Page 75 of Fueled Hate

“Not tonight.”

“And why not?”

“There’s a party tonight.” Yeah. Frat parties aren’t my scene, so I understand her confusion. I’d much rather be in her bed, burying my face between her thighs than at some party with a bunch of drunk bastards. “Bryce was told it’d be the place to score some pills.”

“Oh.” Her eyes drop to her lap as she picks at her nails.

Lifting her knuckles to my mouth, I give her a soft, and hopefully reassuring, kiss that we’ll somehow get all of this figured out.

“We can just go talk to my dad. He’ll tell us whatever you need to know.” Her hesitation tells me she doesn’t believe what’s she saying. And I’m not trying to find him guilty, I’m trying to find something to prove beyond a doubt that Frank didn’t have anything to do with what happened to Noah. I want an explanation … to somehow justify why Frank is involved with the smuggling. Anything to give me a reason to veer off course and not make Frank, and Sadie, suffer. Whether Kyle has something on him or is holding someone over his head—I have to know. There has to be a way out of this that allows me to honor Noah and keep Sadie.

“He might not be able to talk, depending on who is pulling the strings. And that could put you in danger.” I’m not willing to risk it, or her, just to prove what I already know—Frank is trying to dig his way out of debt, Parker is innocent, Andrew is too far up Willow’s pussy to be involved with Noah’s death, and Kyle is guilty.

41

Sadie

Walking into Big Tobe’s feels so strange. It’s not even been a week but so much has happened.

“Sadie,” Jett calls out when I walk past the bar. Turning to him, I see he’s standing with my boss.

“Are you feeling better, Sadie?” Toby asks, flashing the warm, welcoming smile he’s known for.

“Yes sir. Much better.” In some ways. In others, not so much.

“Well, let me know if you need anything. We want you healthy and well.” Toby pats me on the shoulder as I continue walking into the back of the diner.

Soon enough, I’m feeling right back at home, shuffling around to keep up with the crowd. It’s a great distraction. I don’t have time to think about anything else other than serving my tables.

After the sudden influx of customers trickle out a little, I step to the bar and Jett slides me a lemonade. “Thank you. It’s like you can read my mind,” I joke.

“Speaking of, are you sure you’re feeling up to all this madness?” he waves around the diner as I look to the familiar setting, spotting none other than Big Tobe himself making rounds to the tables as he greets each person with a genuine smile.

“Yes. Yeah, I’m good.” I’m here with good people, friends that have become family, then I’ll get to be with Dylan tonight. Yeah. I’m really good.

“Sadie.” Jett interrupts my thoughts as I turn to him. “Did you want to hang out tonight? Catch up on all the nothing that has happened while you left me here to fend for myself,” he teases, holding his hand to his chest like his heart is hurting.

“Maybe another time. I already have plans for tonight.”

“Ah. Way to crush a man’s dreams, Sadie,” he laughs. “Your loss.”

“Yeah, whatever.” I genuinely laugh at his dramatic antics as I roll my eyes. He really is a great friend. “You can come hang out with us if you want.”

“You and Kyle?” Jett asks warily.

“No.” I shake my head. Even Jett expected me to give into Kyle again. “No. We’re over. For good.”

Jett smiles as he gives me a thumbs-up. “It’s about time.”

“Agreed.” I grab my lemonade, finishing it off as I pass the glass back to Jett. “Thank you.”

“For what?” Dylan says as I jump, turning to find him standing behind me.

Clutching my chest, I take in a deep breath. “I thought you were hanging out with Bryce.”

“He’s on his way and will be making his usual grand entrance soon. I wanted to come enjoy the scenery here instead.” Dylan winks, caressing his fingers along my lower back as he takes a seat at the bar. Looking to Jett, he says, “Can I get a Dr. Pepper?”

“Of course.” Jett gives him a slight nod before grabbing a glass, filling it with ice and soda, then dropping it in front of Dylan. Bryce doesn’t disappoint on his entrance into the diner as all eyes end up on him when he hollers across the room to us before walking over and taking a seat next to Dylan.