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“I smell a whole lot of?—”
“Don’t make her uncomfortable,” I cut in before he could call her out.
“Don’t go all guard dog on me, Smith,” Hugh said, rolling his eyes. “She’s really got you wrapped around her little finger, huh?”
“It’s more like I know what all this town does. And what they think. She doesn’t, but I’ll let her be delusional for a little longer.”
A sharp elbow dug into my rib. “I’m right here.”
“Ow, go easy, princess.”
“When have you ever been easy?” she quipped back.
“Tell me again,” Hugh interrupted. “You’re friends?”
“Yep,” Mollie said.
“I thought I’d seen delusional when Tammy thought she could do a 5k with no training. Now, I realize I didn’t truly know what that was until I saw you two.”
“Friends might be a strong word.”
She thought Hugh was talking about friendship.
Dammit. She’d only proven him right.
“It’s nice to run into you, Mr. ...” She trailed off.
“Don’t remember me, huh?” He huffed. “Hugh Jeffries. Also known as the town grump. Well, at least I was until this guy came along.” He jerked a finger in Cain’s direction. “At least I socialize.”
“What do you think he’s doing now?” she asked.
Hugh harrumphed. “Still working on believing what I’m seeing. Pigs really do fly.” He held up his flask, presumably full of whiskey.
My hand curled around her elbow. “Come on. Let’s get this night over with.”
“You could at least sound excited.”
“Not on your life,” I muttered.
We walked into the bar without another word. Lucas’s band was playing country music, though with the rock twist he was known for. Most of the time, he was traveling to see Gabriel or playing in Nashville, so it was rare to see him back in town.
In high school, Lucas, Gabriel, and Jade had all been incredibly close. But then some sort of falling out had happened. Jadestill talked to Lucas, but not Gabriel, and she’d become friends with Grace in Gabriel’s absence.
Jade’s pink hair was noticeable in the crowd. As well as more people from high school that I hadn’t talked to since.
Most of them either ignored me or hated me. That didn’t bode well for the evening.
Mollie’s eyes were wide as she took it all in.
“That’s Lucas up there,” I said into her ear. “He’s friends with Jade and Gabriel, who left some time ago.”
“Jade had a thing with Gabriel!” she yelled.
“Keep your voice down.”
“Sorry,” she said. “But I do knowsomegossip.”
“Good. Then you’ll have fun being a part of it.”