Page 50 of Up in Flames

“Well, it’s nice to see you happy again, Cain. I’ll let Tahlee know you’re here,” the waiter replies, then walks away.

Taking a deep breath, I look to Cain, waiting for an explanation that simply doesn’t come as he glances away from me.Is he purposely trying to avoid eye contact with me?

So, I ask directly, “How do you know the waiter?”

Cain’s slight grin falls to a frown.

Instantly, I regret and backtrack immediately. “It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me.” I pick up the menu, swallowing hard.

Cain opens his mouth to talk, then stops and swallows hard. Exhaling, he steadies his shoulders and looks me in the eyes. “I used to come here with my parents before the new owner, Tahlee, took over.” He said ‘used to’ like he doesn’t see them anymore.

“Used to?” I ask as I watch him screw up his face like he’s living a memory.

Again, I instantly regret pushing him to answer.

“Yeah,” is all he says.

With a nod, I let it go. He obviously isn’t talking to his parents, so I try to change the subject. “Do you have any siblings?”

His face lights up, and I smile in response. “I have an older sister, but I hardly see her. She lives in West Virginia, so she’s too far away to pop over whenever she likes.” Cain beams when he talks about his sister. With that gorgeous smile, I can tell he loves her very much.

“What’s her name?” I ask, genuinely curious about her.

“Amelia. She’s married to Mike, and they have a daughter, Annalie. She’s the light of my life.” He is practically glowing as he talks about them, and I have to say it’s nice to see this lighter side of Cain.

“How old is Annalie?”

“She’ll be seven next month. Annalie was born on Christmas Day….” his eyes twinkle, “… so it’s easy to remember.”

“I can’t wait to meet them,” I reply honestly.

Cain’s face scrunches as he gnaws on his bottom lip. “Um… I don’t think that will happen,” he murmurs as his lips turn down in a pain-filled stare.

“Oh? Sorry. Am I moving too quickly?” I ask before I think about what I’m saying.

He shakes his head emphatically. “No, not at all. It’s just… I don’t really talk to them anymore. I haven’t since…” He scrubs his hand through his hair, and his eyes go glassy. “Anyway, let’s talk aboutyou,”he says, avoiding further discussions about his family.

I furrow my brows as I try to think of reasons why he doesn’t talk to his family. Perhaps he will tell me when he’s ready.

“Okay, well, what do you want to know?” I ask, but his cell rings.

He pulls it from his pocket and looks at the screen, clenching his jaw. “Sorry, but I have to take this. It’s work. I’ll just be a second,” he adds, then answers the phone.

Shifting, I pick up my menu and look down at it, trying not to listen.

“I am in the middle of something right now. Can this wait?” he asks, and I wonder why he said that rather than admitting he’s on a date.

He pauses, running his hand over his head as he grunts. “Fuck! Are you serious?” he questions in a deep, hushed tone, catching my attention.

My eyes peek over my menu to see him pinching the bridge of his nose like he’s really annoyed.

“No! I understand, Trap. I’m out, and I can’t help you.”

There’s silence while he listens, then he continues, “Did you at least deliver the goods before he got sho—” He stops, looks up, and then says, “Injured?”

Keeping my eyes on the menu, I raise my brow. My interest has been well and truly piqued.

Cain’s body sags into the chair with a heavy sigh. “At least the package was delivered. We don’t need another incident on our hands like last time. Tell Morgan to toughen up. I’ll sort him out on Monday,” he says blasé. “No, Trap! I’m busy. Yousort it out. If he needs to go to the hospital, take him. You know the drill.” He ends the call.

---