Maybe she feels me watching because she looks over at me, grins, then runs her gaze slowly downward and back up until she’s looking me in the eye. The second I get her alone, we’re going to see whether she wore panties or not.
Lacey spots me, and I head over to them. Her expression is full of caution as she introduces me to her boyfriend. “Nick, this is my brother, Lee. Lee, be nice.”
Calli and Silver smile at her warning as Nick shakes my hand and says, “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. Where are you from?” His lack of an accent is instantly noticeable.
“California. I moved here about a year ago.”
“And this is Trinity,” Lacey says, nodding to the thin blonde. We trade perfunctory greetings, but Nick is the one I’m focused on.
“Is that your work truck out front?” I ask as the others walk a few feet away from us to talk to Arlow’s mom.
“It’s a company truck. I had to come straight from work.”
“You’re an electrician?”
“Apprentice, at least for another year.”
I drain the last of my beer. “What the hell brought you to Kentucky from California?”
He laughs and accompanies me to the cooler. “Lower cost of living and a good union job. My dad’s side of the family live in Paducah.”
“Beer?” I offer, pulling two out of the cooler. He accepts it and I spend the next few minutes throwing questions at him. He doesn’t seem bothered by it, and none of his answers concern me when it comes to Lacey’s safety.
There’s a pause in the conversation for a moment. He takes a drink and looks over at me. “So, did I pass thedating my sister testor do I need to watch my back?” There’s an edge of amusement in his voice, but he isn’t completely kidding.
Neither am I when I reply. “As long as you’re good to her, we have no problems. If you start trying to control her or hurt her, I have more than enough land to hide what’s left of you.”He bursts out laughing while I stare at him, stone faced. “What’s so funny?”
“Lacey doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do and she can throw hands like a felon. If I mistreated her, there wouldn’t be anything left of me to hide.” He glances over at her. “She’s amazing.”
“Fair enough.” He isn’t wrong.
“Just a heads up, she’s hoping to set you up with Trinity.”
“I saw that coming. Not interested.”
It doesn’t appear that Trinity’s interested in me either as the evening progresses. Lacey keeps trying to draw us back together for conversations as we finish grilling and everyone eats. Trinity is polite, but not flirty.
Once it’s dark, Arlow starts a bonfire behind the little cabin, and everyone gathers around it. “Not my usual bonfire spot, but it’s close enough so Alicia can put the twins to bed and listen with a baby monitor,” he explains. “I need to go grab the other four lawn chairs from the new shed though.”
Silver sidles up beside us. “This is a better spot to hang out.”
“You’re just afraid of the graveyard,” I say.
Her eyes narrow at my accusation. “I’m notafraidof it. I just have no desire to wander around it at night.”
“We’ll go grab the other chairs,” I volunteer, resting my hand on Silver’s shoulder. “Since you aren’t afraid.”
She shrugs my hand off and gives me a look before regarding Arlow. “Fine, but if he trips and falls into an open grave, I’m filling it in.”
Finally, I have her alone. We’re out of sight of the rest ofthe party by the time we get to Arlow’s backyard and enter the old cemetery. The sky is clear, and the moonlight illuminates our way, drawing long shadows from the crumbling gravestones.
Silver jerks when my elbow brushes hers, and I can’t help but chuckle as I slide my arm around her. She really doesn’t like it out here at night. “You can close your eyes, and I’ll guide you through. Or I can carry you.”
“You just want to feel me up.”
“Good idea.” Before she can react, I scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder.
