Page 36 of Scars

“Hey, babe, why don’t you go grab us some beers? I gotta go take a piss.”

Jesus, take the wheel.I give him a forced smile and make my way over to the bar. After ordering two beers, I stand with my elbows propped against the bar top and focus on the television in front of me.

I can feel his gaze on me without looking over. The worst part is that I feel more than what I have all evening with Tripp.What the fuck is wrong with me?

It’s pretty busy in here with its Friday night crowd, so the bartender returns with the drinks just as Tripp returns from the restroom.

“Thanks, babe.”There’s that nickname again.He leans in for a kiss, and I panic, turning my head at the last second so his lips come in contact with my cheek. I fake cough to pretend that was why I turned my head. When I meet Tripp’s gaze, he doesn’t give anything away in his expression that he didn’t buy it.

The loud laughter rings out again, drawing his attention over the top of my head and straight at them. His eyes widen for a second, and I wonder if this is the first time he’s realized Cooper has returned home. He nods toward the crowd. “Want to go say hello to everyone?”

I pull the corner of my bottom lip between my teeth and glance over my shoulder to find Cooper staring right at me—at us—his grip tight on the glass bottle in his hand.

“Actually, I was thinking maybe we could head over there”—I point in the opposite direction—“and maybe play a game of darts.”

Something dances in Tripp’s eyes that makes me think he sees this as an opportunity to touch me more. It’s a chance I’m willing to take if it puts distance between us and Cooper. But the joke is on Tripp because I can actually hold my own.

“Lead the way, darlin’.” He extends his arm towards the high-top tables.

We find an empty table, and Tripp goes over to grab the darts while I set my beer and purse on the table just as my phone buzzes inside it. I retrieve it to see a text from Austin.I should rename him in my phone asfucking traitor.

Austin:I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were going to be here.

Austin:I can make up an excuse and get us to leave to go somewhere else.

Me:No, it’s fine. This town is big enough for all of us to be in.

The conversation I had with my sister the day after Cooper arrived home comes to mind, and I have to suppress the giggle picturing a Wild West showdown yet again. Part of me wants to ask him why he didn’t mention his company for tonight earlier, but Austin is a big boy and can hang out with whoever he wants without my permission.

Austin:How’s the date going? You ready to be called Future Mrs. PG13?

Oh, for fuck’s sake.Even though I’m too far away, I still look up and narrow my gaze toward his table. It’s not only the mention of Tripp’s nickname in high school but the thought of actually marrying him that threatens my dinner to make a grand reentrance.

Tripp Briggs’s nickname growing up was “PG” because of the doublepand doublegin his name, and when he got to high school, they added the 13 because of the reputation he had with the ladies. I believe the guys told me once that he lost his virginity as a freshman to a senior who was one of his brother’s friends.

Me:*middle finger emoji* Keep that up and don’t bother coming home. Maybe you can stay with your new bestie.

Austin:That good, huh?

I look over and see Tripp having a conversation with someone.Did he already forget about me?

Me:Something like that.

Austin:Need me to come running over and say we have to go because our house is on fire?

I snort. Clearly, he hadn’t thought this through, although I love his enthusiasm to rescue me.

Me:Yeah, probably not a good idea to fake a fire call to a damn firefighter.

Austin:Valid point. Just say the word and we’ll swoop in and save the day.

My jaw clenches when I notice he said “we’ll,” not just “I’ll.” Oh, I’m sure Cooper would fucking love that. I’m just about to reply that I can handle myself when a throat clears behind me.

“Everything okay?”

I jump at the sound of Tripp’s voice and the closeness of him. As his hand settles on my hip, I feel his front to my back.

I quickly shove my phone back in my purse before he can see the conversation. “Yeah, just my sister’s checking in on me.”Why did I just lie?Who is this woman I’ve turned into lately? Constantly spewing lie after lie.

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