Bittersweet Symphony (Bittersweet #4)(5)
Looking at Landon, I wouldn’t have ever expected those words to come out of his mouth. He’s a big guy like me, broad shoulders and muscles everywhere. He doesn’t look like the type of guy to take someone’s shit.
“Well, I didn’t turn the other cheek, so I’m assuming a shit storm is in the making for me,” I say laughing. It’s not really funny, but the fact that someone would get crap for sticking up for a helpless girl is just crazy funny to me.
“Probably, although I’m pretty sure you can hold your own, man.” I nod, rubbing at the scruff on my face. That, I could. We Winchester boys know how to fight, not that we ever like to. I, of all people, know how to fight. Dad would beat on me the most, telling me what a worthless piece of shit I was. Eventually, his moves instilled in my brain, and I learned how to hit him where it counted. He learned really fast that I wasn’t to be f*cked with.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out, looking at the screen intently. It’s Corey, and he wants to go out for wings at Toxic. Great, the one place Chelsea, a clingy, easy lay, will probably be, not that he has any interest in her. Hell, most of the time I don’t even have an interest in her - just when my dick begs for some attention.
I text Corey back to let him know that Landon and I will meet him there.
“Hey, you want to go to Toxic for wings and *, dude?” That is our code for getting laid and right now that’s what I need more than anything. I’m the only one of us in our little group who isn’t wrapped around a girl. I refuse to allow myself that kind of feeling. Opening up only leads to heartache and pain. I refuse to put myself or another helpless soul through it. I may be a savage *, but I’m not for breaking someone’s heart when it involves real love.
“Of course, I’m down for anything. Let me go change my clothes and then we can head out.” Landon gets up from the couch and heads to his room. As I wait for him, my mind lingers back to Kennedy. Why would she allow herself to be treated like that? Why could she stand up to me and not Sam?
All I have are a whole lot of questions, but no answers. Then I feel the itch, the one I get when something bothers me, and I feel the need to investigate. It is deep, down to the bone, and the only way to cure it is to get answers. The only way to do that is to subject myself to more of Blondie’s beautiful verbal abuse. I have to figure out where she is and what she is doing; then it hits me: I know exactly who I need to talk to.
Kennedy
I’m not sure if it’s possible to hate my life any more than I already do. I didn’t get into Berkeley with Mommy and Daddy’s money. Hell, I don’t even have a mom and dad as far as I’m concerned, it’s just me and my grandparents. I worked my ass off to get into this school, and I refuse to allow anyone to push me out of here or make me afraid to be here. Unlike many other students, I’m here because I deserve it, not because Mommy and Daddy thought this is where I should be.
I pull my Fusion into the parking lot of Toxic. I smooth my hands over my short jean shorts and my tight, black, fitted tee. This is the only time anyone ever sees me like this. What can I say? A girl has to do what she has to do to make some decent tips, even if it means looking like a cheap whore for a short amount of time.
I open the car door and slide out, closing it firmly. The parking lot out front is filled with tons of college students. At least I will make some money tonight. I go in through the back door where all the employees enter. Clocking in, I look over at Joe, my manager. Most days he’s a dick, a slave driver per-say, but he protects us girls with a vengeance. Nobody messes with the girls at Toxic.
“Get over here, K. We need someone in areas C and D. One of the girls called in sick, and I don’t have time to call someone else in right now. You’re on your own, sweetheart,” Joe says, smiling as he pats me on the back.
More than you know, buddy. I grab my apron and my little pad and pen for orders. I am a shy girl; when I’m not here, I’m usually in the library with my nose stuck in a book or studying. With no friends, there isn’t much else to do.
“Get moving, sweetheart! Tables are filling up!” Joe yells from the bar.
I roll my eyes and make my way out onto the floor. The second my eyes land on the first table I need to take orders from, I feel like shrinking back and running to the nearest rock to hide.
Ryder, one of his friends, and a busty female are patiently waiting for their waitress to come and take their orders. I am their waitress, and I have to take their order. Damn you, God, I just had to say something about making my life hell.
“Hi, welcome to Toxic. Can I get you guys a beer, maybe a fresh order of wings?” My voice is smooth and syrupy. What can I say? I’ve had a little practice. Three pairs of eyes look up at me, two of which look extremely surprised.
“Kennedy?” the guy next to Ryder asks. My gaze drifts over to him, and for a second, I almost forget what Ryder looks like. Almost.
“Landon?” He looks good, different, but good none the less.
“Yup, that’s me, sweetheart. I knew you went to school here, just didn’t know you worked here.”
I laugh, one of those crazy, I’m kind of exhausted so leave me alone laughs. “Yeah, I have to pay for tuition somehow.” The girl on Ryder’s arm glares at me, and if looks could kill, I swear I would be dead twenty times over by now.