Under the Dusty Sky (Holloway Farms)

between them, unsure of when she’s going to lose it. She’s definitely going to lose it.
    “ Well, I didn’t really feel I had to, Graceland.”
    Here it comes.
    Gracie’s face twists into this weird angry, pouty, sad face, and it throws me. I’ve seen a lot of girls’ trying-to-get-their-way faces, but no one has anything on this girl.
    Gracie breathes out slowly and wrinkles her nose.
    “ Right. Because I’m just your daughter. I don’t need to know when you’re dating someone. It doesn’t affect me at all. Have fun then.” Her voice is ice cold. She turns and begins to walk away, but not as confidently as I think she means to.
    “ Graceland Marie Holloway. Stop right there.” Carter booms. I really desperately want to sneak away, but I don’t know how. Gracie stops but doesn’t turn.
    “ You drop the attitude right now, young lady. What I do with my spare time is my business. Show a little more respect.”
    Gracie does turn, and they glare at each other. They have the same glare.
    “ We all pitch in. We work together. A strong family works together. That’s what you said. You don’t think this affects our family. You can’t lie to us, Dad. Lying to us affects our family.” Gracie tries to control the volume of her voice, making it deeper and more scathing.
    I make a fatal mistake as I listen to her, and look at Carter, confused. Gracie thinks that Carter’s keeping it from the twins, too. Gracie catches my look, and her eyes snap back to her dad.
    “ Asher and Archer know?”
    Carter steps forward, and Gracie steps back.
    “ You just kept it from me?” she asks before looking at me accusingly. I shift my eyes down. I do not want to be dragged into this.
    “ I didn’t want to tell you until I knew for sure. I know how you are about these things.” Carter tries to explain, and Gracie takes another step back. I have no idea who’s the parent and who’s the child. They switch roles so many times.
    “ Knew what for sure?”
    “ If I love her.”
    Gracie chokes.
    “ If you love her? You haven’t even been on a date yet.”
    Carter’s face goes red but not out of embarrassment.
    “ For Christ sake, I’m not a teenager. Diana and I have been flirting with the idea for a while now. We have common interests. We live the same lifestyle. She makes me happy, Graceland. I’m not some little girl with a crush. Don’t be ridiculous. This conversation is over.”
    The defiant, I’ve-got-you-cornered look melts from her face. I don’t think her dad has ever spoken to her like this. She turns and walks away, only making it a couple steps before she breaks into a run.
    I watch her for a second before turning to Carter, who has his nose pinched in his fingers.
    “ I don’t know what to do with her sometimes.”
    “ I’ll talk to her. See if she’ll listen to me.”
    He laughs. “Good luck.”
    I take off across the yard after her.
    ***
    She almost knocks me out with the screen door, but I catch her just as she’s running up the stairs. She yanks her arm from my grip and keeps running.
    “ Gracie, wait.” I’m out of breath but manage to intercept her in front of her door.
    “ Get out of my way, Ben,” she says, crossing her arms.
    “ Just talk to me, Gracie. What was that?” I so badly want her to just let it go. Stop trying to be this tough, controlling chick and just let it out.
    “ That was my family lying to me. That was you lying to me.” She glares.
    “ Whoa, how did I get pulled into this?” I lift my arms off the door frame, and she takes the opportunity to duck around me. She tries to slam the door in my face, but I stick my foot in and push it open.
    “ You knew. You knew this whole time. After everything you said. Be real. Be honest. How you feel. But you lied to me about my dad. How long have you known?”
    “ I didn’t lie,” I stutter, but that’s only a half-truth. I didn’t lie because I didn’t mention it.
    “ Get out.” Her eyes are so distant. So cold. She’s looking at me, but there’s no focus.
    “ Gracie.”
    “ Get out, Ben. Get out. Go home. Go with your sister. She already told me you’re leaving. Get off the farm. Get out of my life.” Her mouth presses together to stop the tremble in her lip.
    “ I,” I start, and she flings open the door and pushes my chest. She’s strong, and I fall back into the wall.
    “ GET OUT !” she screams at me and slams the door so hard I’m surprised my eardrums don’t shatter. I’m about to push