Page 35 of GAF Factor

“I mean, what did you think he was going to do? Sit around and wait for him to try again?”

I chewed on my lip, wondering if I should call him. I really didn’t want him going after Shawn for me. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I don’t want anyone avenging me.”

“Relax. He might not be avenging you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he’s just clearing the playing field,” she said nonchalantly as she strode back into the house.

“That is not helpful!” I shouted, following her inside and slamming the front door.

“Oh, relax. Did you ever think that maybe he was tired of sitting in the cold? Or maybe he was hungry? Or maybe he really had to pee? And remember that he was injured. It might beuncomfortable sitting outside in a car all day, waiting around to see if you’ll grace him with your presence.”

I stopped short, glaring at her. “You were riling me up?”

“Well, someone has to do it. And since Bowie went back to work, I’m the only one to do it.”

“You’re mean.”

“So I’ve been told,” she grinned. “You seriously need to stop focusing on men. One was constantly lying to you and the other is stalking you. What you need is a day out of the house where you don’t think about them at all.”

“And I suppose you have something in mind?”

“Of course I do.”

“I hate to point this out, but it’s winter. What could we possibly do for fun in the middle of winter?”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Are you doubting me?”

“No, I’m?—”

“Because it sounds like you’re doubting me.”

“No, I’m simply pointing out?—”

“I can’t believe you would doubt me after all this time! When have I ever steered you wrong?”

“James Marco, sophomore year.”

“He was cute,” she argued.

“He wanted to sleep with me!”

“Some would be happy about that!”

“I wasn’t even sixteen,” I snapped.

“How was I supposed to know you weren’t a hoe bag at fifteen?”

“Uh, I don’t know. Because you’re my sister and we shared a room!”

She pretended to think about it. “Okay, I may have been wrong about James, but that was one time.”

“Sledding by the pasture?” I said with a grin.

She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. “Are you trying to find the worst things that ever happened?”

“I nearly had my head chopped off by that wire on the fence!”

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