Author: Teresa Mummert

I reluctantly looped my arms around his waist. It was the touch I had been craving from him. I needed that from him, from someone. “I’m sorry,” I whispered into his shirt. I didn’t believe he meant to hurt me. I was standing too close to the ledge. I justified it as an accident and was able to look past it.

I took a small bite of my food as Jax stirred.

“That smells good,” he mumbled as he rolled over onto his side. He had removed most of his clothes last night and was only wearing a pair of dark gray boxers. The air conditioner hadn’t worked since the first month we moved in, and it tended to get unbearably warm. His chest was covered in tattoos, though the designs were not nearly as beautiful and intricate as the ones on Tucker’s skin, I now realized. I ducked my head, embarrassed that I was thinking of him while looking at Jax.

I had lost my appetite. “Here, take mine. I’m not really that hungry.” I stood and walked toward him, holding out the bowl.

“Thanks, babe.” He took the bowl and gave me a smile. I smiled back at him and turned to the kitchen to get my coffee.

“You want some?” I grabbed a mug from the counter and paused.

“Sure,” he called to me, and I flipped over another mug.

As I poured the coffee, Jax snuck up behind me and slipped his hand around my waist. My body stiffened.

“Yeah, I want some,” he breathed into my ear.

“Not now, Jax.” I shoved him back with my hips and picked up our mugs. I turned to face him and handed him one.

“Jeez, what the fuck? You used to like it.” His eyes combed over my body. I moved my free hand over my chest. I’d never said it out loud, but I’d never cared for sex with Jax once he began using. I knew it was what I had to do to keep him happy, and that was a good enough reason for me to continue. But it didn’t take long before he was never happy no matter what went on in the bedroom. Over the last few years, his touch had become synonymous with nothing but pain.

The front door banged against the wall as Jax entered. I rolled over to look at my alarm clock to see it was already after three in the morning. He yelled my name as he stumbled down the hall, falling through the doorway to the bedroom. His fingers fumbled with his belt as he grinned at me wickedly.

“Not now, Jax.” I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head.

He stumbled forward as he undid his button and fly, shoving his jeans over his hips. “What do you mean not now? I just scored us enough money to cover the rent and I don’t deserve anything for it?”

I lifted the pillow from my face as I felt the bed sink down as he crawled over me.

“You’re just going to spend it on getting high anyway,” I snapped, wishing I could get just a few more hours of sleep before my shift.

His face contorted in anger as my words sank through the fog of his high. His hand came down sharply across my cheek, causing me to scream out in shock. Waves of pain radiated through my face as I struggled to push him off my body. Even high, he was twice as strong as I was. That was the day Jax stopped asking for what he wanted and decided that he could just take it from me. That was also the day I stopped living and began surviving.

“I have to get to work.” I walked past him and made my way to my bedroom. He followed me, perching against the doorframe.

I slid off my pajama bottoms and pulled my tank over my head, keeping my back to him.

“I know I have been a fucking prick lately.”

I nodded but didn’t turn to face him. I grabbed my uniform from last night and pulled it on quickly, sitting on the edge of my bed to tie my sneakers. I felt sick. Suddenly he wanted to be nice, now that I was thinking of someone else? I pushed past him to leave. He grabbed my arm and I flinched.

His hand slipped off me and he grimaced. “I’m not going to hurt you, Cass.” He looked down at his feet.

“I know,” I said softly. “I have to get to work.” I turned and made my way down the hall, not looking back.

Chapter Ten

HOW WAS YOUR night?” Larry was drying his hands with a dingy rag as I entered through the employee door.

“Fine.” I didn’t meet his gaze as I walked to the waitress station.

“Marla made a killin’ last night.” He was now leaning against the menu holder, judging me with his eyes.

“I had something I had to do. Laundry has been piling up.” My eyes flicked to his and I glanced back down at the bin of freshly washed silverware.

“Yeah, well, you need to stop airing all of your dirty laundry in the diner. Jax is driving away business.”

“I’m sorry, Larry. I’ll do my best to keep him away.”

Larry didn’t say anything else, just walked into the kitchen and got ready for the day. I sighed, letting my shoulders sag as I hoisted the heavy gray bin and made my way to a table.

I had rolled a few dozen pieces of silverware when Larry came out of the kitchen with two plates of food. He set one down in front of me, and I gave him a small smile. I picked up a fork and poked at the yolks of my eggs.

“It’s none of my business, but Jax . . .”

I shot Larry a glare.

“I know he don’t always do the right thing, but he sticks around. That other guy”—Larry motioned with his fork out toward the parking lot—“he ain’t the stayin’ type.” Larry cut a bite of ham and shoved it in his mouth, egg yolk running down his chin.

I nodded as a lump formed in my throat. I knew that. Tucker was going to be on the road, leaving this town, leaving me in his dust. I never expected anything different from him. So why was I suddenly so sad?

The bell chimed above the door. My first customer had arrived. I cleared my throat and went to the kitchen to start a fresh pot of coffee while she found a seat. I rushed back onto the floor with menu in hand.

“Welcome to Aggie’s Diner. My name is—”

The woman held up her hand to stop me from talking. “Coffee. Black” was all she said, and her eyes glanced over the menu. Her hair was a deep gray and curled perfectly back into a bun. Heavyset, she had an air of superiority about her. What a bitch.

I bit my tongue and stormed off to the kitchen to get a fresh cup of coffee. I brought it out to her, resisting the urge to spill it over her lap. She gave me a smile and I tried my best to smile back.

“Have you decided?” I asked as she took a small sip from her mug and made a sour face.

“Wheat toast and strawberry jelly, please.” She held her menu out for me to take but stared straight ahead. At least she used her manners.

I headed back into the kitchen. Larry had already cleared our breakfast plates and was washing them in the sink. I slipped past him and grabbed some bread for toast. He didn’t say anything to me. I felt incredibly uncomfortable and worried that maybe he would tell Jax about Tucker. Not that there was really anything to tell . . . but I knew Jax wouldn’t react well to news that I’d been friendly with another guy. The toast popped up, jarring me from my worried thoughts. I grabbed a few packs of strawberry jelly and made my way to my customer.

I stopped as I entered the dining area, my eyes locked on one of the Twisted Twins. He smiled, holding out a brown box. I gave him a confused look and walked to my table to drop off the toast.

I brushed my hands over my apron as I made my way to the twin. “What’s this?” I looked at the box as if it might explode. He smiled and nudged it toward me. His eyes flicked to my customer, who had her back to us. I took it and he smiled, turning to leave as quickly as possible.

“Thanks.” My fingers ran around the edge of the cardboard as I looked around. Larry was still in the kitchen.

I made my way to the ladies’ room and locked myself inside. I sank to my knees and carefully pulled back the flaps. Inside was a beautiful bright yellow sundress. My eyes danced over the silky material as I pulled it to my chest and hugged it tightly against me.

I glanced back down at the box and saw a white envelope. Picking it up, I let the dress slip through my fingers onto my lap. I tore open the envelope and pulled out a handful of cash.

“What the fuck?” I pulled out a small sliver of paper.

I wanted to make sure you had money for a cab. No excuses not to come. —Tuck

I smiled as I brought the note to my face, inhaling the light scent of coconut that lingered on the paper. I was touched by the gesture, but I didn’t want his money. It felt like charity. I worked my ass off and didn’t need any handouts.

I made up my mind that I was going to call him. My hand went to where the necklace should be. I sighed. With Jax in my room this morning, I didn’t have a chance to grab it.

I stuffed the envelope of money into my apron and tucked the dress back into the box, folding the top closed as I made my way out of the bathroom. I slid the package under the waitress station and closed the curtain underneath so no one would see it.

My customer was glaring at me over her cup. I grabbed the pot of coffee and quickly made my way to her table. “Can I top you off?”

She held out her mug but didn’t say anything. I poured her coffee and gave her the best smile I could manage before leaving her to herself. Sitting back at the far table, I continued to roll silverware as I let myself daydream about what the concert would be like at Tybee. I hadn’t been to the beach in years. It was by far my favorite place in the world. It felt a million miles away from the trailer park. The water was always warm, clean. Looking out at the ocean, I always felt so free, as if I could just close my eyes and let the water carry me off to somewhere far away.

“Miss? Miss?” My customer was raising her voice in aggravation. I pushed up from my seat.

“I’m sorry. Is there something else I can get you?” I made my way quickly to her table.

“Just the check.”

“Of course.” I grabbed the pad out of my apron and tore off the ticket, sliding it onto the table. “Thanks again.” I smiled and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a mug and poured myself a cup of coffee, sinking back against the counter as I took a long sip.

I heard the bell above the door chime and my heart skipped a beat as I set down my mug and pushed open the kitchen door. I sighed as the mean woman made her way outside. I turned back into the kitchen, locking eyes with Larry.

He looked down and shook his head.

“Don’t fucking judge me, Larry.” I grabbed my coffee and headed back into the dining room, where I could be alone with my thoughts.

I made my way to the dirty table and grabbed the plate and the mug in one hand and grabbed the cash. She had left just three cents more than her bill. Just fucking great. She’d also left behind a magazine, which I folded in half and slid into my apron. Was this supposed to make up for my tip?

I stormed into the kitchen and dropped the dishes in the sink.

“Holy fuck, Cass. You break it you’re paying for it!” Larry had a warning glare in his eyes.

I leaned against the sink, calming myself before I picked up the plate and a rag and began to clean it. The door chimed and I looked at Larry. He shook his head and went back to his kitchen prep work. I threw down the rag and made my way into the dining room.

It wasn’t Tucker, and once again I let my heart fall in disappointment. The day continued like this. The customers seemed meaner than usual, but I barely cared. I couldn’t concentrate on anything. All I could think about was the pretty yellow dress tucked below the waitress station. I wanted to try it on and see what it looked like. I wanted to see Tucker’s face when he saw me in it. I wasn’t a pretty girl by any means, but it would be hard to look less than spectacular in a dress like that. I smiled to myself.

“Clock out,” Larry called from the cash register.

“But I still have to—”

“Just go home. That goofy smile you’ve been wearing all day is starting to scare the shit out of me.” He waved his hand toward the door with a disgusted look on his face.