Page 24 of You're so Bad

Leonard juts out his hand. “I’m Leonard. Pleased to meet you.”

Rafe shakes it, and from the way his hand curls around Leonard’s, I can tell he’s trying to assert which of them is stronger. “Rafe. I’m Shauna’s friend. I’ll be keeping an eye on her.”

“No need to break my hand, bub,” Leonard says with a lazy grin. “I’m not gonna touch her unless she asks nicely.”

“Oh, you’re awful,” Nana says with a chuckle.

“Yes, he is,” I agree, even though I’m not sure I mean it anymore.

“I’m the one doing a favor here,” Leonard comments, his gaze finding mine and holding it. Rafe has released his hand, but he doesn’t look too happy about any of this. The only person who seems completely at ease is my grandmother, but that’s probably because she’s been drinking a half a glass of wine at lunch lately.

Leonard’s scrutiny is surprisingly intense, and I feel something inside of me growl in response, as if we’re two animals sizing each other up. Maybe Bertie always barks at him because he senses something…uncivilized about him. I do too.

Maybe I like it.

“I’m paying you,” I tell him through gritted teeth.

“Yes, in clay lessons. You think you could teach me how to build a truck out of clay, too? Someone stole my Chevy this morning.”

“Why?” I’ve seen his truck before. It’s old and rusty and only runs on a wish and a prayer.

He laughs, loud and deep, as if I said something unspeakably funny. “That’s basically what the cop told me when he finally showed this morning.”

Rafe grunts again, this time because he’s had his own bad experiences with the police department.

“They’re never gonna find it,” he tells Leonard.

“Yeah, I’m not holding my breath. Too bad Colter isn’t actually a used car salesman, huh, sweet cheeks?”

Laughter rips out of Rafe. “He does look like a used car salesman, doesn’t he?”

I shoot him a look of betrayal. “Seriously? First Grandpa Frank and now him? Do you think they deserve your loyalty just because they have a Y-chromosome?”

Lifting both hands, he says, “I’m not touching that one with a ten-foot pole.” He glances at Leonard again, then nods. “Give them hell, but don’t give her any. My friend here has an oven that fires up to 2000. Probably good at burning bodies.”

“Sure,” Leonard says. “But then all her pieces would smell like roasted meat.” He glances at the monster-mouth mug on the display case and shrugs. “Though maybe you wouldn’t mind so much, Tiger.” He snaps his fingers, looking altogether too pleased with himself. “That’s the one.”

“Excuse me?” I say, putting a hand on my hip.

“Tiger. That’s you.”

“He’s right,” Rafe agrees with a muffled laugh. “And that’s my cue.” He turns tail and leaves. I’m surprised he doesn’t high five or fist bump Leonard on the way out, the traitor.

“Are you implying I have a temper?” I ask Leonard.

“Implying?” He laughs. “I thought it was something we all took for granted.”

“He’s right,” my grandmother says, then hands me a bag of takeout, the sight of which makes my stomach grumble. “We got you some lunch, Shauna. You never remember to eat when you’re working.”

She’s right. Nana’s always been there to remind me, ever since I was a little kid, lost in making macaroni sculptures or trying to teach my dolls to be more talkative. My grandfather was good to me too, but there’s something to be said for a person who shows up when they’re needed, how they’re needed. My parents never did. I guess that’s why I’m having trouble forgiving Grandpa Frank. Nana’s one of the only people who has ever shown me that kind of love—the kind you don’t have to ask for or deserve. The kind that can envelop you and make you feel almost full. So she’s the one who deserves my loyalty.

“Thanks,” I say as I set the bag on the desk.

“I’ll leave you two to it,” Nana says, patting my arm.

“But who’s going to take Leonard home?” I ask in alarm.

“You, Tiger,” she says with a half-smile. “I have my horseback-riding lesson.”

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