Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail(6)

"You, missy," Ned barked and stood up. "You need to change your attitude. I done have no time to deal with the likes of you." With those parting words, he stomped away from the booth and a little later we heard the cash register ping open.

Deputy Doug laughed softly. "You and Ned always bump heads over things."

Brady laughed his agreement. "You know, Rayna, you don't have to go around and look for things to pick at. You know how Ned feels about that Bigfoot. He's sensitive."

I rolled my eyes. "Well excuse me for being honest. He could have more customers if he'd just get rid of that thing."

Brady chuckled. "And you know what else, Ned's right about your attitude. You really can be negative sometimes."

I was negative? When I was helping him out? My eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"

Brady straightened in his seat and flashed a grin. "You know what I'm talking about. You need to let loose more, Rayna. Take the stick out of your ass."

Deputy Doug grew quiet.

I saw red. "Well, not all of us are 'cool' enough to get in fights and get thrown in jail every other week. I mean, not all of us are 'cool' enough to go and have a beer the next day with the person you busted up. You're right, Brady."

Brady's smile dimmed—just a bit.

I continued, "Maybe I should do it. Maybe I should let loose and see who I punch. Hell—maybe I should even sleep with someone. That'd be fun."

His smile was nearly extinct.

I kept going. "You're right. I've been meaning to get on that. Everyone else is talking how much fun sex is. I think it's time I have some of that fun. Wouldn't want to miss out, would I?"

Brady glowered at me. "You're talking stupid. Don't talk like that."

"What do you mean? I thought I needed to 'let loose' and 'get the stick out of my ass.' I mean, that's what you said, wasn't it?"

Brady glared.

I glared back.

Deputy Doug had ceased to exist.

It was at that time that Ned chose to make his appearance again. He took one look at us and left again.

Deputy Doug cleared his throat. "Uh…I just wanted to let you know the good news, Brady. And I should be heading back to the station. You, huh, you two have a good rest of the morning, you hear?"

As he left, Brady slumped back in his booth. "See what you just did. You scared 'em both away."

My eyeballs threatened to pop out.

"What?" Brady saw my look. "You did. They like me, Rayna."

"I cannot believe you!" I threw my hands in the air and stormed from the booth, past growling Bob and Ned who'd taken position behind his counter again. Bob's growl roared behind me when I went through the door and I waited in the car, fuming until Brady came out. When the door swung open and I saw him coming, two guys from school stopped to chat. Then Brady stopped mid-sentence and turned my way. I felt the heat of his gaze through the windshield and I gulped, slumping down further in the seat.

The two guys turned to watch me too. One laughed, shook his head, and patted Brady's shoulder before they went inside.

When he got in the car and started the engine, he was quiet for a moment. "You want to loosen up? Tim and Darren just told me the kegger's going strong at Barthal's woods."

I knew Brady and I knew him well. For some reason this was a challenge. The gamut had been thrown and I wasn't going to lose. Brady usually won, but this time I was bound and determined even though my stomach took a steep decline. This wasn't going to end well, but I batted my eyelashes. "Sure. I'll start there."

"Fine."

"Fine."

Brady turned the car towards Barthal's woods. I couldn't slump any further down in the seat.

CHAPTER FOUR

Brady parked in a back cornfield and threw open his door. When his long legs took him across the field, around the maze of cars, and through the first line of trees, I sighed. Then I stuck my hands in my pockets and slowed to a lingering trek. I knew he would already have his drink in hand by the time I got to the party. I was a little hurt that he didn't wait for me, but Brady went at his own pace. I'd accepted that a long time ago and followed behind through the corn stalks.

Barthal's woods were a small section of trees located south of Hank Barthal's cornfields. Hank was the father of one of the football players, another friend of Brady's. They were all friends with Brady. They were not friends with me, which is why I took my sweet time.

As I grew closer, I squared my shoulders and took a breath. I was almost there and then I tripped. I caught my balance before I completely fell and stumbled into the small opening where Brady's friends were.

Sure enough. Brady already stood beside the kegger, cup in one hand and the other in his pocket. He struck a cocky stance while he listened to whatever Clarissa was whispering in his ear. He didn't look at me, but she did. Those smart green eyes of hers seemed to see right through me. Yes, Brady and I were at odds with each other and yes, Clarissa caught onto it. She always saw right through us. I sighed and wrapped my arms around me. It'd grown cold suddenly.

"You're one of those girls, huh?"

A guy with soft features and brown eyes stood to my left. I labeled him as Prettyboy, but wasn't going to let him know that. There was something in his eyes, but then he looked to where I'd been staring and his eyes went flat.