Page 83 of Dashing for Love

Goldie

???

Matty fessed up.

“Holy crap,” I whisper. Then I reconsider. Reid’s a crafty guy. Maybe this is just his way of ferreting out the truth. Deciding to admit to nothing, I simply repeat my text.

Goldie

???

Cut it out, Goldie. Come to Hall’s Balls and I’ll give you the rundown.

“Well, shit,” I say to my kitchen.

omw

My hands shouldn’t be shaking as badly as they are, but they clearly didn’t get the memo. Neither did my legs, because shifting gears in the Jeep is not nearly as smooth as normal.

Ten minutes later, I pull into the Hall’s Balls parking lot. I see Matty’s truck, and then there’s Reid’s. And Ox’s.

Good Lord. What am I walking into?

I check my reflection in the rearview mirror. I’m flushed and I look like I’ve been called to the principal’s office.

Considering that’s exactly how I feel, I’m not surprised.

Yes, I’m twenty-six. And apparently, my people-pleasing tendencies are in full bloom, because right now I want to run and hide until whatever all this is blows over and no one is mad at me anymore.

I blow out a breath.Here goes nothing.

I find Matty at the bar between Ox and Reid, with Anthony as bartender like always.

Matty must see something on Anthony’s face, because he’s the first to swivel around. His smile is sweet and unfiltered…for about two seconds. Then his expression falls, and Reid and Ox turn as one.

“Uh, hi guys!” I try really,reallyhard to sound as normal and unaffected as possible.

“They know.” Matty’s words are a little fuzzy. “I spilled all the tea.”

“Piping hot, too,” Ox jokes, but it doesn’t meet his eyes.

I study all of them, flitting my gaze to Anthony as well. As usual, his expression gives nothing away. “Okay.” I draw the word out. “Everyone knows.”

“They know,” Matty repeats.

Reid stands. “He can’t drive.”

I nod, feeling like I’m missing something crucial.

“Give her your keys, yeah?” Ox says softly, tossing bills onto the counter with a nod at his brother.

“Don’t act like you care.” Matty’s voice is ice cold. Then he closes his eyes and exhales, seeming to reset and try again. “I’m not wasted. Of course I’m not driving, but you don’t have to act like I’m fragile.”

Even still, he pulls his keys out of his pocket and hands them to me. I toss them in my tote.

“This is staying between us.” Reid looks at me meaningfully.

“Willa?” I ask.

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