“Eric! Jace! This is Taylor, our new waitress,” Shea said. Taylor stuck her hand out, being polite. Jace didn’t seem to notice her, but Eric did. Probably because I made it known he should stay away. He turned and made eye contact with me as he flirted with her.
“Well, that’s everyone. Besides the cook, but you won’t see him ever,” Shea told her.
“Really?” Taylor asked, surprised.
“Yep, we’re only open Thursday through Sunday.”
I walked to the back, grabbing the food from the kitchen. Our cook was stacking the plates.
“Thanks man,” I said in passing. I walked to the front, hoping Eric had backed the fuck off. Shea and Taylor were standing by their selves, talking.
“Doors open in thirty,” I said.
Shea wrapped her arms through Taylors, pulling her to the table. They collapsed on the same side and I sat across from them, setting the food on the table.
“And this is what we do until doors open. Eat some. You can thank me later when your nerves are shot, but your stomach is full,” She said
“Jesus, Shea, you’re gonna run her off before she starts,” I said, shaking my head.
For the first time tonight, she made eye contact with me. Too soon, her green eyes left mine, looking around the bar.
“I’ll be fine,” she murmured.
“Do you go to ETU?” Shea asked.
Taylor nodded, checking her watch neurotically. “My first semester. You?”
“I’m a junior…. Ugh, I guess it’s show time,” Shea said, standing. They grabbed the plates and disappeared in the back as Randy opened the flood gates.
My fucking luck hasn’t changed. My old frat brothers walk in, looking like douchebags. They slide their tables together, chatting loudly.
“There’s our girl!”
My head snaps up, watching them. Shea hugs the guys, joking with them.
“This is Taylor, she’s our new waitress. Be nice to her,” she said, pointing to Taylor.
Fucking Corey stands up, thinking he’s sly, and leans over to her. “Taylor, I’m Corey. You should come to the house this weekend, back to school party.”
“The house?” She asked, confused as she took a step back.
“They’re in a fraternity,” Shea said.
I had drink orders piling up, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from the disaster in front of me. If he so much as laid a hand on her, I’ll kill him.
“So, whatcha say?”
“Uhh, maybe,” Taylor said. It was clear to me and everyone around, she didn’t want to go.
“Maybe? You can do better than that.”
She laughed politely as she grabbed his empty drink. She took a step back, and he grabbed her arm. Red clouded my vision as I stomped from the far side of the bar.
Shea stepped between them. “Corey, she said maybe—”
“Fuck with her again and you’re out of here,” I said. It was all I could to keep my hands to myself. He looked at me, horrified. I folded my arms at my chest, amused that he was afraid of me.
With wide-eyes, Taylor sprinted to the back. My joy was quickly deflated when I realized I had scared her. I only wanted to protect her from that douchebag just like I did my sister when he went after her.
A lightbulb went off in my head. She’s young and innocent, just as I thought of my sister and Shea. I wanted to protect her because of that reason only. Not because I liked her or anything weird like that.
Someone tugged on my shirt, pulling my attention away from the nagging feeling in my head. It was starting to bug me…No, it was starting to piss me off that I thought about this girl I had just met yesterday.
I leaned over the counter, letting my girl of the night have my attention. She was familiar, but I don’t think I’d had the pleasure of being with her yet.
“Remember me?” She asked, propping her elbows up so her tits were in my face.
“Do I have any reason to?”
She smiled, “You’re about to. My name’s Shelby.”
“Hayze,” I said, buying into her game.
“Oh, I know who you are. What are you doing later?”
“A few minutes ago, I had no plans.”
She smiled in victory. Pulling out a pen, she wrote her number on a napkin and shoved it in my pocket. I wasn’t going to call, but if she stayed around tonight, I would show her what she’s heard about.
She winked and walked over to a table with her friends. I tried to keep my mind on bending her over in my car later, but Taylor kept shoving her way in my thoughts. I peeked at her every chance I got, making sure none of the drunks were screwing with her again.
When the bar closed down and we cleaned up, I walked outside without talking to anyone. Shelby was waiting for me at my car. I scanned the parking lot, seeing no one in sight, I stormed over to her. I shoved her on the hood of my car. With my hands placed on both sides of her, I slammed my lips to hers.
I heard a car crank, and I looked up, finding a red Jetta speeding from the lot. I waved as Taylor looked at me, horrified. As she drove out of sight, I slapped the girls back side.
“Take your panties off and climb in the back,” I said, pointing to her skirt.
“Yes sir,” she said, giggling.
She bent down, slipped them off, and threw them at me. I caught them as she slid in my back seat. She laid on her back and I nestled between her legs. This was one sure way to get a girl out of your head.
9
THE POOL
I walked out of class, shielding my eyes from the sun. I shoved my shades on, walking down the blinding sidewalk. A hand grabbed my arm, jolting me. I jerked away, finding Shelby at my side.
Fuck.
“Hey, Hayze,” she giggled.
“Shelby,” I deadpanned.
“You were much happier the other night,” she said, working to keep up with my pace.
I saw Taylor standing under a tree, studying a map. I chuckled under my breath. Shelby followed my sight, and her nose twisted up.
“So, I met that new girl today…She’s pretty boring.”
“Hmm,” I said, not caring to have this conversation with her. “See you around,” I said, walking away from her. I could hear her gasp as I left, but I didn’t stop, I walked up to Taylor.
“What ya lookin’ for, Freshman?” I asked, and she jumped, sending the map flying in the air. Chuckling, I bent down, grabbed the map, and handed it to her.
“The dining hall. I’m meeting my roommate there,” she said, folding the map. She was breathless as she stuffed it in her backpack.
“The dining hall? You sure?” My face screwed into disgust.
“Yeah, that’s what she said.”
“Follow me,” I said, lifting my brows.
“Uh, you don’t have to take me,” she said, stopping me.
I turned, smiling at her, and motioned for her to follow me. “I know I don’t.”
I couldn’t help but notice she was checking me out. I caught her watching me out of the corner of her eyes.
“How’s the first day going?” I asked.
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Overwhelming. How’s yours?”
“Same as always,” I said. Girls getting on my nerves and randos asking me for the hook-up.
She nodded, shielding her eyes from the hot sun. Students were packed around the buildings, eating lunch and playing football and frisbee. The circular, one story building was nestled between tall, rectangular buildings came into view. I motioned to the building, leading her to the dining hall.
“Your fine dining experience awaits you. You see your friend anywhere?” I asked, searching the cafeteria.
“There she is,” she said, pointing.
I followed the tip of her finger, finding the most eccentric girl in the building. I laughed, ran my hand over my face, shaking my head. With one hand shoved in his pocket, I motioned for her to lead the way.
“My fucking luck,” I murmured.
She looked at me, confus
ed. “What?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head.
I kept thinking about some girl that turned out to be my little sisters best friend. Well, whatever the fuck this was, it’s over. As soon as she finds out about our past from Lea, she won’t ever look at me again.
“Lea,” I said, warning her. I looked between her and Taylor.
“Oh my God! Hayze Clark!” She said, fanning herself. I rolled my eyes at her and sat down.
“We’re friends,” she told Taylor. I nodded appreciatively. We had done that for as long as we’ve known each other. No one needed to know our business. As far as everyone else is concerned, we’re old friend’s from high school. Not siblings that share a fucked up past.
“I found this one roaming around campus lost…with a map,” I said, jerking my thumb to Taylor.
“There’s no hope for her after all,” she cringed.
“Very funny,” Taylor said, frowning.
I tossed my glasses on the table, rubbing my sore eyes. I’m positive they were red and bulging out of my skull. Lea looked at me with her jaw clenched and I shook my head, hoping Taylor didn’t notice our odd behavior.
Lea was the only one who truly know the extent of my problem. Everyone else thought I did it for fun. Lea knew I used anything I could get my hands on for an escape. I was addicted to being out of my mind.
“What’s going on this week? We need to take this one out. She’s sheltered” Lea said.
The side of my mouth twitched into a grin. I bet sweet, little Taylor had never experienced anything. The thought was exciting and terrifying that I could be her first of many.
“You sure you wanna be her friend? She drinks a lot,” I said.
“I don’t drink a lot! You really think I drink too much?” Lea frowned, pretending I could offend her.
“I don’t think you drink too little.”
Taylor laughed once, looking at me with disbelief. “You don’t drink?”
I shook my head, hating this conversation. I didn’t drink that much. Not as much as I used drugs. The thought of a college kid not drinking was strange to people, making them question me more. That made me uncomfortable.
“Not that much. Drinking isn’t really my thing,” I said, and that was the most honest I’d been in a while. Lea looked at me, pissed.
“I’ll be right back,” Taylor said.
I watched her walk away, avoiding Lea’s intrusive stare. “How bad is it?”
“Drop it,” I snapped.
She leaned over the table, looking at my eyes. “You need to chill on the coke, Hayze. Seriously, lay off it awhile. Do something else.”
“Don’t tell Taylor anything.”
She scooted back, dropping to her side of the table. “Um, what?”
“Don’t tell her I’m your brother, don’t tell her about Dad, or what I do…Just don’t tell her anything,” I said, looking around. She was walking mindlessly back to the table, not paying attention to us.
She laughed, “Why?”
“Just don’t. Hey, invite her over to the pool today. We can all…hangout.”
Her jaw dropped as she shook her head in disbelief. “Oh my god, Hayze, you’re not having sex with my roommate. We actually get along!”
I shook my head, frustrated that I was even asking. “I’m not. I just think she’s cool.”
“Stop using and I’ll invite her,” she said, teasing me.
“I said I’m fine Lea,” I snapped at her.
“Bad timing?” Taylor asked, looking between us.
“Perfect actually,” I said, glaring at Lea.
Lea slapped her hands down on her lap, clapping. “I forgot to ask! How’d your first night go?”
“It was fine,” Taylor said, frowning.
“That tool you dated tried to hit on her,” I said.
Lea’s mouth twists to the side, she taps her chin, thinking. “You’ll have to be more specific.”
“Corey,’ I said, annoyed. She was known for dating douchebags.
She shrugs her shoulders as she finishes chewing. “He wasn’t that bad…When he wasn’t drinking”
“Unfortunately for everyone around him, he drinks all the time,” I deadpanned.
“Guess you have a point,” Lea said, laughing.
I stood and they followed me, dumping their trays in the trash. “Let’s go out Wednesday!” Lea said, smiling.
“Yes!”
I groaned, “Fine.”
Taylor smiled, waving as she walked away. “I have to get to class.”
“See you at the room, Tay,” Lea said.
Lea walked out of the glass door, letting it close in my face. I ran, catching up with her, I grabbed her arm.
“Ask her.”
“What’s with you?” She asked, not slowing down. I would follow her to her room if I had to.
What the hell was wrong with me? “Nothing’s wrong. I’ll see you guys in a bit,” I said, jogging off.
When I got to my apartment, Joel was laid on the couch with a drink his hand. I threw my keys on the bar and ran to my room, changing into board shorts. I walked out, popped the top of a beer and sat, waiting.
“You goin’ to the pool?” He asked.
“Yeah, I invited some people over.”
He grabbed his phone and began typing, ignoring me. He threw it down to the side and sat up on the couch. Chugging his beer, he walked to the kitchen and grabbed one more.
“I did, too.”
I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t planning on a party. I just invited Lea and Taylor.”
His mouth curved into a smile. “Taylor?”
“The girl from the bar,” I said shrugging. “She doesn’t know a lot of people here.”
“Sounds like she’s about to get acquainted with you,” he laughed and leaned down, digging in the back cabinet.
I shook my head. “It’s not like that.”
He tried to disguise his laugh as a cough as he stood, holding a bag of weed. “Don’t tell me you like this girl.”
I snorted, “She’s my little sister’s friend, Dude. I’m being nice.”
“Good, mind if I fuck her?” He pulled a joint from the bag, grinning. He knew something was different about her and he was testing me.
I gritted my teeth. “Save the effort, she’s not gonna fall for your shit.”
I could still hear him laughing as I walked out to the pool. As Joel said, he invited people, and a lot of them. A lot of familiar girls lined the chairs, soaking up the sun.
I stormed back in the apartment, annoyed. I grabbed my bag of coke from my bedside table. I needed a fix if I was going to deal with their shit. I couldn’t sit out here in my right mind while every girl I’ve fucked this month paraded around in front of Taylor.
I grabbed a beer, clenching the neck and walked to the pool. I sat away from everyone else, but it didn’t take long for them to join me. I don’t know what it was about me. Maybe it’s my nonchalant attitude that pulls girls in, but they never seem to leave me alone.
“I love your parties,” one of them said to me.
“Me too,” I lied.
A new girl comes up, sitting much closer than I’d like. Their presence alone is sending my anxiety over the edge.
“What are you doing after?” She asked.
I don’t bother answering. My leg jerks up and down on the chair, hoping to rid myself of some anxiety. Someone walking up catches my attention, and I look out of the corner of my eye, seeing Lea and Taylor.
Some douche Joel probably invited sees them and walks up to Taylor. He taps her on the arm with the bottle, making her jump.
“Want a beer?” I heard him ask.
“No, thanks,” she said, shaking her head. Lea stepped in, grabbing the bottle without being asked.
Lea popped the top of the beer as she walks around the pool, Taylor followed closely. She dragged a chair up beside me, and for the first time, I let her know I saw her.
“You came,” I said.
Although we’re under an umbrella, sweat beads up and rolls down my face. I’m anxious and I’m too high to be sitting down. I rested my untouched beer bottle on my leg, bobbing it up and down.
“How was the first day?” I asked.
I can’t look her in the eye. She’ll know something is up. I looked around the pool before realizing my glasses are pushed on my head. I pulled them down, shielding my erratic eyes.
“Err fine. How was yours?” She looked at me, confused.
“Good. I don’t know why the fuck I’m even drinking that,” I said.
I tossed the almost full beer to the sidewalk. Lea picked it up and sets it back on the table, scowling. I don’t know why I said that. She’s going to know something is going on with me. They are all going to know. I can feel the group staring at me, questioning why I’m acting so erratic.
I don’t know why I did coke. I always get like this. I need to lay off until I figure out what the fuck is going on with my head. Maybe I should just fuck her and get it out of the way.
She wouldn’t say no, right? Every girl is looking for a college experience. A night with a bad boy to brag to your friends and piss your dad off. Then maybe I could stop thinking about her. I’ve never been around a girl this long without screwing their brains out, that must be what’s bothering me so bad.
“Doesn’t have the same affect, does it?” A guy from across the table asked. Stupid fucker. Why doesn’t he just yell what I’m on?
“Nah, I need to get out of here man. What else is there to do?” I tugged on my hair, looking around the group. Should I ask her to come with in my apartment?
Lea frowned, “You seem a little hopped up on something, you okay?”
“Christ, Lea. Say that a little louder, I don’t think the cop across the pool heard you,” I snapped. “I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be?”
Pulling off her sunglasses, she matched my glare. “I don’t know, you tell me.”
“Just fucking drop it, Lea.”
I ran my hand down my face. Lea crosses her arms, obviously mad at me. With my shades blocking my eyes, I stole a look at Taylor. She’s frowning and looking at me. Fuck, she knows. I blew it with her.
A blonde stands and walks over to us. She makes a huge show of sitting in my lap and wrapping her arms around me.
Ruined (The Hazed Series Book 3) Page 4