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“What are you, CIA or something?”
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” He wiggled his eyebrows until I cracked a smile.
“You’re an idiot.”
“And you’re a liar. Tell me how you broke your wrist.”
I looked into his eyes so he’d know I was telling the truth. “I can’t. There’re things about me better left unsaid. It’s safer that way.”
“Safer? Now look who’s in the CIA.”
I grinned.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?”
I tried to think of a lie but thought better of it. He already knew my tells. “I don’t know. Nothing, I guess.”
“You should come out. We’re all going to Big Nose Kate’s.”
Was that really someone’s nickname? Poor girl. “I don’t know who Kate is. Would she mind if I came to her party?”
Tanner laughed so hard, his eyelids closed and crinkled in the corners. “Big Nose Kate’s is the name of a bar. I’m going there with some friends for Shawn’s birthday. You should come. Bring Mallory.”
How would I explain this to her? I could hear her judgement already.
“My brother will be playing there with his band.”
“You mean,” I touched my chest, “I get to meet Bon Jovi?”
He smirked and pushed my swing with his foot, sending me sideways into the air. “Smart-ass.”
I giggled, allowing my swing to crash into him. I now understood Tanner’s choice to bring me here. A playground felt innocent and carefree—two things I’m sure he hadn’t felt in a long time. I hadn’t either.
Tanner slowed his swing and stood, signaling that it was time to head back. “Say you’ll come tomorrow.”
I rose from my seat. “I’ll talk to Mal.”
He took my hand and drew me closer. His fingers laced with mine and goosebumps shot up my arm. “Say you’ll come tomorrow.”
My gaze landed on his lips before I could stop myself. They were close enough for me to touch, and I could smell his cinnamon gum on his breath. The butterfly trapped in my chest multiplied as I imagined what it would be like to be kissed by those lips. Silky-smooth, plump lips. Would he give light teasing kisses, or would he be fire and passion? Something told me he’d be both.
Tanner caught me looking, and a pleased smirk formed on said lips.
I took a few steps back, for fear he would hear the sound of the kick drum inside me. “I’ll talk to Mal,” were the only words I could form.
Tanner
I saw her as soon as she stepped foot into the bar. You couldn’t miss her. Maybe it was because she was a goldenrod in a field of weeds. Maybe her skin seemed so pale in contrast with the fake tans surrounding her. It definitely had something to do with her pouty pink lips that I wanted to suck on.
But for me, it was her eyes. Charlotte had a pair that could hypnotize you. Luminous blue spheres with sunbursts streaking through them. Electric orbs that brightened even your darkest day. A lot went on behind those eyes, but she only let a small fraction of it show. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do to keep them on me.
“Quit staring so hard, bro,” Derek shouted into my ear. “You need to play it cool.”
I arched an eyebrow without taking my focus off Charlotte. “Like you know anything about playing it cool.”
“I bag plenty of girls because I know how to play their fucked-up games.”
“There’s the difference between you and me, fuckhole. I don’t need to play any games to get girls.”
