Winning my Best Friend's Girl - Piper Rayne Page 0,79

huh? You guys are… together now?”

I open my mouth, but Kingston beats me to it. “We are. It’s been years, Owen, and I’m not going—”

“Congratulations.” Owen pats Kingston on the back so hard, he almost chokes.

Kingston shifts to stand, but I put my hand on his thigh and he eases back down.

“Thanks,” I say.

“I always knew you two were meant to be together.”

I inwardly roll my eyes.

“Have a great night. I guess I’ll be seeing you around sometime.” Owen walks two steps away then turns around. “Hey, Stella, give me a call. I’d love to catch up sometime.” He winks just like Kingston does when he’s acting arrogant.

I say nothing.

Kingston downs his beer then places the glass on the bar top. “Can we go now?”

I sip my wine, but he steals my glass out of my hand, finishes it, and sets it down with a clank.

He gets to his feet and holds out his hand. “I’ll buy you a bottle from Liquory Split.”

Without argument, I leave with him, feeling Owen’s eyes on us the entire time.

We walk back to Kingston’s apartment in silence, and when we arrive, he says he wants to work out and do I mind staying while he goes for a run? I smile and nod, pretending it’s all normal behavior, but I know that Owen has spooked a reaction out of Kingston. I’m just not sure if it’ll be short-lived and he’ll shake it off or whether it’s something we need to deal with.

I change into my pajamas, take off my makeup, and sit on the couch. Sedona and Palmer must be sleeping in her room. I pull out my phone with the intention of scrolling through social media, but a text message pops up.

Allie: You’re kidding me, right? I missed it. The moment everyone was waiting for.

Me: What are you talking about?

Allie: It’s on Buzz Wheel. You guys saw Owen?

I disregard her string of texts asking for more information and pull up the Buzz Wheel blog. There you have it. Owen standing between Kingston and me at the bar. You can’t really see any of us in detail. It’s blurry, but if you knew us, you could tell it’s us. How does this thing get information so quickly? With mild trepidation, I read on.

The moment everyone was waiting for…

It happened tonight in Lucky’s Tavern. It’s rumored that after a dinner date at Terra and Mare, Stella Harrison dragged Kingston Bailey into Lucky’s. The minute the two stepped in, warning bells shot off to all the patrons. The usually loud bar was more like church on Sunday. All eyes followed the couple to the bar, and the bartender reported that Kingston ordered a beer and Stella a wine. Apparently, Kingston finished both after Owen approached them.

Owen told Stella to call him to catch up, which had Kingston rising from his bar stool, but Stella managed to keep him at bay. If she hadn’t, I think we can all agree that Sheriff Miller would’ve been called down to break up another fight over Stella. It’s been eight years, but I’m sure no one forgets the disastrous outcome of the first one. Let’s hope history does not repeat itself for these three.

The good news is that it appears that Kingston has finally won the heart of the girl he always loved. Can I get a hallelujah!

In other news, it’s spreading like TikTok dance videos around Lake Starlight High School that Holly and Austin Bailey are trying for baby number two. Let’s keep them in our thoughts, Lake Starlighters.

Xo,

Buzz Wheel

I flip back to the string with Allie.

Me: Well that’s great. Just when I thought Kingston and I were in smooth waters.

Allie: I’m about to go to Lucky’s, hop on this Owen’s back, and gouge his eyes out. Taunting Kingston like that? What an asshole.

Me: It’s a long history, but I’m going to forget what I just read and chill for the night.

Allie: Okay, we can talk later. How is Terra and Mare? I think I might want to check it out.

Me: Why don’t you just move here? LOL

Allie: Because I don’t want to be part of the gossip. I just want to be the outsider looking in. Oh and to be Grandma Dori’s Thelma. :P

I laugh and click off my phone, praying and hoping Kingston doesn’t run by Lucky’s Tavern.

Thirty

Kingston

I allow a week to go by to cool my anger before I seek out Owen. He’s in the dock bar with his fisherman buddies when I find him. Approaching