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I recall the brief moment but don’t reply.
“Hey, Braxton,” Evan says, “I see your daughter is working at “Nightingale’s,” huh?”
I take a gulp of beer and try not to react myself.
“Yes, she is. She’s trying to buy a ticket out of town.”
“Oh, well, I’m sure Freddy could fill her in on how.”
I bite my inner cheek. I know this is a small town, but I’ve been extremely particular about how Sadie comes in and out of my motel room. I doubt Evan has any idea, but there’s no surprise that whatever this guy does, it’s going to irritate me.
“Sadie’s twenty-five. She can figure it out,” I have to say.
Braxton laughs. “She’s still a child to me. She knows nothing about big cities. I pray her life will work out as well as she wants it.”
Typical dad statement.
“What are you up to these days, Evan?” I ask.
I have to break this mental grip that Sadie has on me. If I’m not thinking of her, then someone is bringing her up.
“Oh, I’m at the factory,” he says.
Of course, he is, and I say this with no disrespect. Evan is too busy playing games or stirring trouble to make his own moves. The huge wholesaler factory that sells packaged items for planes and schools has been in Hillpike for years. It’s guaranteed work, which is a plus in this small town, so it does have that benefit, but it’ll keep you working there for as long as you live in Hillpike.
“How’s it there?” I ask.
“Steady, you know how it goes. Not as glamorous as working on your computer. I hear you’re some kind of architect?”
I smile and nod at Evan before I watch Braxton roll his bowling ball into the gutter.
“That’s great. Not you, Braxton.” Evan snorts. “Looks like you need some practice.”
“He had a rough day,” I say. “Be easy on him.”
“Oh, fuck off, Freddy. The big city sensitivities will get you nowhere in Hillpike.”
“That’s fine by me,” I admit.
Evan shakes his head and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Well, I have the third shift this week at work. Just wanted to stop in and say hi. No one can unsee that big white SUV outside.” Evan teases. “Maybe next time I can beat you in a game of pool or something.”
“Sounds like the good ol’ days!” Braxton chirps.
With my fingers in my bowling ball, I force out a smile. “Sure, maybe.”
The last thing I desire is to be anywhere else with Evan than here; however, I feel like I may need to keep my eye on him while I am here. At least keep my eyes on him more than he has his eyes on me.
Chapter 11
Sadie
I’mglad“Nightingale’s”ismore lucrative than the coffee shop. According to Millie, I’ve got the look like she’s got the moves. I don’t think she’s thrilled with the tips I’ve been given compared to hers. I think I have what the girlies on the internet call “pretty privilege.” There’s no way I deserve more tips than a seasoned server like Millie. Millie could literally run this entire restaurant if she could. She knows about every damn ingredient in each dish. She knows which drinks to pair with which fish. She could practically roll silverware in her sleep and always times her table’s orders to come out together. She’s a beast.
And I’m the young redhead with legs for days and perky tits who has been handed wads of random twenties for sauntering past a bar table and batting my eyes. Sure, it’s all great for me, but life isn’t fucking fair.
At the end of my Friday night shift, Angela randomly puts in two flatbread pizzas for Millie and me. Once in a while, Angela will do this.
This night has been fairly chaotic, so my tummy is pretty empty. I place my shift’s paperwork on the bar top as the bartender pours me a Blue Moon on draft. I stare at my credit card receipts to review my tip earnings while Millie has already completed hers and is on beer number two beside me.
