Boy sees girl. Girl jumps in pond naked.
Boy meets girl. Boy and girl rib each other and flirt incessantly for a month straight.
Boy takes care of girl when she’s sick and things suddenly get serious. Boy’s hand goes down girl’s panties, but like just to see what’s going on and because it seems like the right thing to do.
Girl tells boy she is a bit of a minefield, but gives him a map to the minefield. Boy accepts.
Girl gets fed up and asks boy what the hell they’re doing. Boy kisses girl. Magic ensues.
Boy thinks he’s doing a nice thing by getting girl’s ex off her back, but girl actually hates it and boy ruined everything.
Boy should have known because of said minefield map.
I fucked up. But this has to be fixable, right?
Surely she can hear me out when she’s calm. I can explain what I meant, and how I won’t do it again.
I just got back from the lab. Real hot Saturday night. I considered asking Caleb and Becca if they were doing anything so I could meet up with them and take my mind off Darcy, but I ended up wimping out.
But judging by the sound coming from the field behind the house, Darcy’s not even mad right now.
Laughter. Honking laughter cut with big gasps. Then gunfire?
“I can’t believe I hit it! I didn’t even mean to!”
“What do you mean, you didn’t mean to? What else are we doing, ya ding dong?”
Brianna and Darcy sit in lawn chairs in the fading light, a case of cheap beer between them, and what I assume are empty cans on a fence post out in front of them. Between them and the house, tables and chairs are set up for what looks like a meal. Right, Darcy’s family barbecue.
My boots crush the grass under my feet until Bri turns to look at me. “Darcy, give me the gun.”
“Why?” Darcy asks, her accent much thicker than normal and her voice lazy. “You cuttin’ me off?”
She hands what looks like an airsoft rifle off to Bri, then looks back at me with a scowl. Stormy sits on her lap and Darcy cups her arms around her possessively. “What do you want?”
I put my hands out. “Just making sure you girls are safe. You sure drinking and shooting’s a good idea?”
“I thought I told you earlier I can handle myself,” Darcy slurs.
I nod. “You did. It’s true.”
“Then let me handle myself, cowboy.”
I put my hands out, knowing when I’m not wanted. “Alright. You two ladies have a good night. I’m just down the road if you need me.”
“We won’t!” Darcy calls as I walk away, and I hear Bri’s “aww” in my wake.
“Here! Jake! Heads up!” Bri launches a beer can at me. I catch it just before it dinks me. “A beer for the road!”
* * *
There’sa knock at the cabin door an hour later. I’ve had the beer Bri threw at me and a couple more from my fridge.
Darcy’s not the only one feeling sorry for herself. Funny how the minute I decide I’m tired of fucking around, I meet someone worth not fucking around with, and I fuck it up.
Figures.
I open to Brianna leaning against the screen door. “Old girl’s fallen asleep out back and can’t get up.”
