Page 16 of Chance
No one said a word while Maybe-Reid’s eyes darted back and forth between my sister and me.Even when his attention wasn’t on me, Chance didn’t relax for a single second.He became more and more agitated as time ticked away, until the other guy moved forward.
Obviously, this new guy was related to Chance.He was pretty to look at, filling up his T-shirt with the leather vest thrown over it and jeans like they’d been made just for him.He had dust on his boots, his skin sun-kissed, which suggested he worked outside often.From the light scattering of gray in his dark hair, I took a guess that he was older than Chance.Not by much, though.Both were at least a decade older than me, more experienced.
That was kind of a given.A freaking kindergartener had more life experience than I did, thanks to William’s manipulations.
“You didn’t tell me you were a twin, Ev,” Maybe-Reid chastised my sister as he bumped his shoulder roughly against Chance’s to get to her.
Evy huffed, arms crossing over her chest defensively.“Lucky guess.You had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it wrong.”
He got into her personal space and lowered his head.“Don’t use that tone with me, little girl.We’re not playing those games.Not divulging that kind of information almost got someone killed.”
Surprised, she looked up at him with wide eyes, but she couldn’t fully hide how much she liked something he’d said.
“You’re lucky I came to my senses quickly enough to realize what was going on.Otherwise, Chance would be dead, and you would be getting spanked.”
She shot Chance a grumpy look before glaring up at the new guy.Not that Chance saw it, because his eyes were on me.I shifted my gaze back to my sister.“I’m not against you killing the bloodhound wannabe, but out of curiosity, why would I be getting a spanking?”
“For tempting unworthy motherfuckers, sweetness.”
“I wasn’t trying to tempt anyone,” she complained.
“Ah, baby, that’s the problem.You don’t have to try.Your existence alone is a temptation.”
Okay, that was kind of swoonworthy.No one could miss the absolute adoration shining out of Maybe-Reid’s eyes.Or how Evy basically melted into a puddle for him, all glowy from being so pink-cheeked.Obviously, I wasn’t the only one who had fallen in the short time since arriving in Creswell Springs.
A loud noise caused me to flinch, unused to the sound of billiard balls clapping together.Seeing my reaction, Evy gave me a smile, always taking care of me.“It’s been a long day.Maybe we should call it a night.”
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I considered that for a moment.I was tired, but I wanted to stay.Before Chance had arrived, I was having fun with the other women.It was easy to relax around them.I’d felt like a normal person, with normal friends, living a normal life.Not constantly trapped in my head, haunted by the ghost of my father’s voice that lived rent-free in my mind.
But I also didn’t want to go, because if I left, that meant saying goodnight to Chance.I wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet.
Plus, from the way Maybe-Reid kept his full attention on Evy, he didn’t want to be anywhere she wasn’t.That was something I understood all too easily.
“But we haven’t been here that long,” I deflected.
Chance released a heavy breath, drawing my gaze straight to him.Relief filled his eyes, and I realized what I’d just done.
I’d picked him over Evy.
Before I could let myself get stuck or fall into another void of self-doubt, letting William berate and belittle me, I returned my attention to my twin.“I’m having a good time, Evy.I promise I’m not tired, and tomorrow is Saturday, so I don’t have any classes.”
“You don’t have classes, but I have work,” she reasoned.She gave me a smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes.“And I don’t want to let my new bosses down.”
“Girl, you are giving us such a good show tonight, I’m thinking of giving you a bonus.Haven’t had this much fun on a girls’ night out in years.I’m not even buzzed yet, and I’m already having a blast,” Mila said as she sat with her chin propped up on one hand, watching us like we were starring in her favorite TV show.
“Agreed.I kinda have whiplash from snapping my head back and forth to keep up, but it’s totally worth it to watch Chance get on his knees.That was surreal.Still not one hundred percent sure he’s really our Chance Reid,” River teased.
Chance Reid.
Did that mean Maybe-Reid wasn’t Evy’s Reid?
This was exhausting to keep up with.
Evy was just as confused as I was.“Chance…Reid?But isn’t he Reid?”She pointed at the big man beside her.
“It’s a long story,” Lexa said with an amused snort.“There are plenty of Reids around this town, babe.But there is only oneReid.”
At least I’d gotten that much right, that Maybe-Reid was my sister’s Reid.
