Have to give her something. Anything. Preferably something that won’t make her recoil in horror. I tilt my head up to look at the sky.
Can I do it?
Can I tell her?
“Theo. I was dead-ass drunk last night and still didn’t tell anyone aboutyou know what. Why do you think you can’t trust me when I’m never, ever, ever drinking again?”
“Because you’re perfect—”
She snorts. “I amsofar from perfect. Want proof? Ask my parents.”
“Your parents are dicks.”Shut. The fuck. Up. Theo. Shut the fuck up.
She sighs. “Why does Chandler have a problem with you?”
Well, Laney, I started making faceless videos of myself knitting with my woody hanging out while telling women that they should have higher standards, somehow became the most popular creator on GrippaPeen.com, and he doesn’t like it that my dick makes more money in a week than his brain could lose in a year.
Nope.
Not telling her that.
Besides, if that was the only problem, then it would behisproblem. Not mine. “Reverse it, princess.”
“Fine. Why do you hate Chandler?”
I should not tell her this.
I shouldn’t.
It’s mine to bear. Not hers.
But it’s an easier secret than telling her I have a side hustle as an online adult entertainment star. And I’ve beenbearingthis other secret all by myself since Emma and Chandler hooked up again when they both moved home after college. Everyone thinks they’re so perfect and cute, the overachieving daughter of the town taxidermist and the chosen son who’s taking over running Bean & Nugget.
Laney won’t stop asking until she has a reason.
So I’ll give her one.
I suck in a deep breath and make myself look her in the eye. “You remember the Snaggletooth statue go-kart incident?”
She nods once.
“Chandler was driving. He told everyone it was me.”
She gasps.
Like literally gasps out loud. “He was—”
“Shh.” I put a finger to her mouth and immediately wish I hadn’t.
Jesus, her lips are soft. And plump. And pink. And hot.
“Theo,” she whispers, “you went to jail for that.”
“My word against his. Who’s gonna believe me?”
“But—”
“It was years ago. And I came out of it with a better understanding of what I did and didn’t want for my life. Who cares now?”
