Page 29 of Tennessee Trouble

I start to answer, but I don’t get the chance.

“You’re not really gonna sue, are you?” Kyra asks.

Oh, they are not talking to me.

I look to Kyra, my head still fuzzier than the morning after drinking too much. Firey red curls whip around, flying over Kyra’s shoulder as she turns to me. Quirking an eyebrow up, she lets me know that she knows something is up. That line of questioning is still to come.

“No, no…” Mikayla answers, leaning against her desk. “We’d need to prove intent, and there is no easy way to do that. It’d never stand up in court. Especially since Hayes has already done all the legwork with the impersonator. But, I’m holding on to the threat as long as I can. Seeing what it brings us.”

“Isn’t that blackmail?” Rylan inquires.

Whipping her head around to look at him, her dark hair flies over her shoulder, making the move look that much more dramatic.

“Whose side are you on?” She plants her hands on her hips and takes a step toward him. “While we may not have a solid leg to stand on in a court of law for slander, asking for restitution for a damaged reputation is not blackmail.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so. They’re an established brand who took a shot at our new product. I won’t let them bully us. I will do what is necessary.”

“Mikayla, seriously? He doesn’t deserve this.”

The words are out of me before I can stop them. And with them, everything halts. All three of my siblings turn to me, my words betraying me more than I realize.

Shit.

“And how do you know that?” Mikayla asks, spinning around to face me, the accusation in her voice clear as the local church bells. “Luna?”

“I don’t…I just…” I nervously recenter my glasses on my face, as if somehow fiddling with them will make me invisible.

“Don’t think I didn’t catch whatever that was between you two,” she continues.

“Mik—” Kyra starts.

“Did you sleep with him or something?”

Or something…

“I don’t think I want to be a part of this…” Rylan mutters, turning to go. Kyra grabs his arm, stopping him.

“We are in this together,” she hisses.

Turning away, I look out the window and try to focus on the statue of Gil and Fergus out in the whiskey garden. Birds sit on each brother’s shoulder, making the scene look idyllic. More than I can say for the one in here.

Because how exactly do you explain to your siblings that your one night of fun was accidentally with the man that your sister is fighting with? Oh, and you’re still kind of crushing on him, despite it all.

I need air. I need to think.

“You did, didn’t you?” Mikayla screeches.

That’s it. I can’t do this right now.

Turning back to look at her, I say the first thing that comes to my mind.

“I need a drink.”

9

BRANDT