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“Well, I am being made to call you to invite you for breakfast in the morning. We would love to have your bright personality and sunshine at the table.” Ridge chuckled again.
Draven didn’t have to think twice about his answer. He had already made up his mind that he was going to make a conscious effort to be around his family more. Maybe that would cure this new loneliness he was feeling.
“I’ll be there,” Draven replied. He was met with silence. He glanced over at the screen and saw the phone call was still active. Had his answer shocked Ridge into silence? “Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I honestly didn’t think you would say you’d come,” Ridge said.
“Well, do you want me there or not?” Draven frowned. If he hadn’t thought he would commit, then why call and ask?
Because he’s called and asked multiple times before and you declined.
Draven blew out a deep breath. He needed to do better. His family didn’t deserve the cold shoulder from him. They had been trying for years to get him to open up to them.
“Of course we do. It will be good to have you. Bee said breakfast will be on the table at seven sharp.”
Draven nodded. That would be perfect. He’d get his day started then take a break to go enjoy breakfast which he was sure was going to be out of this world. The woman was a goddess in the kitchen. The call ended with Draven promising to not be late.
He pulled into the Hen House parking lot and noticed how different it was than on Fridays. Maybe this would be better. How many people truly went out on a Tuesday night? He found a spot and coasted his truck in. Again, he made sure he was in the back away from where most of the patrons would park. He took pride in his truck. It was the first brand-new truck he’d ever purchased. He killed the engine and got out. He glanced over where Cashea’s vehicle had been parked and didn’t see it. He just hoped Brett heeded his warning. If he had to go back to him, he wasn’t going to be as nice as he was last time. He’d been tame and let Brett off lightly.
Draven made his way to the entrance and opened the door. Country music blared from the speakers. The house DJ was on the stage playingthe latest music. This crowd was definitely lighter than the weekend. He walked over to the bar and was able to claim his usual spot. There were familiar faces already seated along the dark-wood counter. He slid into his seat and nodded to some cowboys he recognized.
“What brings you in on a Tuesday?” Danny came out of the back with a tray of clean glasses. He set them on the counter a little ways away from Draven.
“Good food, ice-cold beer, and the game,” Draven said.
“Hear, hear,” a few of the guys murmured, holding their frosted glasses in the air.
Draven gave a small smile at the camaraderie when it came to the game that was just starting. It was already up on the television screen.
“I know what your usual order is, but I have a new orient. I’m gonna let her come take your order. Be kind. Today’s her first day, and we can’t afford to lose her.” Danny chuckled.
“Not a problem,” Draven murmured. He wasn’t that much of an ass that he would ruin someone’s first day on the job. Everyone had to start somewhere. He leaned back in his chair and zeroed in on the television. With the music blaring in thebackground, the television on the channel he watched with the closed caption, all he was missing was his food and beer.
“She’ll be right out.” Danny went back over to the glasses and began placing them where they belonged.
The door swung open, and a familiar figure sauntered out of the back. Draven froze in place, his breath catching in his throat.
Cashea.
She wore a pair of knee-high boots and a black V-neck t-shirt and jeans that looked as if she’d been poured in them. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, a few wisps escaping. Draven remembered the sight of her hair spread out underneath her on her pillows. The sounds of her moans and gasps came rushing back to him. His heart rate sped up. He swallowed hard and bit back a curse.
Their eyes met.
Draven knew he was fighting an uphill battle when it came to this woman. Her lips curled up into a sexy smile. She moved toward him. She snagged a notepad off the counter and pulled a pen from her back pocket.
“Hello there.” Cashea stood across the bar from him.
He greedily took her in, from the light makeup to the scent of her perfume reaching him. He was mesmerized.
She tilted her head to the side. “What can I get you?”
“Hey,” he finally replied. He inhaled sharply and leaned forward. He just wanted to be a little closer to her. Thoughts of food had gone out of the window. Instead of ordering food, he said the first thing that came to mind. “Why are you working here?”
She sighed heavily and rested a hip against the counter.
“Well, long story short, my good looks may get me compliments, but they sure as heck don’t pay for tires,” she drawled.
Draven’s hand clenched into a fist. Brett hadn’t paid for her tires. He opened his hand and tried to relax, but anger surged inside him. He would take care of this. She shouldn’t have to get a second job because an asshole decided to damage her property. If he had to drag Brett to her and make him pay her, he would do it. There were a few things he had mastered in the military, and one of them was how to get a man to talk. He was very skilled at prying things from men.
