As their sister’s warning flicks through my thoughts, I grab Londyn’s arm and draw her behind me.
Yes, I’m pissed off at the next-door neighbors, and in no way in hell do I plan on letting this go, but I need to keep my sisters out of this. Let the asshats focus on me.
I catch Londyn’s gaze. “I need you to do me a favor. Take Payton and Bailey inside so I can handle this.”
She promptly shakes her head. “There’s no way I’m leaving you out here to deal with those three.” She blasts a glare at the guys.
They grin in response.
“I’m not going to deal with them.”Lie.I’m totally going to fight back, because I have a feeling they might see it as a weakness if I don’t. And I can sense these guys thrive off weakness. “I just need to get the car put back together so we can go get the utilities turned on, track down the landlord, and go look for Dad.”
She wiggles her arm free from my grip. “Then, why do we have to go inside?”
I shrug. “Because I can’t concentrate with you out here.”
She crosses her arms, her brow rising in challenge. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I internally sigh, racking my brain for a better way to get rid of her. “Actually, you know what? Instead of going into the house, can you walk to the gas station a few blocks down and buy a can of Fix-A-Flat?”
Yeah, there’s no way a can of Fix-A-Flat is going to help my completely flat tires, but Londyn is clueless when it comes to cars, so she’ll more than likely buy in to my bullshit. Then, once she’s gone, I can figure out how to handle this situation. Rationally, hopefully, but more than likely doubtful.
No, messing with my car was their way of declaring neighborly war on my ass and trying to show me who rules around here. But they can go screw themselves if they think I’m going to back down.
“Fine,” Londyn finally agrees. “But I’m leaving Bailey here.”
My lips part to protest, but she’s already walking away.
“That’s not up for argument.”
“Yes, Mom,” I call out, shaking my head.
When did she become so bossy? And toward me? I can’t even recall the last time I was bossed around.
Once Payton and her start down the road, I turn to Bailey.
She lifts a brow. “So, what’re you going to do?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I give a sidelong glance at the three guys who have now pulled out some fold-up chairs and taken a seat by the fence.
The oldest of the three kicks his boots up on top of the fence and leans back in the chair with his arms tucked behind his head, his eyes on me, a smirk playing at his lips. The black-haired one doesn’t appear quite as amused as he props his foot up on his knee and pops open a can of beer.
“Don’t mind us. We’re just here to watch the show,” the oldest one calls out, grinning.
“Please continue,sweetheart.” Blaise grins. “We’re getting bored.”
“Sweetheart?” The oldest cocks his head to the side, surveying me. “She doesn’t seem like the sweetheart type.”
“Yeah, but she’s not a baby sort of girl either.” Blaise is all smirks and wickedness, yet underneath the amusement, he seems a bit irritated. Why, I haven’t got a damn clue nor a care.
“Still, you can’t call her sweetheart,” the other replies musingly. “It doesn’t fit.”
Blaise’s smile is all wickedness. “Then, what should we call her?”
The older one rubs his jawline. “How about princess?”
Blaise shakes his head. “Nah, that doesn’t fit her either.”
“What’s her name?” the one who’s barely spoken asks Blaise.