Page 16 of Brim Over Boot
Instead, I’m planted next to the person who likes me least in all of Darling, getting some sort of sick thrill out of making him uncomfortable.
Christ. I really am an asshole.
“Another?” Virginia asks, stopping in front of me on the other side of the bar.
“Why not?” I answer.
She looks somewhat amused as she slides a second pint my way. Colton, noticing the new beer, sends me another glare.
I flash him a smile and take a sip.
His “argh” is audible, even over the din of the bar. He’s wearing his hat inside, but that isn’t all that uncommon. Even so, I want to pluck it off his head just to see what he’d do. I don’t give in to the impulse. Instead, I watch as Colton spins back toward Remington, signing something that looks angry and terse, based on his body language.
Remington, for his part, looks far less concerned. His response appears placating or perhaps soothing.
Deciding I’m far too invested in the two, I look away. Only to spot someone approaching in the reflection of the mirror behind the bar.
Crap.
“Hey, Noah,” Jenna says, stopping beside me on the opposite side of where Colton is sitting.
I give her a polite nod. “Jenna.”
“I don’t usually run into you outside the grocery store,” she says, leaning her weight against the bar top, her elbow on the surface.
I inch the tiniest bit away to give her more room. “Guess I don’t get out much,” I tell her, which is the truth.
She hums. “Wanna come sit over with me and my friends? There’s an extra chair.”
I glance at where she’s indicating, seeing a table with four other women around Jenna’s age. That is to sayyoung. “I’m good.”
She does that thing where she sticks her lips out, like a pout. “Fine. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”
“Yep.”
As Jenna walks off, Coltonutters a dry, “Wow.”
“What?” I ask.
He shrugs a shoulder. “Nothing. I’m just surprised you have an admirer, is all. What with that sunny attitude of yours.”
Remington groans, Colton having signed his words as he spoke. It’s a habit I’m fairly sure is ingrained in the man.
I wish I could say I don’t admire that, but it’d be a lie.
“I have no problem finding interested parties,” I tell him, enjoying the twitch at the corner of his eye.
“Mhm. Sure. Well, there’s an open seat now. So why don’t you just…” He shoos me with his hand.
“I’m good,” I assure him.
He nearly growls.
“Noah,” Remington says, startling me somewhat. I meet his eye, and he holds mine, signing something I have no hope of catching.
Colton groans, likely pained by our extended conversation. “He says, ‘How’s your uncle?’”
“Oh. Good, all things considered. Thanks for asking.”
