Page 96 of The Catalyst

“I can’t. Don’t you start your new job today?” he whispers softly in my ear.

I groan. He’s right, but I don’t have to like it.

“Yes.” I let out a loud yawn. “Why did I have to agree to train in the morning?”

He chuckles. “Well, itisa small town and there aren’t exactly a lot of job opportunities. You take what you can get.”

That’s true.

“You take a shower and I’ll make some breakfast.”

My heart does that stupid pitter patter thing he makes it do and I want to scream for it to shut up. All the muscle ever does is get me in loads of trouble. What Martin and I have is good without the L word getting involved.

I let Nigel in and he hurt me. I let Oliver in and he betrayed me. I let Shawn in and he died.

I’m cursed and that’s okay.

Martin climbs out of bed, still as naked as he was when I passed out last night, and I roll my eyes. He is a little too comfortable walking around my house naked and I’m not mad about it. The view is really nice.

I don’t want to get up yet, but duty calls, I suppose.

I get out of bed and take a shower before getting dressed. I don’t have a lot of clothes, but luckily, the “uniform” for being a waitress is very simple. Black t-shirt and beige pants or shorts.

Luckily, I do have some shorts that hug my ass nicely.

* * *

Martin droppedme off before he headed off to his unpaid internship. He said he’d pick me up after my training. It’s supposed to be a full eight hours, but I know most first days of training are only four at most and that’s how long his intern shifts are.

It’s okay if I have to walk back. I don’t mind it. It’s just really hot at high noon and that will be about the time I get off if my calculations are correct. I used to be a waitress here before I moved so it won’t take much shadowing at all. There have only been a few items added to the menu and the clientele has remained the same.

I finish pouring a cup of coffee when I look out the window and see a black Mustang drive into the parking lot. My heart slams into my stomach, ricocheting up into my throat at the sight of it.

No. It can’t be him. There are a lot of black Mustangs in the world.

I covered my tracks and Martin has kept my location undetectable.

He won’t find me here. He wouldn’t even want to find me. It’s his best friend that does. My little sex tape could be a motive, since I got my vengeance by giving my body to his cousin. Maybe he didn’t like that Martin got a taste of me.

He’s gotten more than a taste though. He has sampled the entire buffet.

I get back to work, ignoring the appearance of the Mustang the best that I can. A few men who I’ve known my entire life get a little too handsy, but considering this is my first day back, I have to let it slide. I can’t hand them their ass while I’m on the job. That would be unprofessional.

“If anyone gives you trouble, just let me know and I’ll set them straight,” Miss Irene, the owner of the diner, says with a big smile on her face and I nod.

“Thanks.” I didn’t say anything to her, but I guess one of the other girls did.

“It’s good to have you back, Beth. We missed you around these parts.” She pats my shoulder.

“I’m glad to be back.”

“How’s your mom? I’m a bit surprised you’re here and I haven’t heard anything about her rejoining the church.”

Yeah, that might seem a tad suspicious, but I’ve got that covered.

“She’s good. She’s just taking a mental health break. She’ll be back soon.”

No, she won’t, but I can keep that excuse going for a long time. After a while, people will stop asking about her. She’s fine in rehab and when she gets out, she’ll make her decision about what she wants to do. Stay in Grove Hill or come back to Hempstead. Either way, I’m not going back.

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