Chapter 6
Chapter Six
RYLEE
I don’t think the panic has stopped since the minute I walked into the Hash ’N Hop this morning. After Joey fled Chase’s apartment, I wanted to go after her, but I couldn’t. She was in her car and out of there before I could stop her. After that, I couldn’t be late for work.
Not that Betty would fire me, but I don’t want to make the other girls pick up my slack.
Thankfully, I’ve worked this job long enough to be able to go through the motions. I can serve up a burger and fries with a smile. Slide a milkshake across the countertop with ease.
I have no idea when Joey is supposed to get here, but I’m hoping it’s soon. I can’t stand the anxiety. I’m just glad she agreed to come see me.
Joey is my best friend. The two of us went to school together before she dropped out after she got pregnant with Max. The last thing I want is for her to feel betrayed.
Seeing that it’s almost the end of my shift, I write out one last order on the check pad, tearing it off and sticking it on the metal turnstile of orders.
Every time the chime sounds from the door, I look up, hoping it’s Joey, but it’s not.
Grabbing a plate of cheese fries and a chocolate shake, I take my order out and drop it off to two friends.
Something Joey and I always do. It’s our go-to when we have things to share.
“Honey, you are going to give yourself a crick in your neck from looking at the damn door,” Betty shouts from the kitchen.
“Sorry.”
“What’s got you all in a twist today?” Betty slides a grilled cheese sandwich and fries through the window before turning her fierce blue eyes on me.
“Waiting on Joey.”
“What for?” A white curl comes loose from her bandanna as she goes back to flipping burgers. “You do something to make her mad?”
“You could say that.”
I don’t really need to get into the fact that she caught me with her brother the morning after we hooked up. Betty will hear about it soon enough.
“Say you’re sorry and you’ll be fine.” She points her spatula at me.
“I hope it’s that easy,” I confess.
The door chimes, and this time it’s Joey. Her brown eyes search the diner for me. Pushing out of the kitchen door, I wave at her.
“You’re here.”
“Sorry I’m late. I got stuck at work and don’t have much time before I have to grab Max from my parents.”
“Want anything to drink?” I ask, undoing my apron and setting it on the table of the empty corner booth.
“I’m okay,” she says, dropping down across from me on the pink pleather seat. She holds her hands out to me to hold. “I’m sorry, Ry.”
“No, I am.”
“Please.” She holds one hand up. “I overreacted this morning. Max’s dad called and said he wants nothing to do with him.”
“Oh, babe.” I move around the booth to pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”
“I took out my anger on you and my brother, and that was on me.”
“It’s not like we conspired to keep anything from you. It only just happened.”
“Yeah?” she asks, wiping a stray tear from her face.
“As in last night.”
“Oh, shit.” Joey looks chagrined. “And then I come bursting in and ruin it all when you’re knocking boots.”
I snort laugh at that. “Well, nothing has been ruined yet.”
“Does that mean you two are going to make a go of it?”
“As long as you’re okay with it,” I say. “You’re one of the most important people in my life, and I don’t want to lose you as my best friend.”
“Which is why you should date my brother. Honestly, you two are kind of perfect together.”
“Really?” I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Yeah. He needs someone that isn’t going to get mad when he spends too much time at the bar or goes out and helps Verne on the weekends,” she says. “And to give him shit when I’m not around.”
I smile. “I can give him shit if you want me to.”
“Please do. He needs to be brought down a few notches.”
“Are you going to be okay, Joe?” I ask, turning the conversation back to her.
She shrugs, tucking a long lock of brown hair behind her ear. “I mean, I don’t know. Who gives up their kid? What a shitty thing to do.”
“Someone who doesn’t know how great Max is.”
“You got that right. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
“Well, if you need Aunt Rylee to come hang out with him so you can go scream or punch someone, I can.”
“Thanks, babe. I appreciate it. But you go see my brother. I’m sure I didn’t do anything to help you two this morning.”
“You’re sure? You are my best friend and I don’t want to do anything to hurt you.”
“I’ll be okay.” She gives me a watery smile. “But maybe don’t go knocking boots with my brother while I’m in the vicinity.”
“Oh my God. Can we please never say that again?”
“As long as you don’t do that or make out around me, we’re good.”
“Deal.”
Because having Joey’s seal of approval means everything to me.
Giving her one last hug, we leave the diner together. I can’t wait to go and find Chase to tell him the good news.