Page 46 of Promise Me Nothing
“What?” I ask, though I definitely know.
“How do you know Paige Andrews?”
“She’s friends with my brother.”
“Who is your brother?” Denise asks, one eyebrow raised high enough that it looks like it’s gossiping with her hairline.
“Lucas Pearson. Do you guys know him?”
I take a sip of my drink, knowing full well that they know who he is. And of course, my admission is like a bomb dropping in the group.
Eleanor seems excited, her eyes lighting up. Loren looks suspicious, his face pinched in an expression that tells me he thinks I might be full of shit. Denise seems a little pissed, but is trying to hide it. The rest of them seem to only be half listening as they fuck around on their phones.
“I didn’t realize Lucas had a sister,” Eleanor says, leaning forward on the table, her eyes wide. “I thought he was an only child. He never had siblings when we were in school together.”
“We just found out about each other,” I say, though I immediately regret it. One of the very first things I learned when I moved here was that the gossip machine is aggressive. I have to be careful what I say, and who I talk to.
Denise looks like she doesn’t know how to handle this bit of news. But before she can ask any questions, I cut it off at the knees.
“I’d rather not talk about that, though, since it’s so new. I’m gonna grab a drink and then head over there since it looks like Lucas just got here. I’ll see you guys at work, okay? And thanks for inviting me out.”
I stand quickly and head over to the bar for a new drink, trying to buy myself time before I head over to Paige’s table.
The last thing I want is some kind of barrier between me and the people I work with. I mean, I can’t control who my brother is. And it would be stupid of them to treat me different just because they can kind of associate me with this group of ‘elite’ that they seem to despise, or be really jealous of.
But it doesn’t seem like the people here handle things with maturity. The pyramid of importance is based on wealth, and gossip is its own unique form of currency.
I’ll just have to wait and see how things go during my next shift, I guess. But if I’m completely honest? I don’t see myself making great friends with Denise or Loren, so I’m not too upset about it.
After grabbing my vodka soda, I head over to the booth in the corner. Paige and Lucas immediately make room for me, getting everyone to scoot in so I can sit on the end.
“There she is,” Lucas says as I approach the table. “Everyone, this is my sister Hannah. Hannah, these are some of my good friends.”
I get some friendly smiles and one or two curious glances. The group has grown since the gossip-sesh back at my previous table, and there are at least eight people all seated around the booth.
“Congrats on the job at Bennie’s,” Lucas says, taking a sip of his drink.
I smile. “I went by this morning around nine o’clock to drop off the application and Hamish hired me on the spot.”
Lucas smiles. “I’m glad it all worked out so well.”
“Yeah, things tend to work out well when you’re friends with Lucas.” The guy who says it is sitting next to my brother, and he chuckles and takes a sip of his own drink.
Lucas rolls his eyes. “Ignore Otto. He’s just being a dick. We’re not actually friends.”
Otto laughs again, and I nod and give him smile, but a sense of unease rolls through my body.
I’ve never been one to take a handout. Just being here already makes me feel like I’m abusing someone’s generosity, not to mention the meals he and Paige have paid for, and borrowing some of Paige’s clothes for the event last night.
But if Lucas had something to do with me getting that job? I’m not sure I know how to respond to that.
Obviously sensing my discomfort, Lucas leans towards me. “It wasn’t a big deal. I just flicked Hame a text letting him know my sister was probably going to swing by to apply for a job. That’s it.” He bumps me in the shoulder. “I feel like I missed out on a lot of things that being a big brother entails. The least I can do is make sure the people I know can help you get a job if you’re qualified for it, right?”
I grin, brushing off that earlier feeling. He’s just doing the brotherly thing. The helpful thing. Like what Paige said at breakfast the other day. Family helps each other.
“Thanks for that,” I say. “I definitely need extra cash this summer, so I really do appreciate the help.”
He bobs his head and takes another sip of his drink.
