Cole

by Tess Oliver

  I ignored her warning and walked over to Jude. “How is she?” I asked.

  His gaze drifted over my face as if he was painting a picture in his mind. “She’s doing better. She’s on some medication, but it’s too early to tell how well it’s working. She misses you.” His long lashes dropped down, and he looked at his plate a moment before looking back up at me. “I miss you.”

  Megan came up behind me. “Uh, table three is waiting for their order,” she said sharply.

  I turned away and tried to get back to work but it was a struggle. My hands were shaking from the brief encounter and just seeing him again had sent my adrenaline into overdrive. I snuck around the corner to the kitchen to gather my composure before attempting to carry hot plates of food. I braced my hands on the work counter, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths to calm myself, but Megan came back to find me, obliterating my attempt.

  “I knew you were a snake the second I saw you,” Megan sneered. Her ridiculous drama was the last thing I needed.

  “Not now, Megan.” I took one last steadying breath and steeled myself against the fact that Jude was sitting at the counter just a few feet away from the food window. Without glancing his way, I scooted to the window and grabbed the three plates, hoping they were the meals my customers had ordered.

  My mind was in a flurry of emotion. Miraculously, I delivered the plates to the table without dropping them. Megan was leaning over the counter pouring Jude another cola. She had a smile plastered across her face as she talked to him. I was actually grateful that she was keeping him occupied.

  The remainder of the lunch hour was a blur. Somehow I’d managed to serve my tables with only one or two casualties, including a plate of wheat toast and a jar of strawberry jam. Jude sat at the counter for an hour, and I could feel his gaze on me every time I returned to the food window. But I didn’t look at him. Looking at him meant breaking down my resistance. Of course, ignoring his presence was a bit like ignoring a giant, glowing meteor sitting in the center of the room.

  Megan watched me with a hawkish stare, and I wondered how she’d managed to get any other customers served with the amount of attention she was paying to the one at the counter. From the corner of my eye, as I reset a table with utensils, I saw Jude pay at the register. Megan laughed wildly about something he said. He was leaving and I had no idea if I’d see him again. My willpower failed and I looked his way. He headed to the door but stopped and looked back at me long and hard before walking out. The breath I’d been holding flowed out of me. Megan had caught the exchange but this time looked more defeated than angry.

  I was relieved when the last of the lunch rush had dwindled. My heart had finally settled to a steady beat, and the absurd trembling in my hands had finally gone away. But I desperately needed a moment alone.

  “Charlie, I’m going to take a quick break,” I said and slid into the restroom. The cool water from the sink did nothing to stop the tears that burned my eyes. I sat there alone for a good ten minutes sorting out everything that was going on in my head.

  At one point, I convinced myself that I’d overreacted and that I shouldn’t have walked out on them. But then I would replay the horrible moments when Jude had blamed me for everything, and I went right back to feeling justified in having left.

  I stepped out of the bathroom still in a haze of mind debates when Charlie grabbed my arm and pushed me back inside. She shut the door behind her. “What on earth was that all about?” she asked.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Megan is so pissed, she’s ready to spit bullets.”

  “So what else is new? What has you in such a lather?” Charlie often didn’t make sense when she explained things, but this was silly even for her.

  “Well, he gave Megan a really big tip and everything, so he must like her. But the guy didn’t take his eyes off you the entire time.” She took advantage of our cozy meeting in the crummy little bathroom to check her hair in the mirror. “And, boy, did Megan notice. She was shooting death rays out of those blue eyes of hers all the way across the dining room.”

  “He tipped her big because he’s rich, and he was watching me because we know each other. I used to work for his dad.” I decided not to say anymore. I’d signed a stupid contract when I got hired on that basically told me to seal my mouth shut about the family business even after I left their employment. I was regretting everything about the job now.

  “He’s rich?” Apparently that was the only piece of my confession that’d caught her attention. “No wonder he hands out twenty dollar bills like they are quarters.”

  “Don’t tell Megan. It’ll only make her more rabid about him. Let her think it’s because he likes her. That will make life easier for all of us.” I reached for the doorknob hoping our clandestine meeting was over.

  “Just watch yourself around her, Eden. She can be real mean when she wants, and after today, I think she’s gonna have it out for you.”

  Charlie had been right about Megan’s anger. The glares she impaled me with could have cut glass. She finally finished her work and threw her apron dramatically on the hook. “I’m out of this hell hole for the day.” In case we hadn’t realized that she was mad, she made a point of smacking the door open as she left.

  My shoulders relaxed. I couldn’t have been happier to see the backside of her.

  “She’s not going far,” Charlie commented as she finished sweeping.

  “What do you mean? Does she live nearby?” That thought bugged me.

  “No, she lives across town, but when she gets a good tip, she goes next door to the bar and hangs out with some of the creeps over there. Sometimes the construction workers head over there after work to play pool and have beers . . . including you-know-who.” Charlie went to the door and peeked out. “But I don’t see his motorcycle out there, so he must have skipped it today.”

  It was stupid for me to even think about it or care about it, but I wondered if Jude had been playing pool, possibly even with my new nemesis Megan, the night of the disastrous cookie party.

  I helped Rick finish the pots and pans, and Charlie took off to go visit her mother. The quiet in the shop once everyone had gone was comforting but lonely. I went upstairs to shower and halfway through the torturously slow trickle of water, I decided I needed to hear my mom’s voice.

  I towel-dried my hair, combed it back, and stuck some coins into the pocket of my jeans. Work had slowed across the street, and I didn’t see any sign of Jude. I locked the diner behind me and then headed to the phone booth.

  I’d barely reached the first corner of the bar when Megan stepped out onto the sidewalk with two guys sporting greasy hair and an array of tattoos. She’d changed into a very small tank top and shorts. Her long nails were gripped around one of the guy’s arms.

  “Ooh, look what the diner coughed up,” Megan sneered.

  I ignored her and focused on my phone booth destination. She muttered something to the guys, and they all had a good round of laughter over her clever comments, whatever they were. I tucked myself into the booth and took a surreptitious glance toward the bar. Thankfully, they’d gone back inside.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Edie! Is everything all right?”

  I’d worked up an enthusiastic yes, but there was no way I could fake feelings with my mom.

  “Edie,” she repeated in a tone that assured me she knew everything was not fine.

  “I’m lonely, Mom, but I think I’m going to try and stick this out for a bit longer. But . . .”

  “But, nothing. Edie come home now. It’s so nice up here. The cabin is small, but we can take turns sleeping on the floor.”

  The lump in my throat made it hard to talk. “How are Janie and Sophie?”

  “Janie took a walk with your dad and Soph
ie’s sleeping. She got stung by a bee, so she’s sleepy from the Benadryl.”

  “Is she all right?”

  “She’s fine.” She chuckled into the phone. “But by the way she howled, I was sure she’d lost a limb or something. Scared the crap out of me. She went to pick a wildflower and the bee surprised her.”

  “Sounds like she surprised the bee.”

  Mom chuckled again, and I realized I totally missed our laugh sessions. There was a long pause, and even though we were both silent, it felt as if we were speaking to each other.

  “Mom, I’ve got to try this being on my own thing for awhile longer.”

  “I know, Edie. But come home if it doesn’t work out.”

  “I will. Kiss everyone for me.”

  I skirted back past the bar as quickly as possible. Something about Megan’s two unsavory buddies had me feeling uneasy. Suddenly, I was acutely aware of how alone I was, and Charlie’s warning about Megan splashed through my mind. I quickly unlocked the door, scooted inside, and turned to shut the door but a boot stopped my process. I froze in alarm until I recognized the green eyes staring back at me through the opening.

  “Shit, Jude, you scared me.” He stepped inside. I locked the door behind him and pressed my face against the window to peer down the sidewalk to the bar. There was no one out front.

  “Who are you looking for?” Jude asked.

  “Megan, the girl I work with. She hates me, and now she really hates me, so the last thing I need is for her to see me talking to you.”

  He sat on the stool at the counter. “How did I get involved in this?”

  “Really? Oh my gosh, guys are so clueless. Megan is so nuts about you, she’s ready to pick out a china pattern.”

  “You mean that chick who waits on me in here? I’ve hardly ever said hello to her.”

  “Well, you leave her generous tips, and she seems to have decided that that means a serious commitment.”

  “I always leave big tips.” He pulled out his phone, sent a text, and then leaned his elbows back on the counter. “Anyhow, I didn’t come here to talk about her.”

  “Why did you come?”

  He stared at me with that expression I could swear he spent time working on in the mirror. “I’m an ass,” he said.

  “No argument here.”

  “I was upset and I lashed out at you and it was wrong. I was pissed at myself, and for some stupid reason, I took it out on you.”

  “You could have just reached into my chest and ripped my heart out. It would have hurt less.”

  He leaned forward. “Come back, Eden. Finley’s been asking for you. She really tore me a new one when she found out why you left.”

  “So, this is just a ploy to save your own ass.”

  He jumped off the stool and took hold of my arm. “No, this is a ploy to save my heart.”

  I stared down at his fingers wrapped around my arm. His face was near mine, but I was not going to give in. I was not going to look up at him because if I did, anything could happen. His phone rang and he released me to answer it.

  “Hey. Yeah. Hold on.” He stretched out his arm to hand me the phone. “It’s Finley.”

  I had no idea the impact just hearing she was on the other end of the line would have on me. I stared at the phone slightly stunned and then reached over and picked it up.

  “Hey,” I pushed the syllable out of my throat.

  “Eden?”

  “Yep, it’s me.” This time the words came out through sobs.

  “Do you hate me?” she asked and her words broke too.

  “Never.”

  “Is my brother, the ass, standing there listening in?” she asked.

  “Yes, yes he is.” I wiped my eyes.

  “I told you he was an ass.”

  “You did warn me.”

  “But he really cares for you, Eden. Frankly, I can’t stand to see him mope around here like Mr. Poopy Pants.”

  A laugh spurted from my mouth.

  “Is she calling me Mr. Poopy Pants again?” Jude reached for the phone, but I waved his arm away.

  “Eden, I want you to come back. I think it will really help me. I confess, the medicine is already helping me feel better. It makes me feel kind of numb but a good numb. Like I could let some things go and not go ballistic about them.”

  “That’s great, Finley.”

  “So will you?”

  I paused and looked at Jude. Everything about him still stole my breath, but I wasn’t sure if I could handle all of it again. “I’ll think about, Finley.”

  “I’ve only got one more thing to say then. Come back, come back, come back.”

  “Actually, that’s three things.”

  “No, it’s me remember. Three times is once in my world, otherwise I would have repeated come back nine times, which I could still do if it would help convince you.”

  I smiled. “You sound good, Finley. Like your old, quirky self.”

  “Thanks . . . I think. Promise me you’ll think about it.”

  “I will.”

  She hung up. I handed Jude the phone and raised my brow at him. “You play dirty.”

  “Yep, I guess I sort of do.” He looked toward the small staircase that led up to my room. “Are you staying here by yourself?”

  I shrugged slightly embarrassed at my situation. “The rent is free as long as I’m here to open up early. The owner’s a nice, old man, but the place is too much for him to run.”

  “It’s not safe, Eden. This neighborhood sucks, and the lock on that door can be snapped with one good shove.” He took hold of my hand and even though he only touched my fingers, I could feel it through my entire body. “Come home with me, Valley.” It was the first time he’d used the nickname since that horrid night, and while I’d always thought of it as humorous and even a bit annoying, the sound of it now made my heart ache for him.

  “I need some time to think about it, Jude.” I looked around the place. “I’m on my own here, working at this diner, and I kind of like it. Independence feels good.”

  “But you will think about it?” He walked to door and looked back. “Lock this thing as soon as I walk out.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He looked at me as if there was nothing in the world he wanted more than to kiss me and there was nothing I wanted more, but the incident was still too fresh. And he knew it, just like he knew he was going to leave without that kiss. He pointed at the lock. “Don’t forget.” He walked out and turned in the direction of the bar, and I wondered if that was where he was headed. Then he crossed the street to the construction site. I watched him for a moment and then dragged my tired legs upstairs.

  The onion smell was particularly stubborn, and I had to go through the torturously slow process of washing my hair twice. Getting up before five had made me super tired in the late afternoon and with a completely unwatchable television set, I fell asleep with a towel wrapped around my wet hair and my mind wrapped around Jude King.

  Chapter 25

  A high-pitched scream woke me from a sound sleep. I jolted up in bed, and the towel unraveled and fell onto the floor. The room was dark. I felt for the light switch and flipped it on. A frightening stillness followed, and I listened over my pounding heart for another noise but silence followed. Momentarily, I wondered if the scream had just been part of a dream and then I heard voices down below on the sidewalk. I pressed my face against the window to get a better view of the bar next door. Several of the street lights overhead were broken, and the sidewalk was dimly lit but I could see several figures rustling around in front of the bar. Then I heard a scream again. It was Megan.

  I scrambled to put on my shoes. I raced downstairs, unlocked the door, and ran down the sidewalk. A hulking guy, with a neck the circumferenc
e of a telephone pole and a shoulder span that rivaled the width of the building behind him, held Megan tightly around the waist. She looked as if she’d been shocked out of a drunken stupor. Her lids were heavy and her head lulled forward and backward, but the expression on her face was terror. Two other massive guys stood nearby watching in amusement as the guy picked Megan up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of flour. She screamed again and pounded the guy with her her fists.

  “Let her go, you mindless ape,” I yelled. “I just called the cops, and they’ll be here any minute.” As I spoke the threat, I truly wished I’d taken the time to do just that. Unfortunately, reason and common sense had left me during my rush downstairs.

  The guy rumbled out a laugh that nearly shook the sidewalk. “Hey, look, another little girl to play with.”

  One of his giant buddies smashed his cigarette out with his boot and lumbered toward me. I stumbled backward, turned, and scrambled back toward the diner. I’d just reached the door as his thick fingers took hold of my arm. I swung my fist around and nailed him on the side of the head.

  “You bitch.” He took hold of my wrist, and I just waited for my frail bones to crack beneath the pressure of his fingers. I flailed my free arm at his head again, but he threw up a rock solid forearm to stop the impact.

  “Let me go!” Several cars drove past and the drivers glanced our way, but no one seemed inclined to step out and help. The size of our attackers was a definite deterrent. It was as if their mothers had filled their baby bottles with steroids.

  My attacker dragged me back toward the guy who had Megan still draped over his shoulder. I heard a door slam somewhere across the street and hoped someone was coming to our rescue.