Travis rolled down the window. “Janey,” he said.
“Travis fucking Rock?”
He nodded. “Been a long time.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” She leaned down on the window, smiling widely, friendly and open.
“Took my friend here on your ATV tour,” he said. “Hartley, meet Janey Caldwell.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said.
“Same to you,” I answered, feeling shy for some dumb reason.
“Why didn’t you find me and say hello?” Janey asked.
“I don’t know,” Travis said. “Seemed like you might not want to see me.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be stupid.”
Travis pushed the door open and Janey stepped back to let him out. I joined them, leaning on the hood of the car. She was taller than me by an inch or two, and Travis didn’t tower over her like he did with me. I could see her resemblance to her brothers, though all of their features somehow looked perfect on her face.
They hugged briefly and she laughed. “I can’t believe you were going to drive away without saying hi.”
“Truth is, Janey, I figured you wouldn’t want to see me. It’s been a long time.”
“Come on, I don’t blame any of that on you. The accident was a long time ago.”
“It was.”
“How have you been?”
“Good,” Travis said. “I’m in the Navy now.”
I raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
“I heard,” she said. “That’s amazing. What are you doing home?”
“On leave for a bit, thought I’d bring Hartley to see the old haunts. I heard about the ATVs tours, figured it’d be fun.”
“Yeah? How’d King treat you?”
“He’s a prince, that man,” Travis said.
Janey laughed and put her hand on his shoulder, real friendly. Maybe a little too friendly.
“That’s King. He’s got a knack for the tourists.”
“That he does. How’d you know I was here anyway?”
“King recognized you. Only mentioned it in passing though. You almost got away with it.”
He nodded. “Almost. Damn.”
“It’s really good seeing you, Travis.”
“Same to you, Janey. Glad you’re doing well. I hear you guys are killing it on these tours.”
She smiled and nodded. “People seem to really like them. I think it’s mostly because of King and the boys, but I’ll take some credit too.”
“Your parents good?”
“Good as they ever are,” she said.
There was a short pause and then Travis nodded. “All right, Janey. We’re going to head out.”
“Oh no. Are you sure? Come on, come back and have a drink. We’ll catch up.”
Travis shook his head. “Sorry. We got plans. Another time though, promise.”
“How long are you in town for?”
“Couple weeks at least.”
“Good. Here, take my number.” Travis got his phone out and she read him her number. He typed it in and then called her. “Text me if you want to get together.”
“Will do.”
“Bye then.” She hugged him again and then turned and walked off.
Travis gave me a look and then got into the car. I walked around and got back into the passenger’s seat.
“She’s the leader of a gang?” I asked him after a short silence.
He laughed and shook his head. “Guess so.”
“She looks like a model, Travis.”
“She always did. That was why my brother liked her.”
“Has she always been so . . . tall?”
He smirked at me. “Are you a little jealous, Hartley?”
“Jealous? Not even a tiny bit.”
“I think you are. I think you’re worried I’d rather get a taste of her pussy than yours.”
“Cut it out, Travis.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, leaning toward me. “That dripping wet cunt of yours is the only thing I need.”
I sighed and shook my head. “Be serious for once.”
He put the car in gear, laughing, and pulled out of the parking lot, heading back home. “I am being serious.”
“Do you really think she’s the head of some gang?”
“Toad wouldn’t lie about that,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Besides, the Dixie said the Caldwells were the target themselves. Janey in charge or not, we still need to do this thing.”
“Fine,” I said. “You’re right. Just, it’s strange. I can’t imagine that girl in charge of a gang. She just seemed too nice.”
“Don’t let that shit fool you, Hartley,” he said seriously. “For some people, life is like wearing a series of masks. They can be whoever they want, putting them on and taking them off at will. Janey always was good at pleasing people. She was popular and nice. It wouldn’t surprise me if she had a whole closetful of masks, ready to be worn at any moment.”