Page 24 of A Moment In Time

“Yeah. Whatever. Let’s see you beat it.”

Gage left the bar with Rand and Corbyn and went to stand with the group of bachelors next to the stage. The audience was all women. And it seemed to Gage it was most of the women in town.

He leaned into Corbyn’s ear. “Is it too late to back out?”

Corbyn took his arm. “Yes. If I have to do this. So do you.”

Gage glanced at Rand, who had moved a bit away from them. “I hope Wynter shows up.”

Corbyn smiled. “Our uncle is going to do just fine with or without Wynter.”

“Hmm. I guess we’ll see.” He spotted Sydney in the crowd of women and gave her a nod. She smiled and waved at him. Even in a room full of females, she stood out.

Corbyn nudged him. “When are you going to take your head out of your ass and ask her out?”

Gage shook his head. “Probably about the same time you do the same and ask Cassie out.”

“I have valid reasons for not doing that.”

“Such as?”

“I’m nine years older than her.”

“Not an excuse. How much older than Wynter do you think Rand is?”

“They’re not dating. They’re flirting. She lives in Eugene.”

“Just answer the question.”

“She’s a couple years older than Booker. So twenty years or so.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t seem to slow either of them down.”

“Like I said, she doesn’t live here. If she did. I’m pretty sure Rand would feel differently about the situation.”

“Nine years is nothing. You’ve known Cassie forever. She loves Rosie.” He gave Corbyn a playful punch to the shoulder. “You’re just scared.”

“Whatever.”

Rand joined them. “Are you two ready for this?” They both nodded. “What if…nobody bids on me?”

Gage laughed. “I have the same fear. Embarrassing as hell.”

Rand grinned. “At least I have the excuse of being too old. What will your excuse be?”

“Shit. Can I drop out?”

Both Corbyn and Rand took hold of his arms. “No. We have money riding on this.”

Chapter eight

"Seven dollars and forty-six cents."

The three Calaway men played rock, paper, scissors to see who would go first. They played three rounds and the man who lost the most times, would go first. That was Rand.

“Dammit. This is what happens when I sink down to you boys’ maturity level.”

Corbyn laughed. “I’m pretty sure you’re the first person who taught this game to me.”

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