Page 63 of Danger

“I see through it,” I say simply. “You’re not as good at hiding it as you think.”

Moonlight slips through the trees, catching the edge of his face as he walks closer. “Hiding what?”

“The tough-guy act.” I shrug, like it’s obvious. “I know you’re strong. Everyone does. But I know there’s another side to you. A soft side. I see it with Fisher. I see it slip through sometimes.”

That finally gets his attention. He exhales, then sits beside me on the bench. One arm drapes along the back, easy and careless, “Stop looking for the good in people.”

“No, because everyone should have someone see the good in them.”

He laughs. “If you knew all the terrible things I’ve done you wouldn’t be saying that. I’m not my brother. All you’ve ever paid attention to is Trouble. That’s not me.”

“What?”

“You chased my brother around for years. Don’t pretend you figured me out just because you’ve been around me lately.”

His voice should be cruel, but it’s just tired. He’s right—I did do that. But maybe all this time I’ve been paying attention to the wrong brother.

“I might not have chased you around, but I paid attention," I admit.

Danger arches an eyebrow, mouth tilting in a half-smirk. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” I fix my eyes on the pasture ahead because I can’t look at him when I say this. “You were the hot, intimidating older brother. The one who dated pretty girls like Rylee. The one no one messed with.” I risk a glance at him. “You were always the older boy I never had a chance with. The one who would never notice someone like me.”

Even the horses go still. A hundred yards out, ears flicking, they pause like they sense something shifting.

Danger takes his time before he responds. “All I do is notice you,” he finally says.

My heart stutters.

“You do?”

“You think I’m hot?” he asks, like he just remembered the words.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

He lets out a long exhale. His arm stays behind me, easy and possessive, like he’s not aware of it at all. “No, most people are scared of me.”

“I’m not.”

He shakes his head. “You should be.”

“I’ll remember to keep my distance,” I say, even though neither of us moves. “After we’re done fake dating, of course.”

The corner of his mouth lifts. Barely. “Good.”

He stays right there. Doesn't close the distance. Doesn't give me room either. Like he's trying to keep himself under control.

I should probably stop staring at his mouth.

“Tomorrow night is Trouble and Sawyer’s engagement party,” I say, reaching for the first distraction I can find. “The whole town will be there. Rylee. Finn. Everyone.”

I keep talking because some part of him is still somewhere else, and I want all of him here.

“Rylee nearly lost it tonight,” I add with a small laugh. “And honestly? That part was amazing. She actually bought it.”

I swallow.

“But I don’t just want a believable kiss next time.”