Page 107 of Save Me
“My ex.” I give her a flat look. “He’s a cheating, lying ball sac masquerading as a nice guy.”
She hums with understanding. “I’ve had a few of those.”
“He keeps away from us mostly, especially since Ronan threatened him.” If he’s coming around now, he must have a reason, and I’m sure it’s not a good one.
“Gosh, there’s so much drama here.”
“I know. Please don’t quit on me,” I whine.
“You kidding? I love drama.” Her eyes dance with genuine excitement.
“Then you are in the right place. Here, lemme run interference.” Jeremy hops around the bar and positions his tall, lanky body on the outer edge like an easygoing bouncer.
“Thank you. I don’t have it in me to be civil. Today has already been a day.” And it’s barely one o’clock.
“Ladies! Who wants ice cream!” Cody hollers. “It’s the best in all of Mermaid Beach.” His skin is bronzed from weeks in the sun, shirtless. I’ve never seen him so dark. The idiot’s going to get skin cancer.
But our group of girls falls for his charming act like … well, likeIdid … waving their hands in the air as several scramble back to our little barge for their cash.
It gives Cody an excuse to close in, his little motor rumbling. “Hey Jer, how’s it goin?”
“All good,” Jeremy says. He doesn’t know how to be an asshole even when he’s trying to be.
“Yeah? How’s working at the Wolf?” Cody swaps cash for ice cream bars, sparing several grins and a wink for a blond in a hot pink string bikini.
“Still early days, but no complaints.”
Cody’s eyes skim past me to land on Bailey. “You’re new.”
“I am. First day.” Bailey leans over the bar. “And you are …”
“Cody. Want one?” He holds up a vanilla bar. “On the house.”
“How can I resist.” She holds her hands up, beckoning him to toss it to her, which he does.
Ripping open the wrapper, she slides the long bar into her mouth in a suggestive manner and then moans. “You’re right. Youdohave the best ice cream.”
What is she doing? Why is she flirting with him? This is what he wants.
A smug smile fills Cody’s face. He thinks he’s won her over. “So, first day, huh? I guess you haven’t heard about Sloane yet.”
“What do you mean?” she asks innocently.
“I mean, you wouldn’t have taken this job if you knew what it’s like to work for her. She’s fucking certifiable. I would know, I almost married her.”
My stomach clenches as I struggle to tamp down my temper. All the while, the horde of sorority sisters listens and watches intently. He’s trying to embarrass me in front of my customers.
“If you want, I can put in a good word for you over at Tiki Wiki. I know the owners. That’s them right over there.” He points to a cluster of knockoff tiki floats about fifty feet away. “They pay better, too.”
“No, they don’t,” I snap before I can stop myself.
“Wait a minute.Cody. Right! You’re the guy with the micro penis!” Bailey says it loudly.
Gasps and giggles sound all around us.
Cody’s smile falls off.
“Hey, come on, ladies,” Jeremy scolds, getting in on the childish game. “It’s not his fault he has a nubbin. He was born that way.”
