Derailed (Clayton Falls #1)(44)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Ben and I both agreed.

Shayna and I insisted that Ben let us do the dishes since he did all of the cooking, and then we all headed over to Gill’s.

***

The bar was packed by the time we got there. Shayna took a spot all the way to the side of the lot where the pavement changed to gravel.

“Happening tonight, huh?” Shayna asked before we got out.

“I guess so.”

“I still can’t believe I’m going to Gill’s with my little sister.”

“I’m not so little anymore.”

Shayna glanced over at me. “I know.”

Ben pulled in next to us, hopping down from his truck just as I walked around the car. He took my hand, leading me in. I realized that the handholding wasn’t just because he wanted the contact. He wanted to get the word out that we were officially together. I smiled. Sometimes, his Neanderthal ways were cute.

“Do you want something to drink? I couldn’t tell if you just didn’t want wine or…”

Shayna interrupted him. “She wants something to drink. She was just trying to prove to me she isn’t an alcoholic.”

You had to love Shayna and her bluntness.

“Okay, what can I get you girls?”

“Just get us some Coronas,” Shayna answered for both of us.

Ben went to try to get the bartender’s attention, and I followed Shayna further inside.

“Well, I’ll be damned, both Sander sisters are back!” Ronny came over, putting an arm around each of us.

“Hey, Ronny!” I awkwardly slinked out from under his arm as Shayna hugged him.

“Shayna?” Tom came over with Kelly right behind him. “When did you get back?”

“Hey! I got in this morning. I’m just here for the weekend. I wanted to check on my sister. And I hear congratulations are in order.” Shayna turned to Kelly, gesturing for her hand so she could look at the ring. “I never took you for a cradle robber, Tom, but good for you.”

“Hey, I waited until she was perfectly legal.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here.” Gavin’s husky voice startled me as he put an arm around me. I’d never realized just how touchy feely people were in Clayton Falls. Plus, after what happened at the party, I’d expected him to have backed down.

I looked up, locking eyes with Shayna.

Shayna looked Gavin over. “And who might you be?”

“Hi, wow. You have to be Molly’s sister. You look so much alike.”

I distanced myself from Gavin. The last thing I needed was for Ben to see that. He’d flip.

“Yeah, we get that a lot. But you didn’t answer my question. Who are you?”

“Don’t let her get to you, she’s always this bossy.” Tom laughed.

“Gavin Powell.” He held out a hand to Shayna in a formal way.

She accepted his handshake, but never took her eyes off his face. “And you know my sister, how?”

“Tom introduced us. I have to say I’m really glad he did.”

Shayna looked at me, confused. I had conveniently forgotten to mention him.

“Is he safe, Tom?”

“Would I have introduced them if he wasn’t? Don’t worry, he’s a good one.”

“All right, I’ll take it, but I don’t think he’s going to.” Shayna gestured to Ben heading toward us.

Ben eyed Gavin warily as he approached, handing both Shayna and I beers before putting an arm around my waist to pull me toward him.

“How is everyone doing tonight? Gavin.” Ben was careful to make his acknowledgement of Gavin less than friendly.

Both Shayna and Kelly smiled. Tom just looked uncomfortable.

“Hi, Ben.” Gavin shot him daggers.

“Because this isn’t awkward.” Kelly laughed.

“My little sister the heart breaker,” Shayna said under her breath.

Jake chose that moment to join us. “This is an interesting group.”

“Maybe a little too much testosterone,” Shayna added.

“Do you want to shoot some pool?” Ben asked. “It looks like a table is about to open.”

“Sure, I haven’t played in ages.” I played during college a bit, but I had barely gone out over the past year.

“I’m up for it.” Gavin pretended he was included in the invitation.

“Let’s play teams,” Shayna suggested.

Tom pointed to Shayna. “She’s a good partner, Gavin. Trust me.”

We walked over and claimed the table. Gavin broke, and I grabbed a cue.

“You said you hadn’t played in a while. Do you need a refresher?” Ben asked from right behind me. I remembered when he’d first taught me to play at the table in his basement. We didn’t stay focused on pool for long back then. I had to think about my answer. I didn’t want to make Gavin more uncomfortable, but I realized Ben was trying to stake his claim. Ben’s feelings seemed more important at the moment. Besides, there was no reason to leave Gavin with the wrong idea.

“I suppose a little help can’t hurt.”

Ben’s arms came around me as he lined my body up to his. “Remember it’s all about the positioning.”

I called a bank shot to the corner pocket and watched as I sunk the ball.

“Good job, baby,” Ben cooed in my ear. I had a feeling he was looking right at Gavin.

I sank one more ball, but then missed the third.

Shayna dominated, getting shot after shot, doing a little triumphant jig each time. My sister was such a ham sometimes.

The game moved quickly. Gavin got perpetually more frustrated as Ben constantly found an excuse to touch me.

By the time we finished the game, I knew I had to talk to Gavin. He deserved it.

“Gavin, do you have a second?”

Ben tensed beside me.

“Sure,” Gavin answered, handing his cue to the pair ready to claim our table.

“I’ll be right back,” I told Ben and Shayna. Ben didn’t look happy, but Shayna placed a reassuring hand on his arm. She understood what I was doing.

I followed Gavin out to the parking lot.

“I’m sorry. He can be like that.”

“It’s all right. I’d be doing the same thing if I were him. Besides, I owe you apology for the other night. I know I said some things I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay,” I reassured him. “No harm done.”

“But I have to know. What’s going on with you two? Are you still just ‘keeping it casual’?”