Page 3 of Dev

“You treat me like a kid.”

“That’s because youarea kid,” I point out, “And tonight just proves it.” I take the bottle back off him and head toward my room.

“How many people had you already killed when you were my age?” he asks before I make it to the door.

“Too fuckin’ many,” I pause to answer without turning around. “And that's exactly why I treat you the way I do. I don't want this shit for you.” I spin back around to face him. “Corey, you’re better than this. You gotta a fuckin’ brain, you gotopportunities. I just want you to use ‘em. I get that you're sad about the girl, but–-”

“You know her name, Dev, use it.” He shakes his head at me. “Why the fuck do you hate her so much? What did she ever do to you?”

“How I feel about the girl doesn't matter. I’m your brother. I want what's best foryou,” I point out. Ain’t no way I’m gonna tell him that the only thing I got against her is the fact that being around her makes my dick constantly hard.

“Millie wants what's best for me, too. Do you not see how happy she makes me? I love her, Dev, and I get that it’s a concept you're never gonna understand, but–”

“What does any of this matter? She broke up with you,” I snap back at him. “And if you want me to be honest, I’m happy she did.” I see how hurt he is by my words, but I stand by ‘em. “You're heading for college, long-term relationships are hard, and she’d only be a distraction.”

“I’m not going to college, Dev. I’m staying right here in Long Beach. I’m dropping out of school, and I’m joining the club.” He stands up on wobbly feet. “Don’t you get it? I’ve never wanted to go to college or be a doctor. I just want to be like you.”

“Like me?” I charge at him, gripping the front of his t-shirt with both my fists. “You donotwanna be like me,” I warn him. “Corey, you're good, you're smart, and you have so much to offer the world.”

“Not enough for Millie.” He raises his eyebrow sarcastically.

“Stop that, we both know the reason she ended things was because she sees what I see. She doesn’t wanna hold you back. Millie...” I say her name and feel my body stiffen. “...She’s done the right thing. Move on, Corey, get out there and be somebody.”

I move on to my room and slam the door behind me. I don’t know what's gotten into the kid, but he needs to see sense. I’ll speak to him in the morning when the alcohol has worn off andhe’s had time to sleep on things. Hopefully, by then, I’ll be in a better mood.

My phone vibrates in the front of my apron, and when I lift it out, I see Corey’s name flashing on my screen again. I can’t count how many times he’s called and texted since I ended things with him last night. I hate that I’ve hurt him, but talking about this isn’t going to help. My mind is made up, and both of us have to accept that our futures look different from how we planned them.

“You okay, new girl?” Beatrix, the waitress who’s been appointed to take care of me, checks.

“I’m fine, just first day nerves is all.” I smile at her and quickly get back to work. Finishing with Corey wasn’t the only change that's happened in my life recently. Today is my first day at the beachfront diner, and I really need to have my head in the game. I loved my old job at Speedy’s. I’d worked there since I was sixteen, and would still be there now if it wasn’t for the owner getting too friendly with me. Of course, I chose not to tell my dad about that; he would have done something over the top, like get the place shut down. I just explained that I needed a change, and with one phone call from him, that change was made.

I’m busy clearing up a table when I hear the loud rumbling of engines coming from the street outside. It makes me scaredto turn around, and when I eventually do, I swallow thickly as I look out the window and see Corey’s older brother with three of his friends.

“Here they come.” Beatrix taps me on the shoulder with excitement, then quickly heads to the door to greet them.

“Been a while since I saw you boys.” She picks up four menus and shows them over to a table.

“Kitchen at the club’s closed this morning, Polly had a long night.” The one with a long, braided ponytail and his hair shaved at the sides explains, as he slides into the booth. Dev takes a menu from Beatrix and shuffles in beside him, while the other two take their places opposite.

“You all look like you had a long night, too.” Beatrix laughs, and she’s right, all of them have bruised faces and scuffs on their knuckles. “Millie’s gonna be your server. I’m relying on y’all to be kind to her; it's her first day.” She holds her hand out in my direction, and suddenly all eyes are on me, including Dev’s. The way his eyes always glare into mine gives me chills. I know he detests me; he sees me as the barrier to all the plans he’s got for his brother. I wonder if he knows that I’m not a barrier anymore?

“Hey, guys.” I head over and paste on a smile, while Dev narrows his eyes even tighter and makes me feel like an impostor.

“Hey, girl, don’t you work at Speedy’s?” The club member who was a regular at my old workplace looks me up and down, and when his hand reaches out to touch my ass, I slide out of its way.

“I quit… place was too seedy. Can I get you guys some coffee?” I quickly change the subject.

“I’ll take some,” Dev answers in that low husky voice that makes my stomach flip.

“Same for me,” Ponytail guy speaks up. “Tawk?” He looks across to the other member who’s with them.

“Sure.” He looks up at me and nods his head.

“Awesome, I’ll get those brought over while you decide what you're having.” I turn my back and head for the counter so I can grab the coffee pot.

“Ain’t that your bro’s girl?” I hear one of them whisper, and as hard as I try to, I don’t hear Dev respond. My phone is still vibrating in my apron, and I know it will be Corey. I hate to think that he’ll be hurting, but there was no other option.

I try to stop my hand from shaking when I head back and pour their coffees, and Dev makes a clear point of watching it tremble in front of him as I fill his cup.

---