Page 41 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

It’s enough for Gus to take the lead and launch into everything he has planned for today. Coincidentally, a lot of which has to do with the picnic and making sure that Hayes—a major sponsor—has everything ready.

Which we do.

So I zone out, my mind settling in the same place it has found comfort in the last few weeks. Brenna.

And maybe the sex boat.

13

BRENNA

I’m just here to bang.

I mean, I’m not. I’m not banging anyone. The amount of quality time I’ve spent with Sherlock since Milo kissed me makes that perfectly clear. Actually, the amount of time ever since Milo walked in on Sherlock and me in action. Which, if we’re being completely transparent, I spend a fair amount of that quality time wishing it would happen again, and this time Milo would join in. Or take control.

But I digress.

Just here to bang. That’s what Milo’s smart-ass T-shirt of the day says. A faded royal blue with fireworks behind the heathered white words, the shirt is clearly well loved. At least by Milo. The disappointed look, complete with mini eye roll, that Miss Belle leveled at him multiple times during both the parade and pancake breakfast this morning made it clear that she’s not crazy about it.

Me? Yeah, I’d like to bang him. I mean…

I shake my head, trying to focus on something other than the innuendo that has been dancing through my mind all morning. Given the display of manly prowess in front of me, it isn’t easy.

A long stretch of rope lies on the ground, a bright orange flag tied around it indicating the middle. To the left of that flag is Atlas, Ezra, Landon, and Z Noble, Noel Keller, Dustin Wilder, and Jake Wright, the local grocer. Across from them, all six Hayes boys and Nash Keller—who looks so much like his fraternal twin they might as well be identical. And there’s not a bad looking one between them.

The sun is already high in the sky considering it’s not quite midday, bouncing brightly off the tan skin of each of these men. It’s like the muscular descendants of Greek gods decided to all line up and show off.

My mouth waters, eyes lingering on Milo. I know I shouldn’t. This isn’t that kind of date. But I can’t help it. He looks so good stretching and flexing as he prepares.

“It’s a smorgasbord of deliciousness,” Mell mutters from right next to me.

I hold back a laugh, unable to disagree, turning to look at her. She scans the group, as if she’s trying to pick just one and unable to do so.

“It’d be better if half of them weren’t older brothers.”

Mell and I startle, turning to my other side where Willa Hayes has suddenly appeared. Where did she come from?

“I admit, the boy cousins are very easy on the eyes, but they’re going down.”

“I hate this,” Bronwyn Ainsworth—Hayes’s director of marketing, Noel Keller’s fiancé, and one of Willa’s best friends—adds in.

“You hate tug-o-war?” I ask, not following. The grimace on her face makes it clear that she’s anxious about something, but for the life of me, I don’t understand what. It’s just a picnic game. Not even one where someone is likely to get hurt.

“Who do I cheer for? I’m a Hayes employee, but Noel…” She gestures to both sides, then throws her arms up in the air.

“Noel,” we all answer in unison.

The brown-haired landscaper looks up at the sound of his name, turning his gaze to us. Well, Bronwyn. As soon as he sees her standing there, his face lights up like a Christmas tree. He sends a wink and a kiss her way, making Bronwyn titter.

I want that…

Mr. Martinez, the Spanish teacher at Knox County High School, steps in between the two groups, explaining the rules. Neither set of guys seems to pay much attention, the whole lot of them having been a part of this matchup for so many years that a reminder of the rules seems pointless.

“So, you and Milo, huh?” Willa whispers, leaning in enough so that only I can hear her.

I freeze, unsure how to respond. I like Willa. Always have. She’s enough older than I am that we never really crossed over in school or extracurriculars, but with our older brothers being best friends, we spent a lot of time together as kids. She’s always been friendly to me, having my back when needed. None of that, however, is helpful when she’s questioning me about my relationship with her brother.

“I…errr…”