Jason, Wren, and Luther stood outside the back room, boots planted in sawdust, waiting for Thomas to give them the signal.

When it came, Wren rapped lightly on the doorframe. “You boys ready? The girls are almost here.”

Inside, Ryder looked at Terry, eyes widening, a half-wry, half-nervous grin tugging his mouth. “This is it,” he murmured, the words rough as whiskey in his throat.

Terry brushed one last invisible speck off his brother’s shoulder, his smile steady. “This is ...