“S,” Tinsley whispers, “Keat looked really confused. Reed, on the other hand, looked smug. I think you’re placing blame on the wrong brother.”
As we reach my locker, I turn, giving her a smile. “Maybe, but I meant what I said. I don’t want to play games. They need to grow the fuck up.”
She nods understandingly. “I wish they would too.”
As we part ways, the insecure part of my brain wonders if Tinsley is acting too.
I squash the thought as soon as it hits me. She isn’t like her brothers. Maybe only the Yates males got the asshole gene.
Chapter Six
“One of the places I applied called when V and I were on our way home. I got a job.” I tell Richard and Alice while we stand around the kitchen island for our after-school snack.
“You did? Why?” Aunt Alice asks, looking confused.
“I want to earn my own money. I’ve been working since I was fourteen. I'm not about to stop now.”
“Is your allowance not enough? I can up the amount if you need,” Alice offers.
“I think it's great. Good work ethic is hard to come by nowadays,” Richard chimes in.
“Well, I’m all for you working as long as you bring me home dessert after your shifts,” V teases.
“You could always get a job with me. That way you can get your own dessert.” I stick my tongue out at her.
“Now, let's not get carried away, Sage,” she deadpans.
“Honestly though, Sage, shouldn’t you be paying more attention to your studies? How will you get there? I’m worried that you’re taking on too much at once,” Alice tells me, sounding all worried.
“Don’t worry, Alice. I’ve been managing school and work for years. I know what I can handle, and V said she can drop me off and pick me up tonight. It won’t work forever, but it will for now.”
“Well, cheers to you and your new job,” Richard toasts with his glass of water.
I raise my own glass and clink it with his. “Thanks. I’m excited.”
Alice taps her hand on the counter as she processes the new development. “We need to buy you a car. I don’t want you to be stranded.”
“No way. I’ll be fine. I used to take the bus everywhere back in Missouri. Public transit up here is probably safer than it ever was there.”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this,” Alice starts, but Richard cuts in.
“Honey, this is obviously important to Sage. We can’t protect her from everything. She’s grown and can take care of herself.” He reaches out and squeezes her hand before turning to me. “You have your cell phone. Victoria can take you to and from work. If for some reason you get off early or Victoria can’t pick you up, I want you to call either me, Alice, or even a cab. For Alice’s sake, please don’t take the public bus. You would have to walk two miles down less frequently traveled roads to get home. I think if you make that concession, then your aunt can worry a little bit less. Right, Alice?”
She looks as if she wanted to argue, but she nods anyway.
“I can agree to that. If I can’t get a ride from someone, I’ll call a cab. That’s a fair compromise,” I agree.
I would take the bus if I had to, but they didn’t need to know that. Besides, Victoria had already made me promise to let her drive me since I refuse to get my own car. She also agreed to share her car with me, allowing me to drive it when I need to. I wouldn’t take her up on it often, but it may come in handy.
“Great. Now we should celebrate. How about I take you out for dinner at Noble?” Richard asks.
I give V a questioning look.
She smiles widely. “Perfect. Come on, S. I’ll help you get ready.
∞∞∞
An hour later, I’m dressed in a navy blue wrap maxi dress with sleeves. My legs are completely covered save a long slit on the left side of the dress up to midthigh.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wear a pair of heels?” Victoria asks for the fifth time.
I pull my dress up, looking down at my Chucks. They actually match the dress well, even though they aren’t nearly as fancy as the dress feels.
“You don’t think they match?” I tease.
“They look badass. You don’t know how to blend, do you?”
I shrug. “I like me the way I am. No shame.”
She chuckles. “Come on. They’re probably waiting for us.”
As we descend the stairs, Alice gushes, “You girls look gorgeous.” She holds her hand to her lips as she fights back tears.
I take in her cocktail dress. It’s as elegant as she is. “You do too.”
She gives me a smile before folding me in a hug. She tends to give me my space, but it’s obvious she’s an affectionate person. My mom had been as well, but Alice still feels like a stranger to me sometimes. This time I allow it, hugging her back.
“You’re a spitting image of your mother. Regal and gorgeous,” she whispers.
I pull back, feeling my own tears pooling in my eyes. Those words mean the world to me.
“Thank you.”
“You ladies ready to go?” Richard walks into the room, grabbing his keys.
“Yep,” Alice says as she wipes her tears away. “Let’s go celebrate Sage’s new job!”
As we all head to the car, I look around at the people who’ve taken me in. I might still plan to leave in eight months, but their level of compassion has put a chink in my armor. I thought it would be easy to leave and never think of this place again. Now I’m not so sure I can abandon these people who are slowly becoming the family they should have already been to me.
Victoria turns to me, realizing I stopped. “You coming, S?”
I shake my head to clear it of my thoughts. “Yes.”
∞∞∞
V drops me off twenty minutes early for my first shift. When I was filling out applications, this diner was the one I really wanted to land. It looks busy, which hopefully means good tips, and they’re more laid-back than some of the other places I applied for. Here I can wear T-shirts and jeans, no stuffy white shirt and black pants needed.
I wonder if I still have time to return them and get our money back.
I make my way past the hostess station, walking straight up to the old-school diner counter in the middle and waiting for the person filling up drinks to turn around.
“Please tell me you’re the new hire?” she pleads when she faces me while loading her tray.
“You know it. What can I do?” I ask while I look around. The place looks pretty packed for it only being five o’clock.
“Come behind the counter. You can put your purse down there under the service window. There should be an apron down there already for you. Be right back.” She winks before lifting her tray of drinks and taking it to the nearest table.
I hustle behind the counter and ditch my purse, setting my phone on silent mode before slipping it into my back pocket. I turn and grab my apron, tying it behind my back.
I wonder how many steps I’ll take while working here.
“All right, have you ever waitressed before?” the frazzled waitress asks. “Crap, I never told you my name! I’m Lindy. Sage, right?”