the reason | 13rw

t h i r t y - s i x

"here you go ma'am," i smiled handing a lady the coffee she'd order. 

"what's up with you today james?" jack asked. 

"nothing." i shook my head. 

"you look pale, sickish." he said. "maybe you should go home." 

"please don't make me do that." 

"tell me what's wrong first." 

"i got cheated on, if i go home, that's all my brother is going to bother me about." 

"so you're avoiding dealing with it?" 

"no, i just need a distraction until i know what to do." 

"that's exactly what i said." he tilted his head. "but fine, keep working." 

he walked away as i turned back to the order line. the bell above the door chimed as i looked over, seeing bryce, marcus and, of course, monty. i threw myself to the floor, hiding. jack walked around the counter, making eye contact with me. i shook my head furiously as he hurried over 

"what can i get you guys today?" he asked, kicking me slightly. 

i listened to them order. 

"is nicolette here?" i heard monty ask. "she told me she was supposed to work today." 

"she just went on break, she went home to get something." jack replied. 

"we can wait," monty suggested. 

"whatever," bryce said. 

i heard them walk away, hearing monty's crutches. jack kneeled down. 

"which one?" he asked. 

"the one on crutches." i said, leaning my head back. 

"well since you aren't sick and told me not to send you home, you're still on the clock." he said. "what are you going to do?" 

"i'm going to sneak out the back while you distract them. i'll walk in the front and we pretend that i wasn't here the whole time." i smiled. 

"how am i supposed to distract them?" 

"offer them some free cookies, take it out of my check." i said. 

"fine," he said and got up. 

i peaked over the counter, watching jack walk up to them. they started talking and i hurried out the back. i pulled my apron and hat off. i messed up my hair and hurried around to the front. i took a deep breath as i walked in. i made eye contact with jack. 

"you're back," he smiled. 

"yeah, sorry it took longer than expected." i said. my eyes met with monty's. "what are you guys doing here?"

"we just wanted to see you." monty replied as i walked over. jack walked away. 

"well, monty wanted to see you." marcus said. 

monty placed his hand on my butt as the pictures flashed through my head. i felt color drain from my face as the lump rose in my throat. 

"are you okay little one, you look sick." bryce laughed. 

"i can't do this." i shook my head and pulled from monty. 

"what?" monty raised an eyebrow. 

"i know about them monty, about the other girls." i choked out. "you've been cheating on me." 

"what are you smoking nicolette?" he laughed. 

"don't," i shook my head. "i have proof." 

"looks like you're fucked." bryce said.