“And nobody’s put them in their place?”
As if he’s felt us looking, Rafe gives us a sideways glance.
“He’s not worth it, okay?” I say with a huff. “They’ve called me Lyle since fourth grade when I tried to join the Boy Scouts. It’s seriously not a big deal.”
CJ and Rafe have one last stare down before Rafe follows his friends inside Theater A.
“They need to grow the fuck up,” CJ says in a low tone, then pulls open the heavy door of our theater for me.
“Meanwhile, we’re going to have a good time.” We round the bank of seats and I scan for Maryanne and Bear.
“Why the Boy Scouts?”
Maryanne waves from the middle row, and I start climbing. “It sounded better than selling cookies and earning friendship badges.”
“Was it?”
I laugh. “I quit after they cancelled our one overnight because it rained.”
“You were too good for them.” CJ squeezes my hand. “That’s why they try to cut you down.”
I let him leave it there because I’m not spending any more energy on stupid Rafe Iverson.
The movie is cute and sharing popcorn with CJ while we both laugh at the same moments is probably my favorite part. Could our easy camaraderie be genuine? I don’t realize that Bear and Maryanne have started making out until the credits start rolling.
When we file out of the theater, CJ waits for me at the end of the row. Even in the dim theater lighting, there’s an earnest gleam in his eyes. He offers me his hand, and I take it. His palm is warm againstmine, his calluses adding a hint of friction that sends my pulse skipping.
This isn’t supposed to happen to me. Meeting someone like him. Not now. Not when I’m supposed to be figuring out my life and how to fit in while also standing on my own two feet.
Outside, big, fat snowflakes are drifting down, and everything is coated with a layer of white. Maryanne and Bear are standing close, talking, both of them smiling.
“Where to now?” CJ asks. “We could grab a bite? Maybe play some pool?”
My metabolism is finally slowing down thanks to my new lifestyle so I’m not hungry exactly, but my stomach aches a little from eating popcorn on an empty stomach. “Food sounds good, but the only place to play pool is the Knotty Pine.”
CJ’s eyebrows arch up. “The what?”
Maryanne shivers, and Bear pulls her to him, wrapping his giant arms around her and rubbing her back. They already look like a couple. I’m thrilled for my friend, and Bear seems like a good guy. Could it be easy like that for me too?
“Get your mind outta the gutter,” Bear scolds. “It’s a kind of tree. Wait, shouldn’t you know that?”
CJ laughs. He reaches for my hands and steps closer, his grey eyes alight with curiosity. “What’s wrong with the Knotty Pine?”
“The food sucks,” Maryanne says just as I add, “It’ll be crowded.” Rafe and his friends might be there. Not that I care, but a brawl isn’t how I want this night to end.
“Crowded didn’t stop us before,” CJ says in a low tone.
Heat shoots up my face, and I look away, biting my lip. But the heat spreads in a tight wave down my back and hooks into my core.
“I fixed my hot tub this week,” Bear says. “Let’s get pizza and hang at my place.”
Maryanne grins up at Bear. “Nothing beats hot tubbing in asnowstorm.” Their eyes meet, and the air molecules between them practically burst into flames.
“How about we get the pizza,” CJ says. “You guys get drinks? We’ll meet at the cabin.”
“Perfect!” Maryanne eyes me. “You good with that, Linn?”
Flutters tickle up my chest. That night in the bar, I was feeling bold and a little reckless. And it felt good. Safe, even, which was nice for a change. Then I find out CJ’s not just a sexy stranger who got me off with dirty praises and some well-aimed friction. He’s humble, kind, hardworking, and based on that exchange with Rafe earlier, maybe even protective.