Page 34 of Five Brothers

“Krisjen!” Trace bellows again. I roll my eyes, hearing several sets of boots trail behind me. I move the camera up to see him and his brothers.

“Where’s dinner?” he asks.

I look over my shoulder. “It’s in the kitchen. Get it yourself. I’m not serving you in front of everyone.”

“Just in private, then?” He flashes a smile as they all sit, and I catch sight of Iron watching me. “I’m really dirty,” Trace shouts. “Want to shower?”

Still holding the phone, I walk over to his table and snatch the tip left in the middle. Trace rises and grabs for me, but I hook myleg behind his, sweeping his leg out from under him, and push him back down in his seat.

His brothers laugh, and I walk away. “If he only wants to hang out with you when it’s dark outside, he’s a”—and I lower my voice to whisper as I talk into the camera—“fuckboy.”

“Ohhhhh,” Trace laughs like a good sport.

Army sits down with his son in his arms. Iron—I see through the camera—is staring at my ass.

I think it was him last night. It has to be. Has he ever noticed me before? Picking up signals is one thing I am good at.

But he is going to prison for three years. Pretty sure anyone looks good to him right now.

I stop filming, trim the footage, and add a background tune. I post it and stick my phone in my back pocket, seeing some people come in out of the corner of my eye.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” a familiar voice says.

I whip around and catch Clay and Liv just stepping through the door. I smile big, a flutter hitting my stomach as I wrap my arms around Liv, hugging her. And despite the fact that it’s only been eight weeks since she left for school, my eyes burn a little. I don’t mind the town being empty of all the people I used to know in school, but I missher.

I clear my throat, stepping back. “Long story,” I tell her. “But they needed help, and I was free. Staying long?”

“No …” She hooks her thumbs through the belt loops on her jeans. Her nipple pokes through one of Clay’s tank tops, which she probably borrowed because she forgot how hot it is here. Dart-mouth will be getting snow soon. “I head back tonight,” she tells me.

Just flew in for the weekend to see her girlfriend. How sweet. I’m jealous.

“I’m glad you’re around, though.” She rubs my arm. “Is Trace behaving himself?”

“God, no.” I peel off my apron. “But everyone loves him anyway.”

“Liv!” Army shouts.

She looks over at her brothers and then whispers to Clay. “Gimme a minute.”

She walks over to the table, Clay calling after her: “Grab a pie!”

I wait until Iron rises and wraps his arms around his sister before I grab Clay’s hand and pull her to the end of the counter at the back of the restaurant.

I’m glad I still have one friend who stayed home for college.

“I need to tell you something.” I sit down, but she remains standing. “I’ve been dying to talk to someone.”

“As long as you’re not pregnant …” she says.

My face falls, and I just sit there, my mouth hanging open like I can’t bear to tell her.

Her blue eyes bug out. “Oh God. No.”

I snort. “I’m kidding.”

She sighs, relaxing. “Well, what is it, then?”

I glance around, making sure we’re not in earshot, and lower my voice, leaning in close. “I had sex with someone last night. Not Trace.”

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