Page 29 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
“What are you getting your snowflakes in a flurry over?” She sips the white coconut drink. “This is worse than high school.This is a standard case of misunderstanding at its best between the two of you and the lack of communication.”
“Misunderstanding? I don’t think abandoning me lassoed to a chair with twinkle lights leaves much room for misinterpretation.”
“Listen, I’m on your side.”
“Are you?” I sneer.
“Yes, and I’m telling you, she’s holding onto something that happened before she left. I know my sister, and she’s hiding a secret. What could that secret be, partner?” Dani waits like I have the answer.
“I don’t know what’s got her feathers ruffled.”
“Want to know what I think?”
Heaven help me, I do. I wish I didn’t, but I do. “What?”
“She thinks you knocked boots with other girls. Promiscuous is the word she used.”
I breathe so deep through my nostrils that they sting. Do these two share everything?
Dani straightens. “Tell her straight up that you didn’t cheat on her—if you didn’t.”
My jaw hurts from grinding my teeth so hard. Dani hadn’t been in the whirlwind that had been our summer. Losing her virginity might have been a first for Flora, but the raw moments and tender exchanges between us had been a first for me.
In those days, lying in the tall grass under the Southern sun, I felt a sense of freedom I’d never known. With Flora, I could be myself—unfiltered, unguarded. She listened without judgment, piecing together the fragments of my soul—or so I thought. And I’d found the courage to change and become a better version of myself. I’m no fool. I didn’t expect her not to go to college, but I thought she’d come back. And when she saw the path I’d chosen, I thought, just maybe, we could pick up where we left off.
“I shouldn’t have to tell her. She knew then. She knows now. She just doesn’t give a shit.” I jam the billiard chalk on the tip of the cue stick. “Let’s get this damn game over with.”
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FLORA
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“YOU’RE A MEAN one, Mr. Grinch,” Dani sings softly as she surveys the layout of the balls.
We’re stripes. They’re solid.
“I may be the Grinch because I just grew three sizes after that little sashay.” Theo lazily stands at the end of the pool table with a beer in one hand, wearing a lopsided grin and half-lidded sultry expression at a passing waitress.
“You’re about as charming as a broken ornament.” Pool cue in hand, my sister crouches and takes a practice stroke beside the cue ball.
I believe she’s purposely taking her sweet time to drive Theo mad. He grumbles to himself every time she’s up. I know more about their weird exchange than I’d like to, but if I don’t stay focused, my wondering gaze lands on Thorn.
There are a thousand other things to admire in The Lodge Lounge—the festive lights draped across the ceiling, the carved wooden decorations adorning the Christmas tree that stands proud in the corner, or the fun seasonal cocktails highlighted onthe illuminated menu board. That Sleigh Ride Sangria sure looks like a must-try, and I’m almost finished with my drink.
Where did that waitress go?
My eyes collide with Thorn’s. He remains rooted on the other side of the pool table between turns. He doesn’t dare invade my side, and I’m yet to linger with him.
His posture is stiff, and one hip presses hard against a sturdy oak table. His gaze is locked on me—again. Or still. Has it moved? He certainly doesn’t shift when he catches me stealing a look. He holds my stare like a challenge I accept every time, and I can feel his anger burn into me.
Where’s his sense of humor?
A smile lifts the edges of my mouth.
I’ve never been one for revenge, so I wasn’t prepared for this rewarding afterglow. To be honest, I don’t get close enough to people to have enemies. But I got close to Thorn. I gave him everything: my laughter, my secrets, my trust. I never trusted anyone growing up. Not after my dad left. Not after my mom spent more time with man after man than her daughters.
Heck, I don’t trust anyone now. Even my sister is scheming behind my back.
