Page 40 of Mine to Take

I grunt in answer.

When I remain silent, River glances at his phone for the umpteenth time. “As much fun as this has been, I need to take off. My sister’s outside waiting for me.”

“Oh?” Hayes turns gleeful at that bit of news. “Be sure to give her a big hello from me. It’s been way too long since we’ve seen one another.”

“Yeah, sure.”

With one final glare in my direction, River takes off, disappearing through the front entrance.

“That was a fun surprise. Who knew there’d be dinner and a show?”

“Shut the hell up, Van Doren,” I grumble, staring at the doors River just shoved through.

For reasons I can’t explain, it’s tempting to follow him out to the parking lot. Even stranger than that, I actually consider the merits of it for a second or two before shooting down the idea.

The last thing I need is to get into another fight with the guy.

But still…

I can’t shake the weird feeling that’s fallen over me.

As Hayes settles at the table, I blurt, “Do you have any idea who his girlfriend is?”

I hold my breath, hating that I even asked the question.

But I need to know.

His expression turns cagey as he shakes his head. “Sorry, dude. Not a clue.”

As everything deflates inside me, I do the only thing I can and attempt to move the fuck on with my life.

It’s easier said than done.

13

Willow

My palms dampen with nerves as my gaze stays trained on the entrance of Taco Loco. When there’s still no sign of my brother, I fire off another text, trying to hasten him along. It’s been more than ten minutes since I sprinted from the restaurant like my ass was on fire. River should have been right behind me.

How long does it take to pay the check?

My mind spirals, imagining the worst-case scenario.

I really hope he and Maverick aren’t getting into it. Those two can’t be within ten feet of each other without coming to blows.

If Maverick thinks I’m with River, he might decide to throw it in my brother’s face.

A little payback for past transgressions.

As far as I know, that’s all Saturday night was to him—Maverick taking something that belonged to River.

A pit settles at the bottom of my belly. I really hope that wasn’t the case. It would really suck if the best sex of my life turns out to be nothing more than a revenge plot.

A way to lash out at my brother.

I shift on the leather seat of River’s SUV and stare out the passenger side window, silently willing my twin to walk out. The tacos I’d eaten for lunch threaten to make an unexpected appearance.

Just as I open the home screen of my phone to fire off yet another text, River shoves through the glass doors and stalks toward the vehicle.

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