“Do you know her?”
“No. But there is a rumor going around that she is a backup dancer,” Chase chimes in excitedly. “Part of those insane world tours and is in music videos. She’s been taking online classes but is back this year.”
I peer at Beckett to see if he knows her. He grunts and gets off the couch. “I’m getting another beer.” Standing in front of me, he slips off a bracelet and hands it to me. “Madeline made this for you. Wear it.”
The elastic stretches to the size of my wrist. She must have used her brother’s wrist to fit mine. Beck disappears before I can show it off to him, quiet for his large stature.
I silently laugh, pushing the friendship bracelet under my sleeve. Then return my search for?—
“Cooper!” Sutton squeals. Across her face is a smile that’s reminiscent of the same one she gave me when I asked her to be my friend over a decade ago. Bright and stretching from ear to ear as if the freckles on her cheeks are pulling at the sides of her mouth.
I allow my gaze to roam over all of her. I’m normally careful, but not tonight. Not when she’s doing the same. My hair is a mess, and I’m pretty confident there is a stain on my sweats, but none of that matters when she stares at me like I’m the only one that exists. My shoulders relax, releasing any tension.
“Hey, Dave.”
“Are we getting nuggets?” she yells over the music.
“Whatever you want.” I try to hide my amusement at the sparkle in her eyes and the slight sway in her body. “You done dancing on the table?” Sutton nods. “Need help?”
“Mhmmm.” She hums, stretching her arms out to me.
Against my better judgement, I bypass them, gripping her waist and picking her up, then setting her down on the ground. She waves goodbye to everyone, even says hello to people she definitely doesn’t know.
As soon as we are in my car, she takes off her boots and moans. “I hated these, but I promised Elliot I’d wear them. Did you like them?”
Did I like the way they were molded to her calves or stopped at the knee, exposing the skin on her thighs, places I’ve imagined my hands being?
“Of course.” I reach behind my seat and snag the sweatshirt I brought with me. “Here. Put this on so you aren’t cold.”
She takes the sweatshirt but places it in her lap. “You didn’t say please.” Sutton tilts her head in my direction, smoldering.
“Please.”
A sleeve hits the roof as she stretches her arms, slipping each one uncoordinatedly into the sweatshirt, and then pulling it over her head.
Sutton buckles in and takes the water I also brought with me, drinking the entire thing on our drive.
“What do you want?” I ask as we drive up to the menu.
Sutton unbuckles herself and leans over me to order.
“A ten-piece nugget. Large fry.” She pauses. “Oh! And a chocolate shake. Please,” she tacks on.
Her face spins. Right in front of me. She smells good, even with the faintest hint of tequila—she’s a lightweight. Probably had two drinks tops, I bet.
“Are you not going to get anything?”
Wasn’t planning on it, but she convinces me with one flick of her eyelids and a pout.
“I’ll do the same.”
Sutton opensthe top of her milkshake and dips a fry in. Her moan bounces off the walls of my Jeep. Strikes me in the chest. Flickers up my spine, finding a spot in my brain to lodge itself into.
I’ll be hearing that in my dreams tonight…if I can even sleep.
Haven’t been able to sleep lately—barely finding time. My mind energized despite the exhaustion weighing down my body, but tonight I’ll be up for other reasons.
“I love French fries.” She moans again.
