His lips go into a furious little pout, and I realize I really like that. More than I want to admit. I’ve never been with a guy before—never really wanted to. But I’m not a close-minded asshole, and I wouldn’t take it off the table. This guy though? Yeah, that’s not happening, no matter how pretty he is when he pouts. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah. I do. You were raised in Kensley. Probably never once been around—at least that you knew—anyone who identified as gay or anything on the rainbow.”
His nose scrunches, deep in thought. “Like what? Bisexual?”
I pat his arm mockingly. “Very good.” It’s over-the-top, and there’s that scowl and pout again. “But there are other identities too.”
“I know that, asshole. We have the internet here.”
My eyebrows raise at that, and he must realize his mistake because his eyes go impossibly wide.
“Not that I’ve researched that shit. I’m just saying. We know around here it’s just...” He snaps his mouth shut, and I toss my head back and laugh because wow. Kensley, Kansas, kind of breaks my brain.
“Right,” I say, not really believing he could name one other sexuality, but that’s fine. I’m not here to teach this country boy a damn thing.
“I’m just saying... you say that shit around the other farm hands or around other people from town and...”
“Aw, are you worried about me? I’m touched,” I say in an over-the-top taunting manner that might get my ass knocked out, but it would be worth it.
“Fuck off,” he grunts. “Get your ass beat. I don’t care.”
“Oh, good to know this town is even more vile than I thought.”
His cheeks are pink—but not with embarrassment, I don’t think. I think he turns pink when he’s angry. Interesting. “That’s not what I meant. I meant...” He throws his hands up in frustration. “Forget it. I don’t care. You aren’t my responsibility.”
He starts walking up to the house again, and I catch up to him, grabbing his wrist to stop him, and he immediately pulls away from me like I burned him or something. Even though he was the one to do the same thing a moment ago. “I can take care of myself. What the hell is your problem?” I suddenly feel a little bad for myrepression jokeyesterday. “If you’re actually, you know... repressing some shit...”
“What?” he snaps angrily, and I think for a minute he might actually hit me. “I’m not gay. I’m not hiding that I’m gay. I have a girlfriend.”
“A lot of gay guys do,” I say, trying to keep my tone even, like I don’t care.
I’m not even sure he heard me though. “Well, I did. We broke up.” Again, interesting. I’m not sure why. “But not because I’m gay,” he says quickly. “She ended it with me.”
My right brow lifts in intrigue, and he snaps his mouth shut. “I can’t imagine why,” I say dryly.
“You know what? I don’t know why I even bother with you.”
“What exactly is your problem with me, huh?” I ask, taking a step closer to him, standing tall. He might have weight on me, but we’re fairly close in height, though, he is definitely taller than me.
“You’re a spoiled little brat with expensive shoes and an attitude I don’t like,” he says through gritted teeth.
“And you’re a holier-than-thou, angry country boy with an attitudeIdon’t like,” I spit out.
“Just stay out of my way, and we’ll be fine,” he says, staring me down.
“Deal.” I say, unsure why it makes my gut twist just saying that word. It’s not like I want to be around him, but I kind of have to be.I don’t want to be. I don’t. Who cares if he doesn’t like me?
He takes off toward the barn, and I split from him, heading into the main house and avoiding my aunt and cousin, who are sitting in the living room, looking perfectly content as I rush up to my room.
I don’t understand why I let that asshole get to me. Normally, I’m unshakable. It’s kind of my thing.
But one thing is for sure... Jasper has me shook. And I don’t like it.
SIX
Of course he didn’t stay out of my way. All he’s been for the first week is in my way.
Constantly.
