I nod. “I’m in love with her.”
“Shit. First Rhett, then Trevor, and now you? I don’t think this could get any worse.”
“Don’t say that just yet,” I say, taking a drink of my beer.
“What do you mean?” Rhett asks hesitantly. “Who did you fall for?”
I take a deep breath, expecting to need to build up courage to speak. But surprisingly, it comes out easy. “Adley.”
Rhett blinks.
Cooper chokes, spewing beer across the table.
I lean back in my chair and hold my arms out. “I’m in
love with your sister. Like, crazy fucking in love with her. Flowers and hearts and all that shit. She’s the one. She’s it for me.”
Rhett blinks again. “Adley?”
I nod.
“My baby sister, Adley.”
I nod again.
This time, Rhett grins and turns to Coop. “You owe me a hundred bucks. Pay up, brother.”
I watch, stunned, as Coop digs his wallet out of his back pocket, pulls out a hundred-dollar bill, and slaps it into Rhett’s hand.
“I’m confused.”
Rhett holds the money up triumphantly and pulls at each end, making it snap. “I knew you two were sneaking around. I tried to tell Coop, but he didn’t believe me. So we made a bet.”
“How’d you know?”
“Because you look at her the same way I look at Mo. Noticed it several months ago.”
“And you’re not mad?”
His smile dies. “Fuck, yeah. I’m pissed. That’s my little sister, asshole.”
“I think there’s some written rule that we have to kick your ass,” Cooper adds.
“Shit.” I run my hands over my head, and Rhett starts laughing.
“We’re kidding.”
“You are?”
Rhett knits his brow. “Why do you look so surprised?”
“Because five years ago you told me she was off limits.”
“Five years ago we were cocky punks who’d just landed spots on the PBR. I didn’t want you anywhere near her.”
“I’m not that guy anymore.” I haven’t been since long before Adley came into my life.
“I know you’re not. That’s why I’m happy for you.”