Page 148 of The Bodyguard

“Why not?”

“Because I’m terrified it might be true.”

“It’s definitely not true. Whatever it is. He’s dead wrong.”

“You don’t even know what he said.”

“That’s why you have to tell me.”

“I can’t!” I said, jumping to my feet and pacing around the fire pit.

Jack got up and paced with me. “Just tell me. I’m way too drunk to remember.”

I looked him over. I was good at judging these things. “You’re not even close,” I said.

But Jack was ready to make this happen.

He walked right up to face me and stood inches away. “You haven’t asked me for your safety pin back yet.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I got distracted by your mean-ass girlfriend.”

Jack lifted his hands to his leather necklace, unfastened the clasp, and lifted it off his neck, my safety pin still attached. “I never could find the necklace part,” Jack said, “so take the necklace, too.”

“That’s Drew’s necklace.”

“He wouldn’t mind.”

Jack was giving me Drew’s necklace? Something about that seemed like a very big deal.

Jack held the necklace and the pin out, like I was supposed to take them.

But as I reached out, Jack just gave me a mischievous smile, closed them both in his hand, and, instead, lifted his fist high above our heads.

My mouth fell open at the unfairness of it all.

“Give it!” I said, jumping for his hand.

“Maybe it’s a finders-keepers situation.”

“This is not cool.” I jumped some more.

“You’re hilarious. You’re like a Chihuahua.”

“Give it back!” I said, still jumping, using his shoulder for a boost.

“On one condition,” Jack said.

And when I stopped to find out what that was, he said, “Tell me what Bobby said to you.”

I started jumping again. “Never.”

“Okay, then, Stumpy. Kiss this fun little rattly thing goodbye.” He drew his fist back behind his head, like he was about to pitch my safety pin off into the pasture.

He wouldn’t. Of course he wouldn’t. But the threat of it was enough.

I sighed. I stopped jumping. I looked into Jack’s eyes. “Fine. But don’t call me Stumpy.”

“‘Fine’ what?”