Is this the final stop? (Toni Shalifoe)

Chapter 24

Toni takes a deep, deep breath. She knows she's clearly doing something right if Dave's lashing out like this. Especially so early in the hunting excursion they're on. She's getting under his skin and that fact makes her smile.

But being called butterfingers stirs an anger in Toni that she's not sure she can hide anymore.

Shelby watches the scene tensely knowing she can't really do anything to protect Toni. In fear of taking an opposition against her father. While Toni understands Shelby's silence, she still feels lonely third-wheeling this deadly father-daughter pastime.

Toni decides on not saying anything and just accepting the extra bullets that Dave is shoving into her hand.

"Okay, so we'll lay down here," Dave starts, "and what you wanna do next is to make sure your legs are evenly spread about shoulder width apart. This gives you the balance on the ground you need. Shelby, you tell her the next steps."

Shelby lets out a shaky breath and hikes up her gun to let it rest on a tree branch at her waist. By propping up the gun, she can present to Toni the proper techniques, "You want your dominant hand by the trigger, but only by it. Do not rest your finger actually on the trigger, rather on the side of it. Like this. Safety precaution. You want to put your non-dominant hand out to prop yourself up, keep steady."

Toni watches with wide eyes and she sees Shelby get into position. Quick. Practiced. Dave is next, he gets into position effortlessly. Like he could do it in his sleep.

Toni hastily gets onto the ground in between both of them, making ruffling noises as she gets situated. She shuffles her feet in the leaves and dirt just hoping any nearby deer or fowl or anything living thing hears her and runs. Runs far. She wishes she could just be an animal and run away like them. But then she'd just be shot—so, better not.

Toni rolls side to side haphazardly, as this is not something she is used to, or remotely comfortable with. But she does as follows, sets her finger on the side of the trigger, knowing she'll never really pull it. Non-dominant hand out to balance her body.

Dave is laid out on the end, Toni in the middle and Shelby on the other end.

"Lookin' good there, Toni," Dave examines her stance, specifically how her body is balanced.

Shelby shuts her eyes at the scene as she watches Dave check up on Toni.

"Actually hold on, Shelb, you adjust Toni's arms, they aren't quiiite riiight," he draws out the last two words, with that menacing smile of his.

Toni immediately stiffens. Trying to brace herself to mask the electricity she'll feel when Shelby touches her. Shelby hesitates, too. They've never been in close contact for more than a moment, especially in front of Dave.

Shelby awkwardly scoots towards Toni, sucking in a breath. Her manicured hands softly rest on Toni's forearm. Shelby slowly readjusts the bend in Toni's elbow, knowing if she rushes or moves too fast, her father will notice. But if she goes too slow, enjoys the feeling of Toni's warm, strong arm, then he'll notice that, too.

Toni shifts her body weight away from Shelby, hoping it will help the repositioning, but Shelby was half leaning on Toni, so she falls closer to her face.

Their eyes are not far apart, their lips even closer. This is the first time they've really, really looked at each other since their fight. Toni's eyes flick down to look at Shelby's lips. Like a habit. And she's very thankful that Dave is behind her now where he can't see.

But it's Shelby who has to have a poker face, knowing her father is watching every move of hers. And when a brunette like Toni is obviously checking her out, a poker face is a tall order. Even gives Toni a scolding look. After a moment, Toni pulls away.