Under the Dusty Sky (Holloway Farms)

I’ll clean chickens for a week. Go. You can read at the pool.” I slam his book shut, and he jumps.
    “ What the hell, Gracie Marie?” Archer’s the only one that calls me that. Apparently it’s what Mom called me.
    “ Swimming.”
    “ I don’t really want to swim.” He snatches his book back, and I let him because he’s way bigger than me and I know it’s not worth it.
    An irritated gurgle forms in my throat.
    “ Please, Archer. I can’t go if you don’t. You can read at Lacy’s. You don’t have to swim. Please.”
    I pout. He smiles. I win.
    “ Fine. You’re really annoying, you know that? I’ve never known anyone who gets their way more than you.”
    I throw my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. He pushes me away and gets up.
    Now for Asher. When I find him in his room, he looks really agitated. His light hair is standing up from tugging on it. It’s something he does when he’s upset, one of his few distinguishing features from Archer.
    I should ask him what’s wrong, but I don’t much care at the moment.
    “ Asher, we’re going swimming at Lacy’s”
    Asher is up before I finish and rummaging through his dresser drawer. He grabs his trunks and pushes past me in the doorway.
    “ Let’s go then,” he says.
    My jaw drops as he storms down the stairs, down the hall, and out the screen door.
    It’s never been that easy.
    ***
    I catch a ride with Lacy. Bentley goes with my brothers.
    We leave a note for Dad because he’s usually in the field until dinner anyways.
    “ So exactly what’s your deal with this Bentley?” Lacy asks, and I don’t look at her. I watch the flat land whiz by her tiny car window.
    “ Gracie, don’t avoid it. I know you’re up to something. I know you too well.”
    I wink at her. I’m not ready to talk about it yet.
    “ He’s hot. Not much to figure out there.”
    “ Just be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She glances at me, and we pull into town just behind Archer’s old beat up truck.
    I stay silent until we get to her house, and she steals glances at me every few minutes. In the driveway, I lean over the seat and kiss her cheek dramatically.
    “ I don’t get hurt, Lacy Bear. But I can’t make any promises for him.”
    I hop out of the car and pull my tank over my head. I wore my black bikini because I am determined to make him notice me.
    Just as I pass Archer’s truck Bentley jumps out of the back and lands right in front of me, making me jump.
    “ Good day for a swim.” He’s holding my gaze with his ice eyes. I nod, suddenly unable to speak. This doesn’t happen to me.
    Bentley runs his hand through his hair, but his eyes don’t leave mine until he turns and follows Archer into Lacy’s backyard.
    My heart is hammering behind my tiny black bikini. I’m supposed to be knocking him off his axis, not the other way around. He doesn’t even check me out. He doesn’t even notice.
    I leave my shorts on the cement by the pool and jump in the water after Asher. I practically land on him, and he catches me. I try to drown him unsuccessfully until he flips me over his shoulder and dunks me. He lifts me up and throws me to Archer who lifts me over his head and makes a loud hulk-like grunting noise before he tosses me back in the water.
    This is the only time I love having the twins as my brothers. They are fun, and crazy, and it doesn’t hurt hitting the water.
    Lacy’s sitting on the edge of the pool very un-Lacy-like. She lives for the water, but she won’t come in. She’s kicking her legs smoothly through the water, leaning back on her hands, and she won’t look at us.
    She’s watching her little brother, Mason, struggle through the water as he plays volleyball with Bentley. It’s ridiculously adorable. Lacy’s gaze catches mine before she looks up and closes her eyes. Her legs make another pass through the water, and I have to do something about it.
    I swim to the edge of the pool and pull myself out next to Lace. She looks over and smiles a small smile.
    I stand up just as Asher swims by. I grab Lacy under the arms, lift her tiny frame easily, and she shrieks.
    “ Asher, catch!” I yell as I toss Lacy at him. He’s a quarterback so his reflexes are quick, and he catches her around the waist. Holding her against him. Her hands are on his shoulders and stay there as she slides down his body into the water.
    Suddenly she turns and glares at me.
    “ Gracie, why do you have to be such a bitch?”
    “ La-cy, I’m