Lane
“Hey guys, didn’t know you ate here,” I hear.
I look up to see Thorn and I grin at him.
“I was feeling burgers,” Kingston says.
“You weren’t feeling the girl?” Thorn whispers.
“She’s nothing, just the help. I’ve had better,” I say nonchalantly. I dismiss this thought with a wave of my hand.
“In case you didn’t hear,” he starts. waving his hand around in a dismissing wave.
“The help is my sister, and I brought you your check.” He sets it on the table.
“I can see it now. I like her, she definitely has sass. And she’s different, she didn’t throw herself at Lane,” Kingston grins at me.
“She’s had a hard life and raised me. She hasn’t dated in a long time, if ever and works all the time. If you come in again, can you at least try to be nice?”
“I’ll think about it, kid.” I look at the bill and toss a couple of hundred dollar bills on the table. Thorn’s eyes go wide. It’s too much of a coincidence. Thorn and Briar. My Rose.
“For your sister. See you at the gym,” I start for the door, feeling her eyes on me.
“Do you think she would go out with me?” Kingston asks, giving Briar a once over.
“I’ll bring her to the gym and you can talk to her,” Thorn says.
“Thanks, Thorn,” Kingston says as we head out the door.
I don’t know why I’m pissed about him asking her out. She doesn’t look like my Rose, though time changes things, even looks. And I left her, which pisses me off even more. I take a few deep breaths and turn toward the counter, just to see if she is still there. We lock eyes and then she turns and walks off.
I have to admit she’s pretty. Gray blue eyes that look like a storm, long black hair. She’s curvy but in a good way.
If it’s her, time has been good to her.
Briar
“I had Marge ring up the tab and this is your tip,” he hands me the dollars clutched in his hand.
“This is over a hundred and fifty,” I gasp.
“Yes, I know. Lane said it was for your trouble,” he shrugs.
“I can’t take this,” I protest. I don’t want his pity money, though he was rude to me.
“Yes you can and you will,” he shoves it at me.
I pocket it and grab my bag, so we can head home.
“Are you coming, Thorn?”
“Right behind you,” he runs after me.
The drive home is short, we live close to the diner. I could walk but I feel safer driving. It’s a small one bedroom. I sleep on the couch and Thorn sleeps in the bedroom. It’s not much but it’s home for now
“I told Kingston that you would come to the gym with me and check it out,” Thorn says.
“You what?” I squeak.