Bad Intentions (Bad Love #2)(13)

The rest of the day goes off without a hitch. There’s a steady flow of customers, but not too busy, so we have a lot of time to bullshit and get to know each other. I learn that Sutton is hilarious and kind of a badass. Sometimes you can just tell right when you meet someone that they’re just good and genuine. That’s Sutton. I learn that Jake is probably a solid eighty percent of the reason this place is in business, because his admirers come in all day long, taking up tables, hanging around far after their meal is finished only to stare and take the occasional stealthy picture when he’s not looking. I guess he’s a big deal around here, but I haven’t figured out why that is yet.

It’s six p.m. by the time my shift is over, but the sun has already set, making it feel much later. I offer to pick up another shift, because the night shift is always where the money is, but Jake laughs at me and tells me to go home. I think he thinks I’m joking. I’m not.

I count my tips in the break room, pleasantly surprised by the amount I made for a Thursday afternoon. Ninety bucks isn’t bad at all.

“What’s up with Jake?” I ask Sutton, who’s sitting in a chair with her feet kicked up onto the small table in front of us. “He some kind of celebrity around here?”

“He used to be a pro snowboarder.”

“Huh,” I say, perplexed. This place is so not Oakland.

“Oh, by the way, you’re coming to our annual company Halloween party next week. It’s mandatory,” Sutton informs me.

“Can I throw on some cat ears and call it my costume?” I don’t have the money or the desire to figure out a legitimate costume.

Sutton gasps, looking deeply offended. “Absolutely not! Come to my house after work next Friday. I think my sister still has her Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas costume. Either that or a giant hotdog. Your choice. I can grab it for you.”

“Sally it is,” I say, laughing. “I love that movie.” It’s one of the only good memories I have with both of my parents. Henry rented it around Christmastime, which sparked a heated debate on whether it was a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie—my vote is both, by the way—and we made a pallet on the floor, all four of us cuddled up, eating popcorn and candy, while we watched. Jess was still a toddler. I was probably seven or eight. Looking back, our mom was most likely coming down because she slept most of the time. Regardless, for some reason, I’ve never forgotten that night.

“So, it’s settled then. We’ll have some drinks and get ready together,” Sutton says, clapping her hands excitedly.

“Can my brother come, or is it employees only? To the party, I mean. Not your house,” I clarify.

“Your brother is in high school, right?”

I nod.

“I think it’s supposed to be twenty-one and over, but no one really enforces it. Just tell him not to be a dumbass and try to order a drink.”

“He’s not an amateur.” I laugh. Jess will probably come toting a water bottle full of vodka or some shit, but he’s not stupid enough to try to order from the bar. Though, I bet it’s harder to get your hands on stuff here than in Oakland. He has older friends back home, but even if he didn’t, there’s a homeless man on every corner looking to score a beer or a few bucks in exchange for buying booze.

To be honest, I give Jess shit, but he really is a good kid with a big heart. He smokes weed and drinks, but that’s our normal. I don’t know one kid in Oakland that doesn’t. I’m just glad he’s not a pillhead or a smackhead…or a crackhead or a cokehead. None of the bad heads. Just a pothead. I can live with that.

Jake taps his knuckles on the doorframe, and I look over at him from my seat at the table. “Good job today,” he says with a smile. “A few more days of training and I’ll put you on the night shift where I need you.”

“She’s already better than half your staff,” Sutton says, rolling her eyes.

“True. I just have to go through the motions, so I don’t piss anyone else off. Everyone wants the night shift.”

“Oh, thank God,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“We work the same shift again tomorrow. Wanna come in a little early and have a late breakfast? Jake makes the best pancakes on this side of River’s Edge,” Sutton says, bumping his hip with hers.

“That’s bullshit. I make the best pancakes on the entire lake and you know it.”

“Debatable.” She shrugs.

“But yes. By all means, I’ll come in an hour early and cook breakfast for you two princesses. I don’t have a life or anything.”

“Damn right you will,” Sutton says before heading back to tend to her remaining tables before she clocks out. “See you at ten!”

“You don’t really have to do that,” I say once she’s gone.

“No, you should. It’s my pleasure. I just like to give Sutton a hard time.”

“Yeah?”

“Yep. In fact, I’ll fire you if you don’t.”

I cross my arms. “Is that so?”

“Okay, no. But it was worth a try.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. I know he’s teasing, but there’s a little sliver of…something that crawls up my spine. Not exactly suspicion, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It’s not him. It’s Eric. His brand of manipulation started off playful, just like this. And I never would’ve guessed things would end up the way they did. Not even for a second. And now, I’m suspicious of everyone, even harmless guys with floppy hair and kind eyes.