Mockingbird (A Stepbrother Romance #2)(10)

It wasn't like I'd never worked before. I had two summer jobs; Mom thought it was great I was being responsible and all that. Meaning I was out of the house and out of her hair during the summer. My favorite was working here. I'd never have met Charity otherwise.

She punches me in the side when she realizes I've drifted away on her, mid-conversation.

"So, what are you going to do?"

I'm about to tell her when the door chimes, and in walks Lucas McCray. Nothing could make this day worse than Lucas showing up. It can't just be coincidence that he's decided to walk in here. Lucas and books aren't exactly well acquainted, and as far as I know he doesn't drink coffee, either. Since literacy and caffeine don't spark his interest, there isn't much here for him. Except me.

"There you are. I saw your mom's car parked down the street."

"Hello, Lucas." My voice drips with contempt.

He sits down next to me and drapes his arms over my shoulders. He smells like cheap cologne, something with a ship on the bottle. He's got a scrubby blonde stubble dusting his cheeks, but that's the only flaw in his otherwise perfect appearance. I seem to be the only person who realizes what kind of a viper is hiding behind the blue eyes, the designer wardrobe, and the killer bod. Even Charity gives him a good eye groping, though she's not even on his radar.

"Party tomorrow night at my place. Time to celebrate our freedom."

I shift away from him and shrug out from under his arm. "Not interested. Go away, Lucas."

He grins. He honestly thinks I'm playing hard to get. He doesn't seem to grasp that I can't stand him.

"Why don't we go get something to eat?"

I'd rather swallow a dead goldfish. I'd rather snort a dead goldfish.

"Not interested. Go away, Lucas."

"I think you should leave," Charity chimes in.

He looks at her like she's a particularly disgusting insect.

I rise to my feet. "Piss off, Lucas."

He rises in front of me. He's a lot bigger than I am. About twice as wide, a foot taller and outweighs me by who knows how much. The door chimes again, but his eyes don't leave me.

Lucas looks over my shoulder. "Fuck off. This is a private conversation."

"Excuse me?"

I glance over my shoulder and feel a cold shudder, like goosepimples breaking out all over. Oh wow. I've never seen this guy before, but he's hot, like otherworldly male supermodel underwear on a billboard hot, the kind of hot that makes something simple like khaki slacks and a tight black polo shirt look good.

He's lean and spare where Lucas is heavy and overbuilt, lithe and graceful in an almost predatory way. I can't place his age except 'older', like twenty maybe. Black hair, fair skin, hazel eyes with a slight tilt to them. The look he gives Lucas, half grin and half challenge, makes me think 'cheshire cat'.

"You heard me, I said f*ck off."

The stranger flinches. "Hey, now. No need for the attitude. I just wanted a cup of coffee."

Charity gets up. "What can I get you?"

"I don't know what a Mocha Chocka La-Ta-Ya-Ya is, but I'm dying to find out."

"Let's talk outside," Lucas says, and grabs my arm.

I try to shake loose, but he doesn't let go.

"Get off me."

"Hey," the stranger barks, "You heard her. Hands off."

"Lucas," Charity says, her voice edged with warning. "I'll call the sheriff."

I give another tug, and his hand doesn't budge. The stranger walks over, hands in his pockets.

"Hey, man. I really think you need to let go of her arm."

Lucas does let go, but shoves the stranger instead. He tries to, anyway. The other guy just sort of melts out of the way, pivoting on his feet and ducking back without losing his balance in a way that makes my stomach roll just to watch. Lucas stumbled past him, spins around and bares his teeth in a sneer.

"I wouldn't," the stranger says.

There's an excited undertone to his voice, like he means I wouldn't, but I hope you will. The way he's standing he looks like he could dash into movement at any moment, his hands already in loose fists, a kind of relaxed tension stilling his movements. He looks like a marionette hanging by invisible strings.

"Lucas," Charity warns. She has her phone in her hand.

He grumbles something to himself, turns, and stalks off.

"What's his problem?"

"He wants me to go to some stupid party," I tell this strange man, for no particular reason. "Thanks, uh, I guess."

"He'd have left anyway, wouldn't he?"

"Maybe, but I've never seen anybody actually stand up to him before."

"You will. Once high school is over that shit wears thin fast. Once he's not a big fish in a little pond anymore, somebody will smash his nose in for that bullshit. There's always somebody bigger."

He smiles, and I find myself smiling back. He sticks out his hand.

"Apollo Temple."

I shake his hand. "Seriously?"

"You're supposed to give me your name. Miss, can I have that Mocha whatever to go? I'm just passing through."

"Yeah," Charity says.

"I'm Diana," I blurt out.