Page 42 of Easton

I’m not sure if it’s only been seconds I lost or if it was longer.

“Stay with me, East.”

“I’m fine.” But I don’t pull away from him.

“You wanna talk about her?”

My head snaps back. “No. Fuck no. Talk to me about something else.”

He studies me, and for a moment, I’m not sure if he’s going to listen, but he gives me a slow nod. “What do you like to do for fun?”

“Fuck you, play with my dogs, and work on cars. What else do you think I do?” But then, I haven’t been to any bar in a while—something I used to do a lot, though not since the night I was last arrested.

“I’m grateful to be included.” He winks.

“You’re such a dork. Do people actually wink?”

He laughs. “Goddamn. I’m gonna have to up my game with you. I used to think I was pretty smooth until I started trying to win over Easton Swift.”

I roll my eyes. He’s not trying to win me over, not really, but the thought does make me uncharacteristically warm inside.

It’s that warmth, those normal, almost happy feelings he sometimes gives me, or at least tries to give me, that has me saying, “I can draw.”

“Good boy.” He leans back in his chair.

“I’m a good boy because I can draw?”

“No, because you told me.”

Goddamn him. I shake my head, trying not to show him I’m pleased.

“I don’t have an artistic bone in my body.”

“Eh. Not all of us can be as talented as me.”

Archer chuckles. “You’re such a brat.” He takes another bite of his food. Once he’s swallowed, he says, “You should draw me sometime.”

“Oh, I should?”

“Yep. You can draw me naked if you want.” He pumps his brows, and though laughing isn’t something I usually do easily, I can’t help but do it with him. Often.

“I like the sound of your laugh.”

“Do you google shit like that to say?”

“No, sweetheart. I’m just that good.” This time his wink is exaggerated and obnoxious, the two of us chuckling together.

We finish eating, then put our plates in the sink before heading for the couch again.

Ask him about himself, East.

I don’t need your advice.

But really, I do. “What doyoulike to do for fun?”

“Outdoors stuff. Be with my family. Meadow has been trying to teach me to sew, but it’s not going well. When I’m around the house, I’ve gotten into building these 3D wood model kits. I’ve done cars, boats, a clock. I did this train that was really cool.”

I frown, unsure what he’s talking about.