Page 6 of Rumor Has It

“Here you go, peaches,” Garrett says.

He sets down what can only be described as a monstrosity of a drink in front of Kelly Ann. First of all, it’s in a fish bowl and blue. There are slices of fruit and like, four umbrellas poking out the top.

Kelly Ann takes a sip and smiles. “Joke’s on you, Garrett. This tastes delicious.”

I laugh.“I can’t believe Wade agreed to make that.”

“The thing cost me twenty bucks, but I doubt you’ll need to buy any more alcohol, given the size. Enjoy,” Garrett says, puckering his lips at Kelly Ann.

And that’s the most civil they’ve been in the past five years.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. He’s here.My hand smooths down my hair again, but I don’t even think I asked it to do that. Colin walks toward us with a couple of my coworkers. Behind him, I see Emma arriving as well, which means most of the gang is here. God, look at that smile. Those eyeglasses. I don’t know what it is about a visually impaired man, but I can’t help myself. He’s so hot, I could cry.

I can feel Theo’s eyes on me as he begins shaking his head and getting up, but I don’t care. I have a mission, and it’s clear as day—acquire Colin Briggs tonight.

FIVE

THEO

Ellie’s got that look in her eyes. That man-eating intense stare she gets when someone’s caught her special attention. I will say she doesn’t get it often, so I head to the bar to give her a moment alone with the new guy. I figure I’ll bring her back another shot of tequila for bravery. And I’ll grab Colin a beer to welcome him in. Although if I’m being honest, he doesn’t look like much to me. But what kind of friend would I be if I said that out loud? A shitty one.

“Hey, Wade,” I say. “Let me get three more beers and another two shots.”

Wade wipes down the bar top in front of me and nods. He’s only a couple of years older than us, but when his grandpa died, he left the bar to Wade in his will. Hop was what everyone called the old man. I have no idea what that was short for, but Wade never changed it when he took over. This will always be Hop’s Bar.

“Who is the new guy?” he asks, setting down the beers.

“His name is Colin. Just started at the school, I guess.” I reach into my pocket for my credit card so he can start a tab.

Wade grunts, which is what he does when he wants to say something but isn’t going to.

“You know, I just always thought Ellie and you would—”

“I’m going to stop you right there, man. A very long-ass time ago, when we were in sixth grade, there was a game of spin the bottle that turned into the two of us dating for exactly one week. It didn’t work. I think we’re past that now. She’s my best friend, and that’s good for me.” I carefully balance all the drinks in my hands and head back toward the table.

“I thought I was your best friend?” Wade yells from behind me.

I roll my eyes. At one time or another, just about everyone in our circle has hinted about Ellie and I dating. Sure, it’s less frequent than it used to be, but someone still pokes that bear now and again. Ellie and I are happy the way we are.

“Emma,” I say. “Tell your cousin to mind his own business.”

“What’s Wade up to now?” she asks, as I hand her one of the beers.

“You know him,” I say. “Good to see you, though.”

“Likewise,” she says. “I wasn’t sure if I could make it. Work’s been wild this week.”

She swigs from her beer and turns her attention to Garrett. They dated for like a month in high school and it was a disaster, but they’re good friends now.

“Here you go, Ellie,” I say, placing the shot in front of her. “And you must be Colin.” I hand him the beer. “Welcome to Cardinal Falls.”

“Thanks, man,” he says. “Ellie was just telling me about you.”

“Oh, really?”

“I was telling him about the whole group,” Ellie says. “Now let’s do this shot so I’m ready to dance.”

She licks the salt from the back of her hand a little more slowly than normal. Colin’s eyes are glued to her. It’s not hard to see what’s happening. She throws back the shot without flinching and then bites her lime wedge. The look on his face is priceless—he’s clearly impressed by her shot-taking skills.

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