“Wild is your last name?” Sophia asks him. “You wouldn’t happen to be from Wilcox, are you?”
He nods. “I grew up there.”
Sophia claps her hands. “Are you related to Dylan and Colton Wild, the football stars?”
“They’re my cousins.” His mouth tips up in a grin when Sophia screams and clutches my arm like we’re being chased.
“Since when did you become a football fan?” I ask her.
“Last winter, that guy I was dating—Damon, remember him? We met at a Super Bowl party. Dylan was MVP of the game, and he’s so damn handsome. And his equally-sexy cousin, Colton, caught the winning pass.”
Brayden nods. “We’re super proud of them.”
“How are you cousins?” I ask. “I mean, that sounds dumb; I just meant…”
Brayden’s eyes warm as he fastens his gaze on me. “It’s not dumb. Our fathers are brothers—six of them in all, and five of their sons, including me, are best friends.”
“Really?” I ask him. “That must have been amazing to see Dylan and Colton win the championship like that.”
“It was. It’s been quite a ride.”
“I bet.” Sophia heaves a dramatic sigh. “If the rest of your family’s as hot as you and your football cousins, I’d be happy for you to introduce me.”
I elbow her, willing her to stop.
“And you played football with them in high school?” I ask him.
“I was wide receiver. Now I’m an assistant coach for Wilcox High.” Brayden chuckles. “Makes me feel old.”
Sophia starts rambling about high school and how fun the parties were in Missoula.
“So what are you guys doing tonight?” Brayden’s eyes flick to mine.
Sophia stalls. “I don’t know. I was thinking of trying to convince Lei to grab a drink, an alcoholic beverage of some kind, maybe at that new place in Missoula where they have dancing…”
I clear my throat.
“Well, maybe not,” she says. “But Sunday, Lei and I will be helping out with the Food for Hunger Drive. June’s store is one of the sponsors, and we can always use an extra set of hands.”
Brayden’s eyes brighten. “Oh, yeah?”
“Lei,” June calls out as she walks toward us. “Where’s next month’s newsletter?”
“It’s nearly done,” I tell her.
“Hey, June.” Sophia giggles. “I ran into a guy at Zeiss the other night. Says he knows you.”
June glares at Sophia. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
This would be why my sister got into an Ivy League school and I didn’t. She was captain of the debate team in high school, and she has an uncanny ability to stand her ground and convince you that she’s right and you’re wrong.
But Sophia didn’t go to an Ivy League. And she doesn’t care about advanced degrees or social etiquette. She plunges onward with a smile. “Oh, sure you do. His name’s Leon. Says you two got it on last week.”
Brayden grins, and I’m sure I turn redder than June does. “Okay, Soph.” I gesture toward the door. “Time to go.”
I hustle her out the door as she’s still whispering her apologies.
“You know my mouth—it’s like she won’t shut up even when I’m begging her to,” she says, her face contrite.
