“You told Mary Beth I'm seeing a shrink? Are you insane?” I jumped to my feet, beyond outraged. Didn't they understand the ramifications of their actions? I'd be ruined. Completely and utterly ruined. There wouldn't be a chance in hell that I'd ever be happy here once word of my therapy sessions got out.
“Starlette! Do not speak to your mother that way!”
I looked between the two of them, tears starting to burn in my eyes. I wouldn't cry in front of them. Couldn't. “You're both fucking stupid! Now everyone is going to know that I see a damn shrink! You've completely ruined any chance I've had of actually liking it here!”
“You have no right to speak to your mother in such—”
“How dare you! You don't understand the complications your actions have caused—”
They continued to shout over each other. I'd had enough. The darkness, for once, was silent. Leaving nothing for my emotions to hide behind. I felt raw, breakable. Like I was bare in front of the world as their misunderstandings and spitefulness whipped across my already tender flesh. I couldn't handle it.
I spun around and raced to my room, creating my own escape before the first tear fell.
Chapter Nine
I woke up with a throbbing pain on the side of my face. I gently probed the area, wincing from the tenderness. I got up and went to my bathroom. I grimaced at the sight of my face as I peered into the mirror. A large yellow bruise stretched from my cheekbone up to my ear. A small purple bruise rested at the right side of my mouth.
“Great. I have midget prints on my face.” I tried to stretch out the soreness in my body, but it didn't help. I still felt like I'd been trampled by a herd of miniature rhino's. I hopped into the shower and turned the water on as hot as I could stand. I let the water cascade down my body and rested my head against the tiled shower wall, slowly relaxing my aching muscles as the pulsating spray worked its magic.
Feeling somewhat human, I stepped out and wrapped myself in an extra-large towel. I was working through the tangles in my hair when Mom walked in.
“Here, I washed your uniform. Mary Beth said she'd send some more home with you today.” She leaned against the door frame, silently watching me.
“Yeah, thanks.” I didn't want to look at her. I didn't want to think about work or seeing Rosemary again. I finished up and looked over, surprised to see my mother still standing there. I figured she would have left by now. I sighed and leaned against the sink. “Is there something else you wanted?”
She shook her head and looked away. “No, there's nothing.” With a sad smile she reached out to touch me, but dropped her hand back to her side without making contact. “Have a good day, honey.” She left the room without waiting for a reply. I felt overwhelmed. Regret and sadness laced throughout my soul, weighing me down, damning me. Frustrated, I threw the brush onto the counter and stormed out.
At a quarter till eight I pulled up outside of the Nook. I wasn't excited about working. It would just mean more 'fun' with Rose and meeting more backwoods hillbillies. I winced as I put my hair behind my ear. Having a bruise on my face the size of Texas wasn't helping my attitude. I sighed and got out and locked it. I headed up to the doors and braced myself for a day with Rose.
My eyes narrowed as I pulled on the door only to find it locked. I growled in frustration. This definitely wasn't helping my mood any. I was tempted to kick the door but held back and instead began pounding on the glass. I hoped that Rose wouldn't let me in so I could go home, though that prospect wasn't in the least appealing either.
After waiting for a couple of minutes I sighed in resignation and turned to head back to the car. I quickly turned around as I heard a key turn in the lock, nearly tripping on the steps.
“Easy there, tiger.” Came an unfamiliar masculine voice.
I looked up from my unbalanced perch and into a gorgeous pair of baby blue eyes. They were the most beautiful set of eyes I've ever seen.
I reached out to grasp his offered hand and took a moment to contemplate him. He was easily 6 foot tall, making me feel dainty as he towered over me. He had a strong face, with a beautiful bone structure that was perfectly proportioned. A strong jaw and chiseled cheek bones lent a hardness to him that bellied the softness found in his eyes. Flipping his slightly long, sun kissed light brown hair off of his forehead, he returned my appraisal. “Well, well. You must be the little Star I've heard so much about.”
I looked over his well-built frame and returned blandly. “Yup, that would be me. And you are?”
“I'm Brandon, coffee maker and book organizer extraordinaire!” he bowed with a heavy flourish. A slight smile crossed my face. Something was off about him. He was too pretty, too put together.
“I've haven't seen you here yet. You just get back from vacation or something?” I followed him in, trying to figure out what exactly was different about him.
“Yeah, my family and I just got back from New York. I've worked here since I was 15.”
“Well, that's nice.”
He laughed and sent a wink over his shoulder. “I suppose it is. Better than working at the bait shop, that's for sure.” He shrugged as he headed behind the coffee counter. “Can I make you anything before we open?”
“Yeah, that would be great. I'll have whatever you're having.”
“Oh, yay! My favorite person arrived! What, couldn't resist being with me again?”
I stiffened at the sound of Rose's sarcasm. And so it begins. “Oh, you know how it is. Have to get in my daily dose of nasty hag, otherwise my day isn't complete.”
Brandon almost dropped the coffee. He handed it to me with a wink, then turned to face Rose. “Hey baby, how you doin’?” He wiggled his eyebrows right before he grabbed her up in a giant hug.
This time I almost dropped the coffee. Surely they weren't a couple?
Rose swatted him on the arm. “You don't have to act around her, she's not important.”
“Oh come on Rose, I have to practice for when school starts.”
“What are you guys talking about?” I set my cup down. I didn't want it in anymore danger of falling.
“None of your damn business, twat.” I rolled my eyes at Rose and looked to Brandon for an explanation.
He tugged on Rose's hair. “Oh come on Rose, it won't hurt for her to know. Besides, we're all going to be besties.” He leaned against Rose's shoulder, causing her to stumble from the weight.
“Get off you big oaf!” Shoving, she dislodged him from her shoulder. “And there's no way in hell I'm going to be her 'bestie'.”
Brandon grinned and looked over at me. “Ooh, she really likes you.”
I ignored his remark and looked at the two of them. “Seriously guys, what's the big secret.”
He slapped Rose on the ass and quickly moved out of her reach. He walked to my side, his face a mask of severity. He leaned down, his breath fanning my ear. “I'm gay.”
I was glad I put my cup down because what he said almost made me fall out of my chair. “You can't be serious!”
“Oh yeah, one hundred percent babe.” He winked yet again. I swear that boy had a muscle problem with his eye. I looked to Rose for confirmation. She just shrugged and started to walk off. No help on that end.
“Come on, little Star. We've got work to do.” She called after me. I followed slowly behind her and cast a half smile to Brandon. He returned the grin and went back to prepping the coffee bar.
Chapter Ten
The day flew by in a flurry of activity. I was getting agitated while trying to keep up with Rose. She was supposed to be training me but the only thing she offered was a constant supply of snarky comments. The only reason I was learning anything was by watching Rose and Brandon in action.