“Hey, you want to come pick your prize?”
“Do you have pins again?”
Last year, I got these big buttons made. They were supposed to be for the kids, but the adults went nuts for them. Everyone around town wore them for months while boasting about how many squares they filled in. There’s no prize for that, by the way, only for getting the originalBINGO. That didn’t stop people from turning it into some sort of competition. Not really in the spirit of the challenge, but it did drive some extra revenue for the store.
“Yeah, I’ve got the buttons. Two designs, so you can pick.” I swear, the adults get more excited than the children when it comes to picking out stickers and other items. I think it’s because they so rarely get the opportunity.
“Oh, I’ll take this one.” He holds up one of the pink ones.
“Good choice.” I take his card and stamp it with the store logo to indicate it’s already been cashed in. Wouldn’t want anyone cheating.
“So, who’s your new employee?”
“Not an employee. He’s a friend visiting from out of town. He’s helping out.” I put helping in air quotes to make sure Kyler gets my point.
“I see.” He glances back to where Russ is reorganizing the stack of books Chase finished putting out an hour ago.
“Why? You want to burrow him for Yuletide Yarn? I’m sure he’d be great with your customers.”
“I’ll pass, but only because business has slowed slightly following Pride. People need significantly less glitter between now and the Fourth of July.”
“Thank God.”
Kyler nods his agreement. “Well, thanks for this. I’m going to use it to convince Nora that she should finish her own card.”
“She’s two. I’m pretty sure her lack of completion isn’t her own fault.” I tisk.
“It is when she wants me to read the same book over and over again.”
He’s got me there. She’ll need to branch out a bit. Maybe I should make a new version for the youngest kids so their parents don’t have to work quite so hard.
“See you on Thursday? Game night?”
“Always.” That’s how we met in the first place, him coming to one of our game nights. Now we mainly talk business, but he still makes it when Nora’s mom has her.
“Will your boyfriend?—”
I wave my arms wildly, desperate for Kyler to be quiet. “Sorry,” I whisper. “That’s a bit of a secret.”
He frowns. “From who? I’m pretty sure everyone in town knows. You guys have done a terrible job of hiding it.”
I nod my head toward Russ. “That’s his brother.”
“I thought you said he was your friend.”
“That, too.”
Kyler nods. “I see. Well, he won’t hear it from me.” The implication of that is clear. There are a whole bunch of other people in Sleighbell Springs ready and waiting to leak the newest gossip to anyone who will listen. All Russ needs to do is bat his eyelashes at the right person, and he’ll have all the details.
“Thanks. Tell Nora hi for me.”
“Will do.” As soon as Kyler is gone, I send Chase a text.
Everything’s fine, but we need to talk about Russ.
Chase Haywood
Meet me in the backroom in 3?
