Page 5 of Thick & Thin

Moonshine.

With my eyes locked on JJ’s, I lifted the jar and took a large gulp. Fire rolled over my tongue before streaking down the back of my throat when I swallowed.

“Whew,” I said, trying to remain in control of the burn.

JJ’s grin grew. “Damn, girl!”

“What can I say? I guess my balls are just bigger than yours.”

I knew I was adding fuel to the fire. JJ had already been drinking quite a bit, and his eyes were red and watery.

“You think so, huh?”

I nodded, handing him the jar. “Yep.”

“Prove it.”

“She doesn’t have to prove anything. Shut the fuck up, J. Leave her alone.”

Josh’s words didn’t penetrate JJ’s glare. He stared me down, daring me, and I never walked away from a dare.

JJ stepped closer, blocking my view of the water, his body cut perfectly yet still smaller than Josh. My eyes dipped over his chest, and he shook his hair out and grinned at me when he caught me staring. “Come on, Jenny. Put your money where your mouth is. A hundred bucks says you won’t jump with us.” He nodded to the bridge over us.

“You’re full of shit,” I said, piling more sand over my toes.

“I’m serious. You jump, and I give you a hundred dollars.”

“You’re stupid.”

“No, I’m just sure you won’t do it. You’re not as tough as you let on.”

I chuckled and shook my head. These fuckers really had no idea who they were messing with. Guess I was about to be as stupid as the rest of them and jump from the bridge like a moron.

I stood, swiping the sand off the back of my men’s swim trunks. I walked up to him, his six-feet-one height towering over my five-feet-two self. Reaching out, I snatched his hand, the sand from my palms sticking to his, and shook it. “Deal. I’ll take twenties.”

I turned to follow a small group of guys headed for the rock-covered hill, but before I got too far, Josh reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“You’re not seriously going to jump, are you?” His brows were pulled low.

He was worried.

Josh worried about me a lot.

It was what friends did.

“Um … yes.”

“Fuck him. You know you don’t have to do this, right?” His long, slender fingers wrapped around my wrist, holding me back.

“I know. I want to.”

“Don’t be stupid, Jenny. It’s dangerous.”

I pulled my arm free and grinned. “It’s like you don’t even know me.”

“Yeah, Jenny. Listen to him. It’s too dangerous,” JJ said as he passed me on his way to the hill.

“She won’t do it!” someone called out.

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