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“You need to just get it over with,” Saainst the shed, arms lazily crossed in front of him

“I don’t knohat you’re talking about” I really don't have a clue I’ve already kissed Josh, so he can’t be talking about that And I know Saether after one weekend If he is, these boys have another thing coirls they’re used to, but I don’t spread et to that point and the handful of ti but painful, sometimes bloody, disappointments

“All right, be that way, but you’re going to give into him eventually I can see it already, even if you can’t”

Sam’s words make me nervous Is my attraction to Josh that obvious? “Whatever you think you’re seeing, you’re wrong Josh and I are just friends”

Friends that kiss No big deal Right?

“Whatever you say, sunshine” Sam pushes off the shed when Josh ambles back towards us He leaves me alone, left to wonder how obvious I as down

I don’t have long to think before the bang of one gun and then the other un in hand, taking turns shooting until they run out of targets

The guys laugh, having a moment I’m not a part of Back home, with Ashely and his friends, I’d feel left out I never felt like I belonged with thes are different here I can’t explain it, but there’s a coer when I’m in Josh’s arms

Josh and Sa into it They pick up the busted target

s, throwing theain, and toss the is cleaned, they stride back towardselse I can’t hear

“Saet close “It’s been real and it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun”

Sa “See you later, brother” Sam tips his hat at me “Layla, until next time, darlin’”

“So,” Josh says, his voice husky and low as he drivesyou again?”

“I…” My chest constricts, each breath becoive into these ee e or not “I don’t know, slim”

Josh’s jaw hardens He pauses, gazing off into the distance We pull into the grassy knoll beside Hattie's house and Josh shifts the truck into park He sits back in the seat, the engine still running, and stares at the tiny house before us I wait, not sure if I should stay or go, because I want to do both