Free Learning to Blush by Korey Mae Johnson Page A

thinking about taking Thorton down to Landon’s, if anyone wants to join,” she invited.
    “Like hell,” Mike fumed, putting his feet up on the desk. “I’m staying right here. I want to know what the hell’s going on!”
    “You can pluck it all out of Thorton,” Penny assured, waving her hand. “If Ellie wants time alone with her guy, she should be alone with her guy. She can come down to Landon’s later.”
    “I don’t like this at all. ” Mike pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Something’s fishy here, and I don’t like being lied to.”
    Tom stood up and cracked his knuckles. “I say we give Thorton some truth potion, if you know what I mean. Get him good and shitfaced.”
    Timmy gave a chuckle in agreement. “Make him go for the boot at Landon’s. Everybody’s shitfaced after attempting the boot.”
    Mike found himself scratching is chin. “This is true,” he admitted, liking the idea more every second. “And, we’re more likely to get Thorton’s version of the story if Ellie’s not there to manipulate him.”
    “I could just play with him,” Penny added simply, putting her cell phone in her pocket. Everyone turned to look at her. “ What ?” she shrugged. “I’m a big girl. It’s the oldest information extraction technique in the book. Besides… He’s kinda cute.” She reached over past Mike and stole a cookie out of a nearby bag. “By the way, Mille Parsons just texted me. Said that Ellie and some tall guy came by and bought a bunch of taboo sex toys. I’m not gonna stay around to listen to it. I’m not that curious as to what she’s up to.”
    Mike blushed at this information, looking both horrified and disgusted. “Ugh—I could have lived my life without knowing that, Penny. What happened to the days when people just… kissed and held hands? You know, and eventually introduced people to their families before running away and marrying them and God knows what else?”
    “We live in Rogue River , Mike. Not Stepford,” Penny reminded cynically, rolling her eyes as she continued to text. She heard a car pull up in the lot. “She’s here. Let’s go,” Penny demanded, pointing to Mike’s cowboy hat.
    Mike huffed, grabbed his hat, and got up from his chair. Everybody filed out of the shop towards his SUV. Penny was excitedly bouncing up to the car just as Thorton was opening the door to leave. “Stay where you are!” Penny demanded. “We’re going to Landon’s!” If Penny noticed Ellie’s dour expression, she didn’t show it. “Can I borrow some cash?”
    “I just gave Thorton my wallet. He’ll treat you, don’t worry,” Ellie said, doing her best to force a smile. “Just… just go .”
    By now, Graham had stepped out of the car with a black bag in his hand and was pulling leather gloves out of his coat pocket. It wasn’t cold outside by any means—it was actually warm. Graham smiled politely at Penny, and then handed the gloves to Thorton. “Put those on,” he ordered.
    Thorton looked grateful to get them, and put them on his six digits without complaint.
    “You know, supposedly our great-granddad had six fingers,” Penny announced proudly, watching Thorton pull on the gloves. They looked like something a motorcyclist would wear—a thick, black material that looked like leather. “The sixth one was functional, too.”
    “I heard that,” Thorton said with a smile.
    “You wanna sit up front with me?” Penny asked, nodding towards the front seat.
    “You’re driving?” Thorton said, looking like he was worried about the prospect.
    “Hell yeah,” she said proudly. “I always drive.”
    “She's been doing it way, way before it was legal,” Mike added with a sigh. He looked over at Graham, who had his hand tightly wrapped around Ellie’s upper arm. “I’m Mike. Her brother,” he snapped, putting his hands on his hips and not offering his hand in greeting. “I want to talk to you tonight,” Mike informed. “I want you guys at Landon’s no