Page 46 of Between the Stars

“Thinkin’ ’bout it.” I lean into my toolbox and run my hand through my hair. I regret it. I’m in desperate need of a shower and I think there’s now a good amount of grease in my hair. “You?”

She draws her bottom lip into her mouth and bites down. “If you’re going to be there.”

Hmm. Guess maybe I might have a chance to think about that blow job she offered up earlier.

* * *

Didyou know it’s New Year’s Eve? I might have left that detail out because yeah, it’s depressing as shit to be alone on the biggest party night of the year.

I do the same thing every New Year’s. Party at the Grady Ranch in the back field. Dumb shit usually happens. You remember when Morgan ripped his ball sac open, right? New Year’s Eve.

Abbi getting pregnant?

New Year’s Eve.

DUI?

New Year’s Eve.

Maybe not the best night, but I guarantee all of them had good stories.

It’s also the night Morgan and Barron jump buck-ass naked into the pond at midnight because they say it gives them good luck.

Luck?

I clearly don’t have that on my side these days, do I? If I did, she’d be in my arms. Maybe I need to jump into the pond. Actually, I don’t know about that. There’s literally ice floating in the pond.

Fire licks the sky, sparks of ash floating in the night, reminding me of all the times I spent next to this same place with a girl who left my heart in smoke rings. I notice Rhett near the fire, and Josie. They’re… well, flirting. Nothing new there. They have a history, but not one that’s usually explored much that I know of.

Twisting to the side, Rhett grins at me and hands me his flask. “What’s up?”

I take the flask and motion to Josie. “What’s this?”

He tips his head to the side, as if he’s entertained by my question. He knows I’m not asking what’s in the flask. I don’t care. I’ll drink anything. I’m more concerned with him and Josie. “I could ask you the same thing,” Rhett mumbles, his words drawn out. He’s drunk if you haven’t guess it.

“You could.” I screw the cap back on the flask and hand it to him.

“Where the fuck have you been?”

I shrug. “Around.”

“With my sister?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He groans. “C’mon, man. I’m not a fucking idiot.” Smoke rises between us and he looks the picture perfect protective brother. “You were both missing on Christmas.”

I sigh. There’s no sense in denying it any longer. I gather any nonchalant demeanor I have left in me and act uninterested in our conversation. I eye Serenity, swaying to the beats of a song playing from Barron’s speaker. “I took her up to Justice’s cabin.”

He nods, shaking his head, and I can’t tell if he’s disappointed or relieved I’ve finally admitted it to him. Rhett knows more than I’ve ever given him credit for. “And now what?”

I stare at him blankly, because I don’t know. Do you notice the restlessness in my stance? He does. Swallowing, I notice my jaw hurts from clenching it, so I relax. “I don’t know.”

Taking the flask in his hand, he shakes his head and pulls in a breath before releasing it in a cloud of white air between us. “She went back to him?”

“Haven’t heard from her.” And I haven’t. Might have something to do with blocking her number, but might not either. I wasn’t lying when I said I was done.

Rhett leans into the side of my Jeep parked in the field, his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders sag, as if he’s tired, but I know it’s more than that. His eyes drift from Josie dancing, to mine. “Pops said something about Hemington Holdings buying Lockett Plumbing from him.”

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