“Vodka orange,” she purrs, a smug smile on her face. What the hell does she have to be smug about? So, you’re f**king my dad, congratu- f**king- lations.
“So, you’re Jack’s kid,” she says, handing me a fifty. I wonder if this is my dad’s money she’s using.
Probably.
I don’t answer her, because I have nothing to say.
“I didn’t even know he had a daughter until last night,” she says, searching my face for a reaction. I school my expression, not wanting her to know that her comment stung, because it did.
“Are you gonna be my new mommy?” I ask sarcastically, handing her the change.
“You’re not gonna get in the way of Jack and me,” she sneers, her face turning red with the hatred in her expression. She storms off, back to her table where her minions sit.
“You okay?” Reid asks, coming up behind me.
“Why would she think I'd get in the way of her and dad? What the f**k?”
“She knows Jack loves you, it’s easy for anyone to see, Summer,” he tells me, grabbing my hand and rubbing my knuckles with his thumb.
“Jack could care less about me,” I say, walking towards the end of the counter where a customer stands. I serve him his drink, and then watch as another familiar face walks up to me. The blonde haired girl from last night. I remember Reid was talking to her just before I left. Apparently the same people come here every day. Great, just great.
I’m about to ask what can I get for her when Reid walks up to me. “I’ll serve her. You go ask Ry if he needs you to do anything,” he says, waiting for me to leave before he says another word.
What the hell?
Who is this woman?
I find Ryan in the office, actually doing work instead of his usual activities in here.
“Need me to do anything else, Ryan?” I ask him, walking in and plopping down on his desk.
“If you can write down your availability that would be great,” he says, pressing buttons on his calculator.
“Does Reid have a girlfriend?” I ask, not looking him in the eye as I say it.
“Nope. Why? You interested in the position?” he asks, chuckling like it’s hilarious. And what if I was?
At my silence, Ryan lifts his head to look at me, the smile falling off his face as he realizes why I’m asking.
I'm interested.
In fact, I’m already a little invested.
Ryan stares at me for a second. “Reid is my brother and I love him. He’s a great guy, but he’s also very complicated. I’m not sure if you should head down that road with him, Sum. Especially with your dad and Xander, and yeah, I don’t think it’s the best idea.”
“And if I decided not to heed your warning?” I ask him, tapping my foot on the floor.
“I support Reid with anything he chooses to do, but I’m also most probably going to say I told you so in the end.” He offers me a sad smile, and then looks back down at his work.
“Where’s your mum?” I ask him.
“Dead,” he answers, his expression darkening.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I’ve always been awkward in these moments, having no idea what to say or to offer comfort. I shift on the desk.
“Its fine, Summer,” Ryan says, his lip twitching at my obvious discomfort. I pick up a piece of paper and pen and write down the hours I can work, which happen to be twenty four seven until two months’ time when my course starts.
“Here,” I tell him, handing him the piece of paper. He quickly scans it and grins. “So we have you all day, every day, for two whole months, huh?”
“Yup.”
“Perfect, cos this Thursday Reid and I have somewhere we need to be, so you and Tag can man the bar,” he says.
“Alright,” I say, dying to ask where they need to be but refraining.
“Where’s Reid?” he asks, handing me another paper asking me for my bank details.
“Serving customers at the bar,” I sulk.
Ryan chuckles. “Who’s there? Rachel or Kyra? Or Tegan?”
I turn my head to glare at Ryan. “What the hell, Ryan?”
“What? You’re a nice girl and…”
“Ryan,” Reid seethes, walking in and glaring at his brother. They have a silent conversation, until finally Ryan sighs, obviously giving in.
“Summer, watch the bar for a sec,” Reid says, dismissing me. His eyes are still on his brother. I jump up off the table and walk out, making sure not to touch Reid as I exit. I close the door behind me and stand in from of the cash register. There are no customers waiting to be served, so I just wipe down the table, wondering what the hell those two could be talking about. A shiver runs down my spine alerting me that Reid is behind me.
“You okay?” he rumbles, his body close but not touching mine.
“Fine,” I huff, looking around for something else to clean.
“Summer…”
“Who is that girl?” I ask, cutting him off. I sound like a jealous wife but seriously, I know that everyone is keeping things from me. I just want to know why, or in this case who.
“Don’t worry about her, Summer,” he says in a bored tone, and I can tell it annoys him that I’m questioning him, demanding answers. Well, too freaking bad.
“What’s her name?” I ask, spinning to face him.
“I don’t belong to you, Summer,” he says, putting me in my place.