This Summer At The Lake

by Daphne James Huff

  “You’re not serious? Spencer, we’ve been in the same school for four years. I know you’re not twenty-one.”

  Spencer’s face clouded over, and he stared at Logan, who stared right back. Yes the Huntingtons were important, and if Spencer had been with his dad, Logan might not have said anything. He let plenty of things slide at the restaurant for the VIP customers, as per Tony’s orders. But this was just ballsy and stupid and Logan was on the verge of losing his job as it was. Serving underage customers would mean he wouldn’t be working in restaurants for a long time.

  “Spencer, stop being an asshole,” Cassie said, not looking up from her menu. She’d been studying it closely, as if to commit the entire thing to memory. “Just a round of Diet Cokes, please.”

  Her tone was dismissive but in the last second before he turned to go, she looked up at him, and rolled her eyes in Spencer’s direction. Relief washed over Logan.

  “I’ll be right back with that for you.”

  “And some bread!” Spencer called as he walked away.

  The rest of the evening was uneventful with no more secret looks from Cassie. He might have even imagined it. Maybe she’d been rolling her eyes at Marissa. Maybe she’d been rolling her eyes about him, not Spencer. As the evening wore on, he became more and more frustrated with himself. All he needed from her was information on New York, nothing else. Why should he care that her boyfriend was a jerk? Or what color her eyes were? Or how she shivered slightly in her tank top every few minutes with no sign from Spencer that he was about to give her his jacket?

  Finally, Logan was delivering the last tray of plates to his last table. Cassie’s table had been taking forever to finish up. He’d also been going by less often than he usually did, but he already knew not to expect much, if any, tip from Spencer. It wasn’t worth his time to check in on them.

  As he was walking back to the kitchen with the empty tray, he glanced over his shoulder at their table, and ran straight into someone coming out from the kitchen. For the second time that night, the explosion of plates crashing drew the stares of tables around them. Unfortunately, this time it also drew Tony over.

  “Logan, I’m sorry, that’s it.” He said, his voice just loud enough for people to hear. “This isn’t working out. I’m sorry. You can come by for your last paycheck tomorrow morning.”

  Cold shock ripped through him like he’d just jumped into the lake in January. Hot on its heels was a burning shame that he hoped would burn through the floor so he could fall down the hole it would make.

  Even from where he was sitting on the floor, Logan could hear Spencer laughing. Marissa let out a chuckle. Logan didn’t look to see if Cassie smiled. It didn’t matter, he told himself as he stood up and brushed himself off. She didn’t have to accept him. None of them did. Columbia already had.

  But when took a final look at her table, there was a small smile on her lips that ripped his heart into shreds.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cassie wasn’t sure why she’d done it. Maybe it had been the look on Logan’s face. Completely crushed did not even begin to describe it. Had she ever felt that way about anything? Had she ever wanted something so badly—needed it so badly—that having it taken away would do that to her?

  The simple answer was no. And that’s what she so desperately wanted to change.

  It was the look on Spencer’s face that pushed her over the edge, however. The pure pleasure at someone else’s pain made her stomach churn. Marissa was clearly torn, her eyebrows turned down in concern while a half smile played on her lips. When Spencer saw Cassie’s unamused pursed lips and arched brow, he turned his laughing face to Marissa, looking for someone to share in his glee. Marissa giggled and Cassie swallowed the urge to throw something at them both.

  Cassie knew she should be happy about this pushing the two of them together, but all she could think about was Logan. He had been struggling all night. He hid it well, but there was no doubt he was slower, though he made up for it at his other tables with his chatter and smiles. He had avoided Cassie’s table like the plague once he’d dropped off their plates—slightly cold due to how long it took him to bring them out. Spencer had complained, of course.

  She tried to tell herself that it wasn’t her fault Logan got fired. He could have taken a sick day. He had medication to help with the pain. But shame spread through her as she watched him pick himself up off the floor and head into the back, his head drooping. Why was seeing him in so much pain doing such a number on her? She’d seen countless athletes take worse hits on the field. Spencer had even cried once and she’d just felt annoyed.

  But Logan hadn’t signed up for bodily harm. That part really was her fault. And she couldn’t fix it with a ride to the doctor’s or a few hundred for a bill. She’d been counting on leaving him a large tip and now she couldn’t even do that.

  “Cass!” Spencer was calling to her, waving his arms in front of her face. “Let’s go. He forgot to bring us the check so let’s bail.”

  “Absolutely not.” Cassie crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down. “Why are you such an asshole, Spencer?”

  “And why are you such a spoiled princess? I didn’t even want to come to this fancy place, you did.”

  “Why does it matter? You can afford it.”

  Marissa looked from one to the other through lowered lids, her phone held tightly in her two hands as if she were texting and not completely absorbed in their fight. Cassie’s irritation at her best friend was almost tied with her frustration with Spencer.

  “Whatever, can we just go?” Spencer pushed back his chair and stood up.

  “I need to do something first.” Cassie stood up before she could think twice about what she was going to do. She made her way over to the greeter’s station.

  “Excuse me, is the manager here?” she asked quietly, thinking of how her mother always handled things like this. Quiet, calm, polite. Never angry or demanding. Hopefully at least something in her life besides her money could help Logan out. The greeter ran off and came back with the same mustachioed man who had fired Logan so cruelly in front of everyone. He introduced himself with a level of simpering that was a bit exaggerated considering she was still a teenager.

  “I’m sorry for all the noise tonight, miss. Was everything to your liking?”

  “Actually, no,” she said, and looked straight up at him. Now it was time to use something from her father’s handbook. Look them right in the eyes, let them know who’s boss. “I don’t appreciate the way you fired that young man just now.”

  “He was not performing to the Chez Pierre standards we know our valued customers expect.”

  “It looked like he was injured?”

  “Yes, and not performing to the level needed.”

  “Was an alternative job offered to him?”

  “An alternative…?” The manager frowned.

  Cassie had heard her dad talk about this recently and it gave her the inklings of an idea.

  “When an employee has a disability, even temporarily, the employer should make a reasonable accommodation for him. That could mean a different job.”

  The manager stared at her with his lips pressed tightly together. He cleared his throat.

  “That’s not what the law actually—”

  “All I saw here,” Cassie interrupted him, raising her voice just a bit so the tables nearest the doors could hear. “Was an employer disregarding the needs of an employee with a disability.”

  The manager’s eyebrows popped up, his face going white. Cassie wasn’t sure that was technically the way the law worked, but she’d heard her dad complain enough to know the laws were there to keep people from getting fired just for being injured.

  “I assure you if there was something he was able to do here, I would have offered.” His tone was slightly less slick now, eager to end the conversation.

  “What about bartender? Did you offer him that?” Cassie was pleased with her spontaneous suggestion. He’d make way mo
re tips as a bartender than a server.

  “I will make whatever personnel decisions are best for the establishment, don’t you worry.” His eyes narrowed. “Young lady.”

  “Well, thank you,” Cassie said, turning on the sweet charm again, despite her urge to smack the man. She waved over Spencer and Marissa. “I’m sure Mr. Huntington will be pleased to hear it as well.”

  For the second time, the manager paled. If he didn’t recognize Spencer, he certainly recognized his name.

  “Was everything to your liking tonight, Mr. Huntington?” It was like the guy had a ‘sucking up’ light switch inside of him.

  Spencer shrugged.

  “It was okay.”

  Spencer’s grip was tight on her arm. They all smiled and thanked the manager, as he wished them a good evening. Spencer didn’t let go of her until they were in front of his car.

  “That’s what was so important? Sticking up for that nerd?” Spencer spat as they got into his car.

  Cassie sighed.

  “Just take me home, I’m tired.”

  “But I want to go out.” His voice was half whine, half command. It was how he said most things, she suddenly realized.

  “I could stay out a bit longer,” Marissa piped up from the back seat.

  “Great! You can take me home, then,” Cassie said and closed her eyes. “You’ll still have company on your next bender.”

  “Geez, Cass, what is up with you lately?” Spencer said. “You’re no fun anymore.”

  She opened her eyes to take in his over-gelled hair and 300 dollar t-shirt.

  “I just think it’s time to grow up, that’s all. We’re eighteen. We’re going to college in a few months. We’re adults now.”

  “Ugh, you sound like my dad.”

  “Gee, thanks. Nice of you to call your girlfriend a stuck-up old douchebag.”

  “So that’s what you think of my dad?” Spencer’s voice was suddenly high-pitched.

  “Spencer, calm down. You say the same thing about your dad all the time.”

  “You should show a little respect after all he’s done for you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Now Cassie’s voice was high-pitched. She barely registered Marissa in the back seat, who had shrunk down as small as possible next to the window. She was staring out into the street, as if she couldn’t hear the fight they were having. It wasn’t the first one Marissa had seen, not even the first of the evening, but this somehow felt like the worst one they’d had. Ever.

  “If you only knew…” Spencer trailed off and shook his head. “He’s done everything for you.”

  “What? How could he possibly have anything to do with my life?” The anger radiated off of Cassie’s chest as the words flowed out. “I’m the one that got into Columbia, with my grades. My brain. Not some sports scholarship to a school my daddy had to donate a million dollars to so they’d let me in.”

  It wasn’t true, and Cassie knew it. But she was suddenly over being nice. Being what everyone expected of her. A month ago she would have gone out with them, found a bar, a party, anything. There was still time to break up with him later, she’d told herself. But tonight suddenly seemed like the perfect night to do it.

  Instead of yelling back, Spencer laughed—a harsh, rough sound that grated on Cassie’s last nerve.

  “My dad’s not the only one going to have to fork over millions.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Either tell me or admit you know nothing and get over yourself.”

  “No, I don’t think I’ll tell you anything.” Spencer smirked as he pulled up in front of Cassie’s house. “It’s best you hear it from your dad. Let him explain why you all should be groveling at my dad’s feet.”

  “Whatever,” said Cassie, opening the car door. “Don’t bother telling me anything anymore. It’s over.” She got out and leaned back in, staring him down, daring him to ask her to change her mind. “Come on, Marissa.”

  Her best friend hadn’t moved an inch from her crouched position by the window in the backseat. She looked at Cassie with downcast eyes, biting her lip. Cassie took a deep breath and told herself it didn’t matter who Marissa chose. This was what she’d wanted, after all, to get rid of Spencer and get the two of them together instead.

  But tonight she really needed her best friend.

  When Marissa didn’t move from the backseat after a long and tense minute of silence, Cassie slammed the door shut and ran up the path to the front door without looking back.

  She burst into the house, scanning for signs of her father. She’d deal with Marissa later. Right now, she had to find out what Spencer meant.

  “Dad!” her panicked voice rang through the house, bouncing off the walls in unlit rooms.

  “What is it?” he came running out of his office, still dressed. Cassie stopped short. It was nearly ten at night; he was usually getting ready for bed at this hour.

  “Are you going out tonight?” she asked, narrowing her eyes and looking closer at his clothes. They were nicer than the old baseball jerseys and cargo shorts he’d been wearing most of the summer so far.

  “I had a dinner meeting with a client,” he said.

  “Oh.” That made sense. What else could it have been?

  “Is everything okay? You sound upset.” His brow was furrowed.

  She shook her head, remembering everything Spencer had said.

  “I got into a fight with Spencer.” She sniffed, and tears started pooling in the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back.

  “What did you do?” The shift from concern to accusation was instant.

  “I didn’t do anything!” Cassie cried, crossing her arms over her chest. “He was being a jerk about me not wanting to go out after dinner. I told him I didn’t want this summer to be like high school.”

  He dad nodded and smiled. She basked a bit in the pride of finally doing something right.

  “But then he said something about the Huntingtons.” She tried to keep her voice even, but the tears threatened to spill over at any moment. “And how we owe them something?”

  Her dad just shook his head, frowning. She held her breath. Spencer had talked about her dad owing someone millions, but it couldn’t be that bad, could it?

  “It’s just a few introductions his dad made for me. It’s not a big deal.”

  Her heart lifted, and she took a deep shuddering breath to calm herself.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, it was all for business.” Her dad shook his head. “Spencer was obviously angry about something else and wanted to upset you.”

  “Well, it worked.” Cassie let out her deep breath in a loud whoosh.

  “I’m sure you’ll work it out. He’s a great kid.”

  Cassie bit her lip. She was pretty sure they’d broken up. The words lay on the tip of her tongue, wanting to be let out. But the look on her dad’s face stopped her.

  For the first time she could remember, he looked old. Not gray hair and a walker old. Just tired, with new wrinkles around his eyes, and bags under them like he hadn’t been sleeping enough.

  But he also looked proud, as he usually did when there was talk of Spencer. And she lived for those looks. She tried so hard and seemed to be failing so far this summer, at least where Logan was concerned. Letting her dad know about Spencer would be failing all over again.

  “I’m sure we will.” She gave her dad a hug. “Good night.”

  She walked into her bedroom and shut the door.

  Before she could think too hard about it, she sent a quick message to Logan.

  Sorry about tonight.

  She wanted to say more, about what a jerk Spencer was, and how she’d once been humiliated in front of the entire cheerleading team freshman year when she’d worn the wrong color socks. But that didn’t seem like a similar situation, when she thought about it. Besides, she didn’t really know him that well. She wasn’t supposed to be sharing stuff like that. Just about Columbia. Her dad wanted her to seem nice, n
ot overbearing and crazy.

  It’s fine. I’ll live. His reply came a few minutes later.

  Still, it’s not cool your boss fired you like that in front of everyone. Cassie wanted to say more, but couldn’t find the words to tell him just how terrible she felt.

  She didn’t think Logan would reply, but another message came a few minutes later.

  Actually, he just called to offer me a bartending job. I start tomorrow at 6.

  Cassie swelled with a strange mix of pride and pleasure that she’d never experienced before. It was different than what she’d just felt with her dad. Most of the time when she was this pleased with herself, it was for something she’d done that everyone knew about. This was the first time no one knew.

  And they couldn’t know. If Logan found out about her interfering with his job, he may start to question why she was helping him in the first place.

  Her pride was quickly smothered by anxiety. So she did what she usually did when her nerves started up and made a joke.

  Awesome. So I guess I can call on you for all my keg parties now?

  A rolling eye emoji was the only reply. She grinned and put down her phone to get ready for bed. She didn’t think once about Spencer while brushing her teeth, or worry about Marissa in between putting on her pajamas and snuggling under her comforter.

  Instead, she fell asleep with a smile on her face and Logan on her brain, telling herself that, with a few tweaks, her master plan for this summer could get back on track.

  Less than 24 hours later Cassie was in front of Logan’s house, her hand poised over the door, ready to knock. She still wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing there, but it meant avoiding thinking about Spencer.

  Given that she hadn’t heard from him since he’d dropped her off, apparently they really had broken up. She hadn’t heard from Marissa either, which was harder to accept. In her original plan, after all, Cassie had wanted Spencer to break up with her in order to get together with Marissa. Then Cassie could graciously encourage her friend to go out with her ex. Dumping him in front of Marissa made Cassie look like the jerk. She decided to hope that something was finally happening between the two of them, rather than get too angry with her best friend for abandoning her.