Tease (The Unforgettables #1)

Chapter 1

Kailey

TWENTY YEARS OLD

Turning the ignition on to my Camaro instantly causes its speakers to come to life, blasting “Milkshake” by Kelis.

Immediately my hand shoots out, reaching for the volume knob, turning it down.

Puffing out the air my lungs had just held in, my body relaxes, sinking back into the seat.

Closing my eyes, I can’t help the laughter that bubbles out of me.

Guess I should really learn to turn down my music before shutting the car off.

Tonight’s shift at the local diner was supposed to end over an hour ago, but I’ve never had the heart to just clock out on the dot.

Especially when the team is short-staffed.

Being a carhop has been great for me these past couple years.

Not only because the tips are amazing, but I truly enjoy my fellow coworkers.

I’m focusing on containing my lead foot from laying into the gas pedal.

I need to get home to change out of my uniform—a T-shirt and jean shorts—and getting a speeding ticket wouldn’t be an ideal way to start the night.

Stressed, I run the tips of my fingers over the top of my hair, checking its condition.

Ugh, my long black hair that was in a smooth high top bun at the start of my shift, is now lopsided with random stray hairs poking out.

Pulling out the hair tie, I finger-comb through my hair a couple times, realizing there are multiple hardened specks throughout.

Oh, the joy of making milkshakes. With the windows up, all I can smell is me—grease with a hint of French fries.

And I just feel sticky everywhere… in between my thighs, down my shins, and the backs of my bare legs are sticking to the leather seat.

Most likely from that fountain drink that slipped off of my tray earlier as I ran it out to the customer, exploding its contents on the concrete.

Thankfully it didn’t get on the customer’s car.

Squeezing the steering wheel with both hands, the jewels from the cover dig into my palms. I’m annoyed that there is absolutely no way I can go out tonight without a shower. Let’s just add it to my already-being-late tally. Brittney will just have to understand.

It’s a Saturday night, which, for us, means it’s a cruising-the-strip kind of night.

I haven’t been in the mood for any of these kinds of nights lately, due to my douchebag of an ex breaking my heart.

Brandon was supposed to be the love of my life, the one whom I had planned on marrying.

We were supposed to get an apartment together in the next town over and attend college.

However, that’s not how our story went. He ended up being a cheater, seeing another girl behind my back for months.

Brandon had saved her number in his phone’s contact list under a guy’s name.

And let’s just say it took me too long to realize that piece of information.

Clever, wasn’t he?! A real fucking jerk is what he is.

Trust was never an issue in our relationship.

I freely gave him all of it, as well as my whole heart, without a second thought.

Lesson learned. Protect your heart at all costs.

Brittney, having had enough of my pity party excuses, texted me last night and pulled the best friend card, demanding I hit the cruise strip with her tonight.

It’s not like I don’t miss her and the fun times we’ve always had when we’re together.

I just feel like such a damn fool, souring any fun mood attempted.

I mean, what kind of an idiot doesn’t realize their boyfriend of two years had been hooking up with someone else for months?

! Brandon realized his “mistake” two weeks after I broke it off with him, just like my dad told me he would…

Like he would ever get another chance from me again!

Thank god my OB-GYN gave me the all-clear on the STI check.

After my shower is finished and I’ve dried my thick hair, it’s outfit time.

I decide on wearing a black shirt that has a set of deep red kiss lips in the middle and hangs off of my right shoulder.

I’ve paired it with dark blue denim jeans that have a small flare at the bottom, covering half of the black sandals I’m wearing.

Loose, big curls fall around my face, covering both shoulder blades.

Looking over the jewelry spread out across the top of my white vanity, I want to finish this look with a little bit of a bang.

“Aha!” I grab my oversized sterling silver hoop earrings.

Tonight’s makeup consists of mascara, peach blush, sparkly eye shadow, and a clear lip gloss.

Puckering my lips a few times, I smile, tasting the strawberry flavor. Time for a night of memories.