Even if they're not actually twins, I still think of Bodie and Colbie that way. Though identical, they claim their freckles are in different spots. I suspect they're likely shitting me.
"I won't go home," I tell them on my second day in Texas. We're sitting next to their outdoor pool and eating fried pickles. "There's nothing left for me in Ellsberg."
"Wipe your silent tears," Colbie says from under her beige Stetson. "This is America. You do what you want. No worries what your big bro says."
A camouflage bucket hat hiding her flushed face, Bodie grunts in agreement. They tap their feet in unison to the sound of Dwight Yoakam playing from the outdoor speakers. Everything about this house feels decadent in a way my wealthy upbringing never was. Yet I feel at home here. The sisters love dogs, country music, and classic rock. Their big mouths remind me of my sister Bailey. Despite what Cooper demanded during our phone call, I can see myself living in Last Dollar.
"What kind of jobs do you have around here?" I ask.
Colbie sits up in the lounge chair and grins at me. "You could be my personal assistant."
Bodie gives me a disapproving look. Even knowing I should let the topic drop, I can't keep my mouth shut. While the twins are crazy bitches, I'm no timid pussy myself.
"What would I do?"
"Keep my shit in order. Email people for me. Stuff like that."
I'm about to ask how much the job pays when Bodie speaks up. "Ask Colbie what happened to her last assistant."
I look at Colbie who shrugs. "She's in a group home for the crazy sort."
Frowning, I reach for my iced tea and decide not to ask for clarification. Colbie knows what I'm thinking though.
"Hey, I knew she was bonkers when I hired her," Colbie says, petting her Bluetick Coonhound. "It's actually why I hired her. I wanted to see what kind of crazy direction she headed."
"And?"
"She tried to kill herself with a toy gun. Not as entertaining as you'd think."
"Tell her why," Bodie says.
"She was in love with me. I told her I wasn't into chicks, so she offered to have a sex change. I then told her I wasn't into ugly dudes. That's when she tried to blow her head off with a water gun. Again not nearly as popcorn exciting as I expected."
"I'm not going to fall in love with you or go crazy."
"You don't want to be her assistant," Bodie says. "You were going to college. I assume you have goals beyond following around a dumbass."
"I was working on a Communications and Public Relations degree."
"To do what?"
"My family owns legit businesses. Bailey runs them right now, but she's busy with her boys. I have plans to expand the business especially Pop's bar and grill called Whiskey Kirk's."
"Good for you."
"If you live here, what about college?" Bodie asks.
"Do you want me to leave?"
"Don't challenge me, Sawyer. I'll be forced to kick your ass and shit will get awkward between us."
"I'm fairly sure I could take you."
"Your grief has made you delusional," Colbie says, nuzzling her dog's face with hers.
"The only college nearby is the McLaughlin Community College, and it's full of retirees and stoners."
"My hairstylist takes classes there," Colbie adds, now on the ground with her dog.
Bodie and I frown at the weird wrestling match taking place in the grass nearby.
"I guess I can get my degree online," I say, still watching Colbie roll on the ground. "Farah did that when she was busy popping babies out."
"And Farah is?"
"Cooper's woman."
Bodie nods. "I'm not great at names or caring enough to fix how I'm not great at names."
"What kind of real estate options do you have around here?"
"Trailer parks. Lots of trailer parks," Colbie calls out from the ground.
Bodie rolls her eyes. "We're currently building a new subdivision of family homes. Not great for a single gal like you. We do have a new condo complex built. You could live there and get a cat. Date guys from the trailer park in your free time."
"Do you not want me to be here?" I ask again.
"Look, you're aces and all that shit. I love my town though. I don't need you turning around and bitching about my beloved hometown because it's small and you can't get whatever crap you got back in Eltonberg."
"Ellsberg."
"Not good with names, remember?"
Closing my eyes, I picture Ellsberg. "It's a small town too. We have lots of honky-tonks. Little family owned restaurants too. The big box stores are just outside of town. That's not so different than Last Dollar."
Bodie gives me a little nod before lowering her hat over her eyes and dozing off. After finishing with her dog, Colbie walks inside the highly air-conditioned house. The afternoon is quiet, and Bodie's Doberman sits nearby. I worry about my safety though. Cooper tends to get whatever he wants, and he specifically stated I was returning to Ellsberg. His tone made me think I had no choice.