Page 108 of Shattered Hearts

“Maybe you all need a bit of thrill in your life,” Cole suggests.

We pull out of the driveway onto the muddy road. Cole, Holden, and I are crammed in the back seats, feeling like sardines. Macie looks over her shoulder, smiling at the three of us touching shoulders. She pulls her feet up on the dashboard as Reid drives, soft music filling the car as Cole watches videos on his phone.

As soon as we get to Afterhours, the three of us can’t get out of the ute fast enough. Spilling out, I suck in a deep breath of fresh air and grin. Holden nudges me towards the door. I catch Laynie and Sadie walking together further down the footpath. My heart flips as soon as she sees me, her smile growing. I love seeing that reaction whenever she meets my gaze.

Denim overalls, light blue jumper and braided hair, she approaches with flushed skin. Lifting onto her toes, she leaves a soft kiss on my cheek before giggling. “I could get used to greeting you like this.”

I grin. “Or you could kiss me properly.”

Her fingers pinch my side, gaining a chuckle from me. Hands reaching around her neck, I lean down and draw her lips to mine, tasting her strawberry lip balm. Holden and Sadie move inside to join the others as I soak up this moment with Laynie.

Dropping back down to her feet, she smiles, all glowy and youthful before taking my hand in hers. “Come on, before they start making up stuff about us.”

I sniff a laugh. “I’ll grab us something to drink.”

Leading her through the doorway and over to our usual booth, I sit Laynie down beside Sadie. Grabbing my wallet, I ask for everyone’s orders before heading over to the bar and repeating it to Paisley. She tells me it’ll be a few minutes, and I return to my seat. Laynie’s fingers tangle in my instantly, cheeks pinkening.

I will never get over seeing her like this.

“So how’s the dance school, Sadie?” Macie asks from the other side of the table.

Sadie just nods, chewing on her lip. “It’s good, but there’s one girl, Allison, who I think wants me gone.”

Laynie frowns. “What do you mean?”

Her cousin sighs, everyone listening to her. “She’s in charge of the timetable, and she gave me an older copy, so I was late to two of my classes. Then things started disappearing from the room whenever I was teaching after her. The speaker. Warm up items. The bar weights.” Her head shakes. “I don’t really know why. I haven’t done anything.”

I frown.

“Have you spoken to the owner about her?” Reid asks.

Sadie shakes her head. “No, but I might have to. It’s getting ridiculous.”

Paisley interrupts, carrying a tray of drinks. “All right. Drinks are ready. Food is still on the way.”

I take my beer and Laynie’s lemonade.

Cole smirks. “Hey, Sutton. Guess who I played with this afternoon.”

Glancing his way, Paisley snips out, “Yourself? Because I don’t see anyone vying for your attention.”

“Your brother. He’s not half bad.”

She stiffens. “Knox could wipe the floor with you.”

“Is that why I beat your all time best score on Speed Demon?”

“You only beat me because you had Knox to help you.”

Cole shakes his head, smiling coyly. “If anything I gave him much needed tips.” He pauses, sipping on his beer. “The same tips I gave you when you first started.”

Paisley’s eyes roll. “Here’s a tip for you, go to the hairdresser next time instead of butchering your own hair.”

Macie snickers.

“Aww, it’s sweet that you are so concerned about my looks,” Cole teases.

I shake my head as Reid snorts a laugh.