Page 129 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
“A natural Viagra,” Wyatt chokes.
“You need to talk to someone.” Dean wipes away actual tears streaming down his face.
“It was my nervous system, fuckers,” I snarl, feeling my anger rising.
“Your body’s defense mechanism is a raging hard-on?” Dean shakes his head. “Bro, I can’t. I’ve seen less awkward porn setups.”
“Screw you guys.”
“Next time, throw in a couple of bees and see if you hit full climax.” Levi unfolds a chair.
“If she didn’t know how you felt about her before, she does now.”
I slam the lid of the bin shut so hard that it breaks.
“None of this would’ve happened if you assholes didn’t leave us stranded together!” The words fly out, full of raw frustration. “My balls are on fire! It’s like they’re burning alive. This isn’t a joke. I had an erection that wouldn’t quit, no matter how cold the shower was—and jerking off? Not happening. My cock’s swollen from the bites. Swollen. And it feels like I’m being torched from the inside out!”
The air dies.
Laughter cuts off like a bad joke.
Silence crashes over us, sharp, heavy, and final.
Then I see it’s not only us. Every stall has gone quiet, and all eyes are locked on us.
23: LASSO AND CAPTURE
HART
––––––––
“SHIT.”
That’s all I can manage. Just...shit.
The word hangs in the air like smoke after a gunshot.
“Sorry ‘bout the outburst.” Dean tosses a pack of jerky between his hands. “He only screams like that when he’s hungry. You should see him at family dinners.” He shakes out a tent side and fastens it to give us privacy.
I’m grateful.
“Listen, Hart,” Levi starts. “We just thought if you and Jade got together alone—”
“We’re not you and Hope,” I hiss, hunching into a bin. “Stop treating us like we are.” Even as I say the words, I taste their deception, and jealousy snakes through me.
I push it down. I push it so deep down, my insides hurt. I won’t—can’t—go there. It’s too late.
“Sorry, man. Our bad.” Now Levi is sincere, but it doesn’t stop the anger pulsing through me.
I’m livid for the entire afternoon and well into the evening. Livid at my brother’s for stranding me alone with her and livid at her for exposing something I believe is pretty damn personal.
When we finish the booth, I hang back and let my brother drive the bus to the campsite before the deadline.
I’m exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I need space.
I need quiet.
