Page 33 of Never Kiss and Tell

“Oh, Lionel, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

He waves a hand at me, busying himself by readying up plates.

“I’m not upset. We all want what we can’t have. You want silence. I want stupid texts from my momma.”

He finishes my tray and sets it up on the counter in front of me.

“Order up.”

As much as I hate to admit it, Charlie is right. Working open to close was a mistake. I’ll never tell him that, though. I’m not sure we’d be able to fit his ego behind the bar.

I steer clear of Lionel for a while and he’s quieter than usual. I text my mom back when I get a chance, more than just my usual one-word answer because what Lionel said to me has left me with a sinking feeling in my gut for hours.

Charlie lost his mom. Andi lost her’s. Lionel. I still have mine, but she drives me crazy so muchthat I forget to be thankful that I stillhaveher.

Fuck.

Andi shows up around six, right as I’m being forced to eat a burger made by Bruno. I can tell she was up most of the night crying. Her eyes are puffy, but she’s done a good job of hiding it under concealer.

“Well, hello,” I wave cautiously as she slides on to the bench on the other side of me. “Everything alright?”

“I’m sorry Dad asked you to come in, again,” she grumbles, laying her head on her arms.

I hold a fry out to her and wag my eyebrows. “Grease is good for the soul.”

She rolls her eyes, but chuckles quietly and takes the fry anyway.

“So, how was it last night?”

I groan and quietly relay everything that happened between me, Charlie, and Mani the night before. Her eyes grow wide while I’m explaining the story to her.

“I knew he was a creep. I’m glad Charlie was there. He’s a good guy.”

I grimace. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

She eyes me, a weird look on her face.

“Give him time. He likes to play big, tough guy.”

“Is that right?” I murmur, finishing off my food. “So, what about you? What happened last night?” I ask, hoping to change the subject. I’ve had enough of Charlie Coulter and his impossibly hateful looks from across the room today.

Andi shrugs, playing with a loose string on her purse.

“We just got in an argument. His mom doesn’t like me.”

My stomach turns sour. “I know that feeling.”

Drew’s mom hated me and she made that clear from the very beginning.

Andi nods, meeting my gaze. Small tears cling to the corners of her eyes. “She’s told him all kinds of things. Like I’ve cheated, I’m only with him for his looks. That I’m selfish and self-centered. I took her dress shopping and she threw a fit because I asked her not to wear white.” She takes a deep breath. “Andshe keeps bringing up Cecelia.”

I wince. Cecilia is Tom’s ex-fiancée. I’ve never met her, but I’ve heard stories about her “undying love” for Tom and her lack of regard for Andi and Tom’s impending marriage.

“Well, fuck her. She doesn’t know you. And Cecilia’s just holding onto something she can’t have. It’s pathetic.”

Andi looks up at me, shocked by my foul language. She giggles, covering her mouth with her palm.

“You saved me. You asked me to come down and help you, but I know you just wanted to help take my mind off things at home. Fuck whatever she says and if Tom wants to believe those things and entertain his shitty ex, then fuck him, too.”

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