Page 14 of Burning Skies
“A few guys called out sick. You’d know this if you were ever here,” I say, deliberately busting his balls. He hops on me and tries to get me in a chokehold, but I wrestle him to the ground and give him a hard noogie. “Fat fucking chance you’re gonna take me down.”
“All right, asshole, I give.”
Laughing, I help him up. “I’d better not bust up that pretty face. Don’t want your horde of groupies coming after me.”
After he dusts himself off, he leans toward me like he has a secret. “Wanna hear something weird? Fucking groupies gets old.”
I gasp dramatically. “Does this mean you’re done sneaking girls in and out through your window?” Because Paige got tired of trying to explain why Jace had random women in his room to the boys.
“Seriously, man. There’s no chase. It’s like going hunting and having all the deer line up to bat their lashes at you.”
“Well, just wrap it up, ’cause if you get someone pregnant, you can kiss your freedom to roam goodbye.”
He shudders. “Stop trying to freak me out. I’m actually thinking about doing an abstinence cleanse. It’s kinda like No-Nut November, except in my case, it’s no pussy. I think I need a reset.”
“We could always send you to sex addict rehab.”
“Shut up, fucker.” Shaking his head, he laughs. “I’m not addicted to sex. It’s just always been easy to find girls who wanna have fun, and I think… I think I need more.”
“You saying you want a relationship with someone?”
He scratches the back of his head. “I don’t know about a relationship. That sounds kinda permanent. Maybe a situationship or a friend with benefits.”
“Careful. Those don’t always work out the way you think they will.” I would know.
He pretends to punch me, and I put him in chokehold before he shoves me off. “What about you, old man? You’re almost thirty. Been dating any nice girls in town?”
“I’m not old,” I grumble. “And no, I’m not dating anyone.” Honey McAllister comes to mind. For some reason, I’ve been thinking about her a lot since the snake incident last week. I wonder what kind of turds she’s been dating. Her father Vernon probably has the perfect kiss-ass all picked out for her.
“You’re gonna turn into a monk if you don’t get laid sometime this year.”
I don’t bother mentioning my thing with Mel. It’s over anyway. “Just think about all the money I save from not having to buy condoms.”
“Bro, they’re expensive. Feel free to get me a box for Christmas. They’d make good stocking stuffers.”
“I’m sure Rhett would love having to explain those to the boys.” After I dump the manure out in the compost pile, I return to the barn. “I gotta go get some chicken feed for Paige and some grout for my bathroom. Wanna come?”
“Can’t. I promised Gabe I’d help him with a science project.”
“All right. Good seeing you.” I have to admit I miss Jace sometimes. He’s always been the happy-go-lucky one in my family.
I head to the giant sink that’s more like a trough and scrub my hands and face. Then I hop in my truck and head down to the Alamo Tractor Supply. After I track down what I need and pay for everything, I’m loading up the supplies in my flatbed when a familiar vehicle pulls up next to me.
“Hey, loser.”
Son of a bitch. It’s Trig McAllister.
He and his older brother Cash get out and stomp toward me. Trig leans against my truck and crosses his arms. “Well, lookie here, bro. I heard this asshole was talking to Honey the other day.” He scratches his jaw. “Care to explain why you were sniffing around our sister and asking about her cookies?”
Sometimes it really sucks living in a small town. “Just making polite conversation after I saved her from a rattlesnake.” Did I annoy her that much that she ratted me out to her brothers?
“Likely story.” He pulls out a silver flask, unscrews the lid, and takes a swallow. “Reminds me of when you denied slashing Cash’s tires.”
Trig loves bringing up shit from years ago. “It wasn’t me and you know it.” I lift the tailgate. “Have you ever considered it might’ve been one of your disgruntled employees?”
Cash shakes his head. “Our foreman saw someone who looked like you out in our lot that day.” He stares me down like he’s waiting for me to crack.
Jesus. I can’t with these two. “If anyone should be pissed here, it’s me. You were the assholes who tried to run me over.” I was in high school, biking home one night after a football game, when these douchebags nearly killed me.
