AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sucked in a breath. Her voice wouldn’t work.
Then she started giggling. It was somehow hilarious in the way things only are when you’re drunk. She thought of Taylor out front. At least she wasn’t rolling in the grass. “You’re lucky I’m not shorter,” she said. “It could have been a whole different look for you.”
He backed off a little. “Glad to amuse you.”
She couldn’t stop laughing. She had to put a hand on the wall. “You should thank me for my aim.”
He looked at her like she was crazy. “Are you drunk?”
“I’m not supposed to be. I have magic rocks.” She held up her hand, still giggling.
“What are you even talking about?”
The tone of his voice threw her again, and she stopped laughing. She fought for true mental clarity, finding herself focusing on the cool dark stone on her wrist.
“Becca.” Hunter appeared at her side. “You all right?”
Chris glanced at him, and his expression wasn’t friendly. “Does this look like it’s any of your business?”
“Since she’s here with me, yeah, it does.”
Chris looked startled, then glanced at her. His blue eyes turned hard and flat like slate.
Why the hell was she standing here feeling guilty about it?
Becca shook off the weight of his eyes, and touched Hunter’s arm. “Look. It’s my fault. I ran into him with the water.”
Chris didn’t say anything, but she saw him glance at her hand.
She pulled it back and stood there helplessly for a moment, feeling tension thicken the air.
Hunter’s eyes narrowed just a bit. “I’m sure he’ll get over it.”
Chris set his jaw. His shoulders tightened.
She couldn’t move. The whole moment had a surreal quality to it, Chris and Hunter glowering at each other over her head. Over her.
A voice called from down the hallway. “Hey. Chris.”
One of the twins. She didn’t know which. Of course they’d all be here—Gabriel played on the soccer team.
Chris didn’t turn his head. “Yeah?”
“We’re going out back to shoot hoops with Mark and Drew. You coming?”
Her breath caught, just for a second, as if the mere mention of Drew’s name held power over her.
For a long moment, Chris didn’t move. But then he glanced over his shoulder at his brother. “Yeah. Sure.” He took a step back and started to turn.
She let out a breath she didn’t remember holding. “I’m really sorry about your shirt,” she called.
He didn’t even look back. His voice was mild. “Already over it, Becky.”
The way he said it was like a pinch in the arm.
Bastard. She scowled.
Hunter was watching Chris walk away. She touched his arm. “Come on. Let’s find Quinn.”
