Page 20 of Perfect Pact

“I guess it is.” Jase half-ass laughs. “Anyway, they’re the reason we’re here.” He throws his thumb over his shoulder toward some Tom Cruise in Top Gun wannabe wearing aviators and carrying a six pack in his hand. “My cousin Cole and I have strict orders to help you with whatever you need.”

This small town really is small. People have been coming out of the woodwork to pay their respects, I’m just not used to…any of this—especially not Maverick and Goose showing up with beer instead of brownies like this is an everyday thing.

“Dusty Jacobs…” the guy calls out, “long time no see, man.” He takes the steps two at a time, careful not to knock the bottles around. “It’s been forever.” Cole holds his arms out wide. “What do you say, brother?”

I look over my shoulder, wondering what this guy is on. I don’t know him from Adam.

“Ah…” Cole eyes Jase from the side. “He’s leavin’ me hangin’. You know how I hate that.”

“Is he for real?” I point to Cole while begging Jase for help.

“Ignore him. He’s like the monkeys at the zoo. The more attention you give them, the more they show off.”

“Too late.” Cole steps into the entryway and wraps an arm around my shoulder as he pulls his aviators down. “But I forgive you.” He winks, clicking his tongue.

“Forgive me for what?”

“Come on.” He guides me through the house as if he owns the place. We make our way into the family room. “Where the hell is the kitchen?”

“Through there.” I nod toward the hallway. “And to the left.”

“Cole, give the man a break.” Jase rubs the back of his neck. “Hell, give me a break.”

“It’ okay.” I break free from Cole and try to figure this guy out. “I’m curious about this forgiveness he’s granting.”

“Yes! I’m like a genie.” Cole jumps up and down, pointing. “The keeper of forgiveness. Granting second chances one apology at a time.”

“Here we go.” Jase hangs his head, defeated.

I know Cole is getting on Jase’s nerves, but he seems like a pretty decent guy. A little outrageous, but more on my level. I’ve never been one to take anything too seriously. Life is too short to be worrying about the little things.

“Yeah…” Cole leans in and whispers, “he’s just sad because his superpower is blue balls. A certain someone came to town, and his boys are practically bursting at the seams.”

I can’t help it. I burst out laughing.

“You know I can hear you.” Jase throws his hands up while Cole continues.

“Anyway, back to what I was saying, Dusty. I forgive you for buying the last bag of Twizzlers.”

“Twizzlers?” I mumble. I haven’t bought a single piece of candy since I arrived. All the raspberry lemon tarts? That’s another story.

“It was about twenty years ago. I ran all the way to the grocery store from the school to buy Brittany a bag of Twizzlers so she would be my girlfriend. Except you and Mr. Jacobs beat me to it.”

“Um…”

“Like I said, it’s fine. I got over it. Brittany wasn’t the girl for me. I’ve moved on.”

“That’s good?” I ask it more as a question, unsure where he’s going with this story.

“But it’s a good thing I ran into you because you made it on my list.”

“Here we go.” Jase hooks his finger in the back of Cole’s T-shirt and yanks him back. “We have shit to do, man. Not talk about your stupid list.”

“Gasp…” He swats at Jase’s hand. “Get the fuck off me.”

“Not until you learn the art of less is more.”

“Really?” Cole wiggles out of Jase’s grip, then spins around to face him. “Joey seems pretty satisfied with mymore.”

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