kuli kuli

➸ Ginger ☆

The Pasadena Townhomes—a six-unit building—lured me to Rawlins more than anything else. The former owner bought them with the plan to renovate and sell. Unfortunately, the tenants refused to move, and he spent years in court forcing them out. By the time the units were empty, he no longer had the cash to renovate.

On our second day in Rawlins, we start the process of fixing our future homes.

Barely ten minutes after we arrive at the townhomes, I hear the distinctive sound of a Harley approaching and then a second one. My gaze remains on the townhomes while I lean against my bike and chew on a watermelon Starburst. The Harleys park behind me. I don’t need to look to know they don’t belong to my girls.

With Bay and Pepper going from unit to unit, doing inspections, I wait for the contractors to show up and overprice their bids once they realize they’re dealing with women.

Shoving the candy wrapper in the pocket of my army-green khaki pants, I glance over my shoulder to find Oz and a few of his long-haired barbarians stomping my direction. One doing their menacing act might work but walking in a line like that makes me laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Oz asks, already looking to push my buttons.

“You walk stupid.”

“How do you figure?” he asks, never losing his smirk.

“Well, I’ve seen men walk before, so I’m comparing you to them. I apologize for hurting your bitch feelings.”

“You’re in a shit mood this morning.”

“No, pal, this is me in a good mood.”

“Can’t imagine what you’re like in a bitch mood,” says one of his apes.

“Here’s a hint, I talk less and remove dicks more. So if you ever see me attacking your crotch with a pair of sheers, just go ahead and assume I’m in a bitch mood.”

“Fuck,” Oz says, laughing at me because nothing calms an irritated woman more than a man giggling at her irritation.

“So why are you here?”

“Heard you wanted someone to fix up the Pasadena for your girl club.”

“And you think that someone ought to be you boys?”

“It’s what we do.”

“I don’t know,” I mutter while kicking at the cement. “It’s a lot of work that involves more than heavy lifting. It takes skill.”

“We can get the job done.”

“Sure you can. Feel free to put in a bid, and we’ll see how you stack up.”

“No one will outbid us once they know the Heretics are in the mix.”

“I’ve already had two bids,” I effortlessly lie. “As I said, you put yours in, and we’ll see how you stack up.”

“You’re not much of a partner.”

“I never claimed to be.”

“Then what the fuck are you in Rawlins for?” he asks, erasing the space between us.

“To keep an eye on the Little Memphis investment. You didn’t really think they’d hand over cash to bail out you bums without wanting to ensure you didn’t fuck up shit?”

“You talk like someone itching for a fight.”

His tone tempts me to throw a punch, but I only glare instead. “That’s the smartest shit you’ve said so far.”

Oz nods in his condescending way, and I roll my eyes.

“Anyone around to show us the units?” he asks.

“You mean, besides me?”

“Yeah. Maybe someone a little less friendly.”

“Bay has the patience of Job. She and Pepper are in unit three. Go inside and see what repairs they’ve come up with so far.”

The other men stomp in unison toward the building. I notice the older, beard-sporting one slows down as if realizing they’re still synchronized in the silly way I mentioned. I catch him glance back at Oz, who doesn’t react even though I know he saw what I saw.

“You spend too much time together,” I say and fish out another Starburst. “If you were ladies, your periods would have synced by now.”

“We want this job.”

“Then lowball the other contractors.”

“That’s not how that works. We get paid what we're worth.”

“Then when you’re thinking of a lowball number, go ahead and reduce it a bit more.”

Oz takes a large step with his long legs and erases any personal space I once enjoyed. Looming over me like a storm ready to release a violent downpour, he twists his lips into a bear snarl.

I swear it takes every ounce of strength I have not to laugh in his handsome face.

“You’re making enemies,” he growls.

“It’s what I do.”

“That ain’t a smart move for a pretty girl in this town.”

“This town ain’t any different from any other shithole I’ve called home, and I stopped being a girl a long fucking time ago, Oz. If you want respect, you best figure out how to earn it.”

“So that’s how it’ll be, huh?” he says and reaches to mess with my hair.

I smack away his hand with more force than Oz is expecting. He thinks we’re playing, and he’s right, but I play rough and never give an inch.

Oz proves to be a slow learner by reaching for my hair again. When I smack his hand, he seizes my wrist with his other one.

“Be nice,” he warns.

“No.”

“Isn’t that what your name is all about, Ging? Aren’t you everything nice?”

“It’s a play on the sugar and spice part of the nursery rhyme. Our names are spices. Get it, dunce?”

“I’m not stupid.”

I stomp on his foot, and he grunts before finally letting go of my wrist.

“You didn’t see that coming, Einstein.”

“You’re cruising.”

I shake out my arms and smile super pretty for him. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, meathead.”

“How would you like it if I called you names?”

“Oh, I’d most definitely cry like you are, bitch.”

Oz laughs and reaches out for my hair again. He refuses to back down, and I’m starting to think I might need to seriously hurt the stubborn sonovabitch.

“I’m just trying to be nice,” he says, still fucking with me.

“Didn’t your mom ever teach you to look but not touch?”

“My mom taught me all kinds of shit, but she ain’t here right now.”

I try to allow him to mess with a lock of my hair. I’ll be the bigger person and stand down. Swallow my ego, and eat my pride... No, fuck this shit.

I grab his finger and jerk it away from me. He lets out a grunt and frowns pissed at me.

“You broke my fucking finger.”

I can’t control my giggles at seeing his expression. “It’s not broken. Fractured maybe. Don’t be such a bitch. Just stick a splint on it and wrap it up. No biggie.”

“Can I break your finger?”

“I don’t know, Oz. Can you?” I ask, still laughing.

“This shit ain’t fair. I can’t fight a girl.”

“No, that would be wrong, but fondling her is peachy keen.”

“I bet you taste as sweet as a peach,” he says, and his frown is instantly replaced with a leering smile.

“Shut up.”

“Does it bother you to be considered juicy?” he asks, chuckling at his joke.

“Are you married?”

Oz flinches at my question. I’ve thrown him off his game but only momentarily. His smirk returns with a fury.

“I knew you were playing hard to get,” he taunts.

“That’s not why I was asking.”

“Oh, sure.”

“So, are you?”

“No. I think marriage is a con.”

“Please tell me no one calls you ‘Daddy.’”

“I’m a great father.”

Having only wanted to screw with Oz, I’m a little startled to hear he has kids. “How many kids do you have?”

When Oz studies me in a grumpy way, I think he won’t answer. Then a light goes on behind his dark eyes, and I know he’s up to something.

“My girl is Alani, and her little bro is Makoa.”

“Interesting names.”

“My mom picked their names, and she’s Hawaiian.”

“How old are they?”

“Eleven and nine.”

“Where is their mother?”

“Mothers, plural, and I don’t know.”

“So these women have your kids and then run away. Why do you think that is?”

“Maybe I just like to fuck women who turn out to be shitty moms.”

“Sounds about right.”

“As a single dad, I have my hands full.”

Okay, here it comes. “I’m sure you do. Does your mom help?”

“Yeah. We all live together.”

I consider teasing him about living with his mom but decide the dig is too easy.

“You really need this job, huh?” I say, fighting laughter. “Poor sonovabitch is just trying to feed his kids.”

Oz smiles despite his clear irritation. No doubt he knows the kid ploy will work. I mean, I’m a cold motherfucker, but kids are still kids and who doesn’t want to help the little booger machines?

“I’ll give your bid extra consideration now that I know your jizz created life.”

“That was poetic,” he says, and I fucking swear he’s going to touch my hair again.

“Do you want me to pull my gun on you?” I ask, shoving him away and storming toward the townhomes. “Is that what it’ll take?”

Oz doesn’t follow me, but I hear him laughing at my anger. I’ve known massively gargantuan pains in the ass before, but this guy takes the damn cake.