30. Chapter Twenty-Four Part One
Chapter Twenty-Four Part One
Your Reaction to the Events of Life Means More Than the Event Itself
Luke
T he first two weeks after opening have gone somewhat smoothly considering most restaurants struggle in the beginning. There were a couple of hiccups but Gabe and I, along with the staff, rectified the issues quickly enough for it to not affect the guests’ experiences.
I’m currently stuck behind the bar cleaning up some broken glass. We’re almost at full capacity and one of the bartenders, obviously very busy, didn’t notice the other standing behind him. During the collision he dropped the glass from his hand, shattering it to pieces. I could get some help from the bussers, but I am more of a hands-on type of guy. I want my staff to know we are here for them.
I catch a glimpse of that fiery red hair and know immediately my boyfriend is nearby. I chuckle at myself, thinking I’d never be saying those words before meeting Kaden, my boyfriend. Now they instantly put a smile on my face. I quickly finish my task and head their way.
“This is unexpected,” I say as I approach the large circular booth they are seated in. Kaden turns my way, smiling from ear-to-ear.
“We wanted to surprise you. Hope we aren’t taking you away from something important.” Kaden, always worried about something or other.
I lean down into him, “Nothing is more important than you.” Placing a kiss on his blushing cheek.
“Well, well, well, who do we have here?” Gabe, of course, joins us. I know it’s because he noticed Ender sitting with Kaden, Connor, and Faith. He’s trying to play it cool, but he’s been the one smiling at his phone more often than not lately.
“Hey Gabe. Congratulations on opening. It looks great in here. Full house.” Kaden greets him first.
“Yeah, congratulations, guys. You’ve done an amazing job here.” Ender doesn’t hesitate to join in, although his eyes are glued to Gabe’s the whole time.
“Thanks. It means a lot.” Gabe catches himself gawking at Ender and redirects his attention to the rest of the group, “Glad you could all join us.”
“We have to get back to work. There’s plenty of stuff to do around here tonight.” I pat Gabe on the back giving him the cue. “Enjoy your dinner and order whatever you want, it’s on us. I’ll be back around later.” I direct the latter part towards Kaden followed by mouthing the words ‘I love you.’ He returns the sentiment.
I’ll never get sick of it.
“Oh, one more thing.” I get close enough that Kaden can feel my breath on his cheek, “You look really good tonight and if I wouldn’t be so jealous of anyone else getting to hear the way you moan and beg for more when I finally get to suck your cock I’d be ripping your clothes off and dropping to my knees for you right now.” I realize I said that a little louder than I probably should have. Kaden starts feigning a tickle in his throat as a distraction. I didn’t think anyone heard me until I glance at the group, hearing snickering coming from none other than Faith and Connor. I send a wink towards Kaden knowing I’ll be in trouble for that later. I can’t wait for it.
Walking away I tease Gabe, “What was that you said to me a month or so ago? Oh yeah, you’ve got it bad, my friend.” I laugh at him shoving me with his elbow.
“Shut up, dickhead. Go back to picking on your boyfriend instead of me.” He mumbles so the guests won’t hear his foul mouth.
Everything is going smoothly since the broken glass incident, thankfully. I’m standing near the bar talking with Gabe and a guest having dinner there by himself when I look over to see how Kaden and our friends are doing. They look like they are almost done with their meals.
I attempt to tune back into the conversation with Gabe and the guest, but I see Kaden’s eyes widen and skin turn white as a ghost. I follow his line of sight to a couple walking past their table. The guy holding the small of the woman’s back does a double take towards him and smirks. Kaden quickly drops his chin to his chest to avoid any further eye contact.
What the fuck was that? Rather, who the fuck is that?
The hairs on the back of my neck are at full attention from witnessing the brief interaction. I politely start to wrap up the conversation with the guest and turn back towards Kaden to see he is gone. I find the table where the couple was seated not far from him and see the woman by herself reading the menu.
I move with purpose towards the restroom hallway guessing that’s the only place Kaden would have gone with the rest of our friends still at their table. When I get to the hallway I see Kaden up against the wall, facing the floor. The guy is standing in front of him too closely for an ordinary conversation.
I can’t hear what he’s saying as I approach them. He’s whispering something to Kaden.
“Kaden, is there a problem here?” Kaden’s head pops up, his eyes meeting mine with desperation.
The guy, if my assumption is right is Tyler, answers for him, “No problem here, just talking to an old friend.”
“Old friends talk with each other, not at each other. And Kaden doesn’t look like he feels like talking with you. So, let me introduce myself. I’m Luke, Kaden’s boyfriend. And you are?”
“Tyler, old dental school buddy of Kaden’s” Tyler extends his hand.
If my eyes had the fire I feel in my veins shooting out of them, they would sear his hand right off during the brief moment it takes me to decide he isn’t worthy of any further attention.
I keep my wits about the situation, knowing I cannot cause a scene in my own restaurant. Instead of responding in any way, I look to Kaden, “Can I walk you back to your table, please?”
Kaden nods, taking my hand when I wrap the other around his waist walking down the hallway with him. We get only a few steps away when Tyler says, “It was nice seeing you, Kaden. Keep in touch.”
Kaden doesn’t move, but I do. I find myself standing nearly toe-to-toe with Tyler, making it known in tone of voice my loathing so there’s no mistaking my intentions, “I know who you are and what you did. I will say this one time. Stay the fuck away from Kaden. Don’t come near him ever again or you and I are going to have a problem.” I don’t wait for a response. I meet Kaden where I left him and continue walking with him as far away from Tyler as possible. At the end of the hallway, Gabe’s furrowed brows and pursed lips tell me he witnessed enough to understand something isn’t right here.
“Do I need to escort him out of the building?” Gabe asks, the fury in his eyes aimed behind us.
“No. Leave him be. We can’t risk him causing any more of a scene. Can you go get the rest and tell them to meet us outside, please?”
“Will do. Kaden, are you okay?” Gabe being the good man he is checks on his new friend.
Kaden nods to him, a glazed-over look in his eyes.
I escort Kaden out the front doors and step to the side, avoiding obstructing the pathway. My hands cup his face, “Kaden, are you okay? Did he touch you?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you for coming for me. I didn’t…” He pauses, thinking about something, “I’m sorry I took you away from your work.”
The group comes rushing out of the restaurant, Ender leading, approaching Kaden in a panic. “Kaden, what happened?”
“I’m fine. I promise, everybody stop worrying.” Kaden’s attempt to reassure us falls flat.
"Guys can I have a second with Kaden, please?” I ask our friends looking at them one-by-one, ending my gaze at Ender.
Ender looks from me to Kaden for approval. “I’m good.”
Once alone, I let Kaden know how ridiculous his last statement to me was, “You need to understand something. You come first. The restaurant and the guests, Gabe can handle. If you need me, ever, for anything, you are my priority. Don’t ever think any differently. Do you understand?”
Kaden stares in disbelief. “Kaden, tell me you understand, please.”
“Yes.” He looks down at his feet.
I pinch his chin and bring his face upright. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
I take his hand and walk back to the group. Gabe joined us outside now.
“Who drove Kaden here?”
Ender raises a finger.
“Can I trust you to take him home, walk him to his apartment door, and not leave until he is inside, and the door is locked?”
Ender looks shocked. “That’s not even a question that has to be asked, but out of respect, yes, absolutely.”
“That’s a bit extreme isn’t it? There’s no need to do that.” Kaden being Kaden, not wanting to be an inconvenience. I hate whoever convinced him he was. I can probably guess that’s a side-effect from that asshole sitting inside.
I refuse to ever let him think that way about himself when it comes to me. “He hurt you once. I won’t let it happen again. I protect what’s mine, Angel.”
“Swoon.” Faith and Connor voice their opinions in a cutesy voice.
I give them a ‘really guys?’ type of look, to which they both reply, “What?”
It’s scary how similar they are if you look deep enough. They merely express it differently most of the time.
I wrap my arms around Kaden and kiss his forehead. “I’ll be over once I finish up here. I’ll text you when I’m in your building. Don’t open it until you hear my voice.”
“Okay.” Kaden shakes his head at me but gives me a smile anyway.
“See you soon.”