Lucas points at Whitney. “Sadly, that theory has yet to be proven. But, she is the newest employee at Calabasas Coffee.” He turns to me and flashes a smarmy grin. “You know, our favorite coffeehouse in the valley? The one we all go to practically every day ?”
Fuuuuck. Why didn’t I think about having to serve the assholes I go to school with when I started applying for jobs? I don’t hide my displeasure fast enough, because Lucas’ smile grows when he sees that he’s getting to me.
“We’re going to love having Little Miss Crenshaw slinging drinks for us. Although I’m sure since she’s so new, it’ll probably take her a while to get the orders right. Might have to send the first few back.” He looks around. “Won’t we?”
I park a hand on my hip as the lemmings murmur their agreement. “I’m from Watts, dickhead.”
Lucas shrugs. “Same thing.”
Uh, no, it’s not , but this idiot wouldn’t know the difference.
Kingston flashes a murderous glare. “Find a new place to get your coffee. If any of you show up at Jazz’s work and cause trouble for her, you’ll answer to me.”
“And me,” Bentley adds.
“And me,” Reed echoes.
I stand a little taller when the sheep no longer look amused.
“Does Daddy know you got a job ?” Peyton says that last word the same way I imagine she’d say off-the-rack wedding dress .
“No, but I’m sure you’ll take care of that for me the first chance you get.” I wave my hand dismissively. “Not that he can do anything about it since I’m eighteen.”
Peyton’s eyes narrow into slits. “Daddy is well connected. If he doesn’t want you to work, nobody within a fifty-mile radius will hire you.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, we’ll see about that.”
“Hey, Peyton,” Kingston calls out, diverting her attention. “I’m surprised you’re not enjoying the festivities up front. You know, seeing as gangbangs are your thing now.”
Peyton’s eyes widen. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really?” Kingston laughs. “So, that wasn’t Gale, Baker, Wright, and Taylor that I recently caught you fucking at the same time?”
“What?! ” Imogen and Whitney shout simultaneously.
Peyton looks at her two friends nervously. I’m guessing they didn’t know she was screwing their new boyfriends.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Peyton argues.
Whitney turns to her boyfriend. “Christian? Is it true?”
Christian Taylor looks away. “Uh... sort of?”
“Sort of?” Whitney screams. “What does that mean?”
“She only blew me. We... ah... got interrupted before it could go any further.” Christian inclines his head to the guys sitting on his left. “But yeah, she fucked the others. It was actually pretty impressive how she took all three dicks at once. I’ve got a video if anyone’s interested.”
Peyton gasps. “What?! ”
“How could you do this to us, Peyton?” Imogen whines, leveling her so-called friend with a glare. “We’re supposed to be besties for life! C’mon, Whit, let’s get out of here.”
“Gladly.” Whitney looks me over with distaste. “Apparently, being a whore runs in the family.”
“Watch it, Whit,” Bentley growls.
“Or what , Bentley? You gonna dump me? Oh, wait, you already did that!” She laughs, looking around the group. “I’m so over high school dick. Older guys only from now on.”
“Totally,” Imogen agrees.
Peyton stands up and screams as the other two girls hightail it out of Dodge. “Why are you trying to ruin my life, Kingston?”
“Uh... I’m pretty sure you’re doing a damn fine job of that yourself, Peyton. Don’t blame my brother because you’re trying to bang your way through the entire senior class.”
Peyton glares at Ainsley. “Shut up, bitch. Nobody asked you.”
Oh, hell, no.
I charge Peyton, but Bentley pulls me back. “Claws in, baby girl.”
I struggle in his hold. “Lemme at her, Bent. I think she’s due for another nose job. I’m just gonna help her out.”
At this point, we’ve gathered quite the audience. Peyton looks like she’s going to be sick when she notices how many people have witnessed her humiliation.
I’m instantly calm when Kingston grabs my hand. “C’mon, Jazz. We’re done here. They’re not worth it.”
“You’re right.” I nod.
The five of us leave the party, not sparing a backward glance to the drama we left behind. Now, the question is, why do I feel like we just invited a lot more trouble into our lives?
Chapter 16
JAZZ
“I will never understand how that big voice came out of little Jenny Humphrey.”
“Who’s Jenny Humphrey?”
“Uh... from Gossip Girl ?” Ainsley nods to the display on the dash when she sees how clueless I still am. “The singer from The Pretty Reckless. She plays Dan’s little sister Jenny on Gossip Girl .”
“Is that like, a show?”
Ainsley gasps. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
I shrug. “Sorry. Never heard of it.”
“X-O-X-O ring a bell?”
“Nope.” I pop the P at the end.
“Holy crap. As soon as I get back from Portland, we are bingeing the shit out of it. It totally changed the television landscape of teenage dramas. It’s a classic.” She sighs. “I can’t believe I’m not going to see you for a whole week.”
Ainsley shifts her car into park and reaches over to hug me. She insisted on driving me to work this afternoon since she and Reed are flying to his sister’s tonight for Christmas.
I give her one last squeeze before pulling back. “I know. It’s crazy to me that it’s already winter break, and our trip to Disney is almost here.”
“Belle still has no clue where you’re taking her, huh?”
“None.” I shake my head.
“You promise you’ll take lots of pictures and send them to me?”
“Promise.” I open the car door and grab my purse off the floor. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“Of course. Have a good shift.”
“Text me to let me know you landed safely.”
Ainsley nods. “Okay. Bye, Jazz.”
I shut the door and wave to her as she pulls away from the curb. When I step inside my work, I immediately go to the backroom to stash my purse and grab my black barista apron. This is only my second week, but I absolutely love working here. My boss and co-workers are amiable, and making coffee is surprisingly fun. We’re allowed to experiment with the different syrups and sauces, trying to invent new specials whenever we have some downtime. I smile when I see today’s special of the day on the chalkboard.
Candied Peppermint Tuxedo Mocha
That would be the drink I came up with the other day: Two pumps of white and dark chocolate sauce and one pump of peppermint syrup, topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies. It’s not only delicious, but the combined flavors make a perfect holiday drink. Considering we’re only a couple of days away from Christmas, it’s fitting.
“Hey, Jazz.”
I smile. “Hey, Java. Has it been busy?”
Yes, that’s her real name. I thought she was joking when she first introduced herself. Only in Los Angeles, I swear. There’s also a Racer, Maple, and Denim that work here. Oh, and Alley.
Java shakes her head. “Not too bad. I think people are still out there shopping.”
“Is it just the two of us?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “According to Misha, the last two weeks of December are typically the slowest of the year because so many people around here leave town. Racer was supposed to be on shift for another hour, but he left a little early. We’re never supposed to be here alone, so if anyone asks, he wasn’t feeling well.”
“What’s the real reason?”
Java rolls her eyes. “He had to bathe his ferret and clean the cage before his girlfriend came over. Race lives in like a four-hundred-square-foot studio, so space is tight, and as you can probably imagine, bad smells spread pretty easily. Apparently, she refuses to give him head if the rodent stinks, so Lil Wayne—the ferret, not the rapper—is getting a bath. Can’t say I blame her. The last time he and I hooked up, I almost passed out from holding my breath too long because I was trying not to smell the thing. Those little guys are cute as hell, but they start to reek pretty fast.”
“Wow... that’s more information than I ever needed.” I laugh.
“Sorry.” She blushes. “Sometimes, I forget to censor.”