"Diet Coke."
"Miller Light long neck."
"Sweet Tea."
I wasn't twenty-one so I couldn't serve alcohol. This would be the perfect reason to get Seth to the table.
"I'll have Seth bring y'all your beers since I'm not old enough to serve you. But be prepared he's a huge Jackdown fan and really wants to meet y'all."
Krit leaned forward and bit his bottom lip while staring me down. He really did think his sex appeal worked on everyone.
"What time do you get off Low?" he asked in a husky voice.
"Ah shit he's already using his f**k me voice on her. Run Low before he starts the winking and dimple flashing." Green warned, then gave Krit a playful punch in the arm when everyone at the table burst into laughter.
"I'll go get the other drinks," I said smiling as I turned back toward the kitchen.
Seth was at the soda fountain filling up two glasses.
"Alright I need a Bud on tap and a Miller long neck delivered to the table. The Miller is Krit's. Enjoy."
"Awesome Low thanks," Seth rushed off leaving the sodas behind.
Krit's flirting proceeded throughout the meal but I was use to flirtatious customers so it didn't bother me. When I knew they were getting to the end of their meal I printed out their check and started to make my way over to them. But before I could take another step the front door opened and I halted.
The small audible gasp that escaped me luckily went unnoticed since no one was close enough to hear it.
Walking into the door was a very gorgeous and very determined looking Marcus Hardy. His blond hair was short enough it didn't require much brushing and although he pulled off the just got out of bed style with ease, tonight his hair had been paid attention to. The short blond locks were neatly in place with the front flipped up just barely. The jeans rode low on his hips hugging them in just the right spot and the pale green polo he had on made his green eyes stand out even more under his heavy eyelashes.
He nodded at Kim but kept his eyes on me as he headed directly to where I stood frozen in place.
directly to where I stood frozen in place.
"I heard you needed a ride tonight," he said with a pleased expression on his face.
"I do, um, but how did you know?" The twinkle in his eyes made me feel warm all over.
"I have my sources. Didn't want you walking or being stranded so I thought I'd come grab a drink and wait until you're ready to go."
I had planned on walking to my sister's. Cage had a game tonight and I hadn't wanted to ask him to let me borrow his car.
"Well, okay, um, thank you. Rock's here," I said trying to process the fact Marcus had just shown up to take me to my sister's after work as if this was normal behavior.
He followed my gaze, " I see that. I'll go say hello to them.
Take your time. I have nowhere to be. I've got all night." With one last long look directed at me he turned and walked to the table I'd been heading to before he walked in.
How the heck had he known I needed a ride? And furthermore why would he come to give me one without me asking him?
Shaking my head in confusion I followed him to the table.
"Marcus, man you missed the meal," Rock teased.
"Yeah I can see that but I'm here for Low not you." Krit glanced past Marcus and locked eyes with me. His blond eyebrows shot up in question at Marcus's comment.
"You taking Low somewhere Marcus?" Krit asked tearing his gaze off me and staring back up at Marcus.
This might get more interesting than was good. I'd been dodging Krit's advances for almost a year. The boy didn't take "no" for an answer.
"Yep, you got a problem with that?" Marcus asked pulling up a chair and sitting down beside Green.
"I guess I do. I'd been hoping to convince her to go out with me when she got off work tonight. Kinda screws that up if you're here for her."
I couldn't help but watch Marcus's face to see how he reacted to Krit's explanation. He scowled and leaned back in the chair.
"No I don't think that's a good idea Krit. You aren't Low's type."
"And you are?"
I couldn't bring myself to walk completely up to the table.
This was as embarrassing as it was fascinating.
"Alright boys calm down," Rock interrupted them and waved me over.
"I'm gonna pay for this meal and Krit you're going to leave with us. Low has plans tonight to leave with Marcus. You two can argue this out or beat the shit out of each other whatever, some other time. Right now I want to get home and spend some time with my girl, alone." Marcus looked entirely too pleased with everything. If he wasn't so darn cute I'd remind him I wasn't some piece of property he owned. Heck we hadn't even been out on a date and here he is acting like he has some claim on me.
His eyes lifted and locked with mine. All the reasons I had to be aggravated with him vanished. Who could stay mad at that face?
Chapter Seven
Marcus
Will ow didn't say much on the ride to her sister's house. I wasn't sure if she was mad at me about the confrontation I'd had with Krit or what but she was quiet. I hadn't meant to step out of bounds with her. Just the thought of Krit taking advantage of her or treating her like I knew he treated women made my skin crawl. Low was too sweet for someone like him. She needed someone to handle her gently.
"Look, I'm sorry about what I said to Krit. It isn't my business who you date. I was out of line."
Not that I wouldn't do it again if I had to but I wanted to see her smile at me. She would be getting out of my truck in just a few minutes and I needed the sound of her laughter to keep me warm tonight.
"You were out of line. But you were right. Krit isn't my type.
I've been dodging him for awhile now."
Good. She knew he was an ass**le.
"So do you forgive me?" I asked glancing over at her.
A small smile lifted the corner of her lips.
"Yes, I suppose I do."
I let out a dramatic sigh of relief.
"Dang girl you had me sweating over here." The laughter I'd wanted to hear filled the truck. My chest expanded and I suddenly wanted to beat on it with my fist.
The girl was making me go all caveman.
"I'm sorry I worried you. I'm just tired tonight. It's been a long day."
"Will you be able to go straight to bed when you get there?" I didn't like the idea of leaving her at her sister's. I was growing accustomed to knowing she was safe and sound in the apartment at night.
"I'll get a shower first but then, yes, I'll go right to bed," she shifted in her seat and turned her head toward me. "Is everything okay with your sister?"
The memory of our almost kiss made me desperate to pull over and finish what was interrupted this morning.
"She's fine. Thanks."
"Good."
I waited hoping she'd bring up the kiss but she didn't.
Instead, we drove the rest of the way in silence. When she pointed to the small cinder block house I pulled into the driveway. Wishing there was some way to keep her with me.
"This is it," she said with a sleepy tone to her voice.
Unbuckling her seatbelt she reached for the handle on the door then glanced back at me, "Thank you for the ride tonight. I don't know how you knew I needed a ride but I'm very thankful you showed up. I'm exhausted and walking would have sucked."
I'd overheard Cage talking to her earlier on the phone. I knew from his end of the conversation that she needed a ride tonight but that she was going to get one from a coworker. I figured she was either telling Cage a lie to appease him and needed a ride or she had a ride but would cave in and let me take her home if I just showed up.
I'd been pretty dang determined when I walked into the restaurant tonight that I would be walking out with Low beside me.
"Yeah well I got my ways. But you know it would be easier on my superhuman powers if you'd call me next time. That way I won't have to use my mind reading skills." She giggled, "Okay I'll do that. I wouldn't want to be the cause of you overusing your super powers."
"My thoughts exactly. It would be incredibly helpful." Her laughter faded and she smiled at me then turned and stepped out of the truck.
I thought about walking her to the door but then I'd kiss her and suddenly that first kiss had become incredibly important. I didn't want it to be outside her sister's house.
Somewhere she hated. I wanted it to be somewhere she'd remember fondly. So instead I watched her until she was safely inside before I backed out of the drive and headed home.
Willow
When I got my hands on Tawny I was going to strangle her.
No strangling would be too good for her. I was going to pull out her hair one strand at a time. No, I was going to pull it out in large handfuls at at time. How were we even related?
If it wasn't for the fact we shared the same exact hair color as our mother then I'd swear I was switched at birth. What crazy mother doesn't call or even come home in time to get her baby? I mean really! Who does that? I shifted Larissa up higher on my hip and carried her diaper bag on my other arm. Her car seat sat on the gravel road beside my feet.
The child required more stuff to just go somewhere than I actually owned. Kissing her sweet head I snuggled her close to me. I refused to leave her with the crazy cat lady when I knew good and well my sister didn't have to work today.
Cage pulled up beside me before jumping out of the car and running around to help me with Larissa and her bag.
"Here, I'll buckle her car seat in."
Cage had become a pro at car seat instal ation since Larissa was born. More times than not he'd had to come to our rescue.
He turned around and took Larissa out of my arms, "Hey baby girl," he cooed at her while cradling her in his arms.
She loved Cage. The girl was a sucker for men. Especially attractive men. Bless her heart she took after her Mama.
Her pudgy hand reached up and patted his cheek, "Cay" she announced loudly. She'd recently started calling him
"Cay". She hadn't mastered the "g" sound yet.
"Yep Cage has got his girl. Now come on let's get you buckled up."
Once he had her secured he stood up and pulled me into his arms.
"Bad morning," he said rubbing my back. I simply nodded and let him comfort me. He was so good at it.
" It's okay now. I got ya. Let's get squirt to the apartment and then we'll worry about finding her Mama. Tawny is bound to show up sometime today."
"Yes, but I'm missing classes because she didn't show up on time," I grumbled.
"She's a selfish bitch. This isn't anything new. You know that."
With a defeated sigh I sank down into the passenger seat of Cage's black mustang and laid my head back on the seat. I was still tired. Larissa had woke up at four with a belly ache and then again at six. I needed more sleep than that. It would have probably been pointless to go to class today anyway. I wasn't sure I could have kept my eyes open while listening to a lecture.
"She keep you up a lot last night?"
I nodded while yawning.
"I'd say I'd watch her for you at the apartment so you could sleep but I can't miss class or I'll have to sit out a game."
"I know. I'll crash after Tawny gets her. Good news is, I don't work tonight."
Cage turned on the radio and we drove back to the apartment in comfortable silence.
Marcus
I'd been awake since I'd heard Cage leave. It was too early for him to be up especially since he got in so late last night.
Which could only mean one thing. Will ow had called him.
After last night, I'd hoped she'd call me next time.
Apparently not.
I just finished making another pot of coffee when the door opened. Cage came walking in, a little girl with short blond ringlets bouncing around her head was in his arms. Big green eyes bright and excited scanned the apartment before they landed on me. Will ow stepped in behind them carrying a large pink polka dot bag and dropped it on the chair beside the door. She wore tiny shorts I remembered the cheerleaders wearing back in high school when they practiced. Those shorts were meant to drive guys crazy.
The blue hoodie she was wearing had Hurricanes baseball on the front and it was entirely too big for her. I'd seen Cage in it more than once.
"I'll go get the car seat out of the car and bring it up then I gotta change and go," Cage told Will ow.
She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn. Last night must not have gone well.
"'Kay, thanks," she replied then reached for the little blonde who clung to Cage's shirt.
"Come on Larissa let's get you some breakfast. Cage has to go to school."
"Cay," the little blonde said loudly patting Cage's chest.
"Yes that's Cage. Now kiss him goodbye and come with me."
She turned and gave Cage a very loud wet kiss on his face that looked like it may have had a little licking involved.
Cage laughed, "Now that's the way to start a guy's day Larissa."
Holding out her pudgy little arms she went to Will ow.
"Good morning Marcus," Will ow said as she walked into the kitchen with Larissa.
"Bad night?"
She shrugged and a little frown puckered her brow. "You could say that."
"Larissa, this is my friend Marcus. He lives with Cage now," she looked from the little girl to me, "Marcus this is my niece Larissa."
I sat my coffee cup down and reached out to take her little hand in mine and shake it.