Sawyer walks into the convenience store, and his friend gives us an obnoxious and poor attempt at a salute before following him inside. Wes would throat punch him for that.
I start to open my car door but my dad stops me. "Don't, Son."
I don't give a fuck anymore. Contracts are signed, he can't pull his funding from Jo, which means he gets to answer for the company he keeps. "I'm not going to do anything crazy, but they don't get to show up in my town and act like—"
My dad lets off the brake. The truck rolls forward.
"Dad, what the hell are you doing?"
"Teaching a lesson those fancy pricks won't soon forget."
The truck inches forward, and when the front bumper kisses the car's back bumper, there's barely anything to indicate it has occurred. A small tap on the gas is all it takes for the car to move. Dad keeps going, giving it just enough gas to move the car out of the way. The hose from the gas pump grows taut, and Dad stops before it disconnects from the line above. I climb out, pull the pump from the Audi TT, and insert it in our truck. Someone in line honks, and I look over. A man has his hand out the window, and he yells, "Show them how it's done, Hayden!"
"This is going to be all over the town in no time," I say to my dad through the open window.
He shrugs. "Add it to everything else people say about us. At least it'll be true."
I open my mouth to comment but there's a shriek behind me.
"You… you…" The entitled dickhead can't get more than that one word out. He stares at his car. In one hand is a soda, in the other a candy bar. Sawyer is behind him, and though he's shocked too, he's far more composed. He might actually think it's funny if the upward curve of one corner of his mouth is any indication.
"You moved my car." His voice has an edge now, and he comes toward me. I stride forward to meet him, but Sawyer pulls him back, so I slow.
"Don't come into my town and act disrespectful," I bark at him. Behind me, the gas pump clicks, signaling the tank is full. Sawyer steers his friend around me and all the way to their car.
I finish up at the pump, then climb back in. My dad pulls around the Audi, still sitting in its spot. The guy is circling the car, looking for damage. I doubt there's any.
He looks up at me as we pass, a sneer curling his lip. I offer him a one-fingered wave.
"Who was that?" my dad asks as we pull back onto the road.
"No idea. I've never seen that car before."
"The passenger."
"Huh?"
"Who was the passenger?"
My dad's curiosity confuses me. Why does he care?
"Sawyer Bennett. He's the silent investor in Jo's ranch."
"Bennett," my dad repeats quietly. He runs his tongue along the inside of his cheeks, and hand to God I can see the man's wheels turning. "I'll be damned," he says under his breath.
"Why?"
Slowly, he shakes his head. "No reason."
He's lying.
Not bullshitting. Lying.
Tenley hasa girl and names her Lyla. She is tiny, with a shock of dark Hayden hair. We each take turns holding her, though admittedly I take the most time. I earn my name of baby hog. After a while, Warner kicks us out. Tenley needs to rest.
I start my drive over to Wildflower, but after the situation at the gas station this morning I change my mind. I have an important and impromptu stop to make.
"Farley," I say when he opens the door.
