I tilted my head, shooting her ano-shitglare. She shook her head. “Not good enough.” She held out her pinky to me.
I eyed it.
“It’s that bad, huh?” I asked, looking back at her eyes.
“Kay, there is no part of this situation that is good, aside from us being alive. However, this changes everything. Promise me you will keep it quiet.”
“Fine,” I sighed and hooked my pinky in hers. It may have seemed childish to some, but between the three of us, Gwen, Hals, and me, a pinky promise was some serious shit. Every timewe made one, we kept it. Still, the next words out of Haley’s mouth had me questioning everything, my stomach dipping, another crack added to my heart.
“Collin is Ray’s bastard son.”
Seven Years Ago
“Come on, Kay. Come party with us.”
I flashed the boys a fake smile. “I can’t. I have lots of homework tonight,” I lied as I picked up their empty plates from their table.
I was in the middle of the lunch shift at the burger joint. Gwen was here too, working on the other side of the restaurant. However, three frat guys from our school decided to sit in my section today. I wanted to strangle my friend for dragging me to campus last week to study with her in Lovejoy Library. I was an online student, and I had no desire to be on campus.
But when your best friend begged you, what were you supposed to do?
These guys sat at the table next to us during our study date and decided to fixate on me. They found out where I worked and showed up today. When they walked in, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, my body warning me of the danger.
These boys were dangerous, and I wanted no part of it.
As a survivor, you could spot the signs before anyone else.
The sly smirks.
The hand gestures under the table.
The predatory gaze.
After returning the dirty plates to the kitchen, I checked on my other tables, made some drinks behind the bar, and ran out some food. Before I knew it, two hours flew by, and the frat boys were still there, nursing their drinks. The one sitting on the right was staring me down like I was his next meal. He had blonde hair and pale green eyes, and those eyes watched my every move as I made my way to the booth.
You are just their server, Kay.
You are at work.
They can’t hurt you here.
Making a mental note to ask one of the cooks to walk me to my car, I plastered on a fake smile.
“Is there anything else I can get you boys?”
The blonde pursed his lips. “Come to our party tonight, baby.”
I snapped my head to him, my ponytail coming over my shoulder. “Don’t call me that.”
He smirked. Rolling my eyes, I shoved my notepad back into my apron. “I’ll go get your check,” I said as I turned away. A hand gripped my wrist. Hard. My body went on high alert as my breath hitched and fear had me in its grasp.
“Come to the party, baby. I’ll show you a good time.”
My skin crawled as I looked down at his hand. “Let go of me,” I hissed, tugging my arm, but his fingers only dug into me more.
He chuckled.
I looked up for help, but none of my coworkers were nearby and my section had emptied out.
