Page 4 of Dirty Priest

“I can whip you both up something quickly before you head down to the church to meet the others.”

“What?” Lenior faces Peyton and purses her lips.

“Didn’t Father Pierce tell you?”

Pey looks from her mom to me, then back again when I give nothing away. “No, he didn’t mention anything last night… I went to bed early.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like a fool.

“Oh, well, he has been so kind and offered the church's help in fundraising. This year’s Easter parade proceeds will go toward fixing our house, so I told him you would both go down and lend a hand.”

“Mom! I have plans,” Peyton rebukes.

“What plans?” I press, earning a glare from the angry little rabbit.

“None that concern you,” she forces out through clenched teeth.

“Pity, Kye and I would have loved tocomealong and hang out.” Her eyes widen slightly before she schools her features.

“Peyton, please. I don’t get off until later, and Ken is working a double shift at the mill. We could really use your help.”

Guilt churns in her blue eyes. “Yeah, okay, Mom,” she relents.

Oh, sweet little bunny, corrupting you is going to be so much fun.

CHAPTER THREE

PEYTON

Being new to town sucks!

Every person who has come to the church to offer their help has made a big deal about meeting me. I’m so sick of fake smiling and trying to act like a God-loving girl like they expect because of who my mother is. I have nothing against God himself or anyone who goes to church. My dad just raised me differently is all. I was raised to believe that I should be able to choose my own path and not have it forced upon me. Mom has never done that intentionally. My parents are amazing, and Ken is a great guy. I just didn’t expect to live in this town. I visited once a few years ago after Mom and Ken got married, and that was enough for me. But now, I find myself calling this place home for the next two years until my dad is stateside again.

I growl when more paint splatters on my shorts and stomach. “This is bullshit,” I snarl.

“Cursing in the Lord's house is a no, no.” I whirl around to see a raven-haired girl with a pixie cut standing behind me, smiling. Her green eyes are filled with mischief. Her dress style is so different from everyone else in this town. Like me, she wears cargo pants and a black crop top. She moves toward meand snags one of the spare paintbrushes next to the giant Easter Bunny I am currently painting. “I’m Tess.”

“Peyton,” I say.

She rolls her eyes and smiles. “I know. You are all everyone in this two-horse town has been talking about since you arrived.”

I reel back. “Why?”

“Dude, the second you drove through town when you arrived and all the ladies got a look at how hot you are, they locked their sons indoors and made them read the bible.” My eyes jump to my hairline. “I’m not even lying. My mom made my brother pray all night for gawking at you as you drove past.” Laughter bursts out of me. I feel bad for laughing, but fuck, that is some backend bullshit right there.

“Wow, that’s just… wow,” I say through my laughter.

“I know, right? Even though she primps herself up for church every Sunday in the hopes Father Pierce will notice her new pearls.” We both break out into fits of laughter, and suddenly my day doesn’t seem so dreary. Tess tells me she is taking college classes online like me, as her mother wouldn’t let her move four hours away to the closest college. I grunt my agreement. My mom wouldn’t allow that either. She thought I would fall into the trap of frat parties and fucking anything with something thatdangled between his legs—her words, not mine.

By the time we finish painting the Easter Bunny and half of the welcome sign, I’m drenched in sweat. The sun is unforgiving today. I reach up and swipe the sweat from my forehead with the back of my arm.

“Hey, Bunny.” I whirl around to see Kye leaning against the side of the church with his large arms crossed over his chest, a shit eating grin on his face. I narrow my eyes at him and he uncrosses his arms then raises them as if surrendering. “I was only checking out your ass for like two point five seconds, Iswear.” Tess laughs. I shoot her a glare, which has her coughing to mask her laughter. “Sup, Tess,” Kye says.

“What’s up, Kye.”

“Nothing much. I just got off work and thought I should be a decent guy and come rescue you ladies from slave duty.” My brows draw in.

“Aren’t you supposed to be helping?” I ask.

Kye scoffs. “Ah, no. What the hell gave you that impression?”

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