Page 41 of Most Likely to Fear Love

Thirty minutes later, we were on the road.

I glanced across at Harle, who looked pretty relaxed considering the last time we saw each other, he’d confessed to wanting to fuck me. His large hands rested easily on the steering wheel, his profile illuminated by the passing streetlights. How could he be so calm?

My stomach twisted into knots. The memory of that moment outside his house flashed through my mind. The intensity in his eyes, the raw desire in his voice. I shifted in my seat, suddenly hyper-aware of how close we were in the confined space of his truck.

For the life of me, I couldn’t think of a single topic of conversation, so we took the drive in silence.

Until we were pulling into a concrete parking lot in front of a weathered wooden building with a neon sign proclaiming, “The Rusty Nail.”

Harle killed the engine. “Ready for some of the best wings you’ve ever tasted?”

I stretched, feeling my muscles protest after being cramped in the truck. “Sure am!”

Harle came around to my side of the truck, his presence both comforting and nerve-wracking. “It’s not much to look at, but I promise the food makes up for it.”

As we walked towards the entrance, Harle surprised me by taking my hand in his. Inside, the scent of fried food and beer slapped me in the face. The place was packed, a low hum of conversation punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter. Heads turned, and a few people called out greetings.

“Harle! Where you been, man?” one guy near the pool table shouted, raising a beer in salute.

Harle gave him a wave. “I’ve been around, Dave. It’s good to see you.”

“Hey, Harle,” a woman called out from a booth across the room. “How’s that ass of yours?”

“Does your husband know you’re asking about my ass, Gina?”

Laughter rippled around the room, Gina’s the loudest of all.

“You know I meant Derek!”

“He’s as flirty as ever. I’ll let him know you were asking after him.”

Another man slapped Harle on the back as we passed. “Good to see you, buddy. You should stop by the shop next week. I’ve got something you might wanna look at.”

“Will do, Chuck. How’s Tuesday work for you?”

“Works great. See you then.”

I followed him towards the bar, my cheeks flushing as I caught a few curious glances that came my way.

We took our seats at the bar, and I found myself hyper-aware of how close we were sitting. Our knees brushed as Harle turned to catch the bartender’s attention.

“Hey, buddy. You after the wings?”

“Of course.”

“What about your pretty lady?”

My stomach flipped when Harle winked at me.

“She’ll have the same, thanks, Pete. What do you want to drink, Cass?”

“Just a beer, thank you.”

As we waited for our order, I fiddled with a coaster, trying to think of something to say. Before I could come up with anything, two guys approached us.

“Hey, buddy! Great to see you!” The taller of the two clapped Harle on the shoulder.

“Eddie! Long time, no see. Hey, Joe.” They all shook hands, then Harle gestured to me. “Eddie, Tom, this is my friend Cassidy.”

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