Page 150 of Tag

“Booth or counter?” Cade asked.

“Booth,” I said, without even thinking.

I trudged to our usual table, second booth from the back. The same one we always claimed after games, long nights, and everything in between. Cade slid in right beside me, his own jacket still zipped halfway up. He stretched his legs out like he owned the place, draping one arm behind me. A minute later, Ryder slid in across from us.

A waitress hurried over, a notepad in one hand, pen in the other.

“Hey! I’m Lacey. I’ll be taking care of y’all tonight,” she said with a smile, eyes bright but lined with exhaustion. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Hot chocolate.” Ryder nodded to me. “And two OJs.”

Lacey blinked once, then smiled a little wider. “Got it. Are we ready to order now, or do you need a minute?”

“We’re ready,” Cade replied, sitting up a bit straighter. “I’ll take the bacon, egg, and cheese melt with a side of chili cheese hashbrowns. And a to-go box for half of it. I’m pretending I’m pacing myself,” he tacked on with a wink that had her cheeks going rosy.

Her eyes went to Ryder; pen poised against her order pad.

“Stack of cinnamon pancakes and turkey sausage, well-done. Add a side of fried apples, please.” He slid her our stack of untouched menus, looking at me. “Oreo pancakes or Nutella?”

“Oreo. With extra drizzle, please.”

Lacey nodded. “I’ll put this in and be right back with your drinks.” She turned and disappeared toward the kitchen, leaving the three of us sitting in a booth that had seen us through everything from freshman orientation to post-game crash landings, and now, whatever the hell this night had become.

“Here.” Ryder slid my cell across the table.

“Thanks.”

I quickly keyed in my passcode to check if I missed anything. Both my group chats were active. I avoided the Marked one for now. I’d delve into that tomorrow and see if I could find anything worth knowing when I skimmed. I text everyone back, including Britt and Olivia, even dropping a thumbs up as a reply to Layla. A text from Ashton was marked as read, but I wasn’t the one who opened it.

ASH

Hey, Angel.

My scowl was immediate. I hated that nickname.

I heard what happened. I called. Voss said you were out and to try again tomorrow, so you could rest. You know how shoddy the service is out here. I’ll call first thing in the morning before the day gets rolling. Sweet dreams.

I stared at the message, thumb hovering over the screen, then locked it without replying.

“Ashton called?”

Ryder’s mouth curved, but it was less a smile and more a warning dressed as amusement.

“Did he?”

Before I could reply, Lacey appeared and set our drinks down, too chipper for how heavy the air had suddenly become. “Food will be out soon,” she said, then disappeared again.

I sighed and rubbed my brow. “Can you not antagonize him, please? He’s already hurt.”

Cade raised a brow. “I’m hurt too.”

I shot him a look. “Cade, I saw the video. You were Hulk-smashing anyone not throwing hands on your side.”

That earned a low laugh from both of them.

“I still got hurt, though,” he argued, holding out his bruised knuckles as proof. “See?”

I rolled my eyes but leaned over anyway, kissing two fingers and pressing them to his hand. “To heal your boo-boos.”

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