Breaking Even (Sterling Shore 5)

He smiles as he puts his arm around me, and I breathe in easily. He makes breathing so much better. But what will it be like when we’re in front of everyone who expects him to be with someone like the girls they keep setting him up with?

***

RYE

“You two look good together,” Wren says, grinning his shit-eating grin that might as well say I told you so.

I don’t say anything as Brin returns with Ash, walking across the dance floor and avoiding the drunken crowd the best they can. Ash gets stopped and pulled toward the bar by someone, but Brin continues her venture toward me.

“How does your car drive?” Wren asks her, a lilt to his voice as she sits down next to me.

I put my arm around her and she leans in, making all the shit I’ve caught from Wren and Tag worth it.

“Like a dream,” Brin says with her adorable grin that makes me swell with pride.

I put that smile there.

I can’t stop myself from leaning down and kissing her, wishing we didn’t have so many people around. It’s not supposed to feel this good.

She kisses me back, but she pulls away when I try to push for more. I frown, and she laughs while wiping at my mouth, probably removing her lipstick from me again. Why is she wearing that shit?

In fact, she doesn’t look like she normally does. Her dress is tighter, and it’s a bold pink color she doesn’t usually wear. Even though it’s sexy on her, it’s not her. I prefer the cute shorts or innocent sundresses she wears. Her heels are higher, her makeup is heavier, and her hair is styled to perfection with curls that had to have taken hours to put into her very straight hair. It sort of pisses me off, though I don’t know why.

“Rye Clanton has a girlfriend. Never thought I’d see the day,” Ethan Noles says as he joins us in the booth.

Brin tenses just as I do, but I’m more surprised by his presence than worried about his words. “When the hell did you get into town?” I ask, smiling at the bastard who has been my best friend since elementary school.

“Just a few minutes ago. I’m here for a month or two this time. Dane called and told me Rain’s party was tonight. Thought I’d stop by and see my cousin on her birthday. Then I make it through the door only to hear everyone talking about the two of you. Had to come see it for myself.”

He looks Brin over, pursing his lips as though he’s curious. I refuse to let him ruin this moment with too much reality. Brin is stiff as a board, proving this is making her uncomfortable, too.

“We’re not a couple,” she finally says, and he tilts his head more, smiling as he leans back.

“Looks like he’s wearing your shade,” he says, turning his eyes back to me.

I wipe my lips where there’s still pink lipstick apparently. I really wish she’d just get rid of that shit. It makes kissing a pain in the ass.

“They’re neighbors and friends,” an oddly familiar voice says with sarcasm as the redhead I turned down crawls into the booth beside Ethan.

He grins as he looks her over, and I swallow hard. Ah, shit. Drama. There will be drama. I hate drama.

Leah. Can the girl not take a hint?

Wren groans as he looks at me, worried like I am. A woman scorned is never a good thing.

“Looks like someone found Momma’s makeup bag,” the drunken version of Leah quips. What the hell?

Brin rolls her eyes and starts to back away, but I pull her to me. Ethan’s smile disintegrates when he takes in the situation.

“Alright, Red. Looks like someone should be going,” he says, pushing her out of the booth and trying to wave over security.

“You turned me down for her? For that?” she asks with d

isgust, fighting against Ethan who is seconds away from losing his temper.

He’ll launch her ass out of the booth if she keeps on.

“Yes I did,” I say without hesitation when Brin finally stands.