“Maybe because the bunnies should be left alone and not preyed on by eager city folks.”
“I was not preying on it.”
“That’s right.” He nods and points at me. “Because there really wasn’t a bunny at all, and you were snooping because you’re scared about the light competition after losing last night.”
“Oh please,” I scoff, even though sweat starts to prickle at my scalp—despite the chilly weather. “I’m not worried in the slightest. The only reason you won last night was because Atlas was ridiculously panting like a dog.”
His eyes narrow, and I can see that stung him, sincehewas supposed to be the main event. So I go with it.
“Yeah, I heard Martha and Mae discussing it, actually. It’s all everyone can talk about—Atlas this, Atlas that. Word on the street is he stole the show.”
“He did not steal the show,” Cole says, clearly enraged, which is exactly what I wanted.
“Aww, are your man feelings hurt because they’re not talking about you?” I rub my hand over his arm in a comforting way. However, I’m greeted by rock-hard skin with divots and curves, and damn it, it just reminds me of what he looked like last night…shirtless…and in those lederhosen that, I’ll be honest, were more flattering than I would have assumed.
“I see what you’re doing,” he says.
“And what is that?”
“You’re trying to get under my skin, but it’s not going to work. I actually just came from Martha and Mae’s house, and guess what, they told meIwas all everyone could talk about.”
I wince. “Oof, how do I explain this to you?” I steeple my hands together and place them under my chin. “You see, there is this thing calledlying. People do it to spare others’ feelings.”
He rolls his eyes. “Nice try, but this tactic’s not going to work. If you want to win, then you’re going to have to try harder.” He turns away from me and starts walking toward town.
Because I’m headed in the same direction, I walk after him. “I don’t need to try harder.” I struggle to keep up with his large steps.
“After last night, it seems like you might have to.”
“Oh my God, you act like you’re a million points ahead of me. You won one competition, I won the other, and we’re tied right now.”
“Yes, but I have the momentum,” he counters.
I jog next to him to fully catch up. “Momentum means nothing.”
“For you, clearly, since it didn’t carry over to the next competition where you’re concerned.”
Ooooo, he’s infuriating. It’s like fighting with someone who never lets you win and always needs to have the last word.
“Let’s be honest about it, Cole. The only reason you won last night was because you showed nipple.”
That stops him and forces him to turn toward me. “Actually, my lederhosen covered my nipples—I know this because the fabric rubbed against them and made them tingle.”
I crinkle my nose. “Ew.”
“Just stating the facts.”
“Fine, the only reason you won was because you showed off your stacked abs.”
His brow quirks nearly into his hairline. “Stackedabs?” He smirks and sticks his hands in his pockets. “Like what you saw, Taylor?”
“What?” I say, my voice cracking and my cheeks flaming. “No. I was repulsed.”
“Uh-huh. You know, someone who was repulsed wouldn’t have said ‘stacked abs;’ they’d have just said ‘stomach.’”
Like I said…infuriating.
“Why are you like this?”
