Page 35 of Endgame

“Mom!” Six looked back at me, clearly embarrassed, but I was too pissed to care.

“Mind discussing your shopping trip somewhere else?” I sneered, thoroughly fucking disgusted.

“Rourke –”

“In the future, stay the fuck out of my room, Six,” I shot back, my voice laced with disgust. I was disgusted with myself. For a minute there, I’d almost forgotten about what that girl was all about. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Mercedes

“SO, YOU’RE GABRIEL OWENS’ new step daughter?” a tiny blonde with a pixie hair cut asked me as I served her at Madame Jory’s just before closing on Saturday. It was hot as hell out all day and the girl had a long-sleeved sweater and jeans on. I wasn’t a fashionista, but damn! This was shorts and t-shirt weather. “Mercedes James?” she asked with a small smile.

I had only been working at Madame Jory’s a little over three weeks, and already, I had lost count of the number of times I’d been asked that question. Ocean Bay was a tight knitted town and people were curious.

“Yep,” I replied, handing over her tall mocha latte.

“Wow,” the girl replied with a heavy sigh. “That must suck.”

“Suck is an understatement,” I replied, taking the twenty-dollar bill she was holding before quickly depositing it in the cash register and returning her change.

Wiping down the countertop, I took a quick peek at my phone and mentally sighed.

7:02. Home time.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go home. Scratch that; I knew I absolutely didnotwant to go home. Going home meant seeing Rourke, and seeing Rourke gave me anxiety.

I lifted my gaze from the counter and noticed the girl was still standing there.

“Can I get you anything else?” I offered, feeling awkward. What was she doing? Why was she just standing around? “We’re about to close.”

“Oh!” Shaking her head, she smiled bashfully. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be weird; it comes naturally.” Chuckling, she stretched her hand out. “I’m Molly Peterson. I live about a mile from Rourke’s house – well, your house now, too, I guess.”

“For now,” I corrected as I removed my apron.

Alec appeared then and smiled down at me. “Good work today, Mercy.”

“Thanks,” I shot back with a smile. “I’ll head off now if that’s okay?” I grinned like a dope up at him. “Are you okay to lock up on your own?”

“Of course.” He smiled again, brighter this time. “See you after school on Monday.”

Hot damn.

“Hey – do you want to walk home with me?” Molly offered then, surprising the heck out of me. I hadn’t realized she was still there. “I have to go past your place to get to mine, so it wouldn’t be completely stalkerish of me.”

“I have a car.”Don’t do it, Mercy. Don’t do it…“But…” Shit, I was going to do it. Those damn puppy eyes had my conscience screaming. “I can give you a ride if you like?”

Molly’s face lit up. “That would be awesome. Thank you!”

“No problem.”

“YOU PROBABLY THINK I’m a complete weirdo for just coming up and introducing myself like I just did,” Molly rambled as she fastened her seatbelt. “But I figured since you’re new here, you might not know many people and could use a friend. And while I’m not technically new here, I too could use a friend. You’re starting the Academy when school starts back up, right? Me too. Well, I’m not starting there, I’m just continuing. We’re going to be in the same grade. You’re going to be a senior, right? I’m not overly popular with theit crowd,and since Rourke’s in theit crowdand you’re his step sis –”

“Molly?”

“Yeah?” She bit down on her lip almost nervously and flashed me with those huge, puppy dog brown eyes.

“It’s cool.” Cranking the engine, I turned and smiled at her. “I could use a friend, too.”

“Really?” She beamed at me. “You’re sure?”

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