In a clipped voice, Rebel says, “If you’re going to start a brawl, do itoutof my way. I’m too busy for all the caveman grunting.”
Clifford stops in his tracks.
I freeze too.
Rebel’s not looking at either of us.
Long, pink fingernails wrap around her cell phone as she speaks into the device. “Hey, Dalton. Yeah, are you and your crew available today? Oh, that’s perfect. Can you come down to the Kinsey farm? Dalton, you lifesaver!”
Sunshine wraps around her soft blonde hair like a halo and the fitted pink over-alls hug her willowy figure.
My heart does a strange double-tap, a symptom I’ve only experienced in Rebel Hart’s presence. It’s one of the many reasons I make it a pointnotto be in the same room with the woman.
Grunting, I rub my chest.
Cliff’s shadow falls on me. I glance up and find the jerk watching me with a glib smile.
He looks pointedly at where Rebel walked away and then focuses on me again. “Guessyouhaven’t changed since high school either, Kinsey.”
I stare at him, expressionless. “Are you going to leave on your own, Davoe? Or do you need to be escorted off the property?”
A shadow falls over Clifford’s face and he spits to the side. “You’re lucky you’re on your own turf,PrinceKinsey. If your dad weren’t the sheriff…”
I advance on him, seeing his eyes widen at my sudden movement. “If my dad wasn’t the sheriff, it would have been my fist and not a hockey puck coming at you.”
Clifford grins, showing off his big, yellow teeth. “You think Rebel will thank you for this? She won’t. She’s got a truckload of losers just like you who can’t see nothing but her pretty face. It’sbecause of guys like you,” he juts his finger in my chest, “that she thinks she’s something special.”
I stare at him, my lips curling up in a mocking smile.Idiot.
“You think I’m funny, Kinsey?” Clifford barks out a laugh, but it’s not one of amusement. He looks down at his fists as if he’s trying his best to control his arm. “You and that arrogant,punchableface.”
I applaud Cliff’s effort, but I’d give that insult a two out of ten. As a Kinsey, I’ve been called worse things.
“Clifford, you’re still here?” Rebel says, appearing in the doorway again with her cell phone hanging from her right hand. In a crisp voice, she demands, “Why haven’t you left yet? My crew is coming in fifteen.”
I flinch. With a tone like that, she’s poking at a bear. Does she not understand how unhinged Clifford is?
“I was just leaving,” Clifford snarls. He knocks into my shoulder as he passes by and hisses in my ear. “Better keep close to home,PrinceKinsey. Venture too far, and mommy and daddy won’t be there to save you from me.”
Well, since we’re exchanging advice…
I whisper too. “Put your hands on Rebel again, and not even my dad can saveyoufromme.”
Clifford scowls. He and his workmen give me dark looks as they file out.
The welder’s truck coughs to life. I spin around to see a cloud of sand whip up over the tires. A moment later, Clifford peals away from the farm.
“I suppose I should thank you,” Rebel mutters, passing me by while tapping on her phone. The scent of her perfume mixes with the engine oil and brake fluid coming from the monster truck to my right.
She’s real close to me. Close enough that I can see the sparkly, pink clip in her hair wink in the sun.
A jumble of words spring to my lips.
Are you okay?
Did you hurt your arm?
Clifford’s an idiot. Whatever he said, don’t let it get to you.
