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“Your brother called to give me a heads-up that your schedule was gonna be a little different this year.”
“Yes, it is different.” Entirely. But as I made clear to Dustin, I tell Otis, “Ball won’t interfere with my work. I might need to work a little later than normal, but I’ll get everything done that needs to be taken care of. Guaranteed.”
“No doubt, but don’t forget to have a little fun, Crawford. Senior year.” Otis laughs, his eyes dropping to his feet. “Man, what I wouldn’t give to be young and stupid again.”
Not trying to fulfill the stupid part, I agree I might be young, but I don’t feel it. Even though my meddling brother tried to let me have a carefree childhood, something doesn’t sit right when Mommy runs off and Daddy is too busy drinking to bother raising a child. But still. Dustin had no right. I assure Otis once again that I’ll get everything done and go back to cleaning up the Hebert yacht.
“Hey, Cade.”
I look up to spot Ava standing on the deck. Fuck. Now Morgan has her minions on the job too. “Hey.” I go back to spraying off the deck and hope she’ll move on. But it’s not surprising when she doesn’t.
“Is this one yours?”
Laugh. That’s all I can do as I continue my job. Ava is more than aware of the fact that I work here because I’ve fueled up her family’s boat on more than one of their trips on the lake. Though it’s not anywhere near the beast I’m cleaning now. A machine that cost more than ten years’ worth of rent on our apartment. And it’s just a play toy. It’s nothing that I haven’t seen in the years I’ve worked here at the marina. But until recently, it’s never bothered me. And with these little tormenters rubbing it in, it’s even harder to ignore that my brother and I are in the bottom percentage of Saint Juliet earners.
And Ava keeps on reminding me. “Maybe you can take me for a ride on it.”
I don’t have time or the mental capacity for this shit. Even if it were mine, there’s no way I’d be up for a joyride with her. “Cut the shit and move the fuck on. And tell your bitch leader I’ve had enough for today.” More than enough.
Ava gets a satisfied grin. “Sheisa fuckin’ bitch. But you’ll have to deliver the message to her yourself. We aren’t exactly on speaking terms since she dropped me on purpose at practice today.”
Ah. It looked like something was going on, but I didn’t care to know more details. And still don’t. I just wanted to keep an eye on Morgan to make sure she remained across the field and away from me and Neil. “Yeah. Well, I have to get back to work.”
“That’s right. I forgot you worked here.” I feel her eyes on me as I look back to her and she adds with a devious smile. “Silly me.”
I have half a thought to hurl my body overboard and hide under the muddy water, but I doubt that would deter this one. None of these princesses seem to get a hint, or even clear and plain instructions likeI want to be left the fuck alone. And I definitely want them to keep me out of their mind games. Which is my next guess—Ava and Morgan are in some petty battle, and I’m the card Ava is trying to play against her rival. Count me the fuck out.
“Not interested in whatever your play is. Go away.” I continue on with my job, but Ava doesn’t move.Shit.
Stopping mid-swipe, I stand upright and clutch the cleaning rag in one hand while I look over to the girl who tries her best for a pitiful look and says, “I’m sorry. I was just trying to be nice.” With that, she slumps her shoulders and walks away.
For a split second, I feel a little guilty. But I waste not a moment longer than that because I have experienced plenty of Ava’s wrath to know she’s a carbon copy of Morgan King. And even a lesser, weaker copy is way too messy and fucking vile to deal with.
12
MORGAN
Finally. “Neil, over here,” I yell across the café. I know that pompous ass won’t be far behind him. But for now, I’m happy to watch Cade’s sidekick make his way over hesitantly, his fingers clinging his tray as he stops beside the table. “Saved you a seat.” I slap the spot beside me.
Neil eyes it for a few seconds, then carefully sets his tray on the table before dropping into the chair and eyeing Topher and his jock friends who all sit around. Ava sits across from me, her arms folded over her chest while Savannah attempts to bring us both into a conversation about some bullshit I don’t care about.
Because it’s then I spot him. Cade. And I don’t even have to invoke the second part of my plan to invite him over because he’s already heading in our direction. Topher actually moves over without a word, and Cade takes a seat on the opposite side of Neil, his tray dropping to the table with a thud, but Cade doesn’t touch his food.
“Okay. I need a final count for homecoming.” I glance around the table, receiving all confirmations, even from Ava who is a little hesitant, but she wouldn’t dare say no since that would mean she might miss out. But there are two who haven’t said a word, so I look to the easier one. “How about you, Neil? Are you in?”
“For what?”
“Homecoming weekend, silly. After the pathetic game”—I glare at Cade for a second before turning a smile back to Neil—“the real fun starts. We’re gonna grab something to eat, then take a party bus to the dance, and then head back to the hotel.”
His nervousness eases up and his excitement takes over. “Yes. Definitely. I’ll be there.”
Perfect.
I glance to Cade who doesn’t look at all excited, but he won’t let his bitch boy out of his sight. “And what about Mr. Star Quarterback? Are you going to celebrate with your teammates after the big game?”
Cade remains silent as a few people at the table encourage him with a whoop to say yes, and his sidekick even helps out by saying, “Sounds like it’ll be fun.”
Oh, he’s even more pissed now. But he concedes and says, “Fine.”
