"Emily Grace, you better thank the Lord I've got my hands full or I'd beat you!"

I grimaced and gave my grandmother a kiss on her cheek as I entered the high-ceilinged foyer of the farmhouse that had been in our family for generations. "Hello to you too, Nan," I chuckled.

"Where were you?" Nan asked, ignoring me. "I've been calling you."

"Nan, I was right in the field!" I protested. Cass, Karina, my boy-toy of the week, Finn, and a few of the other kids from around town had been smoking in the field earlier, and having a blast while we were high. "You must've heard us."

"Honey, you know my ears are shot."

I assumed my most innocent look, shrugging. "Sorry, Nan. What's wrong?"

"We have dinner with Miss Clara and her grandson. He's visiting from New York." She made New York sound like a fairy land, the way she spoke.

I, on the other hand, groaned. I hated when people visited Edston and went on about southern charm and soul food and a whole bunch of other crap about how different it is from their home town. Like the south was somebody's new baby that's cute, but not as cute as yours. And all they ever talked about was the stupid weather. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Honey."

I quit scowling and went into débutante mode. "Yes ma'am?" I gave Nan a very sweet smile and straightened my back, but she didn't buy.

"Be civil, y'hear? Be the nice girl I know you are." She gave me a stern look before gliding back up the stairs on her long, thin legs.

It was hard to stifle the obnoxious laugh that almost slipped out.

"Alright, Nan," I said, restraining my smile.

If only you knew, I thought, how bad I've been...