Jolted (Conflicted Encounters #1)

by Alyne Roberts

  Scarlett gave me a look telling me not to go there. I ignored her and looked back at Kallie for an answer. I could see her brain working to come up with a lie. She sighed and came back to the stool next to me.

  "I'm avoiding certain calls," she answered. Sure enough, her screen flashed with voicemail, text, and missed call alerts. She ignored them all. Logan gave me a questioning look and I shrugged. This girl was a mystery to me.

  "Is someone bothering you?" Logan asked, braver than me. "We can go kick some ass if you need us to, darling."

  "Oh, no," she said, smiling at him. "Thank you, that's sweet. It's mostly my parents. They are a bit overbearing."

  She told me her parents were calling a few weeks ago. I wondered what was going on that she would be ignoring them for this long. I wanted to ask, but I doubted she would tell me. She briefly scanned through her phone and I tried to peek at the screen.

  "Ryder, I hate to ask, but do you think tomorrow we could find out how much my car will be?" she asked with a worried expression.

  "Sure," I told her. Relief crossed her face and I realized she was expecting me to blow up on her like I did the last time she asked.

  "You get a deposit yet?" Scarlett called out from her fetal position on the couch.

  "No, I don't think one is coming anymore," Kallie muttered while shutting down her phone.

  "Shit," Scarlett whispered.

  "What's the problem?" I asked.

  "Nothing," Kallie said, too quickly. "I just need to make sure I save enough money for my car. Since I haven't been home to work, my parents aren't paying me."

  "Work? You?" I asked, and Logan gave me look. I was an asshole, no denying that.

  "Yes," she said, obviously offended. "I work in my family's jewelry store. Did you just assume I had everything handed to me for nothing?"

  "Well, kinda," I admitted and shrugged.

  She let out a hard laugh. "Well, I earn the money they give me. Maybe I don't get paid by the hour, but they own me. I show up whenever they want, do what they want, say and feel what they want. In return, they pay me to afford my lifestyle. A lifestyle they approve," she bit out bitterly. "I'm going to go shower."

  "Tried to tell you to drop it," Scarlett mumbled once we heard the water turn on.

  "What's her story, Scar?" I asked her.

  "Don't know much, really," she said sitting up. "She's a tiny vault. A teeny, tiny vault begging to be cracked."

  Kallie finally came out of the bathroom dressed and looking better than she had this morning. Logan finally headed home and Scarlett was drawing in her room. A look of panic crossed Kallie's face when she noticed she was left alone with me. Hopefully she regretted last night like I did. As much as I enjoyed it, because I did, it wasn't the best idea. I was supposed to be keeping a distance.

  "She's in her room," I told her, and she sighed in relief. She fingered the charms on her wrist, which I noticed was a nervous habit of hers. I knew I was going to regret the next words to come out of my mouth, but the big brother part in me wouldn't shut up.

  "Let's go for a drive," I said. She looked at me in surprise. "We can stop by the shop and I can get the work order on your car with the final cost."

  "Okay," she said slowly. "Why?"

  "Because you wanted to know. Let's go, Princess." I just wanted her to stop asking me about it. Plus, once she signed off, we could start the repair and get the parts ordered. The longer she stayed here, the closer I got to completely destroying her. I already broke my own rules last night.

  She cautiously followed me down to the lot and let me help her into the truck. I tried, and failed, not to look at her ass when she climbed up to her seat. We drove down to the shop in silence. I kept waiting for her to ask about last night, or about when I snapped at her, but she never did, which is good with me. I knew she remembered. I wouldn't have done it if I thought she wouldn't.

  I used my key to open up the closed shop. The place was quiet and dark. She followed me to the small office and I turned on the lights and computer. I printed the estimate we prepared when we found the engine earlier that week and gave it to her.

  "The engine is in California, so the shipping is what makes it expensive. It was the only one we could find in the states, though," I told her.

  She stared blankly at the paper and I watched her eyes start to glisten. She closed them, trying to hold them back. I knew she wouldn't be thrilled that it was much more than the estimate we gave her. "Just junk it."

  "What? I thought you wanted it fixed," I asked, surprised.

  "I do. But I can't fucking fix it," she said, raising her voice. I raised my eyebrow at the f-bomb she dropped. "I don't have enough to pay for this. And I really should be paying you guys for letting me stay with you. I'm so screwed."

  "How short are you?" I asked. "You don't think you can call your parents and ask for the money? I thought your family was pretty wealthy."

  She let out a short laugh. "They are. But that would mean I would have to tell them where I am."

  The look of defeat broke me. I couldn't stand to see her hurting, regardless of how bad I wanted her gone. She didn't deserve it. The little I did know about her told me she deserved the best.

  "Come on," I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the shop. My idea would probably come back to bite me in the ass, but I was going with it anyway. I wasn't known for my brilliance, after all.

  I locked up behind me and led her down the street. She followed limply and didn't ask any questions. The blank look in her usually lively eyes rubbed me the wrong way. We walked the short distance through the bustling town and I opened the door to the diner for her.

  "Ryder!" I heard from the kitchen.

  "Hey, Minnie," I waved to her as she made her way through the tables to meet me.

  "What brings you here?" she asked, pulling me down for a hug. I bent down to wrap my arms around the short lady. Minnie was like the town mother. Always welcoming, warm, and loving. "Who is this pretty thing?" she asked, looking at me with shock.

  I shook my head at her to tell her it wasn't what she thought it was. "This is Kallie. She was looking for a job."

  Kallie snapped her head up to glare at me. The fire was back in her eyes, and I smiled down at her.

  "Hello," she said in a sweet and professional voice. "I'm Kallie Adams. It's a pleasure to meet you." She stuck out her hand for Minnie to shake.

  Minnie looked her up and down, grabbed her hand, and pulled her in for a hug. Kallie's eyes went wide, but she gave in and hugged the round woman back.

  "What experience do you have, dear?" Minnie asked.

  "I have ten years of sales experience. I have a bachelors of science in business management and -," she cut herself off. Her voice was completely professional and polite. I guess that's what a fancy college would do for you.

  "Well, can you waitress?" Minnie asked when she let her go.

  "I'm sure I could learn," Kallie answered.

  "Great. I just need someone to fill in during the week. My granddaughter, Lilly, and her friend, Stacey, work most summer weekends, so I am covered there. When can you start?" Minnie asked, excitedly.

  I looked around the diner and noticed it was the same staff that had been there for as long as I could remember. I knew she didn't really need the help, but she was doing this to help Kallie.

  "When do you want me, ma'am?"

  "Tomorrow morning okay, sweetheart?"

  Kallie agreed and Minnie scurried to the back to get some paperwork for her to fill out.

  "What are you doing?" Kallie growled.

  "Getting you a damn job," I told her. "You're welcome."

  "I didn't ask for your help," she said through gritted teeth. I caught myself watching the muscles in her neck flexing. "I thought you wanted me to go home? I was giving up and going home. Without my car."

  I moved closer and bent down to look her in her eyes. She flinched, but held herself still, not backing down from me. "And how the hell do you think y
ou are getting home? You can't fix your car without money. You can't get money without earning it."

  Kallie suddenly pulled away and turned to give Minnie a sweet smile. It amazed me how she could turn into a totally different person at a moment's notice. She filled out the paperwork and took the uniform Minnie gave her.

  As we walked back to my truck, she unfolded the uniform and looked at it. "I have to wear this?" she asked.

  I laughed. It was a pink dress that looked like it could be from the fifties. All the waitresses wore them, and they’d become part of the tradition for the small town diner. She got in my truck and pouted while we drove back to the apartment.

  I turned off the truck and sighed. I had to say something eventually. "Look, about last night -"

  "Let me guess," she cut me off. "It didn't happen. It will never happen again. You can save the speech, Ryder. I might be severely inexperienced and naive, but I'm not stupid by any means." With that, she got out the truck and headed up the stairs without waiting for me. I got out and followed shortly after. Scarlett was in the living room when I walked in and Kallie was no where in sight.

  "Where were you two?" Scarlett asked accusingly.

  "Don't start with me," I told her. "I took her to the shop for the estimate and then to Minnie's."

  "You guys already ate?" she whined.

  "No. She needed a job if she ever wants to get her car out of here."

  She nodded and I sat on the couch next to her. "Leave her be, Ry," she whispered.

  "I'm trying."

  "She's a sweet girl," she said. "I think she's already going through a rough time, I can tell. She's broken inside, and she doesn't need you breaking what's left."

  "I know this," I snapped.

  "Ryder," I heard behind me. We both turned to see Kallie standing in the bedroom doorway. "Thank you for helping me get a job. I didn't mean to be rude."

  I just nodded at her and turned away. The rest of the evening, I kept my eyes away from her. I drank several beers during and after dinner to clear my head. Scarlett was right. I was no good for her. Taking into consideration of the things I’ve done in the past few months alone would prove that. I would get her car fixed and get her out of my town.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Kallie

  I woke up in the morning and quietly got ready for my first day at the diner. Butterflies bounced around in my stomach. I woke up before Ryder did, but made enough coffee for the both of us. I showered and put on the uniform I was given yesterday. The pink dress was tight on my chest with a high waistline and a full skirt. I couldn't help but twirl around in it.

  My pink hair matched the uniform perfectly. I pulled it up into a tight bun, letting some stray pink strands hang down. I grabbed a pair of flats and slipped them on. I took a deep breath, looked in the mirror, and smoothed down the skirt. Unable to stall anymore, I came out of the bathroom and found Ryder in the kitchen.

  He was topless, as usual, and in a pair of shorts. His hair was a mess from sleeping and his eyes were barely opened. I waved to him and tip toed to grab my purse. I snuck out of the apartment and walked down the street to the diner. The town was dead silent at this time in the morning. The sunrise casted a calming purple tint over the little town.

  The diner was alive and awake when I entered, unlike the rest of sleepy town I just walked through. Pots and pans banged in the back kitchen, mixed with shouting and glass clanking. Other waitresses bustled around, filling sugar containers and placing jelly packets on the tables and along the counter.

  "There you are," Minnie said, coming towards me with open arms. This woman was a hugger.

  "Yes, ma'am," I said. "What should I do?"

  "Let's meet everyone first, dear."

  She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to where the waitresses were getting tables ready for the morning rush.

  "This is Tiffany, Sophie, and Cindy. Tiffany will be training you today."

  "Nice to meet you all," I said as I waved at them. They smiled back at me and Minnie dragged me off to the kitchen.

  "This is George. He's our cook," she said, introducing an older guy at the grill. He was a big guy, but his eyes were warm and his smile was trusting.

  "Nice to meet you, dear. Welcome to the family," he told me.

  "Thank you, sir," I replied.

  "So, you're the beauty that has been staying with the Brooks twins?" he asked me.

  "Um, yes. I guess that's me," I stammered. "How did you know?"

  "Small town here, sweetheart," he smiled. "Not much is a secret." I wondered what else this town has heard about me.

  "This is Pete. He cooks mostly nights and some weekend mornings. Alan is the busboy and dishwasher. He's somewhere around here," Minnie said, looking around the kitchen.

  Minnie gave me a quick tour. She showed me the kitchen, bathrooms, the stock room, and the walk-in cooler. She then left me with Tiffany to start the day. Customers slowly filtered in and Tiffany took their orders. She showed me the things I should know as we went along.

  Most of the customers were regulars, and Tiffany would just pour them coffee without asking what they would be ordering. Sometimes, George would even have a plate ready before we even gave him the order. I watched her ring up at the register and tried to memorize the menu. I kept busy mostly by keeping drinks and coffees full.

  "You want your own table?" Tiffany finally asked when the morning rush died down.

  "I don't know," I said nervously. "I don't know what people want."

  "Just take their order. It will take you a while to learn the regulars. They'll know you're new," she reassured me while smiling.

  "Okay, if you think I'm ready," I relented.

  "You can have that one," she said, pointing to a man walking in the door. I exhaled in relief when I recognized it was Caleb.

  "Kallie?" he asked when he saw me.

  "Hey Caleb. You want a seat?" I asked before leading him to a small booth. "Just you?"

  "Yep. When did you start here?"

  "Today actually."

  "Does that mean you're here to stay?" he asked, eyeing me.

  "No," I said quickly. "I just need some cash to get my car finished up."

  "I see," he said as he took his seat. I ran over and grabbed a coffee pot, filling his cup.

  "What can I get you today?" I asked, trying to whip my notepad and pen from of my apron. I dropped the pen and Caleb reached down and picked it up.

  "Biscuits and gravy, please," he told me, handing my pen back.

  I wrote down the order and rushed back to George to put it in. I refilled a few more customers while I waited for Caleb's food to be ready. When George waved me over, I grabbed the plate and returned to Caleb’s table.

  "How do you like it so far?" he inquired as I filled his coffee cup.

  "It's okay," I told him. "You come in here a lot? Everyone seems like they come in here everyday."

  "Some mornings," he said. "You better watch out. This diner sucks you in. Some never leave. Like Sophie. She's been here for, like, forty years," he joked.

  I laughed. "Well, I'm just getting enough to pay for the repairs and then I'm out of here. This town doesn't want me anyway," I joked back.

  "You never know," he argued. "We could use a fresh, pretty face," he said, giving me the same dazzling smile that got me at the bonfire. "How are they treating you over at the Brooks household?"

  "They're fine. It's fine," I told him.

  "Well, if they act up, come find me," he winked. "I'll take care of you."

  I shook my head but couldn't help smiling back at him. His dimples and freckles made it impossible to mistrust or dislike him. I retreated back to the kitchen and helped Tiffany serve a few more tables. Caleb sat smiling at me as I walked back to clear his table and drop off the bill.

  "'I'm gonna have to come in more often," he said with a wide grin. "Nice view here."

  "You think?" I said, humoring him. "You like the vintage look?" I asked while twirling the poodle skirt
for him.

  "It looks amazing on you," he flirted, leaning forward and locking his eyes on mine.

  "Thanks," I blushed and backed away.

  "He's cute," I heard in my ear. I turned to see Cindy, one of the other waitresses. She looked young, younger than me, and her eyes were eating Caleb alive.

  "Yeah," I admitted.

  "He likes you," she guessed, giving me an excited look.

  "He's just a friend," I told her, trying to move away from her. I didn't need any more trouble than what I had already created for myself.

  Caleb eventually left and gave a decent tip for me as well. I rushed around, cleaning up tables and keeping the customers' glasses full and tables cleared. I might not know anyone or what they liked to order, but I was observant enough to know when they needed a refill.

  "You should just follow me around every day," Tiffany suggested to me during a slow period.

  "Why's that?" I asked.

  "Your pretty eyes doubled my tips for the day," she laughed. "You get half my tips today, by the way. And you really boosted them this morning."

  "Oh," I said. I tired to calculate how much I would need to make in a day to pay for the repairs. I realized how foolish this was. The car was not even worth the amount I would be putting into it. I just couldn't stand to give it up. I kept my mind on keeping busy for the day. I didn't even realize it was almost time for me to clock out until Tiffany dragged me to the back to show me how to close my shift.

  When I came out of the kitchen, I saw Ryder leaning up against the wall by the front door. His ankles were crossed and his arms were folded across his chest. His face and arms were smudged with grease. My stomach clenched at the sight of him. I hated the reactions he caused my body have.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked as I approached him.

  "Thought you would need a ride home," he replied.

  "It's not that far of a walk," I told him as I passed and went out the door.