Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
C ashea glanced around at the Hen House and wished she would have listened to Draven. He had suggested that she call and let them know that she wouldn’t be able to come in due to an emergency, but seeing how it was only her second day of training, she didn’t want to miss it. So she’d gone in, and guess who’d also trailed along with her.
Draven.
She smiled and looked over her shoulder and found him still sitting in his same spot he always claimed when he was there. Only this time, Ridge had accompanied him. It was apparent that Ridge didn’t trust Draven to go out alone. After that morning, Cashea actually felt better with Ridge there .
But she didn’t know if he was there for the protection of his brother or to protect whoever tried to mess with Draven.
“Do you have any questions?” Asia, one of the servers, asked. She usually worked on the weekends but was helping out since it appeared Tess had to go out on leave a little earlier than expected.
Cashea shook her head. She really didn’t have any. Everything was self-explanatory, and with her prior experience, it made serving easier now. When she’d got her first waitressing job, she had been horrible at it. But over time she had gotten better. This time around, she wasn’t having any issues. It also helped that it wasn’t as busy, and that allowed her to learn the setup and routine of all the servers and the kitchen.
“I’m good. Thanks for letting me tag along with you,” Cashea said.
Danny had wanted her to work with the girls on the floor so she could jump in and help where needed. She was fine with it. As long as she stayed busy, that was all that mattered.
“Not a problem. I’m just so happy that they were able to find you so we won’t be too short while Tess is out.” Asia chuckled. “It’s weird seeing you working the tables with us. I’m so used to seeing you up on the stage singing.”
Cashea laughed. She and the girls would be getting together tomorrow night to rehearse for this weekend. They had already been exchanging ideas in their group chat on what songs they were wanting to do. She couldn’t wait for the weekend. They were going to have so much fun performing.
A couple got up from one of the tables in Cashea’s section. She gave a small wave to the woman as she was led toward the exit. It was getting late, and a lot of the customers had started to disperse.
“I’m going to go handle that table real quick.” Cashea picked up her tray and headed over to the table. She collected the bills they had left as a tip and slid them into the front of her apron. Tonight’s tips weren’t bad, and she wasn’t going to complain. She piled their dirty dishes on the tray and spun around. She went into the kitchen and placed the dishes where they belonged. She quickly returned out onto the floor so she could wipe the table down and make sure the floor was swept. She always wanted to ensure her section was spotless. She looked around and found Asia tidying up her area.
Cashea’s gaze landed on Draven and his brother. The two had their beers in their hands and were watching the sports news channel where two men were excitedly speaking about the current NFL season and the teams they were predicting to go to the championship this year. She wiped her hands on her apron and ambled over to them. She quietly snuck behind Draven, feeling playful. Ever since this morning, he hadn’t wanted to let her go far from him. He had used the excuse of being her ride to and from work, but she was sure he was just being protective of her. It was too soon from this morning, and he was still in protect mode.
She arrived at his back and slowly sent her fingers walking up his spine. He stiffened for a moment before looking over his shoulder. When their eyes connected, he relaxed. He spun his chair around and grabbed her by her wrist and brought her between his legs.
“Hey,” he said. His gaze dropped down to her lips.
She automatically sent her tongue out to lick them. His nostrils flared.
“Hi. Having fun?” she asked.
He enclosed his arms around her and held her to him. It would appear that Draven was a very possessive man. He didn’t like any of the men looking at her. He glared at any man who stared at her too long. She smiled. It was cute. She could get used to a man who wanted to protect her, treat her like a woman and cherish her.
“I am. I’ve been trying to get this asshole to come have a drink with me here quite a few times.” Draven shoved his brother with his elbow.
“I don’t want to hear that bullshit. I’ve invited you countless times to my place for beers, and you refused.” Ridge glanced over at Cashea and tossed her a wink. He was completely relaxed, and she wasn’t sure if he was paying attention to all the women who had been staring at him all night. “But now I see why he was always coming down to the Hen House.”
“Shut up,” Draven murmured.
“Oh?” Cashea raised her eyebrow and stared at Draven. Had he been coming on the weekends because of her? She would be shocked if so. He had never paid her any attention before. “So it wasn’t the food, drinks, and football?”
“Don’t worry about why I was coming down here. Just know it’s nice to have somewhere to get away from the ranch,” Draven muttered.
She laughed and patted the poor man on the chest. She wondered if she hadn’t come over to him that day, would they even be standing here together?
“Cashea! Go ahead and get out of here. It’s dead,” Danny called out.
She gave him a thumbs-up. He didn’t need to tell her twice.
“I’m going to go get my stuff and clock out,” she said.
She leaned up on her tiptoes and delivered a soft kiss to Draven’s lips. His arm snuck out and wrapped around her waist and held her firmly to him. His large bulge dug into her stomach. She bit back a whimper at the feeling of him. She pressed another kiss to his lips then pried his arm from around her waist. She quickly made her way through the bar and went into break room.
After she grabbed her bag, she tossed it across her chest and then clocked out. She had spent the day with Draven. When they had returned to the ranch, she’d got to meet Bee who was a beautiful woman who certainly cared for Andy and his boys. The woman had cooked enough to feed a small army. It was a wonder that it all was still warm and fresh by the time they had arrived. After their meal, Draven had taken her out on the stead, and she had loved every minute of it. The land was beautiful and peaceful. No wonder he’d come home to work for his father.
It had been an extremely long day, and she was tired. Tonight, she planned to take a hot shower and then fall into bed.
Draven’s bed.
He’d talked her into packing a bag and staying at his place tonight. Not that he’d had to do much to convince her. She made her way through the Hen House and headed over to where Draven and Ridge were seated. Her smile disappeared when a tall, lanky figure cut in front of her and stood in her path. Even in the low light of the bar, the twin black eyes were noticeable. A couple strips of bandages were placed across his nose.
Brett Falco.
“Cashea,” he said.
“What do you want?” She stiffened and automatically took a step backward.
He had some nerve showing up here while Draven and his brother were there. Obviously, he hadn’t learned his lesson. Her gaze flicked to Draven. As if feeling her eyes on him, he turned around. He stood immediately when he recognized the figure before her.
“Here.” He thrust a thick white envelope into her hands. He shook his head. “I don’t want any more trouble. If that is not enough to pay for the damage to your SUV, let me know.” He took few steps backward, away from her. He spun on his heel and tore through the bar.
“Was that Brett?” Draven growled.
She nodded. He released a curse and swiveled around. She reached out and grabbed his arm before he could go after him.
“Please don’t.” She moved closer to him and petted him on the chest. Now was not the time for him to be getting angry. He had a few beers in him, and she didn’t want his anger to mix with that. She held up the envelope in her hand. “He came to bring me this.”
Draven took it and slid it open. He peeked inside it. His eyebrows rose, and he put the envelope back in her hands. Curious, she opened it slightly so she could look. There had to be a least a few grand in there. Her eyes widened. She quickly closed the envelope and stuffed it down in her bag. There was definitely enough for her to get her car fixed up. Her heart pounded. She was rendered speechless.
So not only did he admit to damaging her car, but he also was going to pay for the damages ?
“Come on. Let’s go,” Draven murmured. His hand moved down to the curve of her back and guided her toward the main door.
She waved goodbye to everyone. Ridge met them at the door before they stepped outside. It was a warm night, and the moon was high.
“I’ll see y’all tomorrow.” Ridge gave them a short wave and jogged over to his truck.
Draven’s large hand engulfed hers while they walked to his car. Once there, he helped her inside and shut the door behind her. He stalked around the hood and got in. She pulled the envelope from her bag and took the money out. She counted it, and her mouth dropped open from the amount that was there.
Four thousand, five hundred dollars.
It would be more than enough to get her car fixed. She stared down at the notes, still in shock that he had come around and given her the money to have her car fixed.
“Thank you.” She sniffed. She placed the cash back in the envelope and put it in her bag.
“For what?” Draven asked. He took her hand in his and placed a small kiss to the back of it.
A shiver passed through her. “For standing up for me and for just being you. ”
She leaned over the console and pulled him to her. She pressed a kiss to his lips and almost melted against him. The kiss was slow, tender, and sweet. Draven’s hand cupped her cheek as the kiss deepened. A moan slipped from her. Even though she was tired, she wasn’t too tired to keep herself from crawling over the console to sit on his lap now.
But she controlled herself.
At least for now.
She eased back slightly. They were both out of breath. Cashea smiled at him. If he didn’t hurry up and get them back to his place, they would have another run-in with the police, and it wouldn’t be for fighting.
“Are you taking me home or not?” she asked haughtily.
He stared at her for a moment before he did something she had never seen him do. He smiled. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight.
“Yes, ma’am.”