Page 75 of The Runaway and the Rugged
Greta perfected the perfect glare and it was aimed directly at her brother.
“No, that’s not the only reason I go, Garth.” She frowned. “Their chicken wings happen to be a way better deal and taste a helluva lot better too.”
“Right…” He stretched the word out. “So, you don’t plan on havin’ a dollar beer then?”
Greta shifted her stance, blowing out a short breath before responding.
“Maybe a few? Why the hell does it matter to you anyway?” She crossed her arms defensively as the scowl on her face deepened.
“Why’s it matter? ’Cause if Emelia ends up goin’ out with you tonight, I need to know you won’t be chuggin’ those cheap beers like you’re at some wild college party.”
Greta’s mouth dropped.
“Are you trying to make me look like some reckless party girl who doesn't know when to quit? I’ll have you know, I haven’t had more than three beers at The Lonely Barrel in a long damn time now.”
I shot a glance at Garth, whose expression hadn’t changed once.
“Thanks to Shane, you haven't."
Shane?
Who is Shane?
“Shane’s just about as bad as you are with bein’ overprotective. Besides, it’s not like I don’t know how to handle my beer.”
He scoffed.
“No? What about the time you started a wet shirt contest, without the shirts?”
A laugh worked its way up my throat, but I quickly suppressed it just in time.
“I already told you that I was dared to do that! And you know I can’t turn down a dare, especially when I’ve been drinkin’.”
He sent her a no-nonsense look, one similar to those he gave Grace.
“Can’t turn a dare down? How old are you? Twelve?” he scolded. “Come on now, Greta. Half of Dusty Meadows has had the pleasure of seein’ your damn tits.”
Greta’s face flashed bright red, but she refused to back down.
“Well, ain't they some lucky sons of bitches.” She exchanged her embarrassment for a wide, cunning grin and a light, airy chuckle. “Got a few compliments after too.”
I’m sure the last person who wanted to hear any of that was her older brother. Mouth twisted, head shaking, he walked in the direction of Ella’s stall, possibly in need of a good amount of space between them.
“It’s easy to get under his skin,” she mumbled through her laughter as my gaze followed his confident steps. No longer shirtless, I refrained from ogling him and instead observed quietly as he gently caressed down the front of Ella’s muzzle. “So, what do you say, want to have some real fun tonight?” she disrupted, a suggestive, knowing smile spreading across her face as if she were reading into how I viewed her brother.
I put in my best effort to come off as indifferent and casual, but it was obvious she was able to see right through me. I wasn’t subtle in my attraction toward Garth, but that’s all it was, attraction.
“Okay.” I nodded, thinking this might be exactly what I needed to distract me from the small, developing crush I had on Garth.
A night out, good food, and some fun. Something I haven’t done in years.
“Yeah, I’ll go with you.”
Greta grinned.
“Perfect, I’ll pick you up around seven?”
“Sounds good.”
