Page 26 of Danger

“That’s true. I’d know because I am one.” Charming winks, replacing my drink with a new one.

Charming is almost too attractive for real life, and he knows it. Those dimples are Honey's problem. She just doesn’t know that yet.

I sneak a glance over my shoulder like I’m being subtle about it. I amnotbeing subtle about it.

Knox is the first one I spot—tall, blond, big easy smile. The kind of guy who probably says something dumb and sweet at the same time and gets away with it. Definitely funny. Definitely dangerous in thatyou’d accidentally tell him your life storykind of way.

I spot Trouble next. Already tried that. And taken.

Then there’s Rogue.

I pause.

Okay, yes. He’s attractive. Unfortunately. I watch him throw a dart that sails directly over the head of a man he knows, and he just grins like attempted manslaughter is part of his personality.

Yeah. No. I enjoy being alive.

But dating one of Trouble’s brothers? Absolutely not. Hard pass. I could never. There are lines in life you just do not cross, and romantic involvement with your ex’s brother feels like one of them.

There are a few other bull riders mixed in, all hats and boots and belt buckles, but none of them really stick. Nice to look at, sure. Just… not for me.

And suddenly I have the overwhelming urge to drown myself in seltzer for even thinking that if Danger were back there, he’d automatically win best looking man in the room. In this bar.

Cool. Great. Love that for me.

Too bad he falls under the very strict category of men I am absolutely not allowed to find attractive.

But it doesn’t help that my brain refuses to let go of the mental image of when I walked in on Danger.

Refuses.

The tight set of his jaw. The way his tan skin still managed to flush. The look on his face like he forgets how to breathe when he’s focused on something.

Really useful information for me to have about my ex’s older brother.

Nope. Not thinking about it. Not replaying it now.

I need a cold shower… and possibly holy water.

“I’ll let ya know what I’m thinking after a few more of these,” I say, holding up my drink.

Honey nudges Charming. “Just noticed you’re missin’ a brother out there. Didn’t force Danger out tonight?”

“Nah, I think even mama was even tryin’ to get him to have some fun tonight.”

Sawyer sips. “Mhm. Man would rather spend quality time with a two-ton bull than with actual humans.”

Honey has already turned her attention back to serving someone else, flashing a smile over her shoulder.

“Bathroom break,” I announce, scooting off my stool. The room is spinning just slightly—a pleasant kind of unsteady, the kind that makes you feel untouchable.

I start to weave through the crowd I didn’t realize got so big, and that's when I run straight into her.

It’s a textbook set-up—just like a teen movie cliche—but this is real life and the mean girl who tortured me growing up is standing six inches from my face.

Rylee Whitmore.

The same perfect beach-blonde, the same Super Bowl commercial teeth, the same unfair rack. Her left boob isn’t bigger than the other like mine, and now she’s stuffed into a dress that I’m sure costs more than anything I own.