Page 14 of Out in the Country

“Let’s take a walk, Everett.” Rhea loops her arm with his and is pulling him— none too gently—toward the garden path.

I sigh and walk up to where Sorren is now standing on the patio.

“That’s my drink.” I point at the tumbler on the ledge, and he eyes it before picking it up and dumping the contents into the grass below. My mouth falls open, and his lips twitch.

“Looks like you need another. Let’s go.” He slaps me on the back and then does that shoulder squeeze thing that older people usually do when they think you’re fucking up.

Am I fucking up? I honestly have no idea at this point.

7

HAYDEN

Sorren and I make our way to the bar in silence, and he orders a soda for himself and a whiskey for me.

“So…” he prods as he takes a sip of his drink. I lift my glass from where my hand grips it on the bar, but Sorren puts his hand on my arm, pushing it back down to the polished maple surface.

I frown.

“Talk.”

“He’s my best friend.”

“And?”

“He’s straight.”

“You sure?”

“Maybe not.”

“And?”

“You’re annoying, you know that?”

“Then maybe you should talk faster so we can both get on with our evenings.” I lift my arm again, and he pushes it back down to the bar top. Huffing, I cross my arms—sans glass—over my chest.

“He kissed me, and I don’t know how I feel about it because he’s never so much as hinted that he’s ever been anything other than straight. I don’t want to lose him because he thinks he wants to mess around for a good time.”

Sorren lifts one eyebrow, assessing. “I don’t really know you or Everett well, but I can say with near certainty that Ev doesn’t do anything without thinking it through.”

Swallowing hard, I look away. “It’s not that simple.”

“Are you sure?”

Am I? Not even a little, but I can’t take that chance either.

“What if he changes his mind?”

“There are no guarantees, but I’m pretty sure that guy isn’t throwing your entire friendship away for a quick fuck.”

I glare and he shrugs.

“You asked for my help.”

“I did no such thing.”

“Okay. So now ask.”