Page 15 of Brim Over Boot
“Well, what can I get for two of my favorite Darlings?” Virginia asks.
Remi and I both order beer. As Virginia fills our pint glasses, I swivel on my stool and take in the crowded bar.
Remi taps my arm, having noticed my wandering gaze.‘Don’t tell me you brought me here to be your wingman,’he signs.
I shake my head quickly.‘No, of course not,’I answer, even though Iwasthinking about the possibility of picking someone up if the opportunity presented itself.
My brother merely snorts.‘Don’t lose your hat this time.’
I pat it more firmly onto my head, turning back around to thank Virginia as she drops off our drinks.
A prickling at my back has me glancing over my shoulder again. Licking the beer foam from my lip, I set eyes on the very last person I wanted to see tonight.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter under my breath.
Remi turns in my periphery, likely having caught my reaction, but my focus is on Noah King as the door shuts behind him. His eyes sweep over the interior of the bar quickly, his broad form covered in jeans and a simple black t-shirt topped by his usual leather jacket. He brushes his hair back, mussed maybe from his motorcycle helmet, although it always looks a little tousled. I don’t know why he keeps it shaved so close on the sides, like he thinks he’s some sort of hotshot instead of a small-town farrier with a superiority complex.
The man’s eyes lock with mine, and I turn away, facing my beer.
“Colt,” Remi says to get my attention, raising his hands once I look his way.‘Tell me you’re not going to start something.’
‘I’m not,’I sign back quickly.‘Why would I?’
He lifts an eyebrow, andyeah, I guess I get it. He knows secondhand about the festival and firsthand about me following Noah at the farm supply store. Both stupid mistakes—snap decisions—I won’t be making again.
In fact, I’ve decided my new goal in life will be staying as far away from Noah as possible.
“Little Colt,” the man himself says, his presence heavy at my side. I suck in a breath as he seats himself at the stool next to me.
“Really?” I ask. “You’re gonna sit there?”
“No other seats,” he replies easily, but I swear the fucker delights in toying with me. I’m sure he’d get a lot of satisfaction out of pressing charges if I finally give in to my temptation to slug him in his stupid fucking face.
“You’re a dick,” I answer, keeping myself faced forward.
He huffs a laugh and orders a stout from Virginia.
Remi prods my arm again and raises an eyebrow in question. It’s ado you want to get out of herelook. I shake my head, assuring him everything is fine.
It is.
I’ll be damned if I let Noah King get to me. The man means nothing, and it’s about time he got the memo.
Chapter 6
Noah
ColtonDarlingisdoinghis absolute best to pretend I’m invisible.
And failing spectacularly.
Honestly, it’s so amusing I’m having a hard time not laughing. But he might actually punch me if I do that, so I pretend I can’t see the glares he throws my way every so often, followed by his head whipping quickly away.
If I liked the guy, I’d worry for the safety of his neck.
Colton and Remington are having a conversation I can’t understand, not that I’m making a point of intruding on what is clearly private and meant for just the two of them. But even if I did try, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the speed of their ASL. I only know a few words and phrases, enough to communicate with Remington in a pinch, not that I’ve ever needed to.
I’m not entirely sure why I’m sitting here, nursing my stout. My plan was to stop in, pick up a growler to take home, and enjoy an evening in front of the TV.
