Page 41 of Rough
And maybe smash their noses on a rock.
Another rock smacks into my window, and I growl because it pulls me from thoughts of their destruction. Whipping off my blanket, I stomp over to the window and rear back when another, larger rock slams into the window right in front of my face.
Shoving up the window, I stick my head out and glare down at Remy. I hiss as quietly as possible. “What. Are. You.Doin’?”
“Come out, Bets. I wanna talk with you.”
Flipping him the middle finger, I ignore the way my voice gets louder as I bite out, “I don’t wanna talk with you. Go away!”
Letting his head fall in frustration, he eyes the tree next to my house. “I’m gonna climb up there if you don’t come down. I got somethin’ for ya, too. Don’t you wanna see?”
“Show me what it is, then I’ll decide.”
Remy shakes his head quickly. “Nope. You won’t be able to see it right from up there. Come down. Your Pap is already asleep. Saw him turn off lights like half an hour ago.”
“You’ve been out there for half an hour?”
“An hour. Come down, Bets.”
Growling in frustration, I shut my window and turn back to him. Digging my clothes from today out of my dirty clothes basket, I angrily tug my jeans back on and throw a sweatshirt over the T-shirt I was planning to sleep in. Slowly opening my door, I tiptoe down the hallway, all the way to the back door, grab my boots before slipping outside. We never lock the door, so at least I don’t have to worry about Pap hearing the loud thunk when it’s turned.
I wait outside for a moment, checking to make sure no lights turn on, then blow out the breath I was holding. Finally, I shove my feet into my boots and march around the house to where Remy is standing, arms across his chest and a smirk on his face.
He went through his growth spurt a year back, but now his arms are starting to get thicker from all the farm work he’s been doing.
“What do you have for me?”
I match his stance, not ready to forgive him. Any of them, really.
“Don’t be mad at me, Bets. Here.” He leans to the side and pulls out a bucket hidden behind a tree, holding it out to me.
Without taking it from him, I peer inside and let my head turn sideways as I study it. “What’s this?”
Shaking the bucket to get me to take it, I eventually reach out and pick through the tubes and small cans inside. There are a few new paintbrushes as well, different sizes.
“We’re gonna finish your flowers.”
My eyes lift to his. “I finished it today.”
“Not the back.” He grabs my arm and drags me over to the barn where the diesel tank is. Far enough from the house that we don’t have to worry about whispering anymore.
“Rem…” I trail off, not sure what to say. “It’s pitch black out. I’m not even gonna be able to see it.”
Pulling a flashlight from his pocket, he waves it at me. “Got this. I’ll hold the light for you. Come on, Bets. Let me say I’m sorry for upsettin’ you today.”
Sighing, I nod and follow him. We wedge ourselves between the barn wall and the tank. There’s already a big flannel blanket laid out, so we don’t have to sit in the dirt, and a bucket of water for me to rinse my brushes.
“Dang. You got this all set up, huh?”
It’s so dark that when he grins, I’m shocked at how white his teeth look. “I did good, huh?”
“Yeah, you did good. I’m still mad at you, though.” I feel bad when his smile falls, so I add, “But this helps. You’re gonna get an earful while we paint. It’ll be part of your punishment.”
Snickering, he takes my bucket so I can sit down, then he sets it between my legs and crawls next to me. Flicking his flashlight on, he directs the beam to his face so I can see him better.
“I’ll take your lecture, but then you gotta listen to me, too.” Flashing another famous Remington Landry smile at me, I look away and shrug.
“We’ll see. I need light on my bucket so I can see what you brought me.”
