“I have this gut feeling I haven’t seen the last of Josh.” That terrified me. Josh was a loose cannon.
She examined my arm. “Is this where he grabbed you?”
“It looks worse than it feels, and it will probably turn black and blue since I bruise easily.”
She rose. “I need to get back to serving drinks or Greta will fire me. Look, I know you need the money, and I have a friend who runs the wait staff for weddings and events at the Orchard Creek Country Club in Lakemont. He’s always interviewing for waitresses. I can call him if you would like.”
Hopping up, I threw my arms around her. “Really?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Smiling, she tied her apron tighter. “I know losing this job might seem bad, but everything happens for a reason. I’ll call you after I talk to Miles Carver at the country club. Oh, and Lucas wanted me to remind you that he’s waiting for you.”
My phone rang, cutting off my thoughts of riding home with Lucas. But Ryker was with him, so I wouldn’t be able to do anything crazy, like have a quickie in his truck or coaxing him once again into a night of wild sex.
Justine and I hugged quickly and said goodbye as the ringing stopped.
As I cleaned out my locker, I returned Bailey’s call.
“Maze,” Bailey said, yawning. “So sorry about not picking you up.”
“No problem. How’s Kaylee?” I couldn’t be mad at Bails for putting my sister first.
“My mom is spoiling her. But she’s feeling better after I gave her Pepto-Bismol. You sound off. What’s wrong?”
“I can’t thank you and your parents enough for helping me and Kaylee.”
“Hush, chica. You’re family.”
I envied Bailey. She had a wonderful mom and dad who loved her and supported her. Actually, I was jealous. Sure, my mom loved me, but I was the one taking care of her.
“I got fired.”
“What! Why?” If she had been tired, she wasn’t now.
I pushed the burning air out of my lungs, absently rubbing my sore arm. “I kneed Josh in the balls.”
She choked. “Josh?”
“The one and only narcissistic asshole I thought I’d gotten rid of.” I curled my hair around my ear. “I’ll fill you in more later. Lucas and Ryker are waiting for me.”
“Wait, Maze. I’m so sorry you were fired. I’ll have a tub of ice cream waiting for you.”
I pocketed my phone and wound my way out of this godforsaken dump, nerves poking at my stomach as I hoped I didn’t see Josh anywhere.
The ding of car doors resonated along with the drone of patrons chatting while they waited for the valet to bring their cars around. I searched for Lucas’s truck, thinking he might be waiting nearby. But I didn’t see the Ford F-150. I didn’t even see the tall, muscled blond football player or Ryker anywhere.
As I continued to sweep the wide driveway, I saw Josh climbing into an SUV parked in a staff-only spot with his friend Shane.
I dipped into the shadows of the portico to stay out of sight. As I did, a hot breath breezed over my neck, startling me.
“Are you hiding from me, Midnight?”
I jumped a mile. “I told you not to call me that,” I barked.
My sour mood was shining like a diamond in the rough, and I shouldn’t be taking out my frustrations on a guy who had been nothing but kind to me. “I’m so sorry. I’m not in a good mood.”
He ran a hand through his hair, towering over me like a Greek god. “Please tell me Greta didn’t fire you.” His raspy southern drawl seemed to settle those pesky nerves.
My lips thinned. “Sadly, she did.”
