Prim chuckles, and if I’m not mistaken, before my mother turns her back to me, I see her wearing a slight smirk.
“Come on,” Prim says, “if we hurry, we can get to the orchards by mid-afternoon.”
“Okay,” I relent. “But don’t work me too hard.”
?
Ali Kat
I’m not a stranger to working on the farm, I just never expected I’d be going back to it after all these years.
The greenhouses are new, and dare I say, efficient. It must have taken a heck of a lot to get my dad to agree to the upgrade. In addition to the greenhouses, there are mobile electric fences that make it easier to move the livestock to different pastures. They’re small things, but back when I was living here, it would have seemed like something out of the Jetsons.
“So, what’s the deal, Primmy?”
She casts me an annoyed glance. “Deal? Like, why we have to work? To keep the family farm going.”
“No, I mean boys. Are you seeing anyone? You’re going into your senior year, so don’t act like you don’t have a crush.”
Prim’s cheeks flush red, letting me know there is indeed a boy she fancies. Now, I just need to get it out of her.
She spreads nutrients in the soil of the potted plants, avoiding my question.
“Oh, come on. We’re sisters. You need to tell me this stuff. When I was your age, I wished I had an older sister to talk with about boys. Spoiler Alert: They all suck.”
“Duh,” she sneers, “of course I think about boys, but the one I like, doesn’t think about me.”
I cock a brow. “Prim, that’s crazy. You’re beautiful. The only reason any guy wouldn’t be interested in you is if he’s gay. Are you into gay men? I mean, you’d be surprised the number of times I’ve been burned by that. They’re so attentive in conversation, then suddenly, you’re smitten. No fuckin’ clue that he’s only interested in your hairdresser.”
“Um, no. That’s not it.”
“Then, who?”
Prim bites her lower lips, glancing around as if she’s scared someone will overhear her. “You have to promise not to tell anyone.”
“Sister swear.”
“Sister swear? Is that a thing?”
“It is now. Stop avoiding the question.”
She sets down the shovel she’s using to scoop the enhanced soil into the planters and looks at me, lips pursed. “You promise you won’t say a word?”
“Sister swear.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay, well, I really like Garrett.”
I blink half a dozen times, unable to process what she’s telling me, and when it finally hits me, it unleashes a cyclone of instability.
“What the actual FUCK! I knew there was a reason he was staying here. Cutting bills, my ass! That snake! You’re not even eighteen. How long has this been going on for—”
“Quiet!” Prim hisses with fear-filled eyes.
“I swear to GOD if he’s laid a hand—”
“He says I’m too young!” she says frantically. “Tells me to try back when I’m eighteen.”
“Oh…well, that’s still really sleazy!”
