“It’s okay to admit it. He took me for a haircut and mini makeover when I first started.” She smiles, her cheeks tinged red. “Colin likes to take in strays and fix them up. Bring us to our full potential, is how he phrased it to me.”
Her words make me feel the tiniest bit less special, and I want to smack myself. “Don’t you think that’s sort of…”
“Weird?” she finishes for me with a rueful smile.
“Yeah.” I finish setting the silverware on the table and watch her as she carefully adjusts the last water glass, making it sit just so. The table linens are a perfect, creaseless white, with an equally perfect silver bowl sitting in the middle, full of freshly cut flowers the colors of spring. All vibrant pinks and lavenders and whites, they add a touch of sophisticated glamour to an otherwise plain palette.
The entire restaurant is like this. Sexy yet restrained elegance. No wonder all the beautiful people love to come here.
“Colin likes to think of himself as a knight in shining armor to all of us. Like he swooped in and rescued us from our horrible lives and gave us new ones,” Jennifer explains.
I frown. I don’t need someone in my life with a hero complex. With Drew, I’m the one with the hero complex and that got me absolutely nowhere.
And why the hell does everything still have to come back to him? I need to let him go, once and for all. “That’s ridiculous,” I say.
Jennifer shrugs. “It’s the truth, isn’t it? Where were you working before? I was at some crappy bar on the outskirts of town, where the customers couldn’t keep their hands off me. I hated it. Colin came in there one night over a month ago, all clean and golden and shiny. He practically begged me to come work for him but I didn’t trust him.” Her eyes darken even more, shading secrets from me, I’m sure. “It was just before Christmas, I was pretty much broke and alone. He took me in and I haven’t looked back since.”
“Took you in, what do you mean?”
“I’m staying at his house.” Her gaze skitters away from mine. “I’m not the first. I won’t be the last.”
Wow. He’s like the Pied Piper and we all follow after him like a bunch of hypnotized mice. I feel like a fool for thinking the attention he gave me was special. Unusual. I was just another long list of girls who work here he’s taken under his wing.
I’m such a skeptic I still can’t help but wonder if he has an ulterior motive.
“There’s a private party coming in at nine.” Tenerria walks into the dining area, her demeanor all business. She’s the shift manager, having worked with Colin at his previous restaurants. He brought her with him to help open The District and I’m not sure if she’s a permanent fixture or eventually moving on. I respect the hell out of T, what everyone calls her, but she also scares the crap out of me. “Fifteen confirmed college football players celebrating a twenty-first birthday so be prepared. That confirmed number will probably fly out the window.”
My heart drops to my toes. Football players. Could Drew be one of them coming tonight? He’s not one to be social and last I heard—because the rumor mill is rampant in this small town—Drew had left. Not that I ever pay too much attention to rumors. They’re usually all lies anyway.
“I’m throwing you to the wolves tonight, Fable,” T continues, a smile curling her bright red lips. We’re all wearing the new “uniform” Colin gave us earlier: black shorts, white lace tops with a black bra underneath. I added the black heels that I teeter precariously on. He even gave us the same lipstick, so that we’d all match. “You and Jen both are working the private party. We have an extra bartender on staff as well so you should be set.”
Nerves eat at my stomach. “Okay,” I say weakly. Being around football players will make me think of Drew. Plus, they’ll probably give me shit because yep, I’m ashamed to say, I’ve been with a few. Nothing major, mostly make-out/grope sessions but still. Back when my self-esteem was in tatters and I thought their attention was the only kind I deserved. So embarrassing. I hope they don’t say anything rude.
More than anything, I hope Drew’s not there.
Okay, I lie. A teeny-tiny part of me hopes Drew shows up. Not that I know what I’d say to him.
Fuck you for stomping all over my heart!
Hmm, yeah. That would go over real well.
“What do you think of the new duds?” T asks.
I glance down at myself. The shorts are extra short but at least I’m not in a dress, where I’m always afraid my ass is hanging out. And the lace tops and bra are most definitely see-through, but I don’t feel like my goods are on blatant display. I’m always afraid I’ll get cold, but there’s too much running around throughout the evening for that to happen. “I like them.”
“I do too.” Jen pipes up, moving so she stands beside me. “I prefer the shorts to the dresses. Feels like I can move better in them.”
“Same.” I nod in agreement. “Why did he pick out new clothes for us? And even gave us all matching lipstick?” Saying the question out loud made me realize just how odd the situation is.
I mean, who does this sort of thing?
“He likes all of us to look the same yet different. Bring some of our own personality to the outfit, you know?” T ran her gaze over Jen and me. “I know you were just given the outfits but the next time you work, make sure you add something to give yourself a little more pizazz. Individuality.”
“What if I can’t afford it?” I had to ask. I’m mostly a broke joke. The biggest extravagance I’ve given myself is the damn tattoo with the initials of a man who ditched me. The expensive shoes I wear? A gift from Drew. The same ones I wore the night of that crazy country club dinner, when he kissed me for the first time.
Just the memory of his lips grazing mine sent a shiver stealing over me.
“Fable, you can go to one of those cheap stores in the mall and pick up a three-dollar necklace. There’s Target and Walmart too.” Shaking her head, T starts to walk away. “Get those tables set up. Doors open in fifteen!”
Jen and I busily finish setting up the tables, polishing glass, lighting candles, sweeping the bare wood floors. Colin comes in, offering murmured words to Jen I couldn’t quite catch before he locks his gaze with mine and heads toward me.
“Much improved,” he says, stopping directly in front of me, crossing his arms in front of him. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that stretches across his wide shoulders and chest and black pants. The dark clothing only seems to emphasize the golden hair, the golden skin, the pale green eyes.
Ugh. And I hate how proprietary he seems. Yet that approving light in his gaze secretly pleases me. Makes me want to stand tall and preen like a good little girl who’s done right.
Sick and twisted, I know.
“You were there for the transformation yesterday.” It had taken hours. We finally left the salon after nine. Luckily enough, I wasn’t scheduled last night and considering he was the boss, he could show up at the restaurant whenever he felt like it. He’d even driven me home. Now he acted like he never saw the end results last night.
Weird.
“You’re right. I was. But it’s different, seeing you here tonight. In your element.” He flicks his chin in my direction. “Like the new uniforms?”
They were proving to be the hottest topic of conversation around here. “Kind of see-through but yeah, I like them.”
“I’m glad.” Reaching out, he squeezes my arm as he passes. “Nice shoes,” he tosses out over his shoulder.
A little smile curls my lips and I glance up, catching Jennifer watching me with a narrowed gaze. She turns and leaves before I can say anything and I watch her retreating back, wondering what that was all about.
Wondering what sort of weird little love triangle I might’ve let myself walk into.
Chapter Four
I hate the idea of anyone else having you. – Drew Callahan
Drew
They scream and shout my name the second I slip inside the private room at The District, the new rest
aurant where Logan’s party is being held. Every one of my teammates is already shitfaced and it’s only ten. I can see it in their blurry eyes, their red cheeks, their too-loud voices.
But hey, at least they’re happy to see me. I figured I’d become the enemy. The asshole who lost their chance at a bowl game. We’d been close, so close every one of us had started to taste that faint glimmer of victory.
Then I met a girl, we went home together and I let everything that happened there fuck my head all up. Stupid.
Logan approaches and gives me a shoulder-slapping hug. He reeks of alcohol and I push away from him, startled when Jace appears by my side, places a beer in my hand and tells me to drink up.
I dutifully do as I’m told, ready to lose myself for at least a few hours. The visit with my dad had turned tense the moment he insulted Fable. Crazy considering we weren’t together anymore, but I wasn’t going to stand by and let him say rude crap about her. Truthfully, she was above all of us and I refuse to let him drag her through the mud, even if it was only to me.
After that fiasco of a lunch, he dealt constantly with Adele calling him, texting him, calling him again. I didn’t need that reminder so I stayed away. Which meant we were apart for much of his visit, until he finally told me this morning he needed to go back home and attend to “business.”
Bullshit. Business was code for Adele. I didn’t call him on it, merely nodded and let him go. Promising him we’d get together again soon.
Yeah, right. I don’t see that happy reunion happening anytime soon.
“You’ve been in hiding,” Logan says as he sits next to me, a drink clutched in his hand. His head lolls, as if he can’t quite keep it upright, and I shake my head, chuckling as I sip from my beer. Sierra Nevada, the beer of choice in this town, it’s about the only kind I can drink. The rest tastes like swill.
“I’ve been around,” I say with a shrug. “Lying low. Taking fewer classes this semester. I needed a break.”
“I get it, man. I get it. And hey, don’t let coach mess with your head. It wasn’t your fault, our spectacular losses at the end of the season.” Logan’s expression goes serious. As serious as it can go, considering how drunk he is. “We all sorta fucked up, you know?”
I take another, bigger swig of beer. I need it since the topic of conversation has veered into a serious direction. “You think so?” I wonder if he’s just feeding me a line.
“Definitely.” He nods eagerly, his head still bobbing. “I’m glad you’re here, man. You never go out with us. I feel like I’m special or something, you showing up for my birthday and shit. Not everyday a jackass like me turns twenty-one.”
We both laugh. “You’re right. You’re a total jackass.” Not really. Logan’s a decent guy. And besides, I couldn’t sit at home with my thoughts any longer. I was driving myself crazy.
Logan grins. “You need to hang out with us more. Wait until you see the waitresses who are ours for the night. They’re fucking hot. One of them everyone knows, some blonde groupie with an amazing ass. The other one is tall and dark. Looks like a damn model.”
An uneasy sensation slides through me at the description of the blonde but I push it aside. What are the odds? And there are plenty of blonde team groupies out there. “Cute, huh?” I feign interest.
“Cute doesn’t begin to describe either of them. They’re complete opposites and completely hot.” Logan tilts his head back so it bumps the chair back. “I need to get laid,” he says at the ceiling. “I haven’t had sex as a twenty-one-year-old yet. I think tonight calls for a celebration of the get-laid kind.”
“I’m surprised there’s no girls here.” My teammates are known for having crazy parties with half-naked girls in attendance. Half the reason why I would never go—half-naked females coming at me used to scare the shit out of me.
They still make me uncomfortable because they always, always want something I can’t give them. Like my attention, my time. Forget that shit. There’s only one half-naked female I would welcome with open arms if she came at me right now.
And she hates me.
“Oh, the girls are coming later.” Logan smiles and closes his eyes. “Actually, we’re going to go and see them. Promise me you’ll come with us.”
“Uh…” Sounds like a nightmare.
Logan cracks open his eyes. “Promise me. I’ll start shouting and making a scene if you don’t promise.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll go.” I have no idea what I just agreed to but it can’t be good, judging by the sight of the wide smile Logan’s wearing. Besides, he’ll probably shout and make a scene no matter what I say.
A tall dark-haired girl enters the private room, a smile curving her full red lips as she starts passing out the drinks from the heavy tray she carries. She comes to me after she empties her tray, her dark brown gaze connecting with mine. “Ah, a fresh face. I see you have a beer already, but do you need anything else? Something to eat, another drink?”
“Get him a shot,” Logan says, his voice already slurred. “Tequila. Patrón.”
She looks at me expectantly but she’s talking to Logan. “Only one shot, birthday boy?”
“Get us a round of eight.”
What the hell? “I’m not doing a bunch of shots with you. I don’t care if it’s your birthday or not.”
“Don’t be such a downer.” Logan waved a hand. “Eight shots of Patrón, pretty lady. Hey, what are you doing later? Wanna come with us when we take the party to our next stop?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Sorry, I work until one. I appreciate the offer, though.” Her gaze meets mine once more. “Another beer maybe?”
“Sure.” I shrug. I’ll do one shot and the second beer and then I’m done. Being drunk means being out of control and I don’t like that.
Turning on her heel, she threads her way through the crowded room, earning more than a few appreciative glances and low whistles. The minute she’s gone, they all start talking about her. Her ass, her tits, her pretty face.
“She has a mouth made for cock sucking,” Jace says with all the authority in the world.
I nod in agreement, feeling like an ass for even doing that. Put a bunch of guys together, fill them with alcohol and we turn into complete assholes.
“Wait till you see the other one,” Logan pipes up. “Talk about a mouth made for cock sucking. And from what I hear, she’s done that and more with a few lucky bastards that are here tonight.”
Laughter rings throughout the room. Logan says it loud enough and I know. I know without a doubt they’re talking about Fable. She admitted it to me when we were together. How she messed around with a few of my teammates but never took it too far.
Had she lied? Just trying to save face so she wouldn’t look like a slut? I don’t think she’s a slut.
You thought she was a slut when you hired her to be your fake girlfriend. That’s the reason you chose her.
I shove the irritating-as-shit voice out of my head and finish off my beer. The alcohol is already working its magic, sliding through my veins, buzzing through my head. Miss Tall, Dark and Pretty shows back up relatively quick, handing a fresh beer over to me with a smile before she lined up the eight shots of Patrón in front of Logan with a little flourish.
He immediately takes a near overflowing shot glass and raises it toward me. “Come on, Callahan.”
I grab one, a few other guys grab one as well and we’re all clinking glasses, saluting Logan before we down them simultaneously. The tequila burns down my throat and I grimace, laugh when Logan shoves another shot glass into my hand, and I toss that one back too.
Within minutes I’m feeling no pain. Fuck my problems, I’m good. I’ve polished off three shots and two beers and nothing can hurt me. Nothing.
Until the girl I love more than anyone else in the world strides into the room looking like my every fantasy come to life.
Fable
I knew it. Told myself again and again no way would Drew be here. And then I enter the p
rivate room where the party’s being held to relieve Jen so she can take a break and there he is.
Breathtakingly gorgeous, looking as shocked as I feel…and drunk.
I see it in his eyes, his expression, at the wobbly way he jumps to his feet as if he’s going to come for me. But then it’s as if he remembers himself, remembers where he’s at. He settles back into his chair, laughing at whatever the guy sitting next to him is saying, but his gaze never, ever leaves me.
I want to run to him. I want to run away from him. Holy shit, this is so not how I saw it going down when I finally came face-to-face with him again.
“You’re looking good, Fable.” One of the senior football players—I think his name is Tad? Ty?—eyes me, his mouth curved in a knowing smirk.
Knowing because yes, he’s a shameful moment from my past. Barely out of high school and so eager to please, I used to watch the team practice, sitting on the sidelines in the heat of the summer in my too-short shorts and my skimpy tank top. Tad, Ty, whatever his name is, asked me out, I accepted and ended up giving him a blowjob while in his car on our first and only date.
Not one of my proudest moments. But at the time, I cherished the attention he gave me. I was so needy, so foolish.
Of course, the jerk never called. Not that I would’ve gone out with him again. One awkward blowjob was more than enough between us, thank you very much.
“Thanks.” I smile, pretending I don’t know him. “Would you like to order something else?”
“Yeah.” He moves in close. He’s tall and broad, all muscle with dark hair buzzed short and a nasty gleam in his eyes. I step back and he grabs my arm, holding me close to him. Dipping his head, his mouth is next to my ear as he asks, “How about another blowjob later tonight?”
I pull out of his grip, anger blazing through me so strong my body’s shaking. “Fuck off,” I mutter and turn away from him, his gritty laughter following me as I push through the throng of well-muscled athletes that crowd the room.