Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
He nods. “Yes, it came as a big surprise to me too. I wasn’t looking to sell, but I’m getting older, and I’d have been a fool to pass up this opportunity.”
As he talks, Rusty no longer looks in my direction, but I assume it’s because Christine has worked here the longest, and Rusty probably feels the most obligation to her.
“As far as I know,” he says, “the new owners plan to keep things the same. You won’t lose your jobs, and your pay rate will stay the same. Nothing much should change from your angle; you’ll just have new bosses.”
As a waitress making the bulk of my money from tips, I’m not sure my pay could legally be any lower, but it’s a relief that this sale won’t put my job in jeopardy.
“Bosses?” Christine asks.
Maybe a development company bought the bar. Though Four Points hasn’t seen the same growth and change as towns on the mainland, it has gradually been turning more upscale, with high-end houses being built around the island.
“Yes,” Rusty says slowly. “Bosses. They should be here any minute, actually.”
My spine prickles as I realize Rusty is actively avoiding looking my way, and when he does glance in my direction, he quickly averts his eyes.
The door at the front entrance opens and the Stone brothers walk in.
“Here they are now,” Rusty says.
6
Whatever the fuck I want
I’m too stunned to move.
Rusty shakes hands with the four men and introduces them to us, though he knows damn well that I already know who they are. He still won’t look at me. The coward.
“It’s nice to meet you, Christine, Becca,” Barrett says as he and Bronson shake hands with them. Lennox and Lincoln are on either side of their brothers, their backs straight, heads high, as if they’re standing at attention while the older twins repeat much of what Rusty’s already said.
“We’ll be getting settled over the next few days, but we don’t anticipate many changes — not at first anyway, and your jobs won’t change,” Bronson says.
“If you have any input, suggestions, or questions, we’re open to hear it,” Barrett says.
Christine and Becca are shooting looks my way, but I don’t move. I can’t. It’s as if all of my blood cells have been replaced with boiling, red-hot lighter fluid, and if I even breathe, I will combust.
What the actual fuck?
My coworkers don’t voice any questions, and I’m grateful.
Bronson wraps up his comments with some bullshit about how he’s looking forward to working with us, and then the brothers head toward the back office, trailed by Rusty. Before they close the door, I’m at their heels.
“I need to talk to you,” I tell the Stone men. “Now.” The glare I direct at Rusty prompts him to excuse himself, and then I’m alone with my four former stepbrothers. The small favor that I’m grateful for in this full-blown shitstorm is that we’re now behind closed doors, and I don’t have to censor myself for fear of causing a scene.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My heart is pounding hard and my body is literally shaking.
“We’re investing in a business,” Barrett says.
“This isn’t the fucking New York Stock Exchange. Why are you buying this place?”
“Rusty’s is looking pretty run down,” Bronson says. “We want better for Four Points.”
“What the fuck do you care about this island? Stop giving me your bullshit answers, because I don’t think my body can take it if I get more angry than I already am.”
Lennox steps closer and makes a move to put a hand on my back, but I shake him off before he can touch me. “We’re moving back to the island,” he says, looking hurt by my reaction.
“We’re going to be here taking care of our mom,” Bronson says.
“We figured we might as well get involved in the community,” Barrett adds.
“You mean get involved with me,” I bark back. “Why this place, of all the businesses on the island?”
Lincoln’s been silent until now. He always was the quiet one. “We want to take care of you too, Caz,” he says.
I step back, as if one of them is going to reach for me again. “Let me make this one hundred percent clear. I don’t want you to take care of me, and I don’t need you to take care of me. Do you understand?”
The four men stare back at me, as if I’m some strange creature they’ve never before encountered. I continue to glare at them, until I receive a couple of small nods and murmured agreement in response to my question.
“Good. That’s settled.”
I turn and leave, resisting the urge to slam the door behind me. There are customers in the bar now and it looks like it’s going to be busier than usual for a Thursday night. I’d love to leave — and never come back — but I don’t want to make Becca work on her own again.