Page 23 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
They exchange one of those looks. The ones that say,Oh, we’re not letting you off the hook that easy.
“Last chance.” Dean’s weirdly dramatic tone makes it sound like I’m about to make a life-or-death decision.
With my brothers, one never really knows.
“You sure you don’t wanna come with us?” Dean presses his hands together like he’s begging.
“On my life.”
“Can’t say we didn’t warn him.” Dean shrugs then.
WHOMP!
The rope tightens again, and my feet fly out from under me. I struggle and thrash to save myself. My arms and legs move inevery direction they can, which is difficult since they’re roped to my sides.
Gravity wins.
My chest hits the ground like a bag of rocks.
It knocks the wind out of me. I gasp, face-first in the grass, trying to catch my breath. It ain’t happening none too fast.
Dean sucks air through his teeth. “That looked painful.”
“You’re—” I wheeze, trying to inhale. “You’re all gonna pay for this.”
But before I can even finish the threat, they’re already on me, securing my arms and legs in an old-fashioned hogtie style.
Stupid, idiots. I’m going to make them kiss pavement.
“Nice work, boys.” Dean steps back to admire their handiwork.
“You realize I’m still gonna kill you for this, right?” I mutter into the dirt.
“You made us do it.” Levi jostles my leg, double-checking that the rope’s good and tight.
“We can end this all here.” Wheeler slaps my back a little too enthusiastically. “Just say the word, man.”
“Word.”
He chuckles. “Tell us you’re coming to the bar for a drink.”
“Hell. Fucking. No.”
I jerk my leg to the side to loosen the knot. It just digs in deeper. I try to slide my arms free. The ropes tighten the more I move.
I grunt, giving up the fight, but not before I can throw in one last shot. “I’ll remember this when I finally get my hands free, and trust me, you won’t like it.”
Dean crouches beside me and throws a hand over my shoulder. “Oh, we’llallremember this, don’t worry. The question is, how far are you gonna make us go?”
“I’ve got work in the morning.”
“So do we.” Levi kicks my leg. “But this is more important. What’s the next move, boys?”
“We could always hang him by that tree over there. Make it look like he’s been left for the crows.” Wheeler points to an old oak tree with branches thick enough to hold me.
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to figure out if he’s joking or if he’d actually go through with it. The debate in his eyes convinces me he’s not on my side.
“Nah, man. That’s boring. We just did that to Sammy a few months ago.” Dean leans against a nearby lamppost. “We need to get creative.”
