Page 75 of Here With Me

“Don’t miss!” I shout just as he takes his shot.

“Goddammit, Noah!” He shoves me, which pushes me into Fisher. He wasn’t lying about not leaving my side.

“Shit, sorry,” Wilder says to Fisher.

“What ’bout me, jerk?”

“You made me miss, so no.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re too drunk to play anyway.”

“Then why am I winnin’, huh?” He leans his smug face closer to mine. “I’m up a hundred bucks.”

“Wow, they must be takin’ pity on ya,” I taunt.

“You wanna play me next and see?”

“Nah, I just came to tell y’all we’re headin’ out. Y’all have rides?”

Tripp comes over, and his eyes scan above my head to Fisher standing suspiciously close to me. “I’m drivin’. I stopped drinkin’ a couple hours ago.”

“Where’s your truck?” Landen asks me.

“At the restaurant. Figured we didn’t need to both drive when we’re goin’ to the same place.” I shrug, hoping they don’t ask any more questions. It was awkward enough having to explain why I was going to a fancy restaurant with my ex and his dad in the first place.

“You never told us how dinner went with your twodates...” Waylon muses as if Fisher isn’t here.

“Oh, because that’s none of your damn business.” I cross my arms, hoping they get the hint to shut the hell up.

Wilder chuckles. “Because your ex is dryer than a loaf of expired bread.”

“Dude!” I smack his shoulder. “Don’t be rude.”

“Yeah, Wilder...manners,” Landen singsongs in a mocking high-pitched tone meant to mimic our mother. If anyone’s getting yelled at by our mother, it’s always Wilder.

“Alright, I’m leavin’. Y’all bein’ assholes.”

“Fisher, you sober?” Tripp shoves his hands in his pockets and watches him.

“I had one drink at the restaurant hours ago and have had only water since then.”

Tripp nods with approval and then asks, “Where’s Magnolia?”

“Went to some dude named Derik’s house.”

Tripp’s jaw sets as his lips tighten, and he shifts between his feet.

And because I want to see his reaction, I add, “He was hot, too. She was halfway to gettin’ knocked up on the dance floor before they finally left.”

Tripp turns and walks around the pool table, then grabs a pool stick. I halfway wait for him to snap it in two.

A part of me feels bad, but if he has a problem with Magnolia hooking up with guys, then he needs to finally admit he likes her.

“Ready?” Fisher asks me.

“God, yes.” I wave goodbye and follow him to the exit.

“Tripp didn’t look happy,” he says, placing his hand on my lower back as we walk to my truck.