Chapter 4
Tara
As soon as I left the gym I drove to the gas station and put my last twenty into Sheila’s tank. I stopped by the diner and Bud’s daughter agreed to let me work until closing. I made the quick trip home and dropped Sheila’s car off but she wouldn’t give me a ride back to the diner. I grabbed a clean t-shirt and took my hoodie off and stuffed them both into my back pack. I grab a bottle of water out of the fridge that I keep refilling from the tap and stuffed it in there too. I added my brush and then put it on my back and did the only thing I could. I ran to work. I was a bit winded when I got to work and a bit sweaty but a quick trip to the ladies’ room to brush my hair out and put back up and a cool wash up and I was ready to work for the next six hours.
Bud’s Diner looks like nothing fancy on the outside and the inside could use a definite update but the food is the best. It’s not where you get fancy food but I have never tasted a better meatloaf and the burgers and fries are to die for. This also helps explain my wide ass. When I work, I get a free meal. A perk of the job and one I need right now.
Since I have had nothing to eat today I am looking forward to my break and so is my empty stomach. We’ve had a steady flow of customers and the tips have been good for the hours I have worked so maybe I will make it through another week. My life has become a crap shoot at best.
“Tara, go ahead and take your break and eat. We’ll have another rush when the late afternoon movies let out around five thirty so we’ll need everyone ready.” Bud tells me. I don’t work many Saturdays anymore but I remember these rushes. It’s full of parents with children. Don’t get me wrong, I love children but after they have had to sit still and quiet inside a movie theatre, it means they have energy saved up and the babies are cranky. Let me tell you, my hat is off to the moms and dads dealing with them. I want children one day but that day is way off in the future. Maybe in my forties. I laugh at that thought. Me with a child. I need to get my life together first. “What can I fix you today, Tara?” Bud is always trying to feed me.
“Burger and fries, please.” No one makes a burger like Bud. I busy myself rolling silverware and bringing glasses up front while waiting for my food. All my tables are gone but I check the napkin dispensers and make sure all the salt and pepper shakers are full to fill my time.
I hear the bell ring and make my way back to the food pickup bar. I pick up my plate and Bud winks at me. I smile at him and stick a fry in my mouth. My stomach is thanking me and singing praises to Bud’s cooking. I walk back to the walk-in and grab me a bottle of ranch dressing and make my way to a booth in the back and set my plate and the dressing down. I go back get a glass of iced tea to drink and make my way back to my booth. I cut my burger in half so I don’t make a mess and put me some dressing on my plate. I dip another fry in the dressing and my mouth waters. I stuff it in my mouth. I her the bell over the front door go off but I never take my eyes off my burger. I pick half of it up and bring it to my mouth and I am in heaven. I know I should not love my food so much but I swear the moan just leaves me without my knowledge.
“Damn, did she just cum from that burger?” My eyes go wide open and I see Oz with two of the other men from the gym this morning and all three have smirky smiles on their faces. “I think the proof is on the side of her mouth.” The same man says. I know my face is beet red. I can feel the heat of it. I grab a napkin and wipe my face. Yep, I had ranch dressing on my mouth. I will not let these men keep me from enjoying my food. I’ll try to keep the sounds to myself.
“The burgers are that good, Tara?” Oz asks me. I chew and swallow the rest of the food in my mouth.
“Bud’s burgers are the best.” I tell Oz.
“Pretty lady, do you mind if we join you?” The guy who went with Sal this morning asks me.
“I don’t mind. I will be getting back to work in just a few minutes.” The two guys I don’t know sit on the opposite side of the booth and Oz comes over and sits by me.
“You told Devil today that you only work here Monday through Friday. Has your job schedule changed?” The guy who stayed in the office asks me.
“I’m at a little disadvantage here. You know my name and I don’t know you or him.” I point to the man that asked if they could sit with me.
“Oh shit, I’m sorry, Tara. I thought since you were being interviewed this morning you had been introduced.” Oz says. “I’m so used to everyone knowing the brothers of the Feral Steel MC that I take it for granted.” He points to the man who just spoke to me. “This is Ka…I mean Rome. Sorry man, it’s new.” Oz is looking at Rome when he says it. “The big one there is Hacksaw.” I look at Hacksaw and he winks at me then gives me a head nod.
“Now, can you answer the question?” Rome is being rude and I don’t know what possesses me but I answer anyway.
“If I wanted to eat today then I needed to work. Bud’s daughter was nice enough to give me the extra hours. Besides, she wanted to go out with friends. When I work I get a free meal, my hourly wage, plus tips.” The truth is not pretty but I hate to sugarcoat stuff when it is easier to tell the truth. I wait to see the look of pity from one of the three men but it doesn’t come.
“Is Sheila or your mom going to pick you up tonight? I didn’t see Sheila’s car out there.” Oz asks me. I don’t answer right away. All three men look at me waiting for an answer.
“They are busy tonight so I’ll run home when I get off.” Oz nods his head.
“What time do you get off?” Hacksaw asks me.
“Nine thirty. It’s not very far, it only takes about thirty minutes or a little more.” I take a bite of my food so I won’t need to speak anymore. I just want to be left alone so I can finish my meal.
“You should be smarter than that. A pretty woman like you shouldn’t be out walking after dark alone. This is small town USA but people still get attacked walking alone at night. This isn’t the best neighborhood.” Rome says. I don’t know if he is being a smartass or not. I can’t read his face. He is good at hiding his facial expressions. It’s not like I have a choice. I look him in the eyes and finish chewing my food and swallow.
“I don’t have a choice. I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.” I don’t take my eyes away from him. It’s like my eyes are drawn to his. Like we have a connection or something. I take a drink of my tea.
“Babe, I’ll come back and pick you up if you want to come back to the clubhouse and party for a while. After a hard day at work you can unwind. I have just what the doctor ordered for that.” The one called Hacksaw tells me. I look at him closely. He’s a damn hot man. Wide, strong shoulders, silvery gray eyes, and his tattoo on his neck looks like a snake curling around it. The colors are striking and the goatee draws attention to his lips. A fine specimen of a man but he has bad boy written all over him. A flirty bad boy who is one and done. That is not me. I must stay focused.
“Thank you, but I am good. I don’t party. I need to get home and study so I can try to pick up a few hours tomorrow.” The man looks almost shocked at me turning him down. I thought he would come back with another line but Peggy approaches the table with menus and everyone goes quiet.
“Sorry it took me so long to get here. Do you know what you want to drink?” Peggy is wearing her usual smile.
“Iced tea, please.” Rome says. At least he is polite to Peggy.
“Same.” Hacksaw adds.
“Coke.” Oz is the last one to order. “I don’t need the menu. Burger with mayo and onion rings.”
“Same for me.” Hacksaw puts in.
“Sir, do you know what you want or do you need a minute?” Peggy asks Rome.
“Burger with cheese and mustard and make mine fries.” Rome tells Peggy.
“I’ll be right back with your drinks and your food should be out in a few.” Peggy says and leaves.
“It’s been nice talking but I need to get back to work. They are going to open up the other side and we are going to be swamped when the movies let out.” I wipe my mouth on my napkin.
“You don’t have time to finish eating? If it’s your only meal seems like you would finish it.” I don’t know why Rome is so interested in what I do.
“I’ll put it in a to go box and take it home for later.” I have no idea why I am even answering Rome but I can’t seem to help myself. I am avoiding looking in his eyes because when I do I can’t look away. It’s like he draws me in and I can’t break my eyes away from him.
It’s not like I haven’t noticed how handsome he is. He’s not got the model’s looks that Hacksaw does but more of a rugged look. He’s got a military haircut but the hair on top is a little longer. He’s got wide shoulders but he doesn’t look like it is the bulky kind guys get from being in a gym all the time. I glance at his eyes and I am lost. They are a dark brown with flecks of some other color in them. I can’t make out the color from here but I wish I could crawl up in his lap and find out exactly what color it is. What? Oh no! That is not happening. “I need to get back to work.” Oz has a knowing smile on his face and I peak a look at Hacksaw and he has the same smile. I push on Oz’s arm so he will let me out of the booth. I pick up my plate and napkin in one hand and my glass in the other and as soon as Oz is up I get up and make my way away from these men and thoughts that are not welcome in my head. I hear Hacksaw laughing as I walk away.