Deputy Hutton

12

Liam Rawley

"Why aren't you wearing anything green?"I asked Brady.

"Because I don't have anything green at home."He said casually.

It was finally Saint Patrick's Day and my father was going to bring me and Brady to my grandparents' house near the city so that we could go to the parade. It was 40 minutes away and my father was taking his time to get ready.

I was wearing a green jacket and pants to celebrate the day but Brady was wearing a brown leather jacket with jeans.

"Wait here, "I said and went upstairs to get him a green hat and scarf. I then went downstairs again and gave him them, "Wear this."

He hesitated.

I rolled my eyes and wrapped the green scarf around his neck. Our eyes locked and I couldn't help but gaze into his dark green eyes. There was tension between us as we looked deeply into each other eyes.

I cleared my throat and back away.

"I look stupid."He frowned.

"You look handsome," I assured him with a chuckle and placed the hat on the top of his head.

"Go to the bathroom before we get on the road. We're not stopping for bathroom breaks.."My father instructed.

"I'm good," I said.

&&&&&&

Two bathroom breaks and 50 minutes later, we finally arrived.

My grandparents' house was crowded with all of my relatives. I haven't seen any of them for at least two years. I used to come here a lot as a child but when I got into high school, I stop going except for two years ago because my father wanted me to come.

"Are you just gonna stand there?"My father asked me after I waited too long near the car, worrying about what everyone will think about me. I was afraid that they'll hate me because I never bothered to visit them.

"I'm coming, "I mumbled and followed him from behind.

"Why are you so nervous?"Brady asked,

"I haven't seen these people in years."I pointed out.

"Well, I haven't seen them ever so..." He countered.

"I have to warn you that these people are intense, "I mentioned so he'd be ready.

My father knocked on the door and one of my uncles answered the door.

"If it's not on the table then it's fucking missing."Uncle Ron yelled at someone inside the house , "Oh, hey little brother."He greeted my dad and his eyes widened when he saw me, "No way! Is that Liam?"He cupped my face and examined it to see if I was actually there, "You've gotten big."He said seriously, "Hey everyone, Mason brought his son with him this year."He announced loudly and everyone started coming to the door to greet me.

They started asking me all of these questions at once and I really wanted to run away because there were too many people and only one of me.

"Easy now, you're scaring him."My father said sarcastically to everyone.

"Who is he?"A relative that I haven't seen in my entire life pointed at Brady.

"He's one of my deputies."Was all my father said, "Now, can you give my son some space to get inside?"

I smiled politely at everyone that was starring at me as I passed them by and went to where the food was.

Brady took a plate of some food and went to stand in the corner all alone while I was talking to some of my family members. I couldn't help but glance at him every once in a while.

Brady Hutton

After the parade, all the adults went to the bar. I guess it was a tradition to not be sober during the day. Then again, these people had plenty of drinks and they're still not drunk.

Liam, who couldn't legally drink was sent back to the house with some of his cousins. He looked uncomfortable at first but he made friends with his cousins that are the same age as him. As for me, I haven't said a word to any of these people.

The bar was decorated Irish style and people were wearing green face makeup and/or green outfits. It was very lively because people started to dance around and played music.

"How are you liking it here?"Sheriff Rawley asked.

"It's great," I said. Drinking in the middle of the afternoon was normal for me back home but doing it while no one judges me feels better. I'm more of a whiskey guy but beer will do at the moment,

"You know that you have to dance later?"He asked.

"I don't dance."I clarified.

"You kinda have to ore they'll kick you out of the place."He pointed out.

I cringe, "Well shit then."

"I know that we're not at work but don't curse in front of me."He warned.

"Sorry,"I mumbled, "When is it?"

"Now, I think."He said and I turned around to see everyone gathering up in the middle of the bar.

"Let's get this over with."I chugged the beer and stood up to join everyone.

Everyone started to do an Irish dance while I just froze and felt Sheriff Rawley giving me a push.

It was just leg stuff and I struggled to keep up with the steps. I was surprised at how good the sheriff was at it because he danced like he was a professional Irish dancer.

After a few while, I was still rusty but I got used to the steps.

"There you go."The sheriff encouraged.

I kinda went into the zone and both my feet hit each other while I was about to cross them as part of the dancing moves and I ended falling face-first to the ground.

&&&&&&

"What happened?"Liam asked worriedly after I arrived back at the house. My head hurt a lot, worse than any hangover I have ever had.

"Put this on your head."Sheriff Rawley gave me some ice and I placed it on my head before Liam gave more pressure on it by holding it for me, our hands brushed together as he held the ice pack . It didn't take me long to pull my hand away from it so that he wasn't holding my hand anymore.

However, our eyes did meet and I just noticed that his eyes color was actually hazelnut colored, which is rare for me to see in the town. I didn't know if I hit my head too hard or something but he actually seemed attractive at the moment, not that I was trying anything with him.

I decided to look away.

"What happened, Brady?"He asked again.

"I danced for the first time in my life and it didn't end up well, "I said sarcastically.

"Just walk it off, son."The sheriff said.

"That's not how you deal with a head injury."Liam rolled his eyes, "You need to lay down and tell me if the pain gets worse."He rested his palm on my forehead to check something.

"I'm feeling just fine."I assured him, "Probably the best thing to ever happened to me all year."