[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.When I come out, most of the work is in full swing.There are a few Triple M'ers smoking cigarettes and drinking beer in the backyard, but I know they'll get around to it.Never in my life have a met such a hardworking group of people.I smile and resist the urge to go fetch my book out of my saddlebags.The day before yesterday, Austin caught me sneaking a chapter in the upstairs bathroom and made fun of me all day.One of these days, I'm going to convince him to read a book.I've already manged to rope Mireya, Kimmi, and even Melissa into trying one of my Sali Bend novels.It's just a matter of time.I head up the stairs, running my hand along the freshly painted banister.It gleams a pearly white in the early afternoon sun.I give it a friendly pat and pause on the landing, trying to remember which of the rooms are already painted.I catch Christy in the third room on my right, a roller in hand, and join her.Not to be rude or anything, but some of these bikers have a sloppy hand when it comes to painting, so Christy and I have taken over.And besides, we're a little less capable of picking up a set of cabinets and moving them single-handedly.Some of the folks here have biceps the size of my thigh for goodness sake.I pick up a paint brush and dip it into the can, enjoying the smooth texture of the wet paint.The color we've chosen for this room is a frosty green, like mint chocolate chip ice cream.Supposedly, this is going to be Gaine and Mireya's room.“Amy, is there anything you want to tell me?” Christy asks which I know is code for there's something I want to tell you, so please, give me something in return.It's much easier to spill a secret when someone's already given you one.I smile at her and move over to the window, carefully painting the spots around the white trim.My stomach is still a tad uneasy, but I don't think too hard about it.“Like what?” I ask, struggling to keep my eyes on the paint job and off the deserted neighborhood out the window.This window faces West, and I can only imagine that there are going to be some spectacular sunsets to be seen from this vantage point.I pause, spotting movement in the bushes a couple of houses down.Cat? I wonder.Or maybe dog? I'd like to get a dog eventually.A small one.One that I can take on my bike with me.I smile as I get a more modern version of Dorothy and Toto in my head.How silly is that?“You know, just whatever,” she says, trying desperately to sound nonchalant.I sweep the brush down the wall and turn around, splattering a tiny bit of paint on the brown paper covering the floor.Christy is blushing, redness spreading down her neck and across her bare shoulders.I let my lips twitch into a smile as I re-dip my brush and turn back towards the window to paint.My guess is that she's going to admit she has a thing for Kimmi.I expect us to break down into a giggling fit of girlishness.I certainly don't expect the gunshot.One moment, I'm painting the wall and humming Do You Believe in Magic by The Lovin' Spoonful, and the next, the brush is clattering to the floor and I'm clutching my arm.The window in front of me drops into pieces, falling like rain to my feet.I realize that it probably shattered before I was shot, but things are so blurry in my mind that this is how I remember it later.I scream, and press my fingers so tight to the wound that redness oozes between them, sliding down my skin in hot heat and splattering on the floor next to my paint dribbles.“Amy!” Christy screeches as I stumble to the side and slam my back into the partially wet wall.“Get down!” I shout at my friend.“On the floor!” I slide down as Christy drops her roller and falls to her knees.Literally, seconds later, there are sounds of shouting outside and in.Some of the girls appear in the doorway, ducking low and skittering across the floor towards me.“Let me see it!” Kimmi says, reaching out and trying to pry my hands away.I bite my lower lip and close my eyes, fighting the wave of overwhelming nausea and vertigo that's gripped me.I've been shot.It's a surreal thought, to be sure.I wonder what Mother would say? I release my fingers and groan as a wave of biting pain cuts through my arm and swirls straight up to my brain.“Here,” Tease says, passing over a clean rag and kneeling down next to Kimmi.Christy crawls up beside her and presses her back against the wall next to me.Her blue eyes are wide with fear and dripping with tears.“I'm okay.I'm alright.” I keep repeating the words, trying to move my hand over to grasp my friend's.My arm refuses to heed my demands and stays stone still while Kimmi and Tease fuss over it.“I'm fine.I'll be okay.”“You're in shock is what you are,” Kimmi growls, rising up on her knees and peering outside.I turn my head to look and the world spins.I see Triple M'ers in the streets with guns and wrenches and hammers, but I don't hear anymore shots.What happened? Who shot me? I wonder as my head lolls on my shoulders and my chin comes to rest on my chest.“You're lucky,” Kimmi breathes, tying the rag around my arm.“It went straight through.” She looks over her shoulder and stares at the bullet hole in the other wall.“Who functions as your medic?” Tease asks, scooting over and pushing Christy out of the way, so she can help me up.I groan as Kimmi and Tease heft me up on their shoulders
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]