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And I know Silas and I were compatible at one point. We’ve been friendly for a while. Actual friends, though I always, always wished for more.
“I think it’s a terrible idea …” My voice drifts and I startle when I feel fingers graze my arm. I glance over my shoulder to find Silas standing there.
God, did he hear our conversation? I will die of mortification if he did.
“Hey, Willow.” He smiles, but it’s uneasy. I’m sure he’s not thrilled that we all just witnessed that argument between him and Alana.
“Hi,” I squeak, clearing my throat.
“Can you talk for a minute? I don’t mean to interrupt.” His gaze shifts to Iris.
“You two go ahead and chat all you want. I’m out of here.” Iris pats my shoulder before she takes off, heading back toward Brooks and Rhett.
My heart pangs when she leaves. As I watch her approach the boys. How they smile in greeting at her and how she practically throws herself at Brooks and then just as quickly shoves him away, laughing. She’s got her back to him and I note the way Brooks watches her with longing, his expression shifting into neutral when she turns to face him once more.
Hmmm.
“You sure you want to talk? Or would you rather hang out with them?”
I turn at the faint hostility in Silas’s voice, frowning at him. His expression evens out, just like Brooks’s did only moments ago, and I immediately find it off-putting.
And I never find Silas off-putting.
“I told you we could talk, so let’s do it.” I smile at him and he smiles in return, obviously pleased.
He reaches for me, his hand cupping my elbow as he steers me away from my cousin and the boys. I glance over my shoulder one last time, my gaze meeting Rhett’s, and my heart drops at the look on his face. Realization strikes the further Silas escorts me away from them.
This was a huge mistake.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Rhett
I watch Willow leave with that simp prick Silas, my fingers tightening around my cup yet again. I feel the plastic give beneath my fingertips and I take a deep breath, telling myself to calm the fuck down. I suck down the rest of my beer and get rid of my cup, tossing it in a makeshift trashcan.
But it sucks, watching the girl I fully planned on flirting with all evening getting swept up in some bullshit drama. Doesn’t she realize Silas is just using her to make Alana jealous? After we all witnessed their little squabble, that’s what he has to be doing.
Willow is totally falling for it too.
Iris catches me staring. I can feel her watching me watch Willow as Silas leads her away, slipping into the shadows, and I’m half tempted to follow after them. Tell him to keep his hands off of her.
I do none of that though. I’m not about to become involved in their dramatic little love triangle.
“Does she like him?” The words leave me without thought, and for a second, I regret the question.
“It’s hard for her to cut off old feelings,” Iris answers.
I send her a questioning look. “What do you mean by that?”
A sigh leaves her. “Can I trust you with this kind of information, Rhett? Or are you going to blab it to everyone else?” The pointed look Iris aims at me nearly has me squirming where I stand. This girl can be hella intimidating when she wants to be.
But I remain still, shoving my hands in my pockets, dying to know what she’s about to tell me. “I don’t blab.”
“Why don’t you ask me that question, huh?” This comes from Brooks, who sounds hurt. Doesn’t he realize she ignores him on purpose? She knows it drives him crazy.
“I know I can trust you, Brooksie.” She pats him on the chest like he’s a good little boy and I swear to God, he smiles. “Come closer. Both of you.”
We take a couple of steps closer to her, both of us leaning our heads down since we’re taller than Iris. I don’t say a word. I swear I’m holding my breath, which is stupid. This isn’t a big deal. I don’t gossip much with girls because … I just don’t. But in this moment, I can feel the anticipation lingering in the air, and my stomach actually twists. Like I’m nervous.
