I sniffled. “You really trust him? You trust that I’m more than a hook-up?”
“Has he ever made you feel like that’s all you would be? I know you’ve only known him a short time, but Ellie, you have to see what I do. You have to know by now that there is so much more to him than that.”
In a shaky but confident voice I whispered, “I do.”
“Good,” Ty grunted. “Alright, now are you going to be able to finish your shift tonight or am I going to have to call in a replacement?”
“Good grief,” I groaned. “I’m fine. You’re the one that’s all emotional.” I grinned through watery eyes since that was not at all true. Even though I knew Ty’s feelings for Fin and his family ran deep, he still was as stoic as ever.
“Get out of here, go do your job,” he shooed me away but not before I caught a hint of a smile.
I wiped at my eyes and obeyed. Back on the floor I casually walked to the bathroom to fix my face before joining Steve at the host stand. We were working with another high school girl tonight, Katie. Hopefully he would hit on her the whole night.
“What’s up gorgeous?” Steve called out as I approached the host stand.
“Oh, no. Not already,” I groaned.
“Hey baby, you alright?” his voice dropped with sincerity but he never lost his swagger.
“Yes, Stephen, I’m fine.”
“No you’re not, you look like hell. Do you need me to beat the shit out of somebody? Who hurt you? You tell me, I’ll kick their ass,” he threatened in his manliest voice.
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s not necessary. I’ll be fine.” I sighed wearily and looked around for Katie. She had to be avoiding him or working. She hated both.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked louder than I ever wanted that phrase to be uttered.
“No!” I screeched. “And you’re the sEcond person to ask me that. Good lord, do I look pregnant?”
“No, girl, you lookfine. But even pretty girls get knocked up, surely you know this. No one is immune from the love stick when you’re not using protection.”
“Oh my gosh. I want todie!” I started walking to the bathroom before Creep-o Steve-o could spout anymore unwanted advice.
“Alright, girl! I’m here if you want to talk though!”
That was the last he got out though for the rest of the night. Dinner service picked up like expected and we were slammed with customers. As soon as everything died down I let him and Katie go immediately. Katie was anxious to get done and I was terrified every time Steve opened his mouth, not knowing what craziness would fall out.
Once they were gone and everyone in the restaurant started counting down the minutes left till close, Lennox and Grayson walked in. They were so intimidating, even to me. They walked shoulder to shoulder, obviously brothers. Grayson was dressed in sweatpants and another wrestling t-shirt and Lennox was dressed in black dress pants and a turquoise polo, ever looking the businessman even on the weekend. They were so different and so similar at the same time. They smiled at me as soon as they approached the host stand and it was obvious they were getting along.
Which was never a good sign.
“What are you guys doing here?” I didn’t even try to hide my suspicion.
“Can you eat with us?” Lennox asked, ignoring my question.
“No, but I can sit with you guys until someone else comes in.” They gave me mutual looks of approval so I grabbed them menus and sat them in the bar area not far from the host stand. I crawled up onto a bar stool while they looked over the menus briefly and then simultaneously looked up at me.
They were terrifying and they knew it. This was a tactic they used on me often. I was so over it.
“Stop bullying me, why are you here?” I demanded bringing out another smile in both of them.
“Hey, have you noticed anything off with Beckett?” Grayson asked thoughtfully.
Now this was something I did want to talk to them about. “Yes! I think he’s into my friend Britte,” I confided in them. “He won’t stop bothering her.”
“What do you mean he’s into her?” Lennox asked, amused by this.
“Like he made out with her and now won’t stop texting her.”
