Caden: Ride with Me

3. 3

Caden couldn’t help the pang of disappointment that flashed through him when he found the women gone when he returned from the restroom. He’d enjoyed watching the way they’d interacted, and the way Olivia’s face had turned pink at what he assumed was their teasing.

He finished his meal and headed home, wishing he wasn’t going home alone. But he had at least talked to Olivia. An image of her flashed through Caden’s mind as he headed out to where he’d parked his bike. Maybe he wouldn’t be going alone soon. Maybe he was getting ahead of himself.

At home, he showered and fell across the bed, staring up at the ceiling for several minutes before reaching for his phone. It hadn’t been that long since she’d left the diner, and with five women to drop off, surely she’d still be up.

Caden:Hope I’m not waking you, but I couldn’t get you off my mind. You make it home safe?

He stared at the screen for several seconds, but nothing happened. Caden realized he was being ridiculous. Either she was home and asleep or not yet home, she had five drunk women to deal with after all. He switched over to social media and started scrolling, killing time, and entertaining himself as he hoped for an answer.

He’d been scrolling for a while when a notification flashed across the top of his screen. His stomach seemed to flipflop as he swiped to see what she’d said.

Olivia:Just got home. It takes a while to deliver five drunk women. You home now?

Caden smiled, glad she’d made it home safe and that she was asking about him.

Caden:I am. Is tomorrow too soon for coffee? I work swings, but I could meet you any time before one.

He stared at the screen again, hoping she’d send a reply right away but after a moment gave up and flipped back to his social media. He didn’t know why he kept drifting back to the site, he knew it was a massive time suck, but he had time to waste, and it was soothing.

He checked the clock and wasn’t surprised to find it was after one a.m. He should probably try to get a little sleep. He had to work tomorrow, even if he hoped to see Olivia again before he had to go in.

Caden double checked his alarm and was reaching for the button to shut off the screen when a notification about an incoming message flashed across his screen. His heart leapt at seeing Olivia’s name flash at the top, and he pulled up her message instead.

Olivia:How about lunch instead of coffee? I can meet you at the same diner we were at tonight at 11:30 tomorrow.

Caden bounced up off the bed and fist pumped the air in celebration. He couldn’t wait to see her again. After a moment he went back to his phone and typed up a response letting her know he’d be there. After he hit send, he flopped back on the bed again and spent a couple of minutes staring up at the ceiling imagining what tomorrow might bring. When he was done with foolish daydreams, he plugged his phone in, turned out the light and went to bed.

He arrived at the diner ten minutes early, hopeful that he’d beat her there, and backed his bike into a parking space in the lot beside the restaurant. Caden glanced around the parking lot and wondered if any of the cars there were hers, as he pulled off his helmet and stowed it.

Inside he glanced around, but didn’t see her.

“Have a seat, I’ll be right with you,” a waitress called as she passed by with a tray filled with plates.

He looked around again then made his way to a table in the back corner where there was no one seated for a couple of tables around them, hoping for a bit more private feel to their meal. Caden sat where he could see the door so he could watch for her.

The waitress came by, and he let her know he was meeting someone. She brought two glasses of water, and a second menu then left him to wait. He didn’t have to wait long. A few minutes before their scheduled meeting time, the bell over the door jingled, making Caden look up, and there stood Olivia. He raised one hand so she would see him then forced himself not to meet her halfway across the room.

Why did he feel so excited, so much like an eager teenager when it came to her? He didn’t know, but he liked that she made him feel something different than most women. It had been a long time since he’d felt anything but the slightest interest in anyone. It was a refreshing change.

“Hi, I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” Olivia said as she slid into the chair opposite him.

“No. Only a few minutes.”

“Have you ordered?” She picked up the menu and looked down at it.

“No. I was waiting for you.” He didn’t add that he thought that would be rude, and that he wasn’t about to do that in case he wanted to see her again.

After a moment she folded her menu and set it down. It only took a few minutes for the waitress to appear and take their orders, along with the menus.

“You and your friends looked like you were having fun last night,” Caden said once the waitress left.

“Well, they were at least. I enjoyed it until they’d had enough to drink that they were obnoxious. But such is life when you’re the designated driver.” She lifted one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug.

“Why not schedule an Uber, then you could drink with them?”

She shot him a wry smile. “I don’t drink, or more accurately, I don’t drink to that extent. I’ll have one, maybe two but I never get silly and giggly like they were last night.” She wrinkled her nose. “I just don’t see the attraction to it.”

He watched her a moment, wondering if there was something to make her feel that way or if it was just her personal preference. He did like the nose scrunch. It was cute and made him want to make her do it again.

“I can get that. I’ll admit, I partied hard when I was younger, but I’ve found it’s a lot easier to get up and go to work the next day if I’m not hung over.” He leaned closer, enjoying getting to know her a little. “You been in Dickenson long?”

“Born and raised. I’m still not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.”

“From someone who until recently, moved every few months, I’d say it’s good. You have friends, probably family. You know people and people know you.” He listed things he’d always longed for. Yeah, growing up he’d had his parents and sister, but that was all. They’d never lived anywhere long enough for him to make lasting friendships.

“But I have family. I know people and people know me.” She listed the same things he had, but this time made them sound like bad things instead of good. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my family and sometimes it’s nice that people know me. But try being seventeen and trying to get away with literally anything in a town where everyone knows you and your parents. Nobody hesitates to tell you folks what they saw you doing.” She shot him a brief grin. “I always wondered what it would be like go somewhere where I don’t know anyone and I can be anonymous, even for a little while.”

“You never left town, not even for school?”

Olivia shook her head. “There was no need. I went to school here in town. I did live on campus as a freshman, but still couldn’t get away with anything.” She shrugged and smiled at him. “But enough about me, tell me a little about you. How long have you been in town?”

“Almost a year. I like it here and have no plans to go anywhere any time soon.”

“What brought you to Dickenson?”

“A job. I got on out at KMM, so I moved to the area. I like it. And the people.” He gave her what he hoped was a hopeful smile.