OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW || Tyler Owens

PROLOGUE

Being seventeen was hard enough. It was even harder when your best friend was in love with your older brother and insisted on going on a date with him and bringing you along.

It was even worse when your best friend hooked you up with a guy you've hated since you were a kid.

"Lighten up, Andy." Tyler Owens says from beside me. "You're at a rodeo with the one and only Tyler Owens, that is not something to pout about." He finished with a smug smile.

I give him a fake grin that falls from my face instantly.

"You're right." I mutter. He smiles.

"I always am." Tyler says with a smirk.

"Your ego is miles too high." I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest. "It's not a good look. Scares away the girls." I say, looking up at him.

"And yet, you're still beside me." He remarks with a cocky grin.

"Sadly." I mutter, looking away.

A few feet in front of us walks my older brother, Will Langton and my best friend, Julie Wilson,  hand in hand, staring at the other. The sight makes me want to gag.

I do want both of them to be happy, I really do. But did it have to be with each other?

"They make a cute couple." Tyler says. I look up at him with disgust.

"If you say so." I say, a frown on my lips.

"Aren't you happy for them, Andy?" Tyler asks, raising his eyebrows. I shrug.

"Yes, of course I am." I pause. "It's just...he's my brother, and she's my best friend." I narrow my eyes at the couple in front of me. "I'm not sure I like the two together."

"Fair enough." Tyler says with a shrug. "Jules hasn't stopped talking about him though." He looks over at me. "I think she might be in love."

"Even if she is, he's still my brother." I mutter, shaking my head.

"That he is." Tyler says. "But if they weren't together, you wouldn't be with me." He says with a smile.

"Truly I am sooo lucky." I say sarcastically.

"Many girls would say you are." Tyler responds.

"Hm, I'm sure they would." I say as Tyler and I near a set of bleachers to sit and watch the rodeo.

We follow Will and Julie up the bleacher steps to four empty seats. I sit down beside Tyler, my brother on the other side of me.

Will looks over to me and smiles. It's a happy smile, one I haven't seen in a long time. I smile back. Not because I was having a good time, but rather because Will seemed genuinely happy.

"Having fun?" Will asks in a hushed tone.

"Not particularly." I mutter. "Can you talk to Julie about setting me up with terrible guys? Cause every time I tell her it doesn't seem to sink in." I shoot a glance at Tyler who is focussed on the rodeo.

Will lets out a small laugh, his hazel eyes that replicate mine, sparkling with joy.

"I'll let her know." He says. "Can't promise she'll listen." He says with a smirk.

I let out a small laugh at his response, my blonde, wavy hair, blowing in the increasing winds. We go back to watching the rodeo, too entranced by the show to realize that the clouds were getting darker and the winds kept picking up.

_____

"Julie and I are going to go get something to drink, do you two wants anything?" Will asks Tyler and I. The both of us shake our heads, Will and Julie leaving.