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“Much better. Tanner finally pulled his head out of his ass and got a job.”
“That’s amazing.” I give her a happy grin. “I’m glad things are looking up for you.”
Someone coming into the diner draws our attention, and when I see it’s Mandy, I shoot up from the stool I’m sitting on.
“Get out, Mandy,” I order while walking toward her.
“Is that how you treat your mother?” she mutters, not as drunk or high as she usually is.
Her black hair is a ratty mess, and she’s filthy. God only knows when she last had a bath.
She slides into a booth, then says, “After all I’ve done for you.”
“You haven’t done shit for me,” I say with a burst of unbelievable laughter. “Get out. This is my workplace.”
She lifts her chin and digs crumbled notes and coins out of her pocket. “I’m a paying customer.”
Ugh. This woman is unbearable.
“I’ll take her order,” Sherrie says.
I shoot a scalding glare at Mandy before I give Sherrie a grateful look. “Thanks. I owe you.”
As I walk away, Mandy says, “Stop locking me out of the apartment. I live there, too.”
My temper flares as I spin around on my heel. “The hell you do! I pay the bills.”
“We’re family,” she argues. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be alive.”
“Jesus,” I huff, throwing my arms wide at my sides. “I don’t owe you anything for giving birth to me, and being related by blood doesn’t mean shit.” Pointing a finger at her, my words are clipped as I say, “Stay away from my apartment, and the next time you steal my stuff, I’m calling the cops.”
Mandy jumps to her feet and pokes her finger against my chest. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Leaning closer until I can smell the stale booze on her breath, I say, “I will. Get the fuck out of my life.”
“That’s enough,” Sylvia’s voice suddenly lashes over us. “Jaden, throw Mandy out,” she orders the cook, who could easily double as a bouncer.
“I’ve got money,” Mandy argues, and when she tries to take a seat at the booth again, Jaden grabs her by the arm and hauls her out of the diner.
Sylvia gives me a stern look. “Don’t bring your personal shit into my diner.”
Even though I feel it wasn’t my fault, I nod and begin to wipe off the booth where Mandy’s filthy ass sat.
I keep glancing through the window at where Mandy is leaning against the wall beneath an awning. She should take a long walk in the rain. At least, it would wash the dirt off her.
Chapter 6
Dario
Walking into the restaurant Skylar recently opened, I grin from ear to ear as I glance around the establishment. The bamboo against the walls and lanterns hanging from the ceiling give the place a peaceful atmosphere.
I’m taken to an open table, and after I sit down, I dig my cell phone from my pocket and send a text message to Renzo so he’ll know I’m here.
A minute later my friend comes walking toward me and joins me at the table.
I take in the happiness shining from his eyes and say, “You look much better now that the shit with Montes has been dealt with.”
“I feel better.”
