Page 89 of Truck Up

“What are you talking about?” He looks back at Andrea. His smile is so big it only infuriates her more. “Of course she knows. We’ve been friends almost since birth.”

“Oh, my god.” Andrea rolls her eyes and storms off. Ash grabs his jacket and follows her.

“Andrea, where are you going?” He calls after her.

“Well, that was awkward,” Sophia says.

Clara lifts her glass and smiles. “Good riddance is more like it.”

“Here, here.” Liam lifts his beer and clinks it against her glass.

The low rumble of the bar returns, and I head back to the pool table to take my next shot. Chase’s turn was fruitless. I think he’s already given up on beating me. He’s in the corner, kissing Lina like no one is watching.

I roll my eyes and take my turn. I clear out the table and win the game in a few quick turns. I love to win, but it’s not as fun when my opponent isn’t giving it his best.

I look around at my brothers and huff. All of them, except Liam and Warren, have women in their lives. How did that happen so quickly? I guess when one falls, they all fall.

Another strange feeling tingles in my chest. I rub it, not really sure what it is. But I feel good. I feel happy.

Is that what this is? Happiness.

What the hell is going on with me? First, I feel hope and now happiness.

That should make me feel good, but an uneasy feeling settles over me.

I’m afraid things are getting too good. That usually means something terrible is coming my way.

Liam leans forwardon his elbows and stares at Clara. “How do you do it?” he asks.

Several conversations are going on at once, and I’ve no clue what he’s referring to. Apparently, Clara doesn’t know either.

She furrows her brows. “Are you asking me?”

“Yeah.” He takes a pull from his beer.

“How do I do what?” she asks.

“Put up with Ash and his shit?” It’s been about ten minutes since Ash and Andrea left. Liam asked the question that we’ve wanted to ask her for years. As far as I know, no one has ever asked Clara how she feels about Ash. We’ve all just assumed.

“Oh,” she says and stares at her glass like it’s the most interesting thing in the room. “He’s my friend. What am I supposed to do? Just stop being his friend.”

“Well.” Liam tilts his head to the side like he’s thinking. “When you put it like that.”

“Listen.” She adjusts in her seat and tears the napkin under her glass. This conversation is making her uncomfortable. “I don’t know what you all think, but he and I are just friends. That’s all we’ve ever been, and it’s all we’ll ever be.”

“But,” Mac says. “You like—”

Clara holds her hand up to stop him. “Just friends,” she says with a lot more conviction.

Mac holds his hands up in surrender. “Okay, got it.”

“But surely, it bothers you.” Charlotte says. “I mean, you two would make such a great couple.”

Clara shakes her head and stares at the table, avoiding everyone’s eyes. “Nope. He can date whomever he wants. Not my business.”

“But—”

“I don’t want to talk about Ash!” Clara says a little too loudly, cutting Charlotte off. “New topic, please.”