Her Men (book 2)

Chapter 4

Teagan

The sign says "seat yourself" and I choose to I sit in a booth facing the door, even though I feel safe, I still want to see my exits just in case and also see who walks in. The lady comes by and offers coffee which I graciously nod and she pours me a cup, leaving a menu and telling me she will be right back to get my order.

As I look at the menu I can't choose everything sounds so good, however my aunt only gave me about 40 bucks, I can't tell her I spent it all in one place on breakfast alone, lord I need a job ASAP, hmmm maybe this diner is hiring, I smile at my self and decide on waffles with a side of scrambled eggs, just in time as the older lady comes back for my order

"So, what will it be, missy" she asks me

"Can I get the waffles, with a side of scrambled eggs with cheese on top, and bacon"I reply

"Sure thang" her Texas/ country accent strong, when I first moved to the city a few people would mention how country I sounded. I smile and hand her my menu I hear the bells on the door ring signaling that people are coming in, and notice the lady that took my order give one of the guys that walked in a huge hug. He smiles and holds her tightly, letting go after a few seconds and she hugs the other, taller man, and after they finish they head my way sitting in a booth next to me, they sit across from each other. I pull out the phone my aunt bought me this morning ready to find something to distract me, before I do I make eye contact with the taller gentleman, he smiles and I smile back, quickly looking down at the phone with nothing on the screen. No apps to immediately open, Reminding me of how a few weeks ago my phone was my everything my distraction, I had all the social media accounts I used to hide behind. This phone doesn't have anything. I'm tempted to download f*******: or i********: but know I better not it's safer this way I tell myself. A phase I keep repeating.

Soon my food is brought out and lord! It smells amazing, the syrup is nice and warm and I dig in, savoring each bite,

"We need to hire someone," one of the guys says, he's the one with his back to me and the one that hugged the waitress tight.

"Talk with Ian, I bet he will help you persuade Stella" the other says

"Yea probably she comes back in a about two weeks it would be nice to have someone trained before then maybe she'd be ok if they already knew what they were doing"

My interest was peeked at his word "hire", I felt bad for eavesdropping but I couldn't help it,

"Maybe you can put a sign up?" The taller man asks the lady brings them their food and as she's putting it down she's asks

"How's Stella"

"She's better, ready to come back to work at the bar, I'm not sure if she'll be back to work here, though, you have enough help?" He asks again, concern in his question. I pretend to scroll toying with the factory set apps the phone comes with. I feel bad for eavesdropping their whole conversation but now I know there's a possibility of a job at this diner and at a bar which I'm definitely qualified for.

They continue their conversation and I finish my food, patiently waiting for them to finished theirs before I ask, probably the least I can do, not interrupt their meal. I wish they would have said the name of the bar or where it was located at I'd rather go apply then bombard them here while they eat. But they never say a name. After what feels like forever or just that I’m impatient pretending to push around a few eggs on my plate waiting for them to finish, They finally finish and are about leave, both sliding out of their booths when I push down all my nerves and say

"Excuse me, I didn't mean eavesdrop but Did I hear you say you need help at a bar? My names Teagan" standing I offer my hand out to one of the guys and then to the other,

"I live in Woodrock but I'm looking for a job, actually I need a job and I do have experience with Bartending as well as Bar Management, I can come and apply?" I say trying to slow my talking but know my nerves are making me talk fast.

"Hi Teagan, I'm Henry and this is my partner Tom, yes I do need help but Stella hasn't ever formally hired anyone so I'm sure their isn't even an official hiring paperwork at the bar TO fill out. Ummm” he paused to look at the waitress that served us “actually I can steal one from my mom, she has forms here at the diner But come by a little before We open and we can talk." He says,

"Ok, where is it?" I ask and he laughs

"Right next door, I'll be there about 3 come by before I open at 5" he tells me. And I smile, and nod

"Perfect I'll be there," I tell him, I turn around and head to the cash register, where the lady who took our orders is and she cashes me out.

"Also heard you might need help," I smile "and I am in need of a job" I finish and she hands me my Change.

"Sure, thing baby, after you get done talking with my son, about a job at Stella's come over here and we will talk too.” she smiles, I pocket my change and head out the door in time for her to talk to her son again, I don't know but I feel like I can trust them like seem like "family" type people who take care of those who aren't family.

They seem like genuine good people. I'm excited about coming back, I get into the car and look at my phone screen, it's 10 o'clock and so make I plan to head back to woodrock, rest up, and make sure I can still keep the car this afternoon too.

Aiden

"No Ian, I have to head to city sometime either this week or next, I'll send you some ideas I'm thinking small though nothing too big we will talk about it later with Tristan... ok I'll talk to you later" Luke hangs up the phone and I walk into his office, he smiles and I take a seat.

"You needed me," I say

"Yea, I have to go to the city and meet with corporate I want to go maybe Monday or Wednesday or next week , I'll need you to be in charge make sure everything continues to go smoothly while I'm gone, I still don't have a former secretary so it's a bit a mess but I get the job done, think you can handle it for a while." He finishes and hands me a file

"Umm I think, what's this ?" I ask and he laughs

"List of wells, When I'm up there I'll be talking about taking over some wells in the area, a few other companies are looking to be bought out, I think we can take them over." I open the file, notice some are close some are far

"Nice that will expand our network out here" I say.

"Definitely, more jobs, we will get in to treating and not just the fracking and pumping, it's too good an offer to not pass up" he nods and I agree

"Alright well yea I'll make sure things run smooth while your gone," I say

"Sure thing and when I get back we are having a party for Stella that Saturday, hopefully you can come Henry's planning it" my phone starts ringing and look at the number, seeing it not a known number I press ignore. But it starts ringing again. I look down and see the same number

"Excuse me, Luke this number has called twice" I say as I get out and walk out to the hall.

"Hello" I say

"Hi.... Umm Aiden, its.... it's .... Teagan" my mind hears her voice and some how she sound exactly the same and it's like all the air leaves my lungs. My mind goes back to her light coming from her window. Was that her? Was she in town? I stay quiet not wanting to say anything and just hear her voice I've missed it.

"Hello?" She says

"Aiden?" She says again more firmly

"Yea, I'm sorry it's me" I finally say

"Umm I'm at your house, your mom fell but she won't let me call an ambulance, she says she’s ok but I just wanted to let you know I'm not sure what to do" she says

"Ok I'll be there in about 10 minutes" I say

"Ok" she says softly

I walk back in and let Luke know I'm leaving for the day to make sure my mom is ok hopefully everything is fine.

The drive home Is a tad tough, I'll be facing her after so long. Why is she back? I mean Ive wished for this day so many times to just see her again. She sounds almost the same as the young beautiful carefree girl I used to love. I wonder if she looks the same as in high school, I pull into the drive way and practically run into the house. I find my mother laying on the couch and walk over to her side.

"What happened? are you ok?" My Hearts racing and I feel a tad guilty that it's more because Of Teagans voice and not about the fact my mom fell. I look up and look around but don't see her.

"I'm fine! I told Teagan I was fine." She said annoyance in her voice

"Well what were you doing" I ask her sitting in the chair next to the couch she's laying on.

"I was just watering the flowers, felt a tad light headed from getting up too fast from pulling a few weeds, lost my balance just as Teagan was coming out of the house, all she saw was me fall" she says

"Did you hurt anything?" I ask

"No! Mostly my ego, I'm fine I promise!" I give her a side look. She's been really strong throughout all the chemo there have been a few times where she said she was fine but deep down I knew she wasn't, something in her eyes, right now all I see is annoyance than anything else. So I decide to leave her be.

"Fine, but you stay right here the rest of the day and get some rest... I'm sure if you did hurt something you will start to feel it soon and if it's serious I will take you to the hospital." I get up and head to the kitchen

"She left." She says as I'm half way there. And I turn around to look at her.

"Oh ok" I let out the breath I was holding

"She mentioned having to get ready for something" and smiles softly "she doesn't look like the carefree bubbly little girl anymore, beautiful, gorgeous still but she's been through somethings" she sounds sad when she says the last part and my heart immediately aches "she looks so much older but it does look good on her" I turn and head in the kitchen.

Teagan must have put the kettle on, it was whistling , the tea bags, a cup and a plate of cookies were sitting on the counter. She used to do that for her own parents when they felt sick, my mom taught her. Mom would tell us her favorite snack was cookies and they could fix any problem. I place the bags in the cup and then pour the hot water, take the plate and head back to my mom.

"Here you go" I smile and set the plate down and hand her the cup

"Don't mess it up this time there's no telling how long she's here," She says and I look her and shake my head. Heading up stairs to change my clothes.

After I change I check back on mom who's finished her last cookie and setting her plate down, I grab my phone that's next to her and head out the door. My sudden need to see her takes over, all fears about what Id say fly out the window.

Just as I stepped out onto the porch I look over and see her, just as she shut her door, She's in her aunts car, she starts the car and starts reversing as she turns to look behind her, we lock eyes for a second, she smiles softly but decides to keep going, I wave and continue to walk towards her but she pulls out of the drive anyway.

Driving away before I even get over to her.