just because his parents are wealthy he can get away with anything. “Hey, back off, man. What she ever do to you?”
Hayden lets out a bark of laughter. “The mouse almost scorched my fucking eyes out.” He closes in on the girl and throwing an arm around her, he pulls her against his body. I don’t know why the sight of her in Hayden’s arms upsets me, but it does. “I tell you what, Mouse,” Hayden says mockingly. “How about you get out of all of that,” he wiggles a finger over her petite body, and it only makes her blush even more, “and then we’ll see if that blush colors your whole body.”
I take another step closer. I hate when Hayden is being a dick. The girl shoves him away and bends to pick up a book. “Such a pity, it sure looks like you have a fine ass.”
I feel anger flare to life inside my chest, but before I can let Hayden have it the girl swings around and the book in her hand connects with his face. He grabs his cheek. “Bitch! What the fuck man?”
I quickly step between them so Hayden can’t get to the girl. I’m conscious of her at my back. Hayden glares up just as the girl takes off running. He moves to go after her and I slam a hand into his chest. “Just chill, man. You were a dick to her and deserve that!”
“What the fuck ever! Let’s get back to the game so I can beat your ass and you can buy me dinner.”
I slap him playfully on the shoulder. “In your wildest dreams.” As we near the waiting group I yell, “Game on!”
~*~
Chapter Three
Lacey~
This is the first school break I’ll be working at the diner with Mom. Dad is a janitor at the local college. They might not have glamorous jobs, but it puts food on the table.
Ron’s Diner overlooks the beach, so it gets a lot of traffic. Only two hours after starting my first shift, I get thrown into the deep-end. Ella gave me a crash course on how to take an order, carry a tray and greet the customers. Now it’s too busy for Ella to babysit me, and I’m heading to my first table alone.
Our town’s not that big, but because I’m somewhat of an introvert, I don’t know everyone by name, like Mom does. I recognize some faces, and I know the man sitting in the corner is a police officer, although he’s out of uniform right now. He comes out to the RV park a lot to break up fights. I like him, so I put on an extra wide smile and quickly scribble on my notepad to make sure the pen’s working.
“Welcome to Ron’s, what can I get you?” I quickly go through the greeting Ella taught me.
The man smiles up at me. “Is it your first day here?”
I nod and wait for his order as he scans the menu. Ron was clever when he had the menu’s made. They serve a double purpose as placemats as well. So we don’t have to run around with menus every time a customer comes in.
“I’ll take the Batman burger with fries and a chocolate shake,” he says with a smile. I quickly write it down and head to the counter to pass the order on.
Ron has all his meals named after some kind of superhero. There are Hulk steaks, Wonder Woman pasta, and a range of burgers and pizzas. The kids love it.
Time flies and I slowly start to get the hang of being a waitress. My shift ends at twelve. For the first week I’m working the six to twelve shift. They thought it would be better if I got thrown in the deep-end, that way I’ll learn faster. I don’t mind, the tips are good.
I hear the door ding again and glance over my shoulder to see in whose section the customers will be sitting. I go hot and cold all at once. It’s Seth and a whole bunch of guys. I’m scared of what Hayden’s reaction is going to be when he sees me, but I’m also excited to see Seth again. They take a seat in Autumn’s section and I feel a pang of rejection. At least their table is on the way to my section, so I’ll get to glimpse Seth every time I pass by them.
“Order up!” Ron yells and I feel flustered as I arrange the two