Under the Dusty Sky (Holloway Farms)

sputtering going on in my chest, but I know outside I look calm, bored even. It’s easy for me to conceal my emotions. When you grow up like I did, it’s not hard to be fake.
    I pull my mouth into a grin.
    “ She sure is. Filled to the brim with it. I usually call it attitude.” I laugh and step away from the window, prying my eyes off her. I need to take a shower or something. I already took one, but I feel covered in dust already.
    The twin stops me with his leg. My eyebrows pull together as I take in his small but tank-like frame. I’ve always been told never to mess with a farm kid. They might not be able to lay it out, but they sure can take it.
    “ My sister is a pain in the ass, but she’s still my sister. She has plans for you. We can tell, mostly ‘cause she’s always schemin’. I’m warning you to be careful, and also if it ends badly, Asher and I will be the least of your worries. You haven’t met Hunter yet.”
    The muscle in my hand twitches. I’m being threatened by a sixteen year old. This is definitely a first.
    I put my hand on Archer’s shoulder. Mostly to stop the twitching.
    “ There’s nothing to end, man. I’m here to work for a few months, get away from the city for some quiet. That’s it.”
    Archer smiles, but it’s not a friendly smile. It’s a disbelieving one.
    “ It’s hard work to keep up with her,” he says and hops off the counter. At the doorway to the long hall, he stops and turns, his hair shadowing his eyes, but I can see them laughing at me.
    “ It’s also hard to say no to her. She’ll do whatever it takes to get what she wants from you. But you better learn the word, Bentley. Practice it. Use it. You’ll need it. Welcome to our home, and good luck with Bug. You’ll need some of that, too.”
    He chuckles like a little kid who’s sadistically frying an ant with a magnifying glass and leaves me alone in the powder blue and white kitchen. I’ve been here for less than twenty-four hours, and this is the most intense girl I’ve ever met.
    I look out the window at her again.
    And possibly the most intriguing.
    She’s got her feet up on the carved post that holds up the overhang, and her arms are behind her head. Her work shirt is untucked and unbuttoned. Her flat, bronzed stomach is exposed, looking even darker against the white of her shirt. Her jeans ride low on her hips.
    I turned eighteen less than a month ago.
    It’s barely two years between us.
    I breathe out slowly.
    No.

CHAPTER 4
    Graceland
    “ He looks like the guy from that vampire show. I can see his eyes from here.” Lacy is sitting on my window bench a week after Bentley arrives, peeking through the curtains. Bentley’s playing with Rasp, and I hate how I feel about it. It’s cute. He’s not supposed to be cute. And Rasp isn’t supposed to like him this much. He spends more time with that dog than anyone else. He’s either working, glued to his cell phone, or in his room, and no matter how much I try, and believe me I try, he has spoken less than ten words to me in five days. Maybe I should take up texting him. He might notice that.
    I try to act disinterested in what Lacy’s saying but mostly because I’m pissed. Lacy’s my best friend. Normally I tell her everything, but I’m disheartened by Ben’s total lack of recognition and I can’t tell her why yet. She would think it was crazy anyways. Hell, right now I think it’s crazy. She’d think I am even more ridiculous for deciding that Bentley is the guy. I had known him for less than twenty-four hours when I made the decision, and I’ve known him a week now and not so much as one accidental touch. On his part, of course. I bump into him any chance I get.
    No, I can’t tell Lacy yet. She’ll run her hands through her hair and squeeze her eyes shut like she always does when she disagrees with me. She’ll look at me with that mom look, but I know what I want.
    I don’t want a soulmate, or Mister Right, or perfect person. I want the perfect first time.
    “ Hey, earth to Gracie. Are you even listenin’ to me?” Lacy kicks me with her bare foot, and I jump.
    “ No, you’re probably not sayin’ anything important anyway.” I grin, and she pounces on me. I screech and kick out at her as she tries to pin me down and tickle me. I hate being tickled, and she knows it. A side effect of the twins. I wiggle out from under her and fall to the floor with a thud.
    My bedroom door opens, and Asher pokes his head in.
    “ What in