Page 38 of Silver Player

“Miss Alyce.” I dip my head as if I’m wearing a cowboy hat. “Miss Roxanne,” I drag out her name.

“Billy.” Alyce blushes, but her head turns to look at Roxie.

“May I have this dance?” I hold out my hand for Roxie who looks down at my open palm for a second. Her lips twist like she’s fighting a smile, and I’m waiting for a snappy rejection from her until the tips of her fingers press into my warm hand. My fingers snap shut—snap up that woman—and I lead her to the dance floor. Only a few people linger as I spin Roxie and then draw her to my chest. I pull her close, closer than necessary for a dance, and slip an arm around her lower back. My other hand clutches hers and drags them between us, holding her hand near my racing heart.

The Lee Brice song “Rumors” drones on about a couple and the town wondering what’s going on with them. My cheek lowers to rest near Roxie’s, leaving my lips only a breath away from her ear. I sing the words, messing them up a bit.

“I can do what you want, baby, or you could kiss me here, and make it true…”

Roxanne pulls back, and those eyes light me up.

“Why would I kiss you, Billy Harrington?”

“Because you want to.” I’m teasing her, but there’s an unasked question in the words. Does she want to kiss me? She rejected me before, swiping at her tongue as if I’d given her a disease. Has she changed her mind, though? Her eyes draw down to my lips, telling me she might have second thoughts about that first kiss.

“You’re so full of yourself,” she admonishes, a chuckle in her tone. She’s teasing me, and that’s what I’ve discovered I like best about Roxie. She gives as good as she gets.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” I admit. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

Roxie’s eyes drop, and she glances over at the table where Alyce and Grace sat but are no longer present.

“It was a little unexpected,” she says, her voice low.

“Nah, that’s what we do, Roxie. We bicker.” Her eyes come back to mine, softened and searching.

“Do we always have to fight in public?” Her question asks something deeper, and I have to admit things have been different in private when it’s just the three of us. Roxanne and I still snip and scratch, but it’s more in fun than a fight. Is she my little secret along with Sadie? Thanksgiving. That’s the date I’ve set for when I’ll tell my family. One more month and I’ll be ready. “I guess, for a little bit longer.”

Roxanne doesn’t like that answer, and I feel her slump in my grasp. The song plays on, but Roxie no longer speaks to me. My cheek lowers back to her ear, and I close my eyes, letting the words in my head drift unspoken to her, adding my own version as a refrain.

Let’s make the rumor true.

15

Near miss

[Roxanne]

He smells so good. I inhale at his neck and then catch myself, hoping he doesn’t notice me sniffing him. He’s a mix of man and the spicy clove scent in the beers I drank tonight. Too many beers. I’m woozy on my feet, but it might just be the way Billy is holding me. I’m pressed up close to him, melting into him. Hard chest. Firm abs. Large palms. His hand covers my lower back while the other presses mine against his heart, which is racing through his BRMP dress shirt. He’s wearing an Oxford, rolled at the sleeves, displaying some serious arm porn. I lick my lips, my mouth watering to run my tongue up the vein exposed on his lower arm.

I hate that I’m having this reaction, especially to him, of all men, but he seemed so sincere in his apology. Then I think of his other words. This is what we do. We claw and scratch, only I’d like to do it in a manner where I’m drawing him closer and not pushing him away.

I’ve definitely had too much to drink tonight if these are my thoughts.

As the song ends, Billy still holds me, swaying in the silence before another song flips on. It’s too fast for the slow pace he’s set, and I chuckle when I say to him, “The song’s over.”

He purrs at my ear, and the shiver that runs down my spine is like the kiss of a summer rain. Refreshing. Sweet. Romantic. I pull back from where my head rests near his. I’m overthinking things. Billy Harrington is anything but romantic. He’s rash and raw and flirtatious, and I’d be smart to remember these things. Only my head is fuzzy, and he smells so good, and he’s holding me so close.

It’s been too long since I’ve been with someone.

Billy doesn’t fight me as I lean away from him, but as he releases me, I stumble.

“Whoa, darlin’.” He’s quick to reach out for my upper arms and right me. “I’m known to have that effect on women.” He winks.

“I had too much to drink, I think.” I’m not slurring my words, not that I notice, but things are catching up to me. “I think it’s time I head home.”

Billy’s brows pinch, and he wears an expression of concern in his eyes. He isn’t concerned about you, Roxie. He’s nice to you because of Sadie.

“I’ll walk you home.”