Page 18 of Small Town Boy

Nice deflection…

There is a lull in the conversation, the noise from the crowd taking over for a moment. Normally this kind of thing wouldn’t feel weird. The seven of us are close enough that conversation ebbs and flows naturally, all of us comfortable in however it goes down. Even silence. Except, it’s not the seven of us anymore.

There’s eight.

And that even number is now throwing us off.

“Truth or dare, anyone?” Nash tosses out, his charisma shining through again.

I can see his eyes on Bronwyn, and my mind starts reeling with how this is going to go. Because this game always starts one of two ways—by age or alphabetical order. With Bronwyn in the mix, she’d start us out. And I would bet my entire half of Keller Landscaping that Nash has the two-headed coin that we bought to aid in Dustin’s proposal last spring sitting in his pocket.

“As in the game?” Bronwyn questions, looking at Willa. “That’s a random suggestion.”

There’s a sass to her voice that’s impossible to miss. It’s not the borderline surly kind that is Willa’s trademark. Instead, Bronwyn’s oozes a confidence that declares that she knows her cool status and that she will not stand for it being challenged. It sends a shiver up my spine, my whole body—especially my dick—reacting to the smooth coolness in her voice and the coy upturn of her mouth.

“Ignore him; he’s a Neanderthal,” Willa tells her. “We’ve played since we were kids and have kept up the tradition. Although never in public.”

“It’s generally how we get each other to spill secrets,” Sylvie adds. “Some people are still notoriously tight-lipped however.”

Pursing her lips, she glares at me. Doesn’t bother me though, so I lift one shoulder in indifference. Bronwyn still isn’t looking my way. At this point, I could do a tap dance in a tutu and I don’t think she’d turn around.

“Gotcha,” Bronwyn replies. “Well, you guys wanna play, go for it. I should get going anyway.”

“No!” the girls cry in unison.

“Seriously, ignore him,” Willa repeats. “We’re not playing truth or dare right now. In fact, I’m sure the boys were just leaving.”

“We can,” Dustin offers.

“Gladly,” I add.

“No, no.” Turning to me for the first time since I walked in, Bronwyn gives me a half smile. I want a full one, but right now will take what I can get. “I still have so much unpacking and settling in to do. Especially if we’re going to start bright and early on Monday. Taking over the world waits for no one.”

“You sure?”

“I am.”

Slipping off her chair, she grabs her purse, reaching in to pull out her wallet.

“We don’t pay here,” Willa tells her, waving her off. “Especially when all you drank was lemonade.”

Bronwyn doesn’t listen though, pulling out a few bills and slapping them on the bar, flashing Willa her full smile. It does not disappoint.

“Tip then. Kenzie, Sylvie, it was great to meet you, and I look forward to doing this again. Willa, see you Monday.”

One last nod, and she slips past us, not bothering to acknowledge the rest of the group, making her way to the door. I keep my eyes trained on her as she goes, stopping myself from staring at her perfect ass swaying in her jeans. My whole body aches as she disappears through the door, and I have to fight the urge to run after her. To apologize to her for my twin and for crashing her time with her new friends. To offer to make sure she gets home safely, even though the cottage isn’t very far from Pour Decisions.

Instead, I stay put, balling my hands into fists and turning to face Nash.

6

NOEL

“Nash, you fucking jackass!”

Willa steals the words right out of my mouth, beating me to the whooping I am dying to hand out. Only hers will be verbal and nothing more. Leaving plenty of room for mine later tonight when we get home.

“What?”