Free Rev Girl by Leigh Hutton Page B

talk about the fact we did it last night, huh? About the fact I just lost my virginity when I was too wasted to even remember it? Yeah, sounds like an awesome conversation.’ She flipped from his arms, but he was too quick.
    He grabbed her by the wrists, and pulled her into a hug. Only when she stopped struggling and relaxed in his arms did he let her go enough to see into her face. ‘Clover?’
    She hung her head, couldn’t meet his eyes. ‘Dallas … we gotta go, I’m so dead meat.’ She was supposed to be at home, getting ready for her biggest racing season yet.
    She doubted she would ever be allowed out of the house again, once Leslie got her hands on her, let alone on her dirt bike. And Ernie; the thought of him made her feel sick, of the look on his face when she came home like this. Or what punishment he’d come up with. She might as well forget about bikes altogether.
    â€˜I love you,’ Dallas said.
    She hesitated, before pulling from his grasp. ‘I’m sorry, but I need to go home. Now. This girl’s as good as dead.’

TWELVE

    Clover spotted Ernie through the darkness as Dallas drove slowly down her driveway. Her father was holding an axe high above his head, cutting firewood out the side of the house.
    â€˜Better drop me here,’ she said quietly, motioning with her hand to the offshoot of the driveway that led to the garage. ‘I need to talk to Dad.’
    â€˜You don’t want me to come?’
    â€˜What you’ve got a death wish?’
    â€˜I would.’
    â€˜Thank you. But there’s no need for both of us to get chopped to bits.’
    He hesitated. ‘Fine. But, apologise to them for me. And tell them I’ll come round later … if I’m allowed.’
    She nodded, then paused, before reaching for the door handle. Was she still too mad to give him a kiss? A hug? Ernie was there, in the corner of her eye.
    She smiled tightly and swung her door open.
    â€˜Hey … ’ He grabbed her arm. ‘Can I call ya later?’
    She nodded and forced her best it’s-all-okay smile, then slid slowly out of the truck, and closed the door gently behind her.
    Ernie didn’t look up, just swung the axe down hard into its cutting stump. The blade stuck deep into the wet wood. He wiped his brow with a gloved hand.
    But before he could speak, Clover’s ears closed up, in self-preservation, at the sound of her mother’s frantic voice.
    â€˜CLOVER!’
    Leslie flapped into the light, from around the front of the house, half-tripping in the deep snow. She was wearing a pair of Ernie’s old work boots, undone, and a housecoat. Her hair was wild, but not nearly as wild as her eyes.
    â€˜Where have you been?’ Leslie kept talking before Clover could answer. ‘You are in so much trouble, young lady!’
    â€˜Hi, Mom.’
    Leslie grabbed Clover by the arm and waved the cordless phone in her face. ‘I’ve been calling you for hours!’ she screeched. ‘Didn’t I buy you a cell phone? I thought you’d had an accident, or worse! I was about to call the police!’
    â€˜I’m sorry!’
    â€˜Sorry, my bum, miss! You are … You Ernie?’
    Clover sighed and hung her head, then jumped back as Ernie’s blade came frighteningly close to swiping her. He’d pulled it from the stump and swung it over his shoulder.
    â€˜Go get changed,’ Ernie said, and turned towards the house. ‘I already loaded your bike and gear bag.’
    Clover’s forehead wrinkled with confusion. ‘Dad?’
    â€˜Go get dressed, Clover.’
    â€˜Ernie! You have got to be kidding?’ Leslie’s arms flung into the air, sending the phone flying. ‘How could you possibly take her riding today, and why should you? Have you lost your mind?’
    â€˜That’s exactly what I’m doing,’ Ernie said over his shoulder, as he made his way through the