“No,” Rhett said, cracking open another beer. “She tolerates you. Big difference.”
“She lets you exist in her general vicinity,” Silas added. “Which, honestly, might be love in her language.”
“Yeah?” Whit shot back. “Well, I’m not the one who married a woman who made me cry during sex.”
Silas didn’t even flinch. “Call me when you’ve had sex so good you cry, then we’ll see how you feel.”
That shut Whit up. He took a swig of beer and muttered, “Point taken.”
Then he looked at Holden.
“Wait a fuckin’ second, though—you’re givin’ me shit, and I haven’t heard a peep from you about your love life. Nonexistent, right?”
Holden shifted in his seat, pretending to examine the label on his bottle. “Why am I suddenly in the hot seat?”
“Because you’re the last mystery,” Rhett said, gesturing with his beer. “You’ve been back in town for months now, and we still don’t know jack shit about who you’ve been seeing.”
“Maybe because I haven’t been seeing anyone,” Holden said flatly.
“Ever?” Whit asked, blinking. “Wait—are you a virgin?”
Holden rolled his eyes. “No, jackass. I’ve had girlfriends. I just…don’t really do long term.”
“Translation,” Silas muttered, “he bolts before they start expecting toothbrush space.”
“Hey, some of us were traveling the world and doing important shit,” Holden said. “Peace Corps. Conservation work. You know—stuff that doesn’t mesh well with a joint checking account.”
“Sure,” Rhett said. “But you’re not in Guatemala anymore. You’re in Willow Grove. And the last time I checked, it’s not illegal to settle down here.”
“Not illegal,” Holden said, “but not always smart.”
I glanced at him. “You sayin’ that like you got someone in mind and you’re scared to try?”
Holden didn’t answer. Just took a slow sip of beer and looked out over the yard.
“Ohhh,” Whit drawled. “He’s got a thing for somebody. Look at that face.”
“I do not,” Holden said, entirely too fast.
Rhett narrowed his eyes. “Is it someone we know?”
“No.”
“Yes,” Whit said at the same time. “It’s totally someone we know.”
“Shut up,” Holden muttered.
“Ain’t even seen you talkin’ to any women—or men, for that matter—other than Flora Hardwick, and I could’ve sworn you two despised each other,” I said.
Whit chuckled. “That can make for a real good lay.”
Holden glared at him. “You’re fucking vile.”
“Didn’t deny it, though,” Rhett said, grinning over the rim of his bottle.
Silas leaned forward again, elbows on his knees. “Wait. You serious? You and Flora?”
“There is no me and Flora,” Holden said, way too fast.
