“So we need to get your favorite photo of Cody and put it front and center.”
“What?” I screeched. “I’m not putting a photo of Cody on a board. That really is psycho.”
“Sally, listen to me.”
“Ugh, I’m afraid to keep listening.” I laughed. “This is getting crazier by the second.” I put the glass back down on the table and put my face in my hands and groaned. “And the crazier you get is the crazier I’m going to get.”
“What’s going on, girls?” TJ drawled as he approached the table with Cody close behind him. TJ held a pitcher of beer in his hands and Cody held two mugs.
“Not much,” I squeaked out as my eyes flew open and my face grew red. I tried to think about how loud my voice had been, but I was pretty sure that TJ and Cody hadn’t overheard our conversation.
“What do you guys want to do next?” Cody asked, chugging down his beer. “I know this cool place on 8th Street—they have a mechanical bull.”
“A mechanical bull?” Mila peered at him as she spoke. “Are we expected to get on the bull?”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “But we can always go and watch.”
“Cody.” Mila sighed and rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t sound like fun.”
“It’s plenty fun.” He laughed and licked his lips. “What I wouldn’t do to be that bull.”
“Cody.” Mila shook her head and looked at me with a rueful smile. “Guys!”
“Yeah.” I tried to laugh nonchalantly, like I thought it was funny that Cody wanted to go and ogle some random girls. “You’re a pig, Cody.” I looked at him and he laughed, his eyes wide and happy as he stared at me.
“What can I say?” He grinned and winked at me. My insides fluttered at his smile and I wanted to smack myself. Why did he have such an effect on me? Just one smile and my insides were turned to jelly. How I wanted to turn off the switch inside of me that responded to his every glance and smile. Where was the off switch when I needed it?
“You can say what you want, but that won’t change what we already think and know,” I shot back at him and winked.
“You think you know, but you don’t really know,” Cody said with a twist of his lips, his hazel eyes bright with mirth as he chugged down his beer.
“Oh, I know.” I laughed, surprised at how carefree I felt. “Trust me, I know.”
“We all know,” Mila added and punched her brother in the shoulder.
“What are they even talking about?” Cody asked TJ, who just shook his head.
“I have no clue.” He sipped on his beer and laughed. “But then, I never really have a clue.”
“So we’re going to go to ride some bulls?” Cody asked eagerly and we all just looked at each other and burst out laughing. I looked over at Mila, who was studying my face, and I gave her a small nod. I was down to try her plan. I loved Cody. I wanted to get to know Cody better. And if this was the way to get into his life on a deeper level, I was going to take my chance. I was going to go big and if it didn’t work out, I’d just go home.
Chapter 4
Cody
“So how about them bulls?” I chugged down the last of my beer and grinned at TJ as he and Mila and Sally waited for me so we could leave the bar.
“How about ‘em?” TJ grinned at me and I lifted up my hand to high-five him. I saw Mila glaring at him from the corner of my eye, but I was too buzzed to care.
“That was frigging awesome,” I called out to the hot redhead who was walking past. She looked over at me with a big smile and licked her lips slowly, seductively. “You sure know how to ride those bulls,” I said again and winked at her.
“I know how to ride a lot of things.” She paused and ran her fingers down the valley between her breasts. “I like to ride.”
“Oh, really?” I said, about to take a step closer to her.
“Cody.” Mila’s voice was sharp. “Really?” she snapped at me and I glanced over at her. Her face was pissed and then I looked at Sally, who had turned away from me, and TJ who was shaking his head slightly. I put my hands up in the air and laughed and then looked back at the sexy redhead.
“Well, have a good night riding.” I grinned at her. “I think we’re about to leave.”
“Pity,” the redhead said and sucked on one of her fingers. “We could have had some fun.” She tossed her hair and then walked away.
“Thanks for nothing, Mila.” I rolled my eyes at my sister and then looked at Sally, who was still avoiding my gaze. “Sally…” I said her name slowly. “Sally,” I said again, wanting her attention.
“Yes, Cody?” she said, as she finally looked at me.
“Nothing.” I laughed. “Wanna get another drink?”
“No, I’m okay, thanks.”
“Come on.” I reached over and grabbed her hand. “Let’s get a drink and dance.”
“I think we’re all ready to go home now, Cody.” TJ gave me one of his looks. I tried not to roll my eyes at him. Ever since he’d gotten serious with Mila, he’d started becoming more and more like my dad and had lost almost all of his fun.
“I’m not ready.” I shook my head. “Are you ready, Sally?”