Her Men (book 2)

Chapter 13

Aiden

No call or text all day, I mean just a few days ago I hadn’t heard from her in years its not like I should be expecting it, but damn I got my hopes up not even a response when I messaged to see if my phone was still in the truck. I spent the rest of the afternoon fighting with myself to open the Find My Phone app and see its location, even through dinner with Mom and her asking questions it brought up the urge I was already struggling with, so much I had to take my work phone to my room and leave it there before I caved and checked, took a shower got ready for bed and still nothing, my mom mentioned how she tried to call me and I didn’t answer telling me it wasn’t an emergency but if I wanted chicken enchiladas for dinner, I had to remind her if she did have an emergency she had my work cell to call and she has Luke’s office number someone always answers that, she laughed and said nothing would ever be that serious she needed to do all that work.

I finally gave up and went to sleep at about 10ish until I heard a car door shut, looking at the clock I see it’s passed 1130, I glanced out of the window and see she isn’t wearing the same clothes she left in, she turns and disappears I can’t see her front door from my room, my work cell dings taking me away from the window

You up? I’m really sorry I’m just now getting in

…

I see the dots start and disappear like she’s typing more

I can bring you your phone in the morning same time we left this morning

Not sure if I should tell her I’m up now or just wait till the morning, the urge to see her now takes over and I send before I can think,

I'm up I can meet you out front

…

I see the dots appear and disappear again maybe I should have waited

Ok, give me 5 minutes

I pull some basketball shorts on and slip my croc on

********************************************************

Teagan

The way he said “baby” did something to my core that hadn’t been felt in so long, I didn’t think I’d feel that feeling ever, or at least not right now, the way he looked a me and my lips had me feeling hot, I think it was that, that made me want to get away from him more then his words. I said forget it and turned as quickly as I could, what the heck? On the drive home, I went back and forth from thinking about him then what he said, and he’s right if I wanted to keep a low profile I definitely didn’t pick the right jobs, and Aiden will definitely find where I work, I mean I guess it’s not that big of a deal I’m not necessarily hiding from them just don’t want them asking questions especially since I don’t plan on staying, one thing for sure I can’t tell Henry or Ian anything of my past if … did I even get his name?

Either way, if I don't want Aiden knowing anything I can't let anyone at the bar know what's going on, if Ian and his brother are close then Aiden will find out, wait Stella is with Ian or with Luke? I'm confused.

Game plan, just be me the me now no one needs to know anything of why I'm here and when I'm ready to deal with Leo I will. Changing Into comfy pajamas I walk to the door grab Aidens phone and shut the door I see him sitting on his front porch swing and, looking out my door catches his attention and he glances at me smiling softly at me, my heart does this achey thing and I smile back

“I’m sorry it’s late,” I say

“I was still up it’s alright” he still can’t lie for s**t I sit down with him and hand his phone to him

“You always sucked at lying,” I say pushing this swing with my toes

“With you” he laughs “how was your day?”

“Good I think” he’s wearing only basketball shorts and lord he looks good, he always did when we were teens but now his body is different his muscles are different than when he played sports his shoulders seem a lot wider he’s gained weight but in a good way

“Yours?” I ask

“Busy but fine” We sit in silence and it kind of feels good I glance down at our hands that are close but not touching and a part of me just wants to touch him I’m guessing he does the same but when I feel him reach for my wrist he turns it gently..my cut

“What’s this? What happened” s**t

“Nothing just a cut, hurt myself packing my things, I was always clumsy” I laugh pulling it away and standing up.

“It’s late I better go we both have to wake up early, I’m sorry I couldn’t get it to you sooner,” I say as I point to his phone, “Night”

*****************************************************

The weekend and week come and go and it’s a quiet one by Thursday it’s safe to say If I was left alone I could run the diner and the bar, Linda and Stella both run a tight ship and their system is easy the customers are great.

Finn, that man is sooo incredibly hot his red hair and his beard, Lord I’ve never wanted to climb a man in my life but that man I could! He’s tall and the tattoos on his arm make me want to look at all of them, he always wears either his work shirt which is a long sleeve or a short sleeve shirt but I've noticed the tattoos go beyond what he shows, he’s been in almost every night and he’s made it a point to openly flirt with me, I’ve tried my hardest to ignore his attempts and he’s clearly trying and if I was ready, I’d be open to something but I’m not and I’m not staying here so it’s pointless.

However tonight he hasn’t shown up and a part of me is bummed he’s made me smile more than I have in months, but I’m also grateful he’s not here as Ian and Henry have been rushing around making sure everything is absolutely perfect for Stella’s birthday party and so I’ve been the face of the bar and with them rushing around is making me absolutely nervous. I know I can handle it, plus I’m glad I will finally get to meet her. For the party, it will only be me working they are closing for the public but from what I gather it’s still a lot of people and I will run the bar, I’ve promised both boys I can do it and they go from believing me to thinking I also might need help but if tonight proves anything it’s that I can do it. This image everyone’s portrayed of Stella is also making me nervous, not sure if I will Love or hate her just hoping I do ok, Ian gave me my first check and for working only a week plus the tips we've split each night has been really good, I honestly wasn't expecting good tips from a small own bar.

But it brings me to my next issue, I can’t cash it, I have the day off from both the diner and the bar since I'm working Saturday morning and of course the party.

I hope I can find a way to cash it.