“How’s your back? Will you be hitting the road soon?” Dot asks me.
I see Jessie go still at the end of the couch before I answer. “It’ll be a few more weeks yet. I have a follow-up scan and appointment at the end of June. I am flying to Arizona next week, though.”
“You are?” Jessie asks, forehead puckered.
“Uh, yeah. I have a photoshoot for a sponsor.” I run my hand through my hair. “I normally wouldn’t do them this time of year, but since I’m hurt, it worked out.” I hadn’t mentioned it to her because it’s not a big deal. I don’t like talking about my sponsorships as much as my riding. I promote their brands, and they’re all great companies, but I don’t brag about it. Most people don’t get large amounts of money handed to them just for existing, so it makes me feel awkward talking about sponsor stuff outside of rodeos.
“That sounds very exciting. What kind of photos?” Gran pulls my attention from Jessie.
“It’s an off-road vehicle part company. Off Road Rage. We’ll be in the high desert with some off-road trucks they’ve built.”
“Well, make sure you wear your seatbelt and be careful.”
I smile. That’s such a grandma thing to say. Sensing Jessie’s unease, I change the subject to something I know will yank her right out of her head and into an argument with me. “So, Dot,say I were to paint some kitchen cabinets. What color would you recommend?”
Jessie mule-kicks my thigh.
I laugh. Mission accomplished.
“I said no. Do you not understand the meaning of the word no?”
“I understand it perfectly. I wasn’t even talking to you.” I turn my attention to Dot, who is restraining a smile, glancing between the two of us.
“I’ve always thought mint green was a nice color. You should do that. If you ever paint any cabinets, that is.”
Jessie gasps.
Have I ever mentioned that Gran’s my favorite person over the age of seventy-five? Because shesois.
“That is a nice color. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You will do no such thing! You literally just tore out tile that color we both hated.”
“Whoa now, calm down. I promised I wouldn’t do any construction without authorization, and I don’t break promises.”
“You know, my Edward built our kitchen cabinets. He was very handy. You remind me a lot of him, Trey.”
“Thanks, Dot. Maybe someday I’ll get the chance to remodel a kitchen.”
“Ugh! Fine! You can paint the damn cabinets, but I’m picking the colorandhelping.” Jessie’s freckles blend into her cheeks as they burn red with frustration.
I smile at her, aggravating her more. “Hey, if you want to paint them, who am I to stop you?”
Dot laughs and shakes her head. She knows exactly what I just did.
Chapter 14
Jessie
Iput my hands on my hips as I glare at Trey. “Absolutely not.” I swear he is suggestingthe worstpaint colors on purpose.
“Oh, come on. It wouldn’t look that bad.”
“It’s the color of cat puke!”
He laughs.
I point to the other wall of samples opposite us in the painting section of Home Depot. “Just . . . go over there.”
