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“And me,” Joe added. “One from each town.”
“Fair enough.”
Jack read out the rules he’d hastily googled, and then they started.
Ted felt Buster’s strength and thought it was going to be a tough match. Behind them, their friends urged them on. Buster got the better of him; Ted dug it in and got the better to Buster.
“I have to say, this is impressive,” someone said.
“It’s called brute strength.”
Ted felt Buster ease back and knew he was going in for the kill, so he applied pressure and managed to get the win.
The Ryker boys were ecstatic. Buster smiled and shook Ted’s hand.
“I’ll be wanting a rematch when I return.”
“Maybe we can come to you next time. Have a boys’ weekend in Lake Howling?” Ted said before he could stop himself.
“Deal.” He went in for a shoulder bump with Buster.
“Hey there, Mandy.”
Ted spun and saw she was standing a few feet away in that hideous dress. Had she watched the wrestling? Her eyes didn’t give anything away.
“You brought us some lunch, little girl?” Ethan wandered over and placed a sweaty arm around her shoulders. “Almost makes a man wish he wasn’t married when he sees a lady as beautiful as you.”
Mandy wouldn’t buy that BS, surely.
“The thing is, Teddy Bear, women love compliments no matter how much they say otherwise,” Fin said, coming to his side. “Mandy’s like one of those little chicks who have had a rough start by falling out of the nest early in life. They need building up. Compliments go a long way toward that.”
“She won’t buy into that smooth-talking Texan’s shit.” He watched as color filled her cheeks when Ethan took the basket of food from her.
“You sure about that?”
He wasn’t, actually. He watched as she smiled; it was small but genuine.
“The strong silent type only goes so far, bud. A woman likes to know a man sees her.”
“Why would I need to see Mandy Robbins?” Ted made himself say. “She’s a friend, and barely that. We’re two different people from two different worlds.”
“That live in the same town. Go figure.”
“Friends,” Ted said again, with more force.
Fin shrugged. “Sure, if you say so.”
“I do.”
“Okay then. My bad for thinking otherwise. Nice work on the arm wrestle, by the way. You redeemed yourself after that pathetic display with the basketball.”
“I’m still learning. Not everyone came out of the womb shooting hoops.”
“You didn’t?”
Ted shook his head but didn’t elaborate. How had Fin noticed his interest in Mandy? Did the others see it? Was it really interest, or was he just curious about the woman?
Curious sounded better, and a lot less threatening.
