Page 6 of My Ex-Best Friends

I wasn’t sure what to say. I tried to never go back to that place. The pain I’d felt after everything that happened was excruciating and never too far from the surface if I let my mind wander. I couldn’t tell them the truth. At least, not the whole truth. A version of the truth would have to be enough. “Things changed between us. I got scared that we’d messed everything up. I’dalways wanted to get away from Beaumont anyway and I guess I saw it as my chance to leave before things got ugly. It was wrong. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run from you guys.”

“Things changed because you let them.” Noah shook his head and when he looked at me again, his face was clear of the frustration that had been there. “Water under the bridge?”

Logan shrugged and nodded. “I don’t see much use in clinging to it.”

I looked at Colt and chewed on my lower lip. “Colt?”

He wouldn’t look at me. “Sure.”

Noah held up the bottle of tequila I’d brought. “There’s nothing a bottle of expensive liquor can’t fix.”

“That’s a short walk to AA meetings, asshole.” Logan took the bottle from him. “But tonight does call for liquor. Anyone need lime and salt?”

“Do I look like a fucking pansy?” Colt grabbed the bottle and headed out of the kitchen. “I’m not drinking in the kitchen. Come on.”

6

***Brooke***

Ilaughed and wiped my eyes as tears leaked down my cheeks. “She wouldn’t let me stay! She was in the middle of sex with some guy named Jimmy and I didn’t get the vibe she was stopping because of me.”

“Jimmy?” Noah let out a bark of laughter. “The only Jimmy I know is Jimmy Day.”

Horror nearly gagged me. I sat up straight and shook my head hard enough to make my hair fly around my face. “I only saw his ass and his very, very hairy thighs. Maybe some age spots. It couldn’t be Principal Day. Not even my mother would do that to me.”

“You saw Principal Day’s bare ass.” Logan snorted. “Serves you right. Everyone knows you can’t surprise Crazy Daisy.”

I took another shot and raised my eyebrows when it didn’t make me cringe. “I think I’m good and drunk.”

“That means it’s time for the invasive questions.” Noah sank into the couch next to me and smiled. His dimples were out in spectacular fashion. “Why’d you say yes to Finn Love?”

I groaned and flopped back on the couch. “I don’t know. It would’ve been awkward to say no.”

“You’re kidding.” Colt let out a bark of laughter. “No fucking way did you almost get married because saying no would’ve been awkward.”

I winced. “People were watching. And I left in the middle of getting my degree in art to chase him to Atlanta. I felt like I was fully in at that point. Because surely I wasn’t stupid enough to give up my dreams to chase a guy I didn’t even like all that much.”

Whistling, Logan sat on my other side and patted my head. “You really should see about getting your taste in men fixed.”

“Shit. Remember when she thought she was in love with Larry Banks?” Colt shook his head and took a swig straight from the bottle. “That guy nearly got you arrested on drug charges.”

“Oh, god. Yeah, he did. He told me the cops wouldn’t charge me because I was young and pretty. Even though I knew what he was saying was bullshit, I just smiled and went along with it.”

“And when you dated Kevin Norman? He was dating half of the high school but you swore up and down he was the love of your life.” Noah let out a quiet laugh. “And then you thought you were meant to be with that twenty-year-old you saw at the gas station begging for money for beer?”

I held up my hands. “Stop! I get it. I have terrible taste in men. The worst. I should never be able to pick a guy again.”

“I just don’t know how you get it wrong every time. There has to be something misfiring in your brain.” Colt sat across from me on the coffee table. “Have you considered a transplant?”

I stretched my leg out and lightly kicked his knee. “I get it. I’m an idiot with god awful taste. I’d just like to point out that I picked you three one night. What does that say about you?”

“Oh, we’re going to talk about that?” Logan grinned and fully turned to me. “This will be fun.”

I put my hands over my face. “Nope. Pretend I didn’t bring it up.”

Noah pulled my hands from my face and held them against my thigh. “Oh, no. You brought it up. For the record, we were the only good choice you ever made when it comes to men.”

A wave of heat hit me. “I kept my virginity until that night, so maybe I’m smarter than we’re all assuming.”

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