Page 92 of All Our Ghosts

KADENCE

“You’ve gone to the clouds there, sweetheart.”

I look up to see Marlowe leaning against the bar top, smiling softly at me. Her long blonde hair is pulled back into a low pony. She’s wearing jeans and a white tank top with the club’s logo printed on the front of it and still doesn’t look old enough to be anyone’s mother.

“Sorry,” I say softly, my eyes catching the glare Layla has tossed my way.

“Ignore them,” Marlowe says plainly, pushing herself off the bar.

I let out a soft chuckle as I clear off a few of the empty beer bottles that litter the wooden counter. “That’s easier said than done.”

“You know the difference between you and those girls?” Marlowe says with a raised brow. She busies herself pouring more beers as she speaks. “You’re here helping, keeping the guys happy.”

“I’m not better than them, Marlowe.” I shake my head. “They keep the guys happy in their own way. Ways I’m not willing to. I can’t fault them for that.”

“That.” Marlowe points a finger at me. “Thatis what separates you from them.”

I raise a brow at the older woman, confusion written on my features. “I don’t understand.”

“Because even as an old lady, you don’t see them differently and that,” she grins, filling a tray with beers, “is what makes you club material darlin’. It’s what makes you a good fit for Nash.”

I look up at Marlowe who smiles as she picks up the tray. “How do you–”

“I see and hear everything sweetie, you’re healing this club and don’t even realize it. You’re gonna make a great old lady.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I watch Marlowe move around the edge of the bar and over to a table full of members. Some I haven’t met before and a couple I have. I recognize Quinn. West is sitting with him, laughing with a few of the guys, but when Quinn catches my eye he grins at me. Something in his smile crawls up my spine, turning the hairs on the back of my neck to stand straight. It doesn’t feel like just a friendly grin. There’s something off about it.

I tear my gaze from him, turning back to the bar where Layla stands with an empty drink in her hand and waves it in front of me.

“Since you’ve turned bar bitch,” she sneers in a sickly sweet tone, “you can get me a drink.”

A laugh huffs from me. “I’m not your servant, Layla. Get it yourself.”

“Aw, but sweetie, here’s the thing.” Layla moves around the edge of the bar, leaning over it and pushing her breasts against the wood. “You’re standing behind the bar, slinging drinks to themen. I’m just as important as them,Kadie.So, do us all a favor and act like the little wench you are and get me a fucking drink.”

I glance around in disbelief. My last run-in with Layla didn’t go the best, but this? This is straight catty bullshit that belongs in high schools. Blake’s nowhere to be found and Marlowe is busy talking with a few of the other girls.

“Are you fucking deaf?” Layla hisses, “I told you–”

“I heard what you said Layla,” I bite. “Doesn’t mean I have to listen to it.”

A bitter cackle leaves her as she stands up straight again. “I can’t wait for the day Holden decides to leave your ass. Sends you back to whatever hole you crawled from.”

“I’m sorry, did I miss the requirement of total bitch when I showed up today?” I cross my arms over my chest. “I suggest you walk away from me now.”

Layla steps forward once more, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Or what?”

I drop my arms, my fists clenching at my sides. She is testing my patience, and right about now those boxing tips Dex gave me seem very nifty. “Walk away from me, Layla.”

The sneer on her face somehow grows, and her dark lipstick pulls tight against her lips. Layla raises her hand and it takes everything in me not to move. Not to give her the satisfaction of getting under my skin. Instead of whatever she has planned, Layla snags a bottle of tequila off the wall, dragging it down to her side.

“Watch your back, bitch,” she warns as she turns and walks away.

I let out a breath I don’t realize I’m holding just as the guys push through the main door, plates of food in their hands. I press a hand to my forehead as I turn towards the back wall behind the bar, at least to try and catch a breath.

“Hey,” Holden’s voice catches me off guard as his hand wraps around my waist, “you okay?”

I glance up at him, forcing a smile as I nod. “Yeah, fine.”

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