my head, scoffing out a snide chuckle. To believe these dickwads thought this would upset and embarrass me. If anything, it amused me to watch them make idiots out of themselves. Trying to prove whatever point they wanted to get across.
Girls wanted me just as much as they wanted them. I was in a band.
Enough said.
Harley bit, “The only trained animal I see is you, Trigger.” Eyeing the quarterback, she added, “Jackson, call your lapdog before I give him a taste of what I’ve been feedin’ you all these years.”
He fired back, calling out his nickname for her, “What’s the matter, Gremlin? Can’t fight your own battles? Need a real guy to help you out? I don’t see your very best friend Cash moving a muscle to defend your honor.”
“Fuck off, Pierce! It’s you who needs protection from Harley,” I declared, meaning every word. “Better guard those balls, boy, we all know who owns ’em.”
He growled, stepping toward me, but Harley got in his face. “You know better than anyone, Jackson Pierce. I can and will fight my own battles. Especially when it comes to you. I just can’t believe YOU are still tryin’ to pick one with me! Cash and I are mindin’ our own business, and you two Neanderthals decide to stir shit up. What’s wrong with you?”
Everyone went quiet, too busy paying attention to every last word that flew out of our mouths.
“Nothing wrong with me, baby girl. I just know your daddy wouldn’t appreciate the way you’re dancing.”
“Ugh, Jackson! Why do you gotta be so frustratin’? After everythin’ we been through!”
Clenching his jaw, he snarled, “Shut your mouth, Harley.”
Only reminding me exactly what they were arguing about. The football star shoved his tongue down Harley’s throat, stealing her first kiss. Harley could take care of herself, though, it was the Jameson blood in her.
She met his heated stare, spewing, “Or what?”
I scoffed out a chuckle, I couldn’t help it.
They went back and forth like this for what felt like forever. I was used to it by now, their feud never ended.
“I hate you so much.”
“You wish you hated me,” he baited.
“Why are you such a bully?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you ar—”
He smacked her ass. “Now that’s being a bully.”
“You fresh assho—”
“Alright, students! Break it up! The buses are here, and it’s time for you all to go home!” one of the teachers ordered, bringing our attention over to her.
I grabbed Harley’s arm again, bringing her back toward me.
“What just happened?” Shiloh asked, walking up behind her. “I was getting my books out of my locker.”
“Nothin’. Let’s go,” Harley replied, nodding at me. I let her go and watched them leave toward the bus.
Trigger quickly celebrated. “You owe me ten bucks.” Knocking his elbow into Jackson, bringing my attention over to them. “I kicked your ass.”
I shook my head again. Trigger was known for never turning down a bet. It was how he got his name.
It wasn’t until he asked, “That’s your girl’s cousin, right?”
Jackson’s reply of, “Mmm hmm...” set me off.
“You wish she was your girl,” I stated the truth, catching him off guard.
The pissed off look on his face let me know he wanted to go one-on-one with me now.
“If I wanted Harley, I could easily have her. Trust me, she’d forget your name by the time I was done with her.”
“You mean like your mom forgot yours.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.
Another trait I got from my old man. My sharp ass tongue cut deeper than any knife.
He jerked back like I’d punched him in the face.
“Shit, man. I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes, you did. Man up, you fuckin’ pussy.”
Before I could respond, he rammed his shoulder into mine and made his way to the bus. I let him have this one. I deserved it. What I said was shitty.
I wasn’t a complete asshole.
For the most part, I knew right from wrong.
Feeling like shit, I walked to the bus with my head down and went home. Flying straight to my room, I took two stairs at a time until my momma shouted out my name from the kitchen. Halting my ascent.
“Ma! I’m fixin’ to practice for the gig this weekend!” I reminded her.
My band was playing for the talent contest at the Memorial Day festival, and I needed to rehearse.
“Johnny Cash McGraw, you get your butt down here right now!”
“Ugh.”
She was calling me by my full name...
Which meant I was either in trouble or she wanted me to do something for