Page 31 of My Ex-Best Friends

We had to park at the back of the field that had been turned into a parking lot and walk the distance to the entrance but we talked easily about the weather and our prior trips to the fair. Once Billy paid for our tickets, we headed inside and made our way around the booths of games. I tried to knock a bunch of bottles down, Billy tried to get a ping pong ball inside a small hole, and we both took our chance at fishing a prize out of a kiddie pool. Then we stood in line for fried oreos and giant pickles.

Billy chose front row seats in the school stadium for us to watch the football game. It wasn’t what I would’ve chosen but he seemed excited to watch the game so I went with it.

I took a giant bite out of my pickle and glanced over at him. He was looking back at me, fried oreo shoved into his mouth. It was silly but we both started laughing. I nearly choked on pickle juice and he reached over to pat my back while I tried not to spit up pickle.

“Good god. That was embarrassing.” I grinned at him and shook my head. “Seriously, I think it’s pretty obvious that it’s been a long time since I went out on a date.”

“Same. You’re doing great, though.” He tapped his own pickle against mine. “To dating?”

“To dating.” I smirked. “May the bitch spend an eternity stubbing her toe.”

He threw his head back and laughed, drawing the attention of everyone around us. It was a big, happy laugh, and I realized that he reminded me of a big golden retriever. I wanted to ruffle his hair and pinch his cheeks. It sucked. He was an attractive man who made me laugh but I felt nothing romantic.

The game started on the field but I mostly kept my attention elsewhere. I could hear the announcer call out the three names I didn’t want to hear every so often and I made sure to keep my attention on Billy. He was into the game but we’d also settled into a light conversation about our dating history. It started out light anyway. And then I figured I’d throw my most recent failure out there.

“Yeah, so I don’t know if the guys told you but I ran away from my own wedding less than two weeks ago.” I watched his eyes go wide. “I caught him cheating on me with my boss that morning. It wasn’t just a runaway bride thing.”

He shook his head. “Good for you. Cheating is… I just don’t understand. If you want to fuck someone else, just break up with your partner. It’s not that complicated.”

I heard the pain in his voice and reached out to touch his wrist. “Sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience there, friend.”

He met my gaze and then looked away after a moment. I was watching him closely so I didn’t see the football until it was hitting him in the face. It scared the hell out of me and I screamed.

“Billy! Are you okay? What the fuck?” I picked up the football and glared down at the field. Standing with his hands on his hips was Noah, a dark frown on his face. I threw the ball back towards the field and leaned into Billy’s space to check on him. “Jesus. I’m pretty sure your nose is broken.”

“I thought Noah was a good quarterback? How the hell did he throw so far off course?” Billy pinched the bridge of his nose and kept his head back as blood trickled down his lip.

“Come on. There’s a first aid tent around here somewhere.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and helped him up. “Assholes.”

“What?”

I forced out a sigh. “Nothing. Sorry.”

“You know… I was wondering why Noah and Logan were glaring up at me, along with their other friend, Colt, but I think I get it now.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder for support. “I just don’t understand why the hell they set us up if they clearly want you for themselves.”

26

***Noah***

Ifelt her coming before I saw her. Like a raging storm, she blew into the house in that tiny dress she’d worn for fucking Billy Dorn. Her eyes were twin green balls of fire as she spotted me sitting at the kitchen island. Logan was sitting on the other side of the island and Colt was leaning against the fridge. We were the picture of moody assholes. Brooke didn’t give a shit, though. She wasn’t scared of us.

“What the fuck was that, Noah? I’ve watched you throw about a million passes and you’ve never once managed to hit a fan in the stands. Which leads me to believe you nailed Billy in the face on purpose. That can’t be the case, though, because that would be the most childish, ridiculous move you’ve ever pulled and that’s more my thing than your thing. What gives?”

The dress she was wearing should’ve been a fucking crime. It was taking me longer than it should’ve to reply because all I could see were her curves. I knew what they tasted like. Billy Dorn didn’t. He never would.

“Well?” Hands on her hips, she was a vision.

“The ball slipped.” I shrugged and picked up my beer. “Accidents happen.”

Her chest and ears went bright red. Then she picked up a roll of paper towels and threw them at me. They hit my can and sent beer flying everywhere. “I guess you’re right. Accidentsdohappen.”

Colt snorted and she turned her dark gaze on him. He held up his hands like the whole thing with Billy hadn’t been his idea. “I didn’t throw the ball.”

“No, you just glared at the poor guy all night. With your beady little eyes!” She stomped her foot and then got a mean glint to her gaze. “I fucked him. He was such a great guy that I just knew it was meant to be and I fucked him right outside of the fair. Was that what you guys were hoping for? Or did you want him to fuck off and stay away from me? I’m not quite sure which message you’re trying to send.”

Colt growled and was halfway across the kitchen before Logan put his arm out and stopped him. “You didn’t.”

She let out an angry shout. “Of course, I didn’t!”

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