Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters #1) - Jaymin Eve Page 0,12
an ambush at any point. Would be nice to relax for a few days.
The wind picked up on the long walk home, and by the time I got back into the cabin, I was half-frozen. The thought of a fire to warm the room was enough to have me putting in the effort to light a decent one, and when it was roaring away, I even cooked my dinner over the flames.
Rare steak didn’t take long to perfect anyway, and I mostly enjoyed the added smoky flavor the fire produced. When I finally crawled into bed, after setting my alarm for an early start at the diner, I wondered if this was going to be my life forever. Alone. Books and fire and food my only comfort.
I mean, as fucked-up as it was, this was still better than being in Torma.
Just had to survive my first shift, because it’d be super shitty if I died before I ever even got to live.
I arrived early to work the next day after a shitty, restless sleep. Thanks to Ms. Wolf scraping at my skin like she was an actual physical animal trapped inside, and not just a sliver of my own soul.
“Lucy!”
Tessie Johanson hugged me as I walked through the door, and this time, I didn’t even flinch. Tessie was another full-time waitress, and she had flaming red hair, but unlike mine, hers wouldn’t be red for long. She changed her hair color as much as I changed my clothes, and I had no clue what her natural shade was.
She was also a hugger, and it had taken some getting used to, but now I kind of liked it.
“I’ve missed you this week,” she said, even though it had only been a couple of days since we’d been on shift together. “We’re supposed to be in for a busy day today with the festival in town.”
I smiled, stashing my bag and jacket in the small cubbies. “That’s fantastic. I could use a little extra cash.”
She smirked, following me as I got my apron out. “Hells yeah, me too. The purple I’m getting for my hair next is going to take three sessions with Mark. He’s the best, but dude costs bank.” Her lips twitched. “Are you sure you don’t want to get a trim? I can book us an appointment together.”
I snorted as we entered the main diner room to start our shifts. “I’ve told you, food before hair. I don’t have the money to waste, but I can’t wait to see the purple you choose.”
She sighed, wistfully staring at the long, braided mess down my back. “Your hair is the most amazing natural color I’ve ever seen. Mark would legitimately kill his mother for a chance to get his hands on it. He’d probably do it for free.” Her face lit up. “I’m going to ask him.”
Before I could protest, she had hurried off to her section, and I got to work on mine. As predicted, there was no lull all day, and I found out about the carnival and food festival that was moving through the town over the next week, bringing in a ton of visitors.
“You have to check it out!” an overly enthusiastic, ten-year-old boy told me. “They have rides and toys and cotton candy.”
I smiled at him while refilling his juice. “Sounds amazing. I’m working for the next few days, but maybe I’ll get a chance to sneak away.”
Greg, who was nearby chatting to one of the regulars, must have heard me. “Your friend from California was in here yesterday asking about you. Maybe you can take her there. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the holidays.”
Like someone had doused me in icy water, shock traced across my skin, freezing me in place. “My friend?” I managed to choke out.
He nodded, still looking affable, like he had no idea of the bombshell he’d just dropped on me. “Said she was in town to surprise you. Figured she made it out to your place last night.”
Somehow I didn’t drop the jug I held. Somehow I didn’t scream and sprint out of the room. Somehow I managed to calmly nod my head and walk away, into the back room.
“Everything okay?” Tessie asked, nudging the door open to drop off her armful of dirty plates.
Shaking off my panic, I forced a natural smile across my face, failing miserably, if her expression was anything to go by. “Just got some bad news. Could you maybe cover the rest of my