Rev Girl by Leigh Hutton Page A

It was the night before she was set to regain her freedom, and Dallas had just pulled up in his truck.
    Jasmine narrowly beat her to it, earning a filthy look from her sister.
    â€˜You must be Jasmine,’ Dallas said as she flung the door open. Jasmine had let her hair out of its usual pigtails, trying to be older and cooler, no doubt.
    â€˜Awesome to finally meet you!’ Jasmine beamed. Clover imagined Jasmine and her little horsey friends, sitting around, giggling about Dallas. So embarrassing.
    Clover stopped behind her. ‘I’ll take it from here.’
    â€˜It’s okay, Clover.’ Dallas stepped inside. She could tell he was nervous to be back at her house. He wouldn’t look her in the eye, and kept wiping his palms on his jeans. She’d never seen Dallas nervous, not even before his hockey games. He’d even brought a plant, or maybe it was a flower? She’d seen them at Christmas time, but couldn’t remember what to call them.
    Dallas smiled at Jasmine. ‘Can I call you?’
    Her rosy cheeks went red. ‘Jazz is fine.’
    â€˜Jazz it is.’
    Clover stuck a finger in her little sister’s ribs. ‘You can go now.’
    â€˜Had to, anyway,’ Jasmine said. ‘Got stuff to do.’
    â€˜Nice to meet you, Jazz,’ Dallas said.
    â€˜You, too,’ she said over her shoulder, and stuck her tongue out at Clover, who flipped her off.
    â€˜Clover! There’s no need for that sort of gesture. Where are your manners?’ Leslie was hovering in the kitchen doorway.
    â€˜Hello, Mrs. Kassedy,’ Dallas said, stepping forward and handing her the plant. ‘I bought you this. Sorry, I know, it isn’t quite Christmas.’
    â€˜No, no! I’ve got all the decorations up, just a few days away! Thank you!’ Leslie took the poinsettia, and set it on the desk next to the kitchen. ‘Clover has told us so much about you.’
    Liar! Clover thought, rolling her eyes at her mother. Clover shot her a look.
    Leslie, maddeningly, didn’t seem to register. ‘How about you come in. A cup of tea, maybe?’
    â€˜Dallas is here to meet you guys,’ Clover said, stepping between her mother and her boyfriend. ‘But he’s also going to a hockey game tonight, with Sera and her, friend. Can I please go?’
    â€˜Is this a set up, Clover?’ Leslie asked.
    â€˜Of course not, Mom. Just how it worked out.’
    Leslie put a hand on her hip and raised her chin in annoyance. Clover knew she had her. She’d never say no in front of Dallas.
    â€˜I can come in,’ Dallas said. His eyes darted nervously and he wiped his hands again. ‘Thank you, Mrs. Kassedy.’
    â€˜No, no, call me Leslie, please. You make me feel old.’
    â€˜You don’t look old.’
    Leslie went scarlet and tucked a strand of her frizzy hair behind her ear.
    â€˜We probably have to hurry,’ Clover said, striding over to the hall table, where she’d stashed her handbag. ‘I’m sure Sera’s getting impatient.’
    â€˜I’ll just get your father. Ernie!’ Leslie yelled over her shoulder. ‘He wants to talk to you, Dallas, but I’m just not sure where he’s gotten off to. Ernie!’
    Clover winced at the sound of her mother’s voice.
    Ernie’s head popped up from the stairwell.
    â€˜Dad, this is ’
    â€˜Dallas,’ Ernie said. His built-in father’s body language was saying: ‘I don’t give a toss who you are, if you hurt my daughter I’ll roast you on a spit.’
    â€˜Now,’ Leslie said. ‘Before you go, just remember how lucky you are to be going out. Ernie Clover and Dallas are going to a hockey game tonight. With Sera, and her friend.’
    â€˜Oh, really,’ Ernie said, glaring across at Dallas.
    â€˜But, home by ten, Clover you remember the rules.’ Then Leslie took her by the arm, and pulled her the few steps into