Read The Closer You Get for Free Online Page A

headed to the bar. He bobbed his head to Maroon 5 on the radio and savored the excitement of the moment. Oh, the possibilities. Maybe he could get Cash into his apartment. Maybe he could get Cash into his bed. This let’s-go-slow routine couldn’t possibly last. Cash wanted him just as badly as he wanted Cash. Adam was certain of it.
    He arrived at the bar before his date did and went in to snag a table. He was surprised to see Cora sitting at the bar drinking. Alone. He didn’t immediately recognize her. Her back was to him and her hair was down. He moved up beside her and took a handful of her hair, lifted it, and let it drift back to her shoulders. “This is different,” he said.
    She looked embarrassed. “Just thought I’d try something new. Those ponytails give me headaches.”
    “Are you wearing lip gloss?”
    Her hand went to cover her lips. “No,” she said.
    Well she was, but she clearly didn’t want to talk about it. Probably better he didn’t ask about the mascara, either. Still, for her to doll herself up like this was extremely out of character. “So what brings you out tonight?” he asked, taking note of the strappy sandals she wore. They were clearly at least fifty years old, but still dressier than normal. Jeans and a babydoll t-shirt…much more feminine than usual. This could be a very good thing, depending on what was prompting this new behavior.
    “I just felt like having a drink.”
    Adam was leaning with his back against the bar so he could watch her and the door. Rye Holcomb strolled in. His eyes swept the room. They landed on Cora, and she seemed to feel them. She turned, and Adam saw her eyes light up, though she controlled the rest of her expression. Rye didn’t smile. He nodded to her and continued looking around. He honed in on a group of three women—bimbos by all appearances—playing darts. He bee-lined for them and, in a matter of seconds, had them hanging all over him.  
    Cora went back to staring down at her beer.  
    “Everything okay, sweetheart?” Adam asked.
    She smiled, flashing her dimples. “Everything’s great.” And if she weren’t his best friend since they were five, he might’ve believed her. “If you don’t mind, Adam, I really just want to be alone. You know, lose myself in the crowd. That sort of thing.”
    Beyond her, Adam could see Rye holding the most buxom of the three women with her back against him, showing her how to throw darts. His hand was on her stomach and her head was back against is shoulder as she laughed gaudily at something he’d said. In that moment, for Cora’s sake, Adam hated her. He was also starting to hate Rye. “Cora, why don’t you come sit with me and Cash?”
    “I don’t want to!” she snapped. Her spine was stiff but she forced herself to smile. “I’m fine, Adam. I just want to be by myself.”
    “Rye’s an asshole.”
    Her smile vanished and she glared at him. “Yeah. So?”
    “So if you came here for him—”
    “I didn’t, Adam. I really didn’t, okay? I came here for a drink. And I thought maybe…maybe I’d leave my hair down. And maybe fix myself up a little. And maybe someone might come hit on me or something. I’ve never really put myself out there. I think I’d like to try harder at that from now on. That’s all, honest.”
    He searched her eyes for a long moment before relaxing. “Okay, Cora. I’m glad you’re cutting loose a little. If you change your mind, come sit with us.”
    She glanced over her shoulder as the door opened again. “Your date’s here.”
    Adam beamed as Cash came in, wearing beat-up jeans, a t-shirt, and an old ball cap, which he scooped off his head. Cash ran his hand through his hair and looked around.  
    “See ya,” Adam said to Cora. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and then went to greet Cash.  
    They took a table off in the corner. “Looks like my brother’s found his entertainment for the evening,” Cash said.
    “He always like that?” Adam asked,