Page 64 of Can't Text This

“Your girl left already?”

I nod toward the crowd. “Nah, just found new prey. You’re off the hook.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “That’s a relief. I don’t play for her team anyway.” He winks. “You ladies just wave or holler when you need a refill. I’m Kayden, by the way.”

“We will. Thank you, Kayden.”

He hurries off to his next table and I’m left alone.

Most people would be uncomfortable sitting by themselves in a crowded bar; not me though. I’m…at ease, solitary but comfortable. I’m in the middle of all the chaos but no one’s paying attention to me. It’s the best of both worlds.

I scan the bar, people watching like it’s my lifeline.

There’s a couple making out in the corner of the bar, another arguing, a few other lonesome patrons, and several groups of people who are obviously together celebrating something fun.

I look toward the bar, eyeing the customers on the stools, and I nearly fall off my own when my line of sight crosses over familiar tattoos.

His back might be facing me, but I know exactly who it is.

Robbie.

His head is bent toward a caramel-haired woman, her face full of laughter. She’s stunning, leggy, and tanned with wild, curly hair. She’s the exact opposite of me.

My heart sinks.

It’s not that Robbie’s “mine” or anything—he’s free to do what he wants—but I thought we hadsomethinggoing on.

You’re jumping to conclusions, Monty.

I’m right. Of course I’m right. I don’t know her. He might not even know her. It doesn’thaveto be a date. She could be a friend. She could be…

Perfect for him.

He throws his head back and laughs. She laughs harder, leaning toward him.

They look so good together, so happy.

I want to run and cry and bury myself in my bed until I stop thinking of him.

Instead, I rise from my seat and begin walking toward the bar.

I don’t make it far before Denny’s sliding in front of me, sweaty from the dancing.

“Hey,” she says, grabbing my hand and pulling me back to the table. “Rule number one of being at a bar: never leave your drink unattended. You could get drugged. Where ya headed?”

“I was going to the bar.”

She eyes my full glass then grins. “You were so gonna sneak some booze, weren’t you?”

“Do you even know me at all? I thought twins were supposed to be all-knowing about one another.”

“A girl can dream, Monty. Give me that at least. If you weren’t getting booze, what were you doing?”

“I…”

Ugh.I don’t know if I should tell Denny that Robbie’s here. She’ll embarrass me, approach him, probably berate himandme for being right about him playing me through texts.

I don’t want to deal with that.

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