Page 58 of Kissing Chaos
“Your boyfriend said to feed you real food. Something about you getting too distracted to eat lately.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s such a worry wart.” And yet, I still dig into the food, because he’s right. I may or may not get too distracted to remember to fix three meals a day. Kelsey’s knowing smile draws a blush to my face, but I change the subject.
“So, Spring Market,” I say between bites of fried goodness. “What exactly am I supposed to expect aside from way too many people in too small of an area?”
Jace chuckles, but Kelsey shoots me a sympathetic glance. She may be the most over joyous individual I have ever met, but she also understands me about as well as McKenna always has. She is quickly worming her way into my—very tiny—circle of trust.
“It really isn’t that bad,” she offers, as if she is trying to excuse the town from something. It just seems like she thinks the town itself is why I am struggling with the idea of going. And maybe it is.
“I don’t do crowds.”
“We know,” the twins say in unison.
Usually, a response like that toward one of my quirks would set me on edge. And yet, with these guys—much like with Noah—I don’t feel a need to defend myself or offer excuses. They know I struggle with daily tasks that put me around new people. They know I zone out, but they don’t get irritated with me when it happens. They know to be direct if they want me to understand something the first time around.
It is in this moment I realize Jace is right there with Kelsey in slipping behind the iron-clad walls I have built around my heart.
My eyes dart left as I try to wrangle the sudden bubble of emotion settling in my chest. After a moment, I take a staggered breath and start the conversation back up.
“I just need a breakdown of what to expect. Events, when to be where, where to avoid. All the things.”
Jace steps away to tend to a few patrons that have slipped in, so Kelsey answers me. “Everything kicks off at ten. Booths from all the shops in town followed by a chili-making contest. Buck’s deer chili almost always wins. Then at three, fun events start happening down at the Flynn’s place. There is a fun jackpot-style barrel race that’s mostly teenagers. Then we hook up the four wheelers to sleds, wet down the arena, and see who can hold on the longest.”
My eyes widen as I try to imagine what she is describing. “That sounds more than a little dangerous.”
“Oh, it is. But it is so much fun. So freeing.”
“You have fun with that.” I laugh. The things small town people do for fun.
25
Jett
“That logo is badass,” McKenna says as she walks over, her blue eyes fixed on the banner Noah and Jace just finished securing for me. A local teen designed theComing Soonbanner with The Write Brew’s new logo for us to hang on the front of the café so everyone coming through would see it.
Pulling her into a hug, I can’t stop the pride from bubbling up inside.
“You’re doing it, babe,” she whispers into my hair.
I squeeze her tighter to me, knowing she’s part of the reason I’ve made it this far but not being able to voice the words. As we step apart, I bring her into the conversation with Noah and Kelsey.
“Kels, I know Noah does, but do you know McKenna?”
McKenna reaches out a hand, but Kelsey won’t have it and launches at my oldest friend, wrapping her into a hug.
“McKenna Monroe! You’re a legend.” As she takes a step back, she has the decency to apologize, embarrassment marring her cheeks. “It’s just, I’ve followed your workouts for years. Naughty Peach Athletics is the only program I’ve ever stuck with.”
I clear my throat as McKenna’s face pales, and Noah takes a step back. “Someone want to fill me in on what I’m missing?”
McKenna tries to force a laugh, unable to meet my eyes.
Kelsey, nearly as bad as me at reading the room, speaks up. “Only the hottest dirty workout on the internet.”
“It’s not dirty,” McKenna bursts. “It’s about loving your body and being comfortable in your skin.”
“I think I’m going to slip over to talk to Declan while you ladies discuss this,” Noah says before dropping a kiss to the top of my head.
I start to protest, but he holds his hands up and backs away.
