I’m not sure why I ask because I know what they want. When Danny and Rhett both call out “Root beer!” at the same time, I’ve already grabbed two glass bottles out of the fridge. After I pour myself some water, I return to the table.
Danny is sitting at the far end. My older brother has auburn hair like me, but instead of looking like a carrot, he’s handsome. Rhett parks next to him, and I take the chair across from Rhett. Having a table between us is good. I need some space to say what I need to say.
Today, he’s wearing a gray, long-sleeved Henley that’s seen better days. There’s a hole in the elbow I’d like to patch up for him. My high school offers a sewing class, so I’m taking it as an elective, which helps when I have to alter my clothes from the Goodwill.
I don’t have to see the rest of Rhett to know he’s wearing faded jeans and scuffed brown boots. He works on his family’s ranch, so he’s always looking like he just rolled in some hay. It’s terribly sexy.
“You okay?” His deep voice sends chills up and down my arms.
I wish I could sit next to him so I could smell his cologne better. If I could drown in that woodsy scent, I would.
Clearing my throat, I nod. “I’ll survive. I always do.” I reach into the bag of sandwiches and pull out a roast beef. “Thanks for lunch. What do I owe y’all?”
Danny grabs me in a headlock and noogies my head. “It’s on me, kid.”
A beleaguered sigh leaves my lips. People say you shouldn’t want to grow up too soon, but I’m tired of being fifteen. I’m expected to be responsible but don’t have any freedom.
After a minute, the guys start talking about Rhett’s bachelor party. “No strippers,” he tells my brother. “Amber would shit a brick house if I get my face between tits that aren’t hers.”
Danny chuckles, and I want to crawl under the table and die. Rhett looks at me sheepishly. “Sorry, Paige. I shouldn’t be saying that kind of stuff around you.”
I shrug because what am I supposed to say?
Danny tosses a pickle at his best friend. “Well, if I was dating someone with a rack like Amber’s, I wouldn’t bother with strippers either.”
I can’t help but glance down at my flat chest. Will my boobs ever get bigger if I stick with gymnastics and cheer? That’s the only downside to what I do. My body is muscular and lean, which I love, but bigger boobs would be great. I’m never going to find a boyfriend if I don’t get a few curves.
Rhett reaches over and smacks Danny. “Stop talking about Amber’s tits or I’ll kick your ass.”
They shit-talk each other for a while, and as I’m nibbling on a tomato, Rhett shakes his head. “I can’t believe we’re walking down the aisle in two weeks. I can’t fucking wait. We went to taste the cake the other day, and she looked so happy. I love putting that smile on her face.”
I’m going to be sick.
“Amber’s cheating on you.” When I realize what I’ve just said, I clamp a hand over my mouth.
My brother coughs, and Rhett’s eyes cut to me. “What did you say?”
I swallow past a boulder-sized lump in my throat. “I, uh, I could be wrong, but I think she’s cheating on you with… with Kacey Miller.”
His eyes go glacial, and he stares at me like I’m a complete stranger. I lean back in my chair as he growls, “Why would you say that?”
Danny frowns. “Jesus, Paige, what the fuck?”
I look down at my lap and rush to spit it out. “I saw her with Kacey a few weeks ago, and when she saw me, she jumped away from him like she was guilty of something. And then she was really nice to me afterward. Amber never talks to me, never, but after that, she was saccharine sweet.”
Finally, I brave a look at Rhett, who frowns. “And?”
And? That’s not enough? I scramble to think of what else to say. “Amber and Kacey are always talking when no one’s around. Haven’t you noticed that?”
He looks at me like I’m an idiot and rubs a hand over his face. “Paige, that’s a shitty thing to say. You shouldn’t make that kind of accusation without hard facts.”
My eyes sting, but then my brother makes it worse.
Danny’s voice gets soft, almost sympathetic. “Squirt, you’re just a kid. You must’ve misunderstood what you saw. And based on how we all know you feel about Rhett, I think you’re letting those feelings get in the way.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I glare at him. “Danny!” When I glance at Rhett, he’s staring at his meal like it personally offended him.
Danny shrugs. “Just calling it like I see it.”
