AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My grandson, Xavier. A dinner with him. He’s the quarterback of the Kingsmen down in San Francisco. Come on, ladies. Now’s your chance.”
I can’t stop laughing as Xavier goes up to the front.
I watch with amusement as my grandma tries to sell off a major league quarterback, and a body sits down in the chair Xavier just left. I glance over and smile at Noah. He smiles back and I feel the familiar flutter in my stomach. This game we play feels as if it’s become complicated. I should not be thinking this often about someone I consider just a friend.
He leans over. “Want to get something to eat after this?”
I nod. “Sure.” I keep my voice even, but inside I’m squealing.
We wait until Xavier is auctioned off to the least likely person I would’ve imagined, then we step out of the building into the crisp autumn night.
“Where to?” Noah asks.
I shrug. With tourist season nearly finished, we don’t have a ton of options, so we head to Truth or Dare Brewery.
“Who was the guy sitting next to you?” he asks once we’re seated at the table farthest from the bar, which is nice. I don’t want anyone who works here to eavesdrop.
“Just my stepbrother.”
“Xavier Greene is your stepbrother?” His eyes widen.
My head tilts. “If you knew him, why did you ask?”
I spot Jed cleaning the table next to us. I really wish none of them were here tonight because Noah is about to get a crash course on how big my family really is.
He shrugs. “I didn’t know what he was to you. I mean, yeah you have the same last name, but there’s gotta be a lot of Greenes in the world. Didn’t mean you were related.”
I raise both eyebrows.
“I was gonna tell you that he’s got feelings for the blonde on stage.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I think it was clear to everyone in that room. I just wouldn’t want you to be played.”
We’re interrupted by a chair scraping across the floor as Jed turns it around and straddles it. “Hey there.”
I shake my head. Noah glances at me before setting his focus back on Jed.
“Mandi?” Jed asks, his pen poised over his paper.
“I’ll just have a Razzle Dazzle.”
“And your guest?” He turns his attention to Noah.
Noah’s eyes narrow, but he picks up the small drink menu. “The flight.”
“Anything else?” Jed stares at me.
“Give us a minute to look at the menu.” I give him a smile I hope conveys “get the hell out of here.”
Jed taps his pen on his pad. “Sure thing.”
Then he leaves and I can breathe again.
Until Noah asks, “Do we know the waiter?”
“That’s Jed Greene, my brother.”
