Page 12 of Can't Walk Away

“I was going to let her rent the apartment above the shop, but I think I’ll ask her to stay with me for the time being. I don’t want her anywhere near Debra if she’s that bad with you. Who’s to say she won’t go off halfcocked on Cheyenne when neither of us are around,”

“I was hoping you’d say that. I knew I’ve been a shit father, but the least I can do now is make sure she’s protected.” I can see the strain on his face, and he may be my best friend, but the only thing I can think about right now is Chey. She’s my number one.

“Not a problem. You know I’d do anything for her,” I say with a wink. We both sit and shoot the shit until I look at the time.

“Guess I better get going,” he says as I check my phone to see if Cheyenne called or texted.

“Me too. I promised Cheyenne I’d take her out to dinner,” I tell him as we both walk to the door. I see that Derrick has left already and everything is cleaned up. The Camaro is still in the paint booth and it’s sealed up tight with the fans blowing.

“See ya, Phil,” we shake hands and then I’m off to my woman. Fuck, I love the sound of that.

I finish locking up the shop, head to my truck, and make my way towards Cheyenne. I’m driving down the road when my phone rings through the Bluetooth in the truck. Florida is now a hands-free state with all devices, so I answer the phone call and hear Cheyenne’s voice come through the truck. It brings a welcome smile to my face.

“Hey, Honey,” I say through the phone. I’m about to ask her what she wants for dinner when she blurts out, “Jase, I, uh, wanted to let you know I cooked dinner. I know we said we’d go out to dinner, but it’s already seven o’clock. With you being at work all day and me hunched over my laptop, I figured I’d just cook dinner and keep it warm until you got home.”

“Damn, Chey. I’m sorry. I knew the time got away from me, but I didn’t think I’d be there all day. I’m sorry. We can go out another night though,” I tell her and I’m sincere in my apology. I wanted to take her and show this small town that she’s mine.

“It’s okay, I just didn’t want you to stop what you were doing in case you needed to stay later,” she breathes through the phone.

“I’m on my way home now. I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes,” I say. Even though she can’t see me, I have a smile as wide as my face because she made dinner for us. She was comfortable enough in my house to make us dinner. That tells me a lot.

“Oh, well I’ll see you in a little bit then,” she says with excitement in her voice.

“See you soon, Honey,” I say, ending the call.

11

Cheyenne

I get off the phone with Jase and finish getting the stuffed green peppers out of the oven and place some aluminum foil on top so it won’t get cold while I prepare a salad to go along with it.

I’m still in shock at how well stocked Jase’s kitchen is. I know his mom raised him, but still from what I’ve heard from friends most men don’t ever have anything like this set up. I finish the salad and move everything onto the table, then turn to set the table with forks, knives, and plates when the front door opens.

Jase is standing there in his signature tight jeans, his work boots, and tight-fitting tee shirt showing off his muscles. I’m lost in a daze when I bring my eyes back up to his face. He’s smirking and I know I just got caught checking him out.

“Chey, come here, Honey,” he rasps, and I drop everything I’m doing and make my way to him.

“Hey, Babe,” I say to him as I’m standing right in front of him.

“Need your lips,” he says as I reach up towards him as he bends down, and our lips meet. The only thing stopping us from our hot and heavy make out session is the rumbling of my stomach. I’m giggling and he’s smiling.

We head over to the dinner table; he veers off to wash his hands while I take a seat. He comes to where I am and takes his seat.

“Dinner smells amazing,” Jase says.

“Thank you. It’s a pretty fast meal. I got wrapped up in my work and only saw the time when my stomach started asking for food,” I say with a chuckle.

He gives me a look as if I meant to forget to eat, but sometimes when I’m working, I just get caught up in the moment and food is an afterthought.

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