“You’ll get no judgment from me, Melinda,” she stated with complete sincerity.
Melinda nodded and pulled her in for hug. “Thanks girl!”
Sadie pulled back and scrunched her brows. “Did you just thank me for giving Tyler head on Main Street?”
She howled out laughter as Sadie walked away.
It had been a long night. She was counting down the minutes until she could leave and head home. Sadie had a cheap bottle of wine and a tray of enchiladas she made earlier waiting. It was just her and a video this Saturday night. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Go on, sweetheart, it’s been a long day. A couple minutes isn’t going to make a difference,” Pearl said while passing by Sadie.
“Yeah head out, girl, we got this,” chimed Melinda.
Sadie looked around the diner. It was quiet, only a handful of customers.
“All right, thanks, ladies!”
She headed back to the break room and grabbed her bag. She counted her tips and separated Juan’s share on her way through the kitchen.
“Later, Willie.”
He grunted. “Later.”
Sadie pushed through the swinging doors and halted.
Walking through the entrance was Stone, T, Bogs, and the same girls from the other night. The girls were laughing at something Bogs said. Pearl walked up to the register and grabbed some menus.
“Follow me,” she said.
She watched as the redhead grabbed Bogs’ hand and trailed behind still giggling. T walked behind them next to the blonde. She was saying something Sadie couldn’t hear. She was using her hands and obnoxiously waved them around. Sadie was surprised she was able to move in her outfit. She had a tight black dress on and five-inch heels. She watched T. He looked bored.
When she didn’t see Stone follow, her eyes darted back to the door. He was still standing at the entrance, staring at her. His eyes were serious. His face was hard; she thought he might be clenching his jaw. His eyes skimmed her coat and bag. He looked pissed. He looked mad to see her. What did he expect? She worked there.
From the corner, Sadie saw Blondie shaking her ass as she neared Stone. She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him as he gazed down. Sadie was sure he was getting an eyeful of boobs that were about to explode out of her two-sizes-too-small dress.
“C’mon, sexy, everyone’s waiting,” she said in a ridiculously sultry voice.
She looked over to Sadie and gave her the once-over. Bitch! Blondie cocked her brow and turned her attention back to Stone.
“Feed me, lover, and I’ll make sure I give you dessert later.”
Sadie was pretty sure she just vomited in her mouth. Gross.
He gave Blondie a grin and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked toward their table. He didn’t even glance back at Sadie while she watched them go. Before they got to the table, his arm lowered down her back until his hand landed on her ass. Jealousy escalated. She didn’t even know where the jealousy was coming from. Stone wasn’t hers, obviously. She continued to watch. Her eyes were glued to his hand on Blondie’s ass until he pulled it away when they took their seats. It was then that she realized the rest of the group was watching. The redhead was smirking. Girls were good at reading each other. She knew Sadie was jealous. T had his head down in the menu while Bogs was wide eyed and amused.
Humiliation washed over her. She must have looked ridiculous. She was standing there like a love-struck jealous idiot. Sadie almost didn’t even recognize the girl she’d become in the last week. She promised herself after Tyler that she would stay away from guys like him. Guys like Stone. She heard laughter coming from their table again and glanced back over. Blondie was wrapped around Stone’s arm giggling. She glared at Sadie over her shoulder as she snuggled closer.
She just wanted her life to go back to the way it was. Life before Stone and all this bullshit drama. She used to be able to blend in and fade everyone out. But with Stone, she couldn’t. Her face burned with dread. She felt a hand on her back; she turned to see Melinda at her side.
Melinda looked over to the group and back to Sadie and whispered, “Screw them, Sadie. You’re better than that whole table put together.” She sent a serious glare back to the group.
She nodded and gave her best effort at a smile. “Yeah, screw them,” she said in a low voice with less conviction than Melinda. “Thanks.”
Melinda nodded and pushed her toward the door. “Get going, girl. Be safe!”
She walked to the door and tried not to look over to see Stone. But she failed. Sadie gave them one more glance as she opened the door. Only one set of eyes were on her and she was surprised at whose they were. T was looking right at her. He wasn’t laughing or smirking. He almost looked sympathetic, if that look was even possible on his hard face. He said something to Stone who was seated across from him. His head gestured her way and Stone turned.
****
“She gone yet?” Stone asked T, who was sitting across from him.
T looked over Stone’s shoulder. His expression was hard. He looked back to Stone and gestured to Sadie while staring at him. “No but she’s ready to bolt. You want her to stay away, bro, I think you just succeeded.” T turned his focus back to his menu.
Krista was cuddled up to him and he allowed it. He knew it was childish but he was pissed at Sadie. Coming in to find her leaving should have been a relief but it wasn’t. He wanted to see her. He never intended for Krista to pull that shit but he had been mad that Sadie was leaving so he went with it. Dick move again.
Stone glanced over his shoulder and expected to see Sadie angry. He could
