“Uh oh.” He leaned down to whisper in my ear, “Might want to release me soon or I may have to roll around and throw a few punches with my big brother over there. Somebody looks jealous.”
My eyes flew to Turner. Sure enough, his jaw was ticking and he was holding himself back. “I’m not scared, are you?” I had no clue why I was testing him, but I didn’t actually think that Turner’s current expression was just because I was touching someone else. Someone that was his freaking brother!
“If you’re trying to see who the strongest brother is, I can tell you that without coming to blows. Turner can hold his own. I battled it out with him one time when he was in high school, and I’d accidentally kissed a random chick in front of the locker rooms. Apparently, he’d told her to wait for him while he showered after practice, and I caught her eye.” He shrugged. “How was I supposed to know he was interested?”
I giggled. “Okay, okay . . . you can have your arm back.” I released him. “Just trying to figure him out is all.”
“Good luck with that. Most girls try and fail.”
What was it with these boys comparing me to most girls? I knew Dodger didn’t mean anything by it, so I let it go. I simply responded with, “Well, unlike most girls, I’m not interested. I’m just trying to figure out his game.”
He chuckled. “Again, good luck.”
I decided to drop it. The congregation moved out of the church and everyone filed into their vehicles to head to the Brooks’ residence. The reception was set up to take place in their expansive backyard, and no doubt was it decorated immaculately. I managed to remain unscathed and not be spoken to again by Turner during the wedding photos. I’d briefly bumped into him during one shot, to which my eyes shot to his and quickly moved away. I felt that pulling towards him even in that short moment, and I refused to be sucked in again. Most of the wedding party climbed into two different limousines to head to the party, but I decided to drive myself. Keegan understood my need to have that little bit of control and thankfully she didn’t mind. I likely wasn’t going to stay that late because I had an early morning shift anyway.
Arriving at the house, the guests were greeted with white twinkle lights strung up in the birch trees and hanging lanterns in the willow trees. The backyard had a large tent and music was playing from speakers placed throughout the property. The DJ was busy keeping the guests entertained and the wedding party was lining up to be introduced to enter. When we all got inside and to our designated spots at the head table, Camden and Keegan immediately went into their first dance together. “When You Got a Good Thing” by Lady Antebellum was what Keegan chose. It was beautiful and absolutely fitting for them. They did all the traditional things that go on during a wedding—cutting the cake, mother and son dance, Keegan danced with Paul Brooks. He’d been more of a father to her than she could have asked for.
Standing at the bar, I had my elbows resting on the bar asking the bartender for a bottle of water when a deep voice that caused my the butterflies in my tummy to flutter up said, “May I have the next dance?”
Spinning around, Turner was a little too close for comfort. His electric blue eyes were level with mine and my heart galloped in my chest. The scent of his cologne and mint on his breath blew across my face as he gave me the most glorious smile I’d ever seen. Turner had one of his arms leaning against the bar, and it trapped me where I stood. Never mind the draw, that line that pulled me in would have kept my feet planted in their spot.
“Uh, what?” Genius response.
Why was he piercing me with those damn eyes? “I said, may I have the next dance?”
Heat crept up my cheeks and I was tempted to look down. Instead I held his eyes and said, “I don’t really dance.”
“Oh now, Annabelle, we both know that’s a lie. I’ve seen you dance.”
Okay yeah, definitely blushing now. “That was a rare occasion.”
He bent down and spoke into my ear, “Make it another one.”
I swallowed hard. Feeling tingly all over, I shook my head. He was crazy if he thought I was going to dance with him. If I was reacting to him like this and he wasn’t even touching me, I could only imagine how I would be if he were.
“Oh come on, Belle, give my big brother a chance.” Wrigley sidled up to Turner, with an identical smirk.
“You heard the kid.”
My eyes bounced back and forth between them. “Why do I feel like I’m being ganged up on?”
“‘Cause you are,” Turner replied.
“I don’t dance.”
“How about a date?”
“Yeah, how about a date?” Wrigley repeated as if he were asking for himself.
I giggled. This conversation was ridiculous. “Who’s asking?”
“Me.”
“Me.” Turner chimed in right after Wrigley. He glared at his brother and elbowed him in the ribs. Wrigley exhaled loudly with an “ooof.”
“Didn’t you ask me out on a date just a couple months ago?” I taunted for fun.
“Yes, ma’am. But I’m fairly certain you hit your head, not twisted your ankle.”
I bit the inside of my lip to hide my smile. Why was he so charming? “Definitely didn’t bump my head. My poor ankle took weeks to heal.”
Shiny white teeth glistened in the lights as he flashed me a brilliant grin. “What do you say, Annabelle?”
Just before I was going to answer, Camden and Keegan strolled up hand in hand. They were glowing from happiness. Camden was laughing hard at something Keegan had told him.
“Hey you two, what’s the happy couple going on about?” Wrigley asked.
Turner was drilling a whole in the side of my face with his stare. I was going to make him stew a bit longer. Plus I was interested in what these two love birds were about to say.
“Did you see who snuck into the pool house, drunk as a bunch of skunks?” Keegan asked.
“Nope.”
“Dodger and Macie. Those two better put away some of Mom’s breakables. I have a feeling between how drunk they are, and all that aggression those two have been taking out on each other, some things may get broken.” Camden laughed.
“Oh geez,” Turner said.
“He loves her,” I announced out of the blue.
They all turned in my direction. My eyes got big and I raised my hands in the air. “What? I’m just saying.”
Keegan stepped beside me, unable to remove her permanent smile. “Oh that boy has loved her since the day we walked into Camden’s apartment. But both have a stubborn streak a mile long. They will fight their feelings ‘til one of them breaks. That much we all know. Maybe the alcohol, just for tonight, is what they need.”
“Or a good orgasm or two.” Wrigley twitched his eyebrows.
Camden slapped the back of his head. “Do girls actually like you?”
“They flock to me,” he said, fixing his hair.
“Right,” Camden retorted.
Stepping back into my little bubble, Turner asked me again, “So about that date.”
I gulped and glanced around. All eyes were on me. Keegan and Camden appeared curious as to what they missed. “Can we talk about this privately, please?” I tried to say under my breath.