Page 21 of I Should Hate You-but I Don't

"Five." Taylor curled her lip. "I have the five o'clock to noon shift, so I mainly serve breakfast. There are four of us, so while we keep busy, we're not run ragged. It's pretty chill. Much better than having my hands in dishwater all day."

"Oh, nice. You have most of the day to do what you want or nap before going out at night."

"I wish you could've come with me to my homecoming party." Taylor pulled her feet up on the couch and sat cross-legged, facing River.

"I know." She reached over and tapped Taylor's knee. "But I'm here now."

Taylor and she had gotten close over the last couple of years. While Taylor was two years older than her, most people thought she was older because Zane let her start working in the bar's kitchen when she was seventeen. Everyone assumed she was eighteen or nineteen.

"You up to walking around town?" Taylor grinned. "We can check out the guys before you have to leave."

"Sure." She hopped up. "Let me use the bathroom first."

She closed the door and pulled out her phone, texting Zane and letting him know she'd call him when she was done. As close as she and Taylor had grown, she never shared her relationship with Zane with anyone.

Part of her was embarrassed that she had to check in with Zane as if she was a child who had to have his permission to go out for one night. She was an adult. She was also responsible and knew not to take drinks or drugs from men or go anywhere alone.

The other part of her wanted to see what Zane was doing. If he even hinted that he wanted to be with her, she'd have him come and pick her up.

Her phone dinged.

Zane:Be careful.

She exhaled her disappointment and went to find Taylor.

At the door, Taylor stopped her. "You can leave your pack in the apartment."

"I'd rather bring it." She hefted it over one shoulder like a bag to look less weird.

"Suit yourself, but how are you going to dance?

"I'll watch you dance." She laughed to cover how nervous she was in a strange town. "I'm not much of a dancer."

It took them no time to find that many people in their twenties and thirties congregated at Bling's Nightclub. People lined up on the sidewalk, waiting to get in and pay the cover charge.

"Let's go." Taylor pulled her along.

Backed into a corner, she wasn't sure what to do. They only allowed those who were twenty-one and over inside. If they asked for her driver's license, she couldn't go inside.

As they stood in line, she looked around. All the people were strangers to her. Used to Gem Havlin bikers, it felt awkward being around more conservative people.

"Babes, are you going in or standing still?" A man wearing a polo shirt with black jeans pointed her to look the other way.

The line had moved. She grabbed Taylor and stepped forward.

"Sorry." She turned around, feeling warmth crawl up her neck.

"Hey, no problem. What's your name?"

She glanced over her shoulder. "River."

The guy laughed. "Like, for real?"

Turning back around, she ignored his comment. It wasn't the first time someone asked if River was her real name.

The line moved. She stepped forward.

Taylor leaned closer. "He's cute."

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