Rebel (Bad Blooded Rebel Series) Read Online Free Page A

ever see Ryder Matthews again. Can we
just drive the rest of the way and not talk about my screwed up life anymore?
Besides, we need to make it back home by one because Trish said she couldn’t
stay with Dad all night tonight.”
    Danni nodded, defeated. “Okay. Let’s
talk about what a damn good kisser Beau was!” she squealed, and my mood
instantly lifted. All thoughts of that worthless jerk, my terminally ill
father, and Ryder Matthews were out of my head as we giggled and talked about
Danni’s kiss with Beau the whole way back to Indiana.
     
     
     
    December
     
     
    “Table seven’s order is ready,
Everleigh, and table nine wants more coffee,” said Deuce.
    “Okay, thanks. I got it,” I replied,
walking to the counter and picking up two trays of food. After settling them
neatly into the crook of my arm, I picked up a pot of coffee with my free hand
and began making my way through the busy restaurant to deliver the food. Friday
mornings at Deuce’s Diner were usually extremely busy and today was no
exception with Christmas behind us and New Years creeping closer. I was
grateful because busy days meant big tips, and I really could use them right
now.
    Walter “Deuce” Downing opened Deuce’s
Diner in the early 1970’s after serving in Vietnam and it was a local favorite
of everyone in Muncie. Danni and I began working at the diner when we were both
eighteen and now, six years later, most of the people in town knew us just
about as well as they knew Deuce. Out of all the staff, we were his best
waitresses and naturally this meant we got the biggest tips. I had a nagging
suspicion that people tipped me well because they knew I was a full time care
giver to my ailing father and they felt sorry for me. I tried not to let it get
to me because I was appreciative of any extra money I could get.
    I refilled the coffee for the customers
at table nine and walked to table seven, placing their food on the table for
them. I did a quick scan of the restaurant, and everyone seemed to be eating
and chatting away. No one appeared to need anything, so I saw this as my
opportunity for a break. I walked into the kitchen and found Deuce. “Hey big
guy, do you mind if I take a quick break? I need to call and check on Dad.”
    Deuce, a scruffy old man that had more
belly than anything else on him, nodded his head full of long gray hair that he
kept in a low ponytail and said, “Sure thing, sweetie. I’ll have Danni cover
your tables. Take your time,” he said, giving me a sad smile.
    Out of everyone I knew Deuce knew what I
was going through with Dad better than anyone. He and my dad were best friends
growing up and had even served in Vietnam together, so Dad’s illness hit him
just as hard as it did me. Two years ago, my dad had been diagnosed with stage
two pancreatic cancer and at the time he’d been given a good prognosis. Things
just kept getting worse and worse from there no matter how many treatments he
did and what medicines he took. Four months ago, Dad’s oncologist had given us
the grim news that the cancer was now in stage four and he would only have six
months left to live if he was lucky.
    We decided together to check him out of
the hospital so he could spend his remaining time at home. I was trying to
prepare myself mentally for it, but no girl can really be ready to lose someone
as important as their father. My mother died giving birth to me and Dad was all
I had. I was a Daddy’s girl through and through and I dreaded the day when I
wouldn’t have him anymore.
    I slid into my hoodie and opened the
back door to the restaurant and pulled out my cell phone as soon as I stepped
outside. I dialed my home phone number and waited for someone to pick up. After
three rings, someone finally answered. “Stone residence, Trisha speaking.”
Trisha Cramer was my father’s full time nurse and had recently moved into our
spare room in order to help me when I wasn’t home. Thank God Dad’s insurance
covered it…I