Page 41 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

“You owe a lot of apologies to your wonderful family.”

“There’s that, but also… My friends and I destroyed some of your flowers when I was in high school.”We got drunk one night, took a couple of four-wheelers down there, and completely demolished a whole section of her flowers.

She creases her eyebrows, and then her eyes widen.

“That was you?”She stands.“You’re gonna pay for that.”

“I’m going to take Beverly home now,” Noah says.The woman is still glaring at me, and I need to figure out how to repay her.I have a feeling it’ll take more than just money.Noah will help me figure it out.Since he was a kid, he’s always spent a lot of time with her and in her flower beds.Though he was helping them grow, not destroying them.

* * *

The next day, I head into town to grab a few groceries.Most of the time I eat with Mom, but she’s become too interested in my relationship with Mae, and I need some time alone.

Pushing a cart through the small store, I browse the limited selection.The meat department is meager, but I should be able to find a few steaks to grill.Just as I’m reaching for a pack of chicken, I hear someone call out my name.

“Seth, is that you?”

I spin around and find myself face-to-face with a former classmate, Eli.His dad worked as a scientist at Green Bank, and he always had more money than the rest of us.He never let us forget it.

“Yeah, it’s good to see you.”

He holds out his hand, and I shake it.I notice his shoes are Santonis, and I’m glad I’m wearing my Hermes today.I know it’s snobby, but wealthy men judge each other by their shoes.

“What are you doing in town?”he asks.

“Helping Dad out a little bit.What about you?”

“Oh, I bought the place next to my parents’ house.I live here with my wife and kids.”

“Nice.What do you do?There’s not much around here but Green Bank.”

“I’m an app developer.I work from home, and I also invest in government land contracts around here.What about you?”

“Corporate fixer.I don’t really live anywhere, but I enjoy the travel.”

Eli nods.“You should come over for dinner sometime and meet my wife Elly.”

“Elly and Eli?”I give him a smirk and hope it’ll deflect from the invite.I don’t really want to go to dinner at his house.

He flushes.“Funny, huh?We named our kids Elijah and Elanor.My wife’s idea.”

I chuckle.“It’s good to see you.And maybe I’ll take you up on your offer if I’m here long enough.Also, come by our place sometime and take the kids swimming.”

I wonder for a second why he stayed, but we aren’t close enough to ask.Eli sticks with me, and we make small talk as we go down the aisles, catching up on each other’s lives since graduation.It’s nice to see a familiar face and someone who isn’t involved in all the drama at the resort.

“Seth-man, I can’t believe that’s you.”

Both Eli and I turn, and I’m practically barreled over by a man six inches taller than me and four times as wide.He engulfs me in a hug and then lets go.He’s missing two teeth when he smiles down at us, and I can’t help but wrinkle my nose.It’s clear he hasn’t showered in days.

“Is there some class reunion I didn’t know about?”Benji slaps Eli on the shoulder like they’re best friends or something.

“I live here,” Eli says and takes a step away from Benji.

Or maybe not.

Benji sniffs.“Coulda fooled me.When’s the last time you came down to the barbecue?”

“We’re busy, Benji.Speaking of, I should be going.I don’t want to keep the wife waiting.”Eli smiles again, this time obviously fake, and gives a wave.“I’ll give you a call,” he says to me.

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