Jase leaned toward Cole. “Ida Wasinski is devouring a plate of wings at the table to your left. She’s the biggest gossip in Crimson, and she’s watching you like you’re covered in buffalo sauce.”
“You can’t cut me off.” The burn of the alcohol was the only thing that could ease the stabbing pain in his heart. Cole drained his glass, then pushed it toward David. “You think I’m going to be arrested if I have another drink?”
David shook his head. “I think you’re going to keep running your mouth, which might be worse.”
“Bring the lawman a drink, barkeep.”
Cole groaned as Shep slapped him on the shoulder.
David’s eyes widened and he swore under his breath. Jase swiveled his seat so he was facing the two Bennett brothers.
“That must have been one hell of a pour,” he said, glancing toward his empty glass. “Because I’m seeing double.”
“Not for long,” Cole muttered. “Get out of here, Shep.”
“In your dreams.” Shep settled on the barstool next to Cole. “I take it my brother the sheriff didn’t spend his off-duty hours regaling you with clever anecdotes from our twinsie childhood.”
“They know about you.”
“Hypothetical knowing and real-life seeing are different things,” Jase said, rubbing a hand over his eyes. “Put your faces next to each other’s so I can compare your features.”
Cole rolled his eyes. “Kiss my—”
“Another round for everyone,” David said quickly. He poured liquor into three glasses, then got called to the other end of the bar.
“My brother,” Shep said, leaning back to speak directly to Jase, “never loses control.”
Jase held up his glass as if he was toasting Cole’s self-control. “He’s a steady force in this community. A real prize.”
“A prize,” Cole muttered with a sharp laugh. “Gee, thanks.”
“Which makes whatever’s going on tonight all the more intriguing.” Shep tapped a finger on his chin as if he was pondering the future of the world. Cole wanted to punch him.
“What brings you to Crimson, Shep?” Jase asked.
Cole might be damn angry with his best friend, but he could still appreciate that Jase was trying to distract Shep. Cole sure as hell didn’t want to share anything about his feelings for Sienna with his twin. Even without details and not factoring alcohol into the equation, Shep had to be able to sense how upset Cole was and that meant giving his brother too much power.
“I bought some property here.”
“A summer home?”
“Not exactly.”
“The ski resort,” Cole blurted, sick of Shep’s weird little head games.
“Thanks, bro,” Shep whispered.
“It’s not like it’s a secret.”
Jase’s mouth dropped open but he quickly closed it. “You’re with the Trinity Development Company?”
“I’m the president.”
“Well then, welcome to Crimson.”
“You’re the mayor, right?”
“I am.”
