“Do you have any idea how gross you smell when you come home smelling like sweat, diner burgers, and cigarettes?”
My eyes snap open and I lower them to look at Xavier, while still keeping the back of my head against the wall.
“Whatever keeps you away from me.”
He laughs and claps his hands together once, rubs them loudly, then comes over to stand next to me.
With a heavy sigh, I finally push away from the wall and suddenly find myself outraged when he swipes the cigarette from between my fingers and flicks it down the alley.
“You’re such a dick,” I snarl as I start to make my way toward the slowly dying ember on the pavement. Leaning down, I pick it up, then sigh heavily when I realize that half of the cigarette is now damp.
With a shake of my head, I drop it back into the puddle it ricocheted off into, and walk toward the back door, shoving Xavier out of the way.
“Why don’t you go make someone else’s life miserable for tonight? Some of us have to work for a living and I need this job,” I call over my shoulder.
“Because there’s no one I hate more than you!” he calls back just before the door swings closed behind me.
Leaning down, I press myself against the door, drop my face into my hands, and let out a muffled scream.
If he hates me so goddamn much, why won’t he just leave me alone?
Chapter Three
Xavier
The guys decided to wait inside and place their orders while I slipped out to see where Amos had disappeared to. I knew he was working tonight, but when I peeked into the kitchen on my way to the bathroom he wasn’t there. It didn’t take long for me to figure out where he’d got to, and as always he acted like a little bitch and stormed off like a kid who’s had his favorite toy taken away and set alight.
This wouldn’t be anywhere near as fun if he didn’t react the way he does. Amos hates being in my presence as much as I hate being in his, however I’m not going to move out of his way when he strays across my path. Sometimes I wonder why I persist in my efforts to make his life hell, but then I think about how little this small town has to offer in the way of real entertainment, and having these minor altercations is perfect for bringing a little spice into my otherwise dull life.
He may be jealous of the fact that almost everything I’ve ever wanted has been handed to me on a silver platter, and while I’ve had to work at some areas in my life to get where I am today, I occasionally find it tiresome having the freedom I do. Unfortunately, when Mom remarried she handed me a new stepbrother and stepfather—two things I never asked for or wanted.
Leaning against the wall outside the diner, I stare at the door Amos had just disappeared through. I won’t be able to follow him, and even if I could I wouldn’t. Amos thinks I’ll put him in a position where he’ll lose his job, but he’s wrong. I’ll push his limits, I’ll make his life as miserable as I can, I’ll ridicule and isolate him, but I won’t get him fired. It’s not just because Mom would hit the roof if I jeopardized his job, but I know where to draw the line. Besides, the threat of it is enough to put Amos on edge, and that’s enough to satisfy me.
After another minute or so, I walk back around to the front of the diner and through the double doors door. Shane and Simon are eating burgers, and I notice they ordered one for me too. As I get closer, I notice the meat is well-done and I raise my eyebrow.
“Very funny, guys. Send this back and order me a real fucking burger this time.”
Shane snickers and jerks his head toward Simon. “Go on, Si, this one isn’t on me, dude. It was your idea.”
I glance toward Simon who’s doing his best to keep a straight face, but when he sees the expression on mine he bursts out laughing. Punching him in the arm before I sit down, I slide across the tacky, plastic-covered bench opposite the two of them, and put my feet up.
“Worth it,” Simon grins, rubbing his upper arm where I’d hit him as he flags down the waitress. “There was a mistake with the order, can I get a large double cheeseburger, cooked medium-rare instead please. Apparently I underestimated how well-cooked my friend here would want it.”
“Hmmm,” the waitress huffs as she rolls her eyes and takes the plate away.
“You’re such a dick, Simon.” Shane laughs as he nudges him in the side with his elbow.
Simon shrugs and cuts his gaze toward me. “I learned from the best, bro. I learned from the best.”
I chuckle quietly and shake my head. He’s impossible, but I wouldn’t change the asshole for anything. A loud bang comes from the kitchen, followed by the sound of breaking china, and I smirk. While it may not have been me who sent back the food this time, I’m still going to enjoy the reaction it elicits from my poor stepbrother out back, who’s sweating in front of the grills. Poor baby.
Chapter Four
Amos
“Fucking assholes,” I grumble as Katy Kat waits for a new burger. It seems that one of the Rich Boys changed their mind and wants a medium-rare instead of a well done.
“I can tell them to leave if you want me to,” she offers in her nicotine riddled voice.