Page 3 of More Trouble
“Living under our roof,” finished Lyla.
I watched their exchange with amusement. They’d been having the same battle ever since Lyla had been old enough to be allowed to stay at her friends’ houses. Even though Lyla was twenty-one, Mom still treated her like a teenager. Lyla would have done better to have gone to college out of town and gained some freedom.
“Anyway, I’m going to be late for work unless I get a shower and get dressed.”
“Do you want a lift? I’m heading over to the Country Club for a meeting. I could drop you off?” I offered between mouthfuls of pancake.
Lyla shook her head. “Thanks, bro, but I’ll make my own way.”
I suspected that was code for ‘Maddox is going to pick me up and I’d rather ride with him’. “Whatever.” I shrugged and continued eating my breakfast.
Mom watched her leave the room. “She’s been in a funny mood ever since she went out of town for Kayla Thomas’ birthday party last weekend.”
I almost choked on the pancake. Lyla and Kayla had been sworn enemies since junior year. I could only suspect the ‘birthday party’ was a cover up for whatever she and Maddox had gotten up to over the weekend involving that damn car. Still, now wasn’t the time to tell Mom about them.Thatball was firmly in Lyla’s court.
The drive over to Cali Heights didn’t take me long. I knew the route backwards having driven it around a million times before. To think I’d be starting a full-time, paid role at the Country Club was something I had dreamed of. Now I wouldn’t only have to wait on people and serve them drinks. I would get to see behind the scenes and work on the business and marketing side, come up with new strategies and ideas to get people into the place. I couldn’t wait to get started.
When I arrived fifteen minutes early, there were two other guys waiting in reception. I recognized Iain and Brandon from a couple of summers ago. We were the same age, dressed almost identically; college graduates starting out in our careers.
Spot on ten o’clock, Michel Lenoir appeared. “Nice to see you three are on time for day one. Shame the same can’t be said for your final colleague.” He frowned. The Operations Manager had known me practically my whole life, although I wasn’t expecting any favoritism from him.
“Morning, Michel,” I said.
He nodded at me, more solemnly this time. “Andre. Good to see you back.”
The four of us trooped along the corridor, towards the restaurant. There were still a few stragglers having a late breakfast and Michel led us through, ending up in the staff room next to the kitchen. He pointed out where we could get a drink if we needed one and got us to sit down at the desks laid out almost like a classroom. I sat in the second row, leaving space in the front for our missing colleague. There were induction packs for us to read and a bunch of forms to sign.
“While we’re waiting for our final new starter, you can read through the information. If you have any questions, hold on to them until everyone is here.”
The nagging headache from my hangover intensified a little as I started to read so I went to get a glass of water. As I sipped from the glass, the door crashed open.
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” Breathless, a dark-haired woman entered the room, her cheeks flushed pink.
“Ah, Jessy. Glad you could join us.” Michel glared at her. “Meet your new work colleagues, Iain, Brandon and Andre.” He gestured at each of us in turn.
I stared at the new arrival, my eyes narrowing. She looked familiar, the dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, the brown eyes, but I couldn’t quite place her. When Jessy clocked me, she faltered and slid into the seat in the front row.
“Shall we begin properly now?” asked Michel, to mumbled agreement from the four of us.
I slunk back to my seat and examined the back of Jessy. She must have felt my gaze boring into her. Every so often she glanced over her shoulder at me.
Where did I know her from?
Was she someone I’d hooked up with at college? No, it wasn’t that. What would she be doing in Cali Heights?
Michel asked us to explain our reasons behind wanting to work at the Country Club. That was easy for Iain, Brandon and I to answer. When it came to Jessy’s turn, I wasn’t prepared for her response.
“My parents brought my sister and I here for senior year spring break as a treat. I’ve great memories of being here and I met some fantastic people. We don’t have a club like this where I’m from so this is a great opportunity…”
I tuned out the rest of her speech as I thought about what she’d said.
My sister and I…
Senior year spring break…
The words resonated around my head as I put two and two together and came up with… one of the twins!
“What the fuck?”
