Page 30 of Genesis

“Yeah,” I reply, looking at the clock and seeing it’s almost ten.

Samuel and his caring soul. I really wanted to go out with the boys, but he asked me to watch a movie so…

We stand up and hug. He seems to want to kiss me but makes no move to do so and it reminds me so much of Danny.

He says he’s this bad boy, which, come on, heis, but I think the brothers have more in common than they think. Except they’re also so very different. I kiss him on the cheek. “I had fun. Thanks for inviting me over.”

“I thought Ma was going to break you, she squeezed you so hard.”

I laugh, my eyes looking around the room thoughtfully. “It hasn’t changed a bit,” I tell him.

“Yeah,” he says. “Everyone that’s been in it has, though.” He looks back at me and I smile wistfully. His eyes shine in the dark-lit room as the low lamp paints the walls gold. Samuel really is the cutest.

“You’re sweet, Samuel.”

He lifts a brow. “Thanks.” He says it like that’s not what he wanted to hear.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, ya know?”

He nods. “Right.”

I grin. “I’ll see you at school.”

“Be safe,” he replies.

Once in my car, I start it, rubbing my hands together to keep warm before I pull my seat belt across me.

I exhale, looking toward the house. Good God, what a Thanksgiving. I smile to myself as I put the car in drive and pull away from the curb, hitting my blinker as I head out of the neighborhood. My mind chases Danny and a thought intertwines. I’m not ready to go home just yet. I remember where Danny took me on my thirteenth birthday, and I decide, even though I know it’s not safe, I might swing by there. If I see Danny’s car, I’ll go in. If I don’t, I won’t. Simple as that.

Pulling up to the clubhouse where I got my first buzz, I spot Danny’s car over on the left side. I open the door, smelling the faint scent of smoke and hearing laughter and music coming from the back. I walk to the door, knocking three times, like I remember Danny doing all those years ago.

A guy with silver hair answers and I remember him.

He narrows his eyes. “You lost?” he asks.

“Um, no, I’m looking for Danny. I’m Bexley, remember? The girl who took all your money in Texas Hold ’em?”

He looks over at me for a moment. “Wait?” he says. “It’s you. Damn, you’ve grown.”

I scrunch my nose. “Um, thanks.”

“Yo, Danny,” he calls out behind him. “Look who came by.” He opens the door wider and I see Danny sitting on the couch with a girl in his lap. My heart sinks.

He moves the girl from his lap and takes the smoke from his lips. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asks with a Danny smirk. That’s something he’s really grown into.

A few people look at me, and I feel my chest turn red.

“Bexley!” I hear someone call out. “Come in,” Paul says. “You’ll freeze your ass off out there.”

I look at Danny. “Yeah,” he says. “It’s fucking cold.” He grabs my hand and pulls me inside as he shuts the door. “You remember Mickey.”

“She remembers kicking my ass in poker,” he replies. “Hey, rematch in a little bit.” He points at me.

I smile. “Okay, I’m down to win some money.” Mickey laughs and walks to the bar.

“You want a drink or something?” Danny asks me.

“What are you drinking?”

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