank you all for coming-"

"And not doing shit!" I hollered as I immediately began picking up all of the cups and plates that were now all over Sookies front yard from the fight last night.

I felt bad for Aaron. It seemed like our first date had been ruined. I was more that sure that after tonight he wouldn't want anything to do with me.

I must have been thinking out loud because Sookie came up to me and pat me on the back. "I'm sorry Casey." She began. "Jason was born with the gift of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But if this Aaron guy likes you…I mean really likes you then he won't care about tonight. I should go inside and take over for Aaron. Give you two some time to talk."

"Sookie." I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?" She said.

"I wanted to ask you a favor…please don't get upset but…I was wondering if maybe you could do some snooping to see if this guy is too good to be true." I rushed. I knew Sookie had mixed emotions about the gift and I hoped she wouldn't be offended.

Sookie let out a small sigh. "I'll see what I can do." Sookie sighed and smiled.

"Thank you." I said slightly embarrassed.

Before Sookie could relive Aaron of his duties he was heading downstairs and stepped outside. I was mortified when I saw him. It seemed like Jason was feeling a little better…at least that is what I assumed…I heard people usually feel better after throwing up. I just wished Jason had aimed for something other than my date's shirt.

"Well. Your brother is in the bathroom…well…you get the