Page 92 of Text Me Baby One More Time

“It’s so funny running into you here,” Delia says, her eyes flashing to me as she hugs Denny back. The glance is quick, only lasting a moment, but I see panic there.

Unnecessary panic, I might add.

Feeling awkward, I throw a few twenties onto the table and stand too, not missing the way my brother slides a protective arm around Delia’s waist and pulls her to him.

“Denver, this is Zach. I know you heard all about him last year.”

Denny shakes my brother’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Zach. I look forward to one day seeing your Harry Potter underwear.”

“Oh, you haven’t yet?” He acts like he’s about to unbuckle his belt, and Delia knocks his hands away.

“Quit it.” She laughs. “I’ll show her pictures later. Zach did a Harry Potter boudoir shoot for me. We’ll have to get together so I can show you the goods.”

I clear my throat, trying not to laugh, becauseof coursemy brother did that.

Denny speaks up. “Oh, where are my manners? Have you met Shep Clark yet?”

No one moves or says anything.

“Did you guys hear me?TheShep Clark.” She rolls her eyes teasingly. “He’s kind of a legend around here.”

Heat fills my cheeks and I shuffle my feet, clearing my throat. “Uh, Bucky?”

“Yes, Cap?”

“This is Zach.”

She crinkles her nose at me. “I’m aware. Delia just introduced me to him.”

“No, Den, this isZach.”

I see the wheels spinning in her head and the moment everything connects for her.

Only AJ knew about Denny and me, so when she moved out here for college and I fucked things up, that was that. We went on with our lives like the other didn’t exist, doing everything in our power to ensure that beyond the paper a few days a week, we didn’t have any contact. She didn’t run in the same circles and it wasn’t common knowledge that Zach and I are related, so they never met.

Until now.

“Shit up!” she hollers, attracting a few curious stares from other patrons. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all. Denver, meet my brother. Zach, this is Denver Andrews.”

“Andrews?” His brows shoot into his hairline. He looks at Delia and she nods. “Huh.” He tilts his head and squints at Denver. “I guess I can see it.”

“What am I missing here?” I ask.

“Denver’s twin sister Monty is dating Robbie,” Zach explains. “Delia and Denver know one another from college. They were in a few classes together.”

“And because I never want to feel like the fifth wheel, I’ve been turning down their offers to hang out for forever,” Denny adds.

Oh fuck.This just got a whole lot more complicated.

“How do you two know each other?” Delia asks, the worry clear in her voice.

I don’t know how much Denny does and doesn’t want to reveal about our history, so I go with the safest response I can think of. “We go way back.”

“Yeah?” Zach asks, and I know what he’s really saying:How many hours is way back, Shep?

“We’ve, uh, we’ve known each other for about six years now,” Denny says quietly.

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