“Or knocked up?” Ainsley adds.
“I think I just saw Gale heading out back. Let’s make sure he sees us.” Kingston jerks his head to the side.
The pool is closed up for the season, but there’s a firepit in the middle of a brick patio, which is where most people seem to be congregating. Sure enough, Lucas, Peyton, and their entire preppy posse are all sitting around the fire with Solo cups in their hands.
Lucas stands the moment he sees us, causing Peyton to land on her ass since she was sitting on his lap. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Why else would we be here?” Kingston replies smoothly. “We came to party.”
“Yeah?” Lucas questions. “Who invited you?”
“Kings have a standing invite to any Windsor party.” Bentley gives Lucas a cocky grin. “And since Davenport, Prescott, and I are the kings, we’re automatically welcome, along with anyone we choose to invite.”
“Well, it’s a stupid fucking rule.” Lucas’ statement was directed at Kingston, but he smiles when his eyes wander over to me. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite new barista?”
Kingston’s fingers flex around my hip. “Don’t talk to her.”
Lucas takes a sip from his cup. “It’s my house. I’ll talk to whoever I want. Your royal decree can’t prevent me from doing that, can it?”
Peyton brushes herself off and takes a seat in the chair Lucas vacated. “What are you talking about, baby?”
Lucas holds his arms out. “Oh, you didn’t hear? Sweet, sweet Jasmine here is now a working girl.”
“I’m pretty sure she was already was one of those,” Whitney Alcott, AKA Bentley’s bitter ex, mutters.
I flip her off in reply.
Lucas points at Whitney. “Sadly, that theory has yet to be proven. But, she is the newest employee at Calabasas Coffee.” He turns to me and flashes a smarmy grin. “You know, our favorite coffeehouse in the valley? The one we all go to practically every day?”
Fuuuuck. Why didn’t I think about having to serve the assholes I go to school with when I started applying for jobs? I don’t hide my displeasure fast enough, because Lucas’ smile grows when he sees that he’s getting to me.
“We’re going to love having Little Miss Crenshaw slinging drinks for us. Although I’m sure since she’s so new, it’ll probably take her a while to get the orders right. Might have to send the first few back.” He looks around. “Won’t we?”
I park a hand on my hip as the lemmings murmur their agreement. “I’m from Watts, dickhead.”
Lucas shrugs. “Same thing.”
Uh, no, it’s not, but this idiot wouldn’t know the difference.
Kingston flashes a murderous glare. “Find a new place to get your coffee. If any of you show up at Jazz’s work and cause trouble for her, you’ll answer to me.”
“And me,” Bentley adds.
“And me,” Reed echoes.
I stand a little taller when the sheep no longer look amused.
“Does Daddy know you got a job?” Peyton says that last word the same way I imagine she’d say off-the-rack wedding dress.
“No, but I’m sure you’ll take care of that for me the first chance you get.” I wave my hand dismissively. “Not that he can do anything about it since I’m eighteen.”
Peyton’s eyes narrow into slits. “Daddy is well connected. If he doesn’t want you to work, nobody within a fifty-mile radius will hire you.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, we’ll see about that.”
>
“Hey, Peyton,” Kingston calls out, diverting her attention. “I’m surprised you’re not enjoying the festivities up front. You know, seeing as gangbangs are your thing now.”