Chapter 27 Jane
Jane
It’s almost midnight. I’m staring at the antique wall clock in our loft, watching as the second hand goes by.
Trying not to throw up, I’m focusing on the ticking, taking in long, calming breaths. I had too much to drink tonight. I’m not even sure what was in those cups—more Hunch Punch or just vodka-spiked Kool-Aid?—but they went down smooth and fast, and before I knew it, I was shit-faced.
Oh, well! I had fun. I mean, I don’t usually go in for rich girls, but Blair is actually interesting.
Like, she’s been to Europe, seen the famous castles, loves to tell me all about it in vivid detail and not in a show-offy way.
Plus, she pays for everything. My drinks, my smokes.
She gives me new lipsticks. She thinks I’m this cool, exotic girl because I lived in Dallas and other places, too. Outside of here.
I dunno. It’s slim pickings in this town, so I’m just going with it. Being part of the in crowd has never been my thing, but it does have its perks, like yes, Blair buying my stuff, but also like Mom and Pa and I getting to go to the Boat House, me getting to swim at Miller’s.
But Nellie…
Shit. I’m not one to back down from playing chicken, but for a split second, I thought she was going to tear our heads off with that Jet Ski.
I seriously did. My plan was to dive down and swim as hard as I could to the bottom before she got to us, but thankfully, the lunatic swerved at the last possible sec, barely missing us.
She’s demonic.
Her eyes were almost glazed over as she sped toward us with that monster of a boyfriend sitting hunched behind her.
“Fucking psycho!” Blair yelled at her, an earsplitting scream that was full of real terror and fear.
“You crazy bitch! You coulda killed us!” Tommy hollered.
“What the fuck was that about?” I asked.
“She basically wants to off us all, I guess?” Blair said, laughing, though she sounded nervous, a giggle being stretched on a tightrope. “You know she’s jealous. She hates that we all love you, I just know it.”
But at least Pa got to see how nasty she is to me, calling me a skank.
But what he didn’t see—what I made sure to do in the slyest way possible—was me provoking her.
I gave her the biggest death stare ever.
Then I dropped it instantly, changing my face back into its usual sunny, good-girl expression. Just to fuck with her.
There’s no way he’ll ask me about her again after that.
I even had fun skinny-dipping. I mean, yes, I could feel all the boys had their eyes on me, even Tommy, Blair’s boyfriend, but Luke is a free spirit, always flirty-flirty with everyone, so I just kind of assumed he’d be cool with it. It’s not like I let anyone kiss or touch me.
And honestly? I’m cool with it, Luke coming on to others and me doing the same. I don’t want to wind up being one of those controlled, under-the-thumb women like Mom.
So I took off my dress, keeping my bottoms on like the other girls (not the boys—they went full commando), unlaced my bikini top and let it flop on the grass, then let the hot wind kiss my chest. It felt great; I felt free.
And everything was fine until Nellie tried to mow us down.
It was even fine after that, except for how much I drank.
The room’s tilting around me now, but I keep my eyes focused on the clock. Tick, tock, tick.
The back door creaks open.
Mom and Pa.
They’ve been outside, sitting around the campfire.
From the sounds of it, he’s had as much to drink as I have.
I know they think I’m asleep, so I sit up, lean toward the railing, cock my ear.
“All’s I’m sayin’ is to think about it—”
“Ethan. I’ve never done anything like this and am ashamed you’re asking—”
“We need more money! M-O-N-E-Y!” Pa actually spells the whole word out, his lips tripping on some of the letters. “And that man took a shine to you—”
“Wha—”
“Don’t deny it! I caught it. His wife may have a stick up her ass, and their daughter is bizarre. Nellie. The balls on her… But the man—”
“You seriously want me to—”
I sit up all the way now, my tipsiness fading fast.
“I’m just saying you could butter him up. They could be our biggest account! Just…you know, take the truck into town tomorrow. Load it up with a box of your oils. Take Jane with you—”
Ugh.
Forever the scout bee.
The very last thing I wanna do is spend my Saturday trapped with Mom and all this madness Pa’s pushing on her.
“And bump into the man. We’ll look ’em up in the phone book. Park outside their house, wait and see if he leaves, and follow him.”