Secret Indiscretions (Carson Cove Scandals 2)

“No, I really fucking don’t….” I balled up the paper and threw it on the ground.

But I’m going to get the second clue, just so I can figure out who the hell you are and put a stop all of this bullshit.

I got back in my car and drove to Carson Cove High. The clue said that I would find the second clue where people screamed, and leather soared. Bryant and I both agreed that the obvious location was the football field. If it was someone we knew from high school, then using our old stomping ground as the location for the second clue made sense. I walked out on the field for the first time since high school and started looking around. The ball would have soared, and people would have screamed when we scored a touchdown—except that wasn’t how we won the last game of the season—we won with a field goal. I walked to the goal post that Billy Delaney sent the game-winning kick through—and saw the second clue taped to the back of it. I yanked it free and tore the envelope open so fast that I nearly ripped the letter inside—but it was what I came for.

‘Two hearts will become one, and I’ll be watching. If you look hard enough, you’ll find the third clue where chaos hangs.’

“Bryant’s wedding?” I shook my head back and forth.

What the hell is going on here?

Chapter Seven

Melanie

The next day

“Mommy, I thought you were going to quit that job!” Charley pouted when she saw me walk into the living room wearing my Moretti’s uniform.

“One more week, sweetheart.” I walked over and gave her a kiss—she didn’t realize how cute she looked when she pouted. “Then I’ll just have school, a part-time job, and a whole lot more time to spend with you.”

I’ll be strapped for money by the time I graduate, but then things will get much better.

“She’ll be okay.” My mother walked into the living room. “We’re going to watch your favorite show—doesn’t that sound good, Charley?”

“I wanna watch it with both of you!” Charley folded her arms across her chest.

“I’m sorry.” I gave her a hug which wasn’t reciprocated. “I love you, Charley.”

“Love you too, mommy…” There wasn’t much excitement, but at least she responded.

I felt guilty, but my notice to Mr. Moretti was a promise—I wasn’t going to leave him high and dry after everything he had done for me over the years while I worked for him. He had already hired a new girl from Carson Cove High named Lola—but she told us that people called her Lollipop for some reason. I tuned out when she was trying to explain why because we had a large group of customers come in.

The drive to Moretti’s was uneventful, but my arrival was not. Mr. Moretti had an order come in for catering at a place called Chateau Prime—that night. He normally didn’t take last minute orders, especially for catering, but apparently it was an emergency situation. A friend of his was having a party there, and there was an issue with the date, so the party had to be rescheduled. After talking to a few people at the restaurant, I found out that it was for someone named Gordon Sinn that was retiring I had to ask twice to make sure I didn’t misunderstand his last name, but they confirmed it really was Sinn.

“Melanie.” Mr. Moretti flagged me down as I was between orders. “I need you to work the event tonight.”

“Really?” I blinked in surprise. “We have a brand-new girl—I’m still training her.”

“Bring her too. Lauren and Tiffani can handle things here. I need you.” He gave me a nod and walked back to the kitchen.

Okay, I guess I’m going to a party…

I helped the cooks load the food into the catering van and rode shotgun while Mr. Moretti drove. On the way, he told me that Gordon Sinn was one of the guys that invested in the restaurant when he was just getting started—he also shared that the retirement was due to a medical reason, which was why they had to move the party up. They were making it a celebration, even though his future was uncertain—he said there might be a few tears, which was the only warning he gave us. The warning he should have given us was that Chateau Prime was basically an upscale cigar bar—with waitresses that were one step away from dancing on a stage for dollar bills. For the first time in my life, I felt overdressed in my work uniform.

“Alright, let’s set up over here.” Mr. Moretti started giving instructions as soon as we arrived.

We got all of the trays set up and waited for the guests to arrive. Gordon Sinn was an old man that was rail thin—almost like a skeleton with a thin layer of skin stretched over his bones. He had the appearance of someone that was dealing with a few medical problems, but he didn’t act like it. He devoured the unhealthiest food we had, had several glasses of whiskey, and lit up a cigar while he talked with his guests.

“This place is awful…” Lola leaned towards me and wrinkled her nose. “Do we always have to serve food at places like this?”

“We do whatever Mr. Moretti says.” I shrugged.

For another week at least…

Once everyone had made their first trip through the catering line, we basically just sat around and waited to see if anyone wanted seconds. That was the worst part of working an event—the hours just dragged on. I liked working at the restaurant because time flew by since it was constantly busy. I twiddled my thumbs, played on my phone when Mr. Moretti wasn’t looking and listened to Lola—or Lollipop as she wanted to be called—ramble on about the drama of high school life. I wasn’t paying much attention to the people in Chateau Prime—but I nearly fell out of my seat when I looked up and saw Jon walking through the front door.

Oh shit…