Page 37 (1/2)

1

Rock

“Let’s head inside,” I said, tapping ers absentmindedly on the dashboard “I need to find someone cute”

“Just a sec,” Red said absentmindedly from the driver’s seat

We were supposed to go inside the bar—his bar—but instead,down at the white-blue glow of his phone for three minutes now

His boyfriend was texting hi couples talked about A familiar tendril of jealousy curled itself around my heart as I watched him write out a reply Red was head-over-heels, make-everyone-sick, scream-from-the-rooftops in love

But I was just waiting around

I shifted my ass in the worn-in seat of the pickup truck, a dull ache shooting fronored the pain The last thing I needed was to think about my injury

Tonight, I wanted to walk into the bar, find soet whisked away to their bedroom as quickly as possible The last week had been an adventure into do exactly that

Set For me, so far, at least

It was the same every time I’d enter the bar confident and ready to prowl I’d talk solazed over They’d ask about e the subject Then in a few hours, I’d wind up on my own, slumped over a puddle of condensation on the dark oak bartop, so home alone

Not even houest rooe closet for cobwebs and dust My brother wasn’t exactly a Betty Crocker kind of host

“Wanna take bets?” I asked idly “What are the odds I’ll strike out again and go home alone?”

Red wasn’t paying attention His phone had buzzed, and he was all googly-eyed again Long-ter One that I’d never really gotten to ride

Tiny glowing string lights hung over the brick front of the bar Three couples had just walked out the front door, in aHolding hands as they walked out into the bal

My dick ached My heart ached

“That is what I want tonight,” I said, hypnotized, barely realizing I was saying anything out loud

Red’s eyes snapped over to the door and then toout with Marshall and Barry? Believe ets burpy after his two vodka sodas, and Marshall can only talk about tractors”

“Oh, now you pay attention to me?”

“Just trying to warn you about ulars”