Fallen Too Far

I quietly closed the front door behind me and headed out to my truck. At least I wouldn’t be home until after dark tonight. No having to face Rush for at least twelve more hours.

Jimmy was already in the staff room with his apron on when I arrived. He flashed me a grin and then made a pouty face with his lips. "Uh, oh, looks like someone had a bad morning."

I couldn’t tell Jimmy my problems. He knew these people too. I had to keep this stuff to myself. "I didn’t sleep that well," I replied.

Jimmy made a tsking sound. "For shame. Sleep is such a beautiful thing."

I nodded in agreement and clocked in. "Am I on my own today?" I asked.

"Of course. You had this figured out after following me around for two hours. You should breeze through this day."

I was glad someone thought so. I grabbed an order tablet and a pen and stuck them in the pocket of my black apron.

"Breakfast time," Jimmy said with a wink and pushed open the door that led into the dining room. "Oooh looks like the boss and friends are at table eight. As much as I’d love to go ogle their fine asses, they would prefer you. I’ll go take the early morning tennis mommas over on table ten. They tip well."

Waiting on Woods and his friends was not something that I wanted to do this morning. But I couldn’t argue with Jimmy. He was right. He’d get better tips from the women. They loved him.

I headed over to their table. Woods eyes lifted to meet mine and he smiled. "You look much better in here," he said when I stopped in front of them.

"Thank you. It’s much cooler," I replied.

"Blaire has moved on up. I may have to eat more meals here," the blond curly headed guy said. I still didn’t know his name.

"This could be very good for business," Woods agreed.

"How was your night out with Bethy?" Jace asked with a slight edge to his voice. He was holding the Bethy thing against me apparently. I didn’t care. He was pond scum as far as I was concerned.

"We had a good time. What can I get y’all to drink?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Coffee, please," the blond chimed in.

"Okay, I get it. Off-limits. Girl code and all that shit. I want some OJ," Jace replied.

"Coffee for me too," Woods replied.

"I’ll be right back with your drinks," I replied and spun around to see two more tables with guests. Jimmy was helping one of the tables so I headed for the other. It took me a second to realize just who was at that table. My feet stopped moving as I watched Nan flick her long strawberry blond hair over her shoulder and then level a scowl at me. I glanced back over to Jimmy who was finishing up drink orders at his second table. I had to do this. I was being silly. She was Rush’s sister.

I forced my feet to move and walked over to her table. She was sitting with another girl. One I hadn’t seen before. She was equally as glamorous as Nan.

"Webster must be letting anyone work here these days. I need to tell Woods to speak with his daddy about being more selective with their employees," Nan drawled slowly in a rather loud voice.

My face felt warm and I knew I was red faced. Right now I just needed to prove that I could get through this. Nan hated me for unknown reasons. Unless of course, Rush had told her I was snooping into her business. It didn’t sound like something Rush would do but did I know him that well. No.

"Good morning, what can I get y’all to drink?" I said as politely as possible.

The other girl snickered and ducked her head. Nan glared up at me as if I were something repugnant. "You can get us nothing. I expect a classier server when I come to eat here. You won’t do."

I looked for Jimmy once again but he was gone. Nan might be Rush’s little sister but she was a major bitch. If I didn’t need this job so badly I’d tell her to kiss my ass and I’d walk out.

"Is there a problem here?" Woods’ voice came from behind me. For once in my life, I was relieved by his presence.

"Yes, there is. You hired white trash. Get rid of her. I pay too much to be a member here to tolerate this kind of service."

Was it because I was living at her brother’s house? Did she hate my dad too? I didn’t want her to hate me. If she hated me Rush would never open up to me. That door was firmly shut.

"Nannette, you’ve never once paid to be a member here. You’re here because your brother allows it. Blaire is one of the best employees we’ve ever had and not one other paying member has complained. Certainly not your brother. So, pull in the claws, sweetheart and get over yourself," Woods snapped his fingers and Jimmy came hurrying over toward us. He must have come back out during the drama and I’d missed him. "Jim, would you please serve Nan and Lola? Nan seems to have an issue with Blaire and I don’t want Blaire being forced to wait on her."

Jimmy nodded. Woods took my elbow and led me back towards the kitchen. I knew we were drawing attention but I didn’t care at the moment. I was just extremely grateful to be getting away from the curious onlookers and getting a breather.

Once the kitchen door closed behind me I let out the breath I’d been holding.

"I’m only going to say this once, Blaire. You stood me up the other night at Rush’s. I didn’t have to ask you why. I knew why when Rush was nowhere to be found. You had made your choice and I was backing off. But what happened in there is only a small taste. The bitch has serious venom in her veins. She is bitter and angry and when the time comes to choose, Rush will choose her."

I turned and stared at Woods unsure what he meant. Woods gave me a sad smile then let go of my elbow and walked back into the dining room. Woods knew the secret too. He had to. This was going to drive me crazy. What was the big deal?