His lips pressed together, but he didn't say anything.
"Oh god. She did, didn't she?"
Then laughter boiled out of him. He slid further in his chair with a wicked smile. "Yeah, she worked here. She quit after she'd been with me for a year, that was when she became the bitch you met a few months ago."
"She wasn't before?"
"Nah, not until she became obsessed with Mason, then she became one." The wicked glint in his eye depleted as memories rolled over him. His voice grew softer. "Tate was really laidback at first, but she wouldn't stand for any bullshit. She never let the guys mess with her, not even me. I think that's why I liked her. She knew what she wanted and she went after it."
"You?"
The humor was gone now. "No, Mason. She wanted him. I was the means to get to him. I should've recognized the signs earlier than I did, but I don't think I wanted to see them. She talked about how Mason was the alpha male at school. She'd say things about how every person needed their other half, that they were supposed to be equals. That's about the time that she started to become more of a bitch to everyone. She tried to become the female alpha that was his equal, I guess. When she became friends with Kate and Parker, that crew, her and Heather parted ways. Tate was awesome in bed. I was getting great sex so I didn't put two and two together until Mason called me from his room." His jaw clenched.
I could see the anger and hurt still there.
"She used me. That girl used me, straight out. She was a cold bitch the first time we slept together. But to give her some credit," he winced, "I don't think she counted on me actually falling for her. But that first night lasted to two, then three. I was taking her on dates, coming here to hang out with her."
"That's why you and Brandon acted like long-lost friends."
He nodded. "I guess. I don't know. I always liked Brandon. He was cool to hang out with." He flashed me a dimple. "He got us free alcohol, you know. Even when we were sophomores. I think his older brother was running the bar then, but Brandon still snuck a keg for us." He paused. "Or two."
The door opened then and Brandon popped his head out. "Hey, Sam. My sis needs your help."
"Okay." With a small smile at Logan, I headed inside. I wasn't sure how I felt about everything he had revealed, but I couldn't dwell on it. As I stepped through the door, my eyes got big. The crowd had doubled. Then I saw Mason and Nate come in through the door. Great, they brought the entire party from the house here.
Brandon was still in the doorway, but I looked around him to Logan. "Everyone from the house is here."
He sat up straight in his chair. "Everyone?"
I nodded. "Yep, Mason and Nate brought everyone."
Oh joy.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
When the dishwasher had to go home for a family emergency, I offered to take his place. I wanted to avoid the extra attention. Time flew after that. Bins of dishes were pushed through the window. I hurried to wash them, get them dried, and back into place for the cook. After two more hours, it didn't look to be lessening, and I heard Heather sigh as she picked up the phone. She was calling in reinforcements. Another girl came in to be a server, and there was another cook in the kitchen. At one point, Heather stuck her head through the window to where I stood and asked if it was okay if I did dishes for the rest of the night.
I nodded. Hell, I was relieved.
At one point, the new server that I hadn't met snapped at me. I'd been stacking the dishes and didn't get out of her way fast enough. I ducked back into the kitchen, but heard Lily hiss, "Watch it, that's Mason Kade's girlfriend."
"What?" the new server exclaimed. "Are you kidding me?"
Lily whispered to her, "Don't worry. She seems really nice."
"Oh." The girl mumbled something else to her, but I couldn't hear anymore. They moved away from my window.
"I thought you were a waitress?"
Mason stood in the back doorway with an odd grin. As he came closer, he reached for an apron and tied it around his waist. His eyes were glazed over.
I snorted, reaching for more plates to pile on the crate. "You're drunk."
He settled beside me and sighed. "Yeah, a bit." Then he bent down and placed a soft kiss on my shoulder.
I wanted to melt into him, and I did, for a second. Then I pulled away and began lining up the plates in their slots again. "Frank had to go home so I volunteered to take his place. What are you doing back here?"
He narrowed his eyes at me. "You like it back here, don't you?"
"Yeah," I confessed. "I kind of do."
He reached out and brushed some hair back from my forehead. When he leaned close again, I felt his lips there and snuggled against him.
"Employees only, Kade!" Heather rapped on the window. "Out."
He wrapped an arm around my waist. "Make me, Jax."
"Are you serious?" She shifted and one hand went to her hip.
I hid a grin at the movement. After watching her yesterday and today, that was what she did when she was all business. She'd shift back on her left heel, her hand went to her hip, and she narrowed her eyes at whoever was giving her trouble. Her elbow stuck out when she really meant business. She did it all now, but then threw both hands in the air. "Fine. Fine. Just actually help your girl. If you distract her and we get behind because we have no dishes, I'm throwing you out."