Tinsley shook her head. “I haven’t seen them before. I just know who they are because of my boyfriend. He’s a huge fan.” She rolled her eyes, making Oakley laugh.
Once table ten’s orders were placed, Oakley left Tinsley at the POS and checked on her other tables. She refreshed beverages and cleared away empty dishes while making sure everyone was having the dining experience Saint Ivory’s prided itself on providing. She cashed out two tables and entered one more food order before table ten’s food was ready. Tinsley helped her, carrying a second tray filled with plates.
Oakley was good at her job. She knew who had ordered what and placed their meals in front of each man without interrupting their conversation. It was always interesting listening to the different things people discussed, especially with her standing right there. In places like this, it wasn’t uncommon for patrons to look down their nose at the staff. Oakley had dealt with that kind of attitude since she’d begun working in food service. Those were the types who kept talking as if she was invisible.
The football players at table ten were different. They kept talking, but each of them smiled, mouthing a ‘thank you’ as she delivered their food. Their attitude endeared them to her even more and she found herself hoping they would come in on her shift more often.
“Listen, I know we’re still working out the kinks. Filling Chris Bragg’s shoes is no easy task for anybody, especially a rookie,” Tyler said to the table at large.
Oakley’s ears perked up at the name ‘Chris’. She knew they didn’t mean her Chris, but couldn’t stop herself from thinking of him. In fact, it was funny, now that he was at the forefront of her mind, she could almost imagine him fitting in with a group like this. He was definitely big enough.
She gave herself a shake. This obsession with her neighbor had to stop!
The name Bragg sounded familiar as well.
“Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll check on you in a bit.”
It was easily a six hundred dollar table, probably more with drinks. Oakley planned to treat these men like kings until they left the building in hopes of earning a hefty tip.
Part of that was leaving them alone to eat. After eyeballing each man’s drink, she determined they would be fine for a few minutes and went to see to her other tables. For the next hour, Oakley tended to her tables, including the Thunder players. It wasn’t until she delivered their checks that she remembered the player who’d been injured during the Championship game a year ago. His name was Chris Bragg. Based on the comments made earlier, he’d been traded to a different team or he wasn’t playing football anymore. Oakley thought about the people surrounding the player laying still on the field all those months ago and bet it was the latter.
“Have a good night!” she called to the players as they left the restaurant, a huge smile curving her lips. She’d been right. Her tip had ended up being almost as much as the ticket itself.
“And that is why I’m still working here,” she mumbled under her breath. Tips like that one more than made up for the crazy hours and long drive. It didn’t really make up for the time away from her son, but at least it helped her provide what he needed.
The rest of the evening went by in a blur and before she knew it, Oakley had pulled into the driveway in front of her parents house anxious to pick up Kaden and go home.
Chapter Nine
“He’s asleep, just barely.” Mercy met her at the front door.
“Aw, man.” She hated it when Kaden was already asleep when she arrived to pick him up.
“I know and he was grumpy, too. I was going to call and see if you wanted to just leave him here and pick him up in the morning. He’s all snuggled up in the spare bedroom.”
Oakley’s shoulders fell. This was the part of her life that was so hard. She’d always dreamed of being one of those moms that got to stay home all day with her kids making cookies, doing crafts, and taking trips to the library. She still did all of those things with Kaden, but it wasn’t quite what she’d imagined. She never in a million years thought she’d be a single mother at twenty-four, working her behind off to support them while Kaden spent a large part of his time with her parents. She was grateful, so thankful for the support her parents gave her. She just wished she didn’t have to rely on them so much to do the things she longed to do herself.
Like tuck her son into bed.
“Yeah, okay. If I move him now, he’ll wake up and be up all night.” It had happened often enough. She knew her mom tried to keep him awake until she could pick him up, but sometimes he was just too tired.
“Hey, sis.” Rafe walked into the room wearing pajama pants and rubbing his damp hair with a towel. He must have just gotten out of the shower.
“Guess who sat in my area tonight.” It was fun when she could blow her brother’s mind with the different patrons that came into Ivory’s.
Rafe’s eyes lit with interest. “Who?”
“You’re supposed to guess, dummy.”
Before Rafe could answer, their father walked into the room and answered for him. “Don’t give your brother a hard time. He walked in looking like death just a few minutes ago. I’m surprised he’s still on his feet.”
Oakley turned to her brother with wide eyes. “What happened?”
“My first fire,” Rafe replied, dropping into a chair at the kitchen table.
“Oh, wow. How did it go?” Rafe had just finished training to become a volunteer firefighter. He was an amazing mechanic and he would continue to work with their father at the auto shop, but he’d always wanted to be a firefighter, too.
Rafe sighed. “Rough. They can train you, but seeing is believing.” He shook his head. “Everything turned out fine. No injuries. Just a burned down building. Those can be replaced. I’m just tired.”
“I’m really proud of you Rafe.” Oakley wrapped her arm around her brother and gave him a side hug. Even after his shower, his hair had a faint smoke smell. Fear clogged her throat. “Just be careful out there.”
Rafe touched his head to hers for a second before sitting up straight. “I will. Now, tell us what famous person sat at your table tonight.”
Oakley grinned. This was sure to brighten Rafe’s night. “Not one person, six.”
“Here, drink this. You both look like the walking dead.” Mercy pushed steaming mugs of herbal tea in front of them both.
Oakley breathed in the fragrant aroma and sighed. “Mmmm. Thanks, Mom.”
Rafe grimaced. He was more of a cocoa or coffee man. “Yeah, thanks.”
“Oh, that’s so good,” Oakley said after her first sip. “So, you’ll appreciate this too, Dad. I’ll give you a clue and see if you can figure it out. Terrance, Tyler, and Rodney.” She ticked the names off on her fingers.
Her dad and brother looked at each other, having a non-verbal conversation with their eyebrows and a series of frowns.
“You mean you had half the Thunder’s defensive line in your restaurant tonight?” Rafe finally asked, turning to her with disbelief.
Oakley shrugged. “I don’t know if they play offense or defense, but those are their names and they were absolutely huge. Almost as big as the tip they left me.”
“Holy smokes, Oak,” Rafe breathed.
“I know, right.” Her smile was smug.
For the next twenty minutes, Oakley answered their questions about the famous football players. What they ordered. What they looked like. Who exactly was sitting at the table. Physical descriptions of the three she hadn’t caught names for, which had spurned a five minute guessing game as to who they could have been.
Oakley yawned after awhile. A sure sign that it was time to leave. “I should probably get going.” She turned to her mom. “And you should get to bed, too, if Kade’s staying here. He’ll be up at the crack of dawn.”
Mercy reached across the table to squeeze Oakley’s hand. “Don’t you worry about me. Just sleep in as long as you like and I’ll keep that busy little boy entertained until you come and get
him.”
The next day was Sunday and Oakley didn’t have to work. Sleeping in sounded heavenly. Maybe she’d take her mom up on the offer and then come pick up Kaden so they could attend the later church service. Her parents weren’t much for religion, but Oakley found it grounded her in a way she needed after her divorce. She was thankful to Cam, who’d been willing to share her faith and invite her that first Sunday, for giving her the means of changing her life, although the real change came through cultivating her own faith.
Oakley rose to her feet and stretched. “Thanks, Mom.”
She said her goodbyes to her family and headed out to her car. As he always did, Rafe walked her out.
“Oh, hey. I was going to ask you something,” she said, remembering Terrance and his friends talking about Chris Bragg. It has been niggling at her all evening, wondering what ever happened to the guy who’d been injured.
“What’s that?” Rafe held open her car door.
“Whatever happened to that Thunder player who was injured last season? Wasn’t his name Chris Bragg? I think I overheard those football players talking about him.” Oakley slipped into the driver’s seat and closed the door. It was a warm evening and she’d left her window down, so she’d be able to hear Rafe’s reply.
“Oh, yeah. That was a bad deal. He did something to his neck, I think. Nerve damage. He retired a few months later.”
“That’s too bad.”
Rafe tapped his fist on the top of her car. “It is. He ended up getting MVP for the game. Dude’s a billionaire or something like that, though. So, I’m sure he’s doing just fine.”
Oakley lifted her brows. “Billionaire? Like with a ‘b’?”
Rafe stepped back so she could see him better out her car window. “Yeah, with a capital ‘b’. He’s an heir to some real estate mogul or whatever.”
“That’s insane.” She couldn’t even imagine that kind of money. Good grief, she was just thankful for the few hundred bucks she had in her purse tonight, mostly due to a handful of generous professional athletes. What would it be like to have billions, or even millions, at her disposal? Heck, she’d be happy with thousands or even a few more hundred. Then maybe she could afford to buy Kaden a swing set for their little backyard. Or better yet, upgrade her car.
“Drive safe. Don’t forget to text Dad when you get home.”
“I won’t.” She waved to her brother who stood on the front porch until she’d pulled out of the driveway. She shook her head and smiled. It didn’t matter how old she was, her dad always wanted her to text when she got home after being at their house. It didn’t matter that she’d been living on her own for the last six years, he still worried.
It was almost ten when she pulled up in front of her house. The little home where she was attempting to build a life with her son stood dark and all the sudden, she felt incredibly lonely. Maybe she shouldn’t have left Kaden with her parents. She thought about her conversation the other day with Cam. In some ways, her friend was right. Oakley did miss having someone to share her life with. Kaden was a blessing and she loved him more than she could even comprehend or express, but it wasn’t the same as having a man around to talk to, cuddle with, and love when the world darkened and quieted and loneliness crept in, threatening to steal away her contentment.
She had a good life.
She just needed to remember that.
With that thought, Oakley got out of her car. Maybe she’d watch a movie in her room before falling asleep.
“You’re home late.”
Chapter Ten
He hadn’t meant to startle her, but that’s exactly what he’d done. Oakley whirled around, her hand pressed to her heart, her eyes wide in the dark.
Chris chuckled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She must have been distracted not to notice him sitting on his front porch. Although, he had left the lights off to avoid attracting bugs, so he’d cut her some slack. She should be more careful, though, a woman on her own with a kid. Chris glanced at her car.
“Where’s your little guy?”
Oakley took a few steps toward him. She looked tired, but still beautiful. He figured she’d be stunning even with bags under her eyes and her hair standing on end. As it was, she was dressed in her work clothes and her hair was pulled into the tight bun she favored. A little exhaustion wasn’t going to detract from the picture she made.
“He fell asleep at my mom’s. I didn’t have the heart to wake him up.” She stood in the grass between their two houses and for some reason he couldn’t bear the thought of her going inside without at least talking to him for a few minutes. It had been a week since she’d brought him a glass of water and suddenly that seemed just too dang long. Why hadn’t he taken her glass back?
Because he was a chicken, that’s why.
Chris shifted a little on the step. “Wanna sit for a minute? I have popcorn.” He held up the bag of gourmet popcorn he bought from a vendor who sold the stuff out of a food truck close by. Chris was a huge fan of popcorn and this was the best he’d ever tasted.
A smile curved her pretty lips. “Popcorn? I can’t possibly turn down an offer like that.”
She was a girl after his own heart. He watched as she approached, her hands clutching the straps of her purse like it was a lifeline. Not for the first time, he wondered if he made her nervous and if that was the case, why?
He also wondered about her ex-husband. Oakley was a bit skittish, but he didn’t think she’d been abused by the guy. He’d spent some time meeting women in shelters who’d experienced abuse from the men in their lives. The look in their eyes was something he’d never forget. Oakley’s eyes reflected past turmoil, but they weren’t haunted.
“What kind is it?” She settled beside him, peering into the bag of popcorn.
“Kettle.” He tilted the open end toward her.
Her eyes lit. “Yum.” She reached in and grabbed a handful.
Chris smiled as she took her first bite. He loved the stuff and had three more bags of it inside the house.
“Wow, that’s really good.”
He shook the bag. “Have some more. I have plenty. Popcorn is my addiction. I eat way too much of it.”
“Popcorn? Really?” She took another handful. “If I eat too much I’ll have to go get a drink.”
Then she’d go inside and leave him and he couldn’t have that. Reaching over to his other side, Chris picked up the water bottle he’d been nursing for the last half hour. It was half gone, but he’d give her the rest of it if it meant she’d stay sitting there beside him.
“I’ll share.” He set it between them on the steps.
Oakley glanced at the half-full water bottle then back at him. She shrank back a little. He could almost hear her thoughts, they were so clearly displayed on her face. He supposed drinking from the same bottle did speak of a relationship more involved than a couple of neighbors who barely knew each other.
Without taking her eyes from him, she reached for the bottle and unscrewed the cap. Transfixed, Chris’s lips parted of their own volition as she drank from the same spout he had just moments before she arrived. Her head tilted slightly, exposing her smooth throat.
Now Chris was thirsty. But not for water.
“What else are you addicted to?”
Wait. What?
Chris shook his head to clear it. “What?”
Oakley gestured toward the bag of popcorn. “You said it was your addiction. I just wondered if you had any others I should be aware of.”
She had no idea. What would she say if he admitted catching sight of her was fast becoming his favorite thing? Maybe he was addicted to her. He’d never done drugs before, but Chris was constantly looking for his next hit- just a glimpse of Oakley.
“Hmm. Not any I’d admit to.” He widened his eyes playfully.
Oakley smiled. “Ooh. Scary.”
Leaning over, he nudged her shoulder with his. “What about you? Any skeleton addictions in your closet?”
; Her eyes darted side to side as though checking to see if anyone else was listening before she stage whispered, “Circus peanuts.”
Chris made a face. “Ew. Gross. Those things are nasty.”
“Hey!” She slugged his arm. “I didn’t make fun of you for liking popcorn.”
He rubbed his shoulder as though she’d hurt him when in reality he’d barely felt her punch. “That’s because everyone likes popcorn.”
“Hmm.” Her tone was non-committal, but she still reached for another handful of the fluffy white corn.
They munched in silence. Every time her arm brushed his when she reached into the bag, he repeated one of the many reasons he’d come up with for why he should stay far, far away from the pretty single mom. But then, each time he glanced over in time to see a small smile tugging at her lips, he brushed them aside. There was no denying the attraction he felt toward Oakley. And it wasn’t just because she was beautiful. She was funny and strong and she loved her son. The list went on and each item on it lured him in. Before too long, he’d be hooked for real and he wouldn’t even care.
He should be more careful.
Maybe tomorrow.
“How was work?” Chris snorted to himself. Brilliant conversationalist he was not.
Oakley didn’t seem to mind. She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Busy.”
“You’re a waitress?” He wanted to know everything about her.
“Yeah. It’s not glamorous, but it’s flexible and the tips are good.” She leaned away a bit with an excited smile. “I got a tip tonight from one table that will pay half my rent for next month.”
Chris whistled in appreciation and then said something he probably shouldn’t. “That’s just because you’re so cute.” He tried to backtrack once he realized how he sounded. “And obviously very good at your job.” But he’d bet it was because no man with a beating heart could resist her.
She scowled. “Nice save, Neanderthal.”
Chris barked out a laugh. She had no idea. Locker rooms were not breeding grounds for civility. “Sorry.”
Marrying the Football Billionaire Page 6
