Page 5 of Striker's Yield

Besides the cold-cut sandwiches, we offer subs and burgers, all served with the option of fries, sweet potato fries, or zucchini fries.

Dinner time is all about the meals. Though it could be a burger or something like that, we give the customers a choice of different sides, all country style. A big hit is my bacon squash. That and my red potato mash.

Nothing served has or is cooked with nuts.

If I make anything that consists of it, it’s cooked totally separately, and with a pan I use solely for that purpose. It seems silly to do when we live in a town that has a peanut butter plant, and you find peanut fields everywhere, but still, there are those who have nut allergies. It’s bad enough for them when it’s peanut season or going to a restaurant and worrying about what is and what isn’t cooked with nuts or peanut oil.

Throughout the day, though from morning until night, there are always treats. Including the cream-filled puffs Athena said we needed more of.

“I’ve got them ready to go,” Tiffany announces, pointing toward the rack where we place pastries when done and waiting to go out front.

“Thank you.” I smile at Tiffany, getting one in turn. I grab the tray and make my way toward the front of the café.

I barely get through the doors when my feet falter beneath me. This being because Striker was standing on the other side of the counter, a beautiful dark-haired beauty next to him, his arm around her. His eyes come to me for all of a split second before dismissing me.

It’s all I can do to keep moving. I could hear my own heart in my ears. Everything becomes hard to focus on with him here.

I carry the tray the rest of the way to Athena, who opens the back of the display case for me.

“Autumn, this is Lila, the girl I was telling you about,” Athena states, motioning toward the girl with Striker. “She’s Striker’s sister.”

I nod, remembering her telling me about a high school girl who was looking for a job. I glance back at the girl, seeing her for the beautiful girl she is. She shares similar features with Striker, though they’re more feminine. Which makes her the beauty she is whereas Striker is gorgeous, almost god-like with those striking eyes of his.

“Hey, Lila, I’m Autumn,” I greet her, smiling at her while doing my best not to look toward Striker.

“Hey, I know you. I’ve been in here a few times. Great food,” she compliments.

“Thank you,” I murmur and move closer, though staying behind the counter. “So, you’re looking for a job?”

“Yeah,” she says, pulling away from Striker and stepping forward. “I’m saving up for when I leave for college.”

“That’s a ways away,” I announce.

“I know, but even if books, tuition, and my dorm are paid for, I still have to be able to take care of other expenses. Plus, I like shopping, and having my own money means I don’t have to call jerkface here,” Lila states, motioning with her thumb over her shoulder toward her brother.

“Jerkface,” he mutters, sounding amused.

I don’t look in his direction to see if that’s the case.

“How about you come on around? We’ll go in my office to chat about the job while Athena can keep jerkface company.”

Oh God, I did not just say that. I did not just call Striker a jerkface.

Lila laughs as I turn tail and all but run toward the back, hoping she follows me and I don’t have to turn back for her.

CHAPTER 3

Striker

At the sound of Athena’s laughter, I shoot her a quick glare before focusing on the doors once again. I brought Lila in here because she’d asked me to. Her car was at the garage getting some repairs, and she wanted to come in after talking to Athena last night. I didn’t expect to see Autumn wearing a Devil’s Nirvana shirt.

For that matter, I didn’t expect her to look so damn good wearing it.

I also didn’t expect her to call me a jerkface.

Once both she and my sister are through the doors, Athena fills my vision, a grin firmly in place.

“What are you doing?” I demand, knowing her all too well.

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