Page 18 of Fight For Us
“Doubtful,” I retorted. Although, he was glancing around the place. I pulled my order pad out, ready to go when I felt the unmistakable presence of Wes behind me.
“Ladies.” He nodded at us and filled a glass with Coke. Wayward strands of light brown hair escaped his hair tie. I itched to put them back in their place. “Did you both get a break yet?”
“I’m about to run to the pharmacy before the lunch crowd,” Kelly said. “Looks like there’s only the one table and I think he’s waiting for the newbie.”
I huffed and narrowed my eyes at Kelly. “Whatever it is you’re thinking, I’m sure you’re dead wrong.”
“What does she mean?” Wes asked. He craned his neck to get a peek at the guest and crossed his arms. Of course my gaze traveled directly to Wes’s flexed forearms down to his wrist where intricate swirls merged into the shape of a lotus flower on his hand. I pulled my gaze away from him before he noticed me staring. “That guy bothering you?”
“No, it’s fine. Kelly means nothing. I swear you’re both as bad as Walter.” I grabbed a place setting and left them staring after me. I could have sworn I heard Wes grumble, “What did I say?”
Dimple guy put his phone down as I reached his table and greeted me with a smile. A perfect smile, might I add. It matchednicely with the rest of his attractive features. But still, he was nothing more than another random customer.
“What can I do for you?” I asked.
He chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. I had no idea why he was laughing but to hide that, I let out an awkward laugh of my own. “What’s your name, beautiful?”
“Olivia.” I shuffled my feet and fiddled with my pen. Manners dictated that I ask him his name now, but I didn’t need that information, no matter how dazzling his smile may have been.
“Damon.” He stuck his hand out and gave me a look I could only describe as a smolder. I placed my hand in his, still holding my pen, and he squeezed gently. “Nice to officially meet you.”
“Yeah—uh—same.” I took a step back, feeling uncomfortable after his touch. It was only a handshake. There was nothing suspicious about it, or him. But a lump formed in my throat nonetheless. “Do—” I swallowed. “Do you know what you’d like today?”
His face lit up and I took notice of his eyes, golden brown and gleaming. “I do know what I’d like, Olivia.”
“To eat,” I clarified and stood straighter. People who repeated someone’s name a lot gave me uncomfortable feelings. I’d heard somewhere it was a psychological sales tactic. Whatever he was trying to sell, I wasn’t interested. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I fought the urge to reach for it.
“I’ll have the turkey club.” My phone continued vibrating, distracting me from fully hearing his next words.
“Sorry, turkey club. What else did you say?”
His dimples popped as he grinned. “I said instead of fries on the side, I’d love your number.”
My cheeks flamed but I didn’t have time to respond as Kelly appeared behind me and tapped my shoulder.
She pulled me aside.
“Phone call for you. It’s Alex’s school.” My pulse skyrocketed before I internally talked myself down. Maybe he had a stomach ache or a slight fever. “Go on, I’ve got him,” Kelly whispered, patting my shoulder.
“Thanks, be right back.” I didn’t have time to unpack my feelings about my number being subbed as a side. As I walked toward the nearest phone, I noticed Wes watching my every move. His eyes bounced from me to Dimples and as I got closer I could clearly see the scowl lining his lips.
I grabbed the phone next to the server station and hit the hold button. “Hello, this is Olivia Murphy speaking.”
“Mrs. Murphy, this is Mr. Berkus, the nurse at Sunset Elementary. Alex is going to be fine, please don’t be alarmed.”
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” I could barely recognize the sound of my voice. My hands trembled so much that I had to wedge the phone into the crook of my neck so I didn’t drop it.
“He’s on his way over to the hospital. He had a fall on the playground and I believe he broke his leg.”
“Oh my God. He must be terrified.” I grabbed the wall for support. My breaths came in shallow pants. I needed to go. My baby was hurting and I wasn’t there. “Is he alone?”
“Mrs. Nolan is with him—his teacher.” The nurse rattled off the information for the closest hospital while I tried to jot it down on my order pad. My hands were shaking so badly I could hardly grip my pen. I felt a palm on my shoulder, warm and large. When I looked up I was face to face with Wes, his brows scrunched. He reached for the phone while I forced a breath into my chest.
“This is Alex’s father,” he said into the receiver. “My wife is shaken up. Can you repeat that information please?”
His stoic expression remained unchanged, while he jotted down the information I was unable to. God, I was such a mess. My son needed me and I couldn’t even write an address down on a piece of paper. What kind of mother was I?
“Thank you. We’re leaving now.” He ended the call and turned to me. His calloused fingers cupped my chin, lifting it so I met his gaze. “Tiger, go get your things.”
