Free The Suit by B. N. Toler

me,” I offer before narrowing my gaze at her. “Not sure why she wants to call me that.” I splash water at her with a playful smirk.
    “Hey, I gave you a choice.” She splashes me back as she grins.
    “Have you seen yourself in a suit?” Nikki asks, a deadpan expression on her face.
    “Anyway,” Edie interrupts loudly, cutting Nikki a sharp look. “Suit isn’t really thrilled to be here.”
    Dierk chuckles and runs a hand through his hair. “Farm work is hard work. Not everyone is cut out for it. Some of us aren’t used to getting our hands dirty.”
    I snort. If he only fucking knew I know everything there is to know about hard work. What an asshole trying to make me look like some prissy city boy. Of course none of them have any idea where I grew up, but they all assume I come from some kind of easy life where working hard isn’t required. Farm work is hard, but try getting a fucking law degree. I can assure you, it’s not a cakewalk. It’s obvious Dierk feels threatened by me in regards to Edie but he has no reason to be. I’m not trying to get in her pants. I may think about it… a lot , but I won’t go there. I know he’s trying to make me look less manly…or something to that effect. Fucking rich, country boy. He probably doesn’t know dick about hard work himself.
    “What do you do?” I ask Dierk.
    Nikki lets out a laugh and quickly composes herself. “Dierk works at his father’s insurance company.”
    “Pays good.” Dierk nods looking at Edie as if he’s trying to clue her in to his fortune and impress her. He’s working for his dad, probably because he can’t get a job anywhere else. Typical rich kid shit.
    I can’t help myself. I’m a dick by nature. “Sounds like you’re really getting your hands dirty.”
    Nikki laughs and Edie’s eyes go wide with my comment. It was an asshole thing to say, but he started it. When you can’t beat them, join them.
    “My uncle has a farm and I spent most summers working for him growing up,” he defends himself, glaring at me as he speaks. “Edie if you need any help, you let me know. I can always lend a hand.” His gaze softens when it moves to her and his hand rises up and brushes her shoulder gently.
    “Thanks,” she murmurs and smiles politely.
    “So you guys are shacking up all summer, huh?” Dierk asks, and I can tell the thought alone is eating him alive. His eyes are fixed on Edie as if he can’t wait to see her expression. Her cheeks are slightly pink as if she’s blushing. He’s making her feel uncomfortable. Fucking, asshole.
    “Living together. Not shacking up,” I answer so she doesn’t have to. She cuts me an appreciative glance. 
    “The town will be a buzzing with that juicy bit of gossip,” Dierk replies.
    “No they won’t,” Nikki groans. “No one would think Edie would be sleeping with a stranger.”
    “You know what?” Edie snaps, standing up. “What I do or don’t do is my business. Let the town talk. If they say I’m sleeping with the suit, so be it. I couldn’t care less.” She gives us a nonchalant shrug. I stare at Edie, shocked by her outburst. I can tell she’s a good girl, and that seems to be what everyone else is thinking in this town, so I would think it would bother her if people started saying she was sleeping with me. “I’m going to go and get a beer.” We all follow her out of the water and try to join the party.
    Nikki, the dear she is, stays near me most of the evening since I don’t know anyone and Edie can’t seem to drop Dierk. I try to have a good time and avoid looking at my new roommate, but my gaze keeps spotting her.
    I’ve just gotten myself another beer when Dierk pats my shoulder and squeezes it really hard. It’s meant to seem like a friendly gesture, but I know he doesn’t like me. He thinks I’m a threat. “You having a good time, John?”
    “Sure,” I lie.
    He nods his head and sips his beer before saying, “Listen. I just want you to know that Edie is