Becca

How is this my life? It’s like I’ve been thrust into an alternate reality where up is down and left is right. A strange world where Shane Montgomery almost feels like a friend and someone I can trust. What he’s done for me today is not only unexpected but surprisingly appreciated. It worries me immensely.

There was a time when I relied on being taken care of like this. A time when I had people I trusted to help me navigate life’s struggles. I appreciated having them and not once did I take them for granted, but then I woke up one day to discover that the amazing life they’d created for me was nothing but a lie.

A lifetime of lies, in fact.

The family I loved, whom I trusted with my whole heart and who I thought loved me back, did so out of pure selfishness. Their love, their sacrifice—they did those things not because they loved me specifically, but the idea of me. Because if they had truly loved me, the way a parent should love a child, they never would have helped my mother’s rapist conspire to steal me away from her in the first place.

It’s why I know better than to trust this warm feeling settling over me like a weighted blanket. It’s a mirage of sorts. A false sense of safety, of security. Two things that can easily be stripped away, especially when they’re dependent on trusting others to have your back. Since that horrible day when I realized love could be selfish, I vowed to never again rely on others to provide the safety and security I need to thrive. So, as much as I appreciate what Shane is doing, I can’t allow it to continue. I know my weakness, and the longer I let this go on, the higher the likelihood I’ll grow dependent on yet another person who will someday rip out my heart and send my life back into upheaval.

Logically, I know what I have to do, but as I watch him work my tables with the camaraderie and grace of someone meant to lead movements rather than be a lowly waiter, I’m filled with something akin to infatuation. It’s crazy and downright stupid, but there’s something about Shane Montgomery that sends those butterflies in my belly fluttering into a frenzy.

“Well, it was an absolute pleasure getting to know you this evening. Any way I could convince you to stay a little longer? Maybe I could entice you with a decadent cup of coffee, or how about a warm slice of Aunt Rosie’s delectable apple pie?” And just like that, he nails himself another upsell. The ease with which he convinces customers to order appetizers, desserts, or even coffee with very little effort is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Whether it’s his easy smiles or his quick-witted banter, one thing is certain—the customers love him.

“How’s it going over here, pretty girl? Getting lots done, I hope.” He smiles at me as he brings yet another refill of my favorite orange soda.

“You don’t need to keep checking up on me. I’m not a customer.”

“You think I’m…” he throws his head back and lets out a hardy laugh that makes my stomach swoop. “I’m not taking care of you because you’re a customer; I’m taking care of you because I want to. Because you deserve it.” 

Because I deserve it?

I have little time to dwell on what he’s just said, for at that moment Shane’s friends appear. The bell over the door signals their arrival, as the dining room falls silent—probably from shock that the golden spawn of Ruby Creek’s finest are gracing us with their presence. In the next breath, whispers break through the oppressive quiet, a sure sign everyone is wondering what the four children of the three most powerful families in our small town are doing in our little diner.  

“Uh, I think your friends are looking for you.” At the sight of the legitimate children of my mother’s rapist, and secret half-siblings—Nicholas and Amanda Kline—the butterflies fluttering in my stomach die a quick death. Since discovering the truth of how we’re related, being in their presence is a dark reminder that my entire life has been a twisted merry-go-round of deceit and lies. Taking in their miserable expressions, for the first time, I wonder if we have that in common. Perhaps they are aware all isn’t as it seems, and their life feels like a lie, much the same as mine.

When he looks toward the front entrance, Shane’s normally jovial expression falters. “Get back to work, pretty girl. I’ll deal with them.”

Except they’re already on the move and headed straight towards the corner booth at the back of the diner, where Shane looks like he’s attending to my every need as if I’m a customer.

“Now, what do we have here?” Conner Matthews’s smarmy smile glides over me before turning its focus to Shane. “You slumming it with the peasants now?”

While Amanda lets out a snicker, Nicholas Kline responds in an apathetic tone. “As opposed to slumming it with the likes of you, Con, I’d say he’s better off.”

“Quit being an ass, Conner. I’m working here. What do you all want?”

Noticing how Shane angled himself between us, Conner’s smile grows impossibly bigger. Rising to the challenge, he moves closer, bumping shoulders with Shane to get him out of the way. The lecherous way his eyes sweep over the curves of my body feels like a violation and leaves me squirming uncomfortably.

“So, are you going to introduce us to your pretty little friend? Becca is it?” He extends a hand to me, his mouth now twisted into a mocking grin.

The jerk knows exactly who I am, though until now, he’s never deemed me worthy enough to be acknowledged. It’s a truth I’m just about to call him out on when Shane steps in front of me, and with a hand on Conner’s chest, he pushes him two steps back.

“Don’t fucking speak to her, and while you’re at it, keep your disgusting eyes to yourself,” he growls under his breath, loud enough to make it clear there will be consequences, but low enough so customers don’t hear him. “Whatever it is you want, spit it the fuck out so you can be on your way.”

“Shaney, what’s going on?” Amanda’s sickeningly sweet voice is irritating, but not nearly as grating as watching her slide under his arm and curl up against him. “You’re angry, but we’re only here because we were worried. You weren’t answering your phone.”

 For reasons I don’t understand, my body recoils at the intimate way she’s touching him. The longing look she shoots in his direction while shamelessly rubbing up against him makes my stomach sour. The rage suddenly manifesting within pushes hard against my skin, demanding I jump over this table to tear out her bleach-blond hair and punch her in her near-perfect face.

Sibling rivalry.

That’s what this must be.  

As Shane works to extricate himself from her octopus-like grip, he responds with a sharp, “Because I’m working. Which is why the three of you need to go. You’re disrupting the customers.”

“Really?” Conner spins around in a dramatic display that only draws more attention. “Because by the looks of it, the only person bothered by our presence is you, Montgomery. What’s up with that?”

“I. Am. Working. What about that do YOU not understand?”

“Simple, you don’t work here.” Nick Kline states matter-of-factly, as he takes in the space like he’s seeing it for the first time. “I wonder what Papa Montgomery would say if he knew you were here, working a menial job beneath someone of your station.” He says that last part in a mocking voice like it’s an impression of how Shane’s father speaks.

“I’m here for the weekend. He knows it’s for school, and in line with my responsibilities as a student advisor.”

At this, Amanda’s perfectly manicured brows draw down into a frown. “So, that’s what this is? She is who you’re advising?” She says it like I’m trash. A low life not worthy of Shane’s time, let alone the air she and her friends breathe.

And now I want to gauge her eyes out.

“Trust me. Neither of us wants this.” I tell her, my voice laced with resentment.

“Uh-huh.” She considers, her eyes searching and full of venom, like she’s assessing if I’m telling the truth while also trying to scare me.

“Well,” Conner throws an arm around Amanda, breaking our stare down “If that’s the case, let’s get out of here, Montgomery. It’s Nick’s first night home for winter break. With my parents due back next week, I say it’s time we throw ourselves a party.” 

“Can’t tonight. I’m working until close.”

“You don’t have to…” I attempt to let him off the hook, but without taking his eyes off Conner’s, he lifts a hand in my direction, effectively silencing me.

“This weekend does not work for me. I’m already committed, and have no intention of changing my plans.”

“Shane, it’s been so long since you and I spent any real time together. I’m sure…” She extends a hand palm out, gesturing in my general direction in a way that feels demeaning. “Becca, or whoever she is, can handle her own assignments for the weekend. Right?” She turns to look at me, her expression pinched like I’m no better than the dirt under her shoe.

“Yep. I can handle it,” I respond stiffly, doing my very best not to break a tooth under the pressure building in my jaw.

“I am NOT leaving you. I made you a promise, Becca, and if nothing else, I’m a man of my word.” His stern expression leaves no room for argument, so I keep my mouth shut and watch as he turns that cold hard glare I’ve never seen before, toward his friends who clearly have. “I said leave. I’m not available this weekend, so I suggest the three of you find something else to keep you occupied. Do not come looking for me again. I will reach out when I’m free.”

“Shane…” Amanda looks stricken.

“I said no, Ames.”

“Come on, sis. Let’s give the man some space.” A look of understanding passes between Nick and Shane before he takes Amanda by the elbow and leads her away.

“Whatever this is, Montgomery, I hope like hell you know what you’re doing.” Though he’s talking to Shane, Conner’s eyes don’t stray from me.

“Since you seem to have forgotten, let me remind you.” Shane steps into his space, forcing Conner to look at him. “My life. My choices. They’re none of your goddamn business, Con. You have problems of your own. I suggest you work through those first, before coming around and trying to fix mine.”

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Author’s Note:

We finally get a glimpse of the dynamic between Shane's friends and the rest of the town.

I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter, and the way Shane handles his friends. Are you surprised by Becca's reaction to Amanda when she cuddled up to Shane? 

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