Kristen Blooming by Jenny Penn Page B

heaving a heavy sigh. “Look, man, you know how I feel about relationships and women like Kristen, but it’s clear you feel differently. So, if this is your play, then I’ve got your back.”
    That had Brandon straightening slowly up as he studied his friend. “What’s the catch?”
    “There’s no catch,” Dylan assured him, a faint hint of insult sounding in his tone, but Brandon knew Dylan better than that.
    He knew better than to believe the innocent look Dylan was trying to sell him. The bastard had joined the high school drama club just to get chicks and then ended up learning a whole new set of skills that had allowed him not only to bluff well at poker but to also lure girls to the dark side.
    “Oh, there is always a catch.” Brandon was certain of it.
    “Well, I mean, wherever you go, I go, right?” Dylan blinked over at him, clearly biting back a smile and leaving no doubt as to what he was thinking.
    “You have got to be kidding me! Are we back to that?”
    Brandon said that a little too loudly, drawing the attention of the other deputies as they all eyed them suspiciously. He lowered the volume as he leaned in to whisper furiously at Dylan.
    “You can’t really think we’re going to share Kristen.”
    “Why not?” Dylan shrugged. “We’ve shared everybody else.”
    “Nobody like Kristen, though,” Brandon insisted. “She’s different.”
    “Maybe. Maybe not.” Dylan smiled. “We won’t know until we try.”
    “Dylan ⎯ ”
    “Look.” Dylan cut him off, his tone hardening into a sound of serious intent. “You can work with me or against me, but I’m not stopping.”
    “Didn’t you hear the sheriff?”
    “Fuck the sheriff.” Dylan snickered. “And don’t even play that line with me because I know you’re not stopping, and you know together we are undefeatable. So you coming to church, or not?”

Chapter 9
     
    Wednesday, May 14 th
     
    “Are you sure about this?” Gwen frowned as she stared at the small moped Kristen was admiring. “Wouldn’t you rather get a new one? I already told you I could float you the money.”
    “Yes, but I would rather be in debt for only five hundred dollars instead of a few thousand. Besides, this one is already painted pink.” Pink was Kristen’s favorite color.
    She and Gwen had, at least, that much in common. They had a little more than that, actually, because Gwen had showed the true kindness of her heart when Kristen had mentioned the idea of getting a scooter to get around. The idea had come to her after enduring one of her mother’s long lectures about the sanctity of worship.
    Apparently, she’d heard that Kristen hadn’t gone to church on Sunday. This Sunday she was going with her mom and dad. If she didn’t want to get stuck spending Saturday night at their house, she either had to come up with a ride or get herself a set of wheels.
    Kristen really didn’t want to spend Saturday night playing gin with her mom. Cybil had already invited her to go dancing down in Dothan. Kristen didn’t know how to dance, but Cybil had assured her they’d all be lined up in a row and she would be able to easily follow along.
    That meant she needed a set of wheels, which she needed anyway for school. While she’d been thinking about a car, the idea of a scooter felt so much more her. It even came with a pink helmet.
    “I want it.” Kristen smiled at the man who stood on the other side. His name was Petey, and he smelled kind of funny. “I’ll give you three hundred dollars.”
    “Five.” The man held firm.
    “Don’t you think you should try driving it first?” Gwen suggested.
    “Four,” the man readjusted instantly.
    “What if it doesn’t even run?”
    “Three fifty and only if it rides out of this drive.”
    “Three seventy-five and it’s in perfect shape.”
    “Three seventy-five.” Kristen nodded, holding out her hand to shake Petey’s as Gwen sighed.
    “Your mother is going to blame me if you get hurt.”
    “That’s