The Force of Gravity(61)

“Kaley,” says Emily, lightly touching my arm.

“I’m serious!” I laugh, brushing her hand away. “It’s no big deal. People change tables all the time—this is America, right?”

Four pairs of eyes shift to my left in perfect synchronization, and I follow their gaze.

Jace is beside me. “Everything okay here?”

I flash a smile. “Everything’s great.”

Emily tries to nonchalantly shake her head at Jace, but I catch it.

I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m fine.”

She squints at me and stands, wiping the side of my mouth. “Your lip gloss is all smeared.”

Heat spreads across my face, and I hope the dim ambience hides my embarrassment. But Emily is too close to me. She glances back and forth between me and Jace.

“Is everything okay?” she says only loud enough for me to hear.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Her expression is wary as she slowly sits back down.

I clear my throat. “I’m going to go check on your orders.”

I pass Jace without making eye contact and stop in the dark hallway just before the entry to the kitchen. I press my hands on my knees and lower my head, taking in a deep breath. I hear someone mumble “new girl can’t cut it,” but ignore it. Someone lays a hand on my back, and I jump up.

“Kaley,” says Jace, concerned.

“I’m sorry, I just got lightheaded. I promise I’ll be better. I can handle this job, I—”

“Shh, it’s okay. What, you think I’m going to fire you right now?” He chuckles. “Are you going to be okay? Avery went back to her group.”

“I’m fine. I’m sorry. I don’t want him back, I swear, it’s—”

“Hey, I get it. No worries.”

A boy younger than me walks by, and Jace stops him. “Can you run the order out to table nineteen?”

The boy nods and rushes back into the kitchen.

I groan. “Oh, great. Everyone’s going to think I can’t handle this job. I have one table and someone has to run my order out?”

He smirks. “He’s a runner, Kennedy. That’s his job. I always have runners on staff during peak hours.”

“Oh.”

He laughs. “Come here.” He leads me to the soda machine and pours me an ice water. “Stay hydrated, okay?”

I nod and take a sip.

“I have to take care of some things. Just take care of the knuckleheads, and go ahead and clock out afterward, all right?” He lowers his head close to mine and glides his hand along my side, holding my hip. “I’ll see you later,” he whispers.

And like that, he is gone.

I turn around and catch Avery’s stare as she stands paralyzed in front of the door to the ladies room. I shoot her a vicious glare, and she breaks away, slipping inside the bathroom.

“Shit,” I whisper.

I toss the Styrofoam cup into the trash and head back to table nineteen.





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE



“I WANT TO HAVE EVERYBODY over after your graduation ceremony,” my mom announces. She’s officially moved back into the house, which means my dad has moved into the den. Personally, I think he deserves to sleep in his own bed, but I stay out of it. He’s keeping himself busy packing up the rest of his things, while I eat dinner with my mom in the dining room. If it wasn’t for my Dad forcing this shared meal, there’s no way I’d be doing it.

“Who’s everybody?” I ask, taking a final bite of my meal. Even my mom’s amazing spinach and feta stuffed chicken can’t ignite my appetite.

“You know, Emily and Derek,” she says. “And Tommy.”

“Mom,” I warn. “Tommy and I broke up, remember?”

“I know, but he’s been such a part of this family. I want you all here. At least let me take some pictures of the four of you.”

“No can do, Mom. Derek’s having a big graduation party at his house. Half the graduating class will be there.”

“Well, when does the party start?”

“Like seven or eight, I think.”

“That’s plenty of time for the four of you to stop by.”

I groan as I sit back in my chair. “Mom, that is so awkward, you have no idea. They probably won’t even want to come. Everyone’s going to be busy getting ready for the party.”

“Please, Kaley. At least ask them.”

“Whatever.” I sigh.

“Thanks, sweetie.” She kisses me on the cheek and begins to clear the table. It’s annoying how happy she is while our family is imploding. It’s the love-sick kind of happy, and I know it’s because of her home-wrecking boyfriend. It infuriates me.

I meet her at the sink and hand her my plate.

“I still don’t see why you had to get a job,” she says, rinsing my plate. You should be enjoying yourself this summer. I’d also like to go on some trips with you before you start college.”

“I need to work, Mom,” I say. “I want my own money.”

“Trust me, Kay,” she says, loading the dishwasher. “You have your whole life to work. You should enjoy these last few years under your parents’ care.”

I lean against the counter. “Well . . . I kind of want to move out.”

“What?” she says, gaping at me.

“Mom, I’m going to be nineteen this summer; I want to be out on my own.”

“And you think waitressing part-time will help you accomplish that?”

“Jace says he’s going to get me as many hours as possible.” I’m surprised at the nervous flutter in my stomach when I say his name.

“Yeah? And what about when you start school? How are you going to keep up with extra hours and homework? College is different than high school, Kaley.”

Her haughty tone makes me want to remind her she doesn’t have the authority to speak on that, but I bite my tongue.

“And Emily’s going to be hours away from you.”

“What does that matter?” I ask.

“Well, I don’t see how you’re going to pay for everything on your own. You’d need a roommate.”

“Mom, I can do this! Why are you so negative?”

“I’m not negative, Kay, I’m experienced. You won’t be able to afford it. Just stay here. I’ll be sure to buy you clothes and whatever else you need.”

“I don’t need clothes; I need to be out on my own,” I mumble.

She’s quiet for a moment. “You don’t want to live with me, is that it?”

A pang of guilt twists in my chest, and I step away from the counter. “Don’t do that to me, Mom.”

“Do what?” she says, pouring the soap into the dispenser and closing the dishwasher.

“Don’t guilt-trip me just because I want to grow up.”

She turns to me, and it’s like looking into my own eyes, except for the small lines etched around her eyelids. Her love-sick glimmer has temporarily been replaced with distress.

“Kaley, life is short. Don’t rush into growing up. I’m not making you stay here to hold you back. I want you to live your life. I want you to chase your dreams. I want you to explore classes and figure out what you want to do with your life. I don’t want you stressed out about money or tied down to a dead-end job. This is your time. Go experience all that you can. I never had that luxury, and it’s my biggest regret.”

“And yet another thing to blame me for,” I mutter.

“That is not what I’m saying,” she says in defense. “I’m just saying that you’re still so young, Kaley.”

I know she didn’t mean anything by it, but that last comment hurts worse than the previous one.

“I’m not that young,” I say quietly.

She gives me a benevolent smile. “Enjoy your youth, sweetie. It’s a good thing. Trust me.”

Elijah’s vacant eyes flash in my mind: You’re too young for me, Kaley.

I turn away from her. “I’m not giving up the job, Mom,” I say, my voice hoarse. “It’s just something I need.”

“That’s your choice in the end,” she says. “But if you decide to move out, I’m not paying for your books.”

I jerk my gaze back to her. “Are you serious? Do you know how expensive those are?”

She laughs like I’m ridiculous. “I certainly do.”

“So, you’re going to punish me if I move out? What if I want to go live in the dorms?”

“You’re more than welcome to live in the dorms, Kay.”

“You’d still pay for my books?”

“Of course.”

“But not if I move out on my own?”

“That’s right. I know what’s best for you. Trust me; I’m saving you from a huge mistake. And don’t think about getting your dad to pay for your books behind my back. He’ll agree with me on this.”

Her words are suffocating, and I lash out. “Are you planning on bringing your home-wrecker to the house?”

I’ve never asked her who he is, or where they met. I know nothing about the man. I don’t want to know.

Her gaze falters. “No, of course not. You don’t have to meet him until you’re ready.”

“I’ll never be ready,” I say bitingly. “So, I guess he’ll be able to come over in about, what? Four years or so? Assuming I graduate on time.”