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Caden was already deep into rubbing the steaming wands on his equipment when someone screamed.
Without thought, Caden dropped to the ground to wrap his arms around his head. He had to cross his legs hard to stop from peeing a little. There was more commotion, but he was shaking too badly to be of any help to his co-workers. The cursing and yelling from across the shop didn’t stop.
“Shit!” Adam growled. “It’s that girl and her boyfriend again.”
“Get them out of here!” Sam hollered. “And this time they’re not allowed back. Every week they’re tearing things up fighting.”
“I’m on it.” Adam brushed against Caden where he crouched as he went to take care of the two troublemakers. Adam was a big guy, and even though he was a soft teddy bear, his size usually worked in their favor.
Caden knew who they meant. The college-aged couple often got into arguments when the girl would flirt with all the men around them. The boyfriend would get mad and yell. The girl would start to throw things. Caden didn’t understand why they would fight like that then return the next day like nothing had happened. He hoped Adam would really kick them out for good this time.
“Hey, bud.” Sam rubbed his back while squatting in front of him. “It’s okay. Can you look at me?”
Embarrassment and regret filled him. Last week when he’d gotten scared, he’d run to the kitchen. That had been better than dropping down right behind the counter. His reflexes hadn’t let him think of an escape plan this time. Caden had just been so pleased with his morning that he hadn’t been prepared for the sudden scream.
“Hey, none of that.” Sam gripped his shoulder firmly. “Even I jumped. There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”
Caden shook his head. Of course, there was—Caden was a weirdo.
“Hey, Sam. Hey, Caden.”
Caden froze. No, no, no, it wasn’t fair! He’d been having such a good morning. He almost had his shit together. Okay, maybe not together, but he hadn’t been freaking out as much.
“Please no,” he whisper-begged to his best friend. He looked up, hoping that he hadn’t heard that muscular voice.
The grimace on his best friend’s face was enough to want Caden to bury his head back in his arms.
“You two okay? I helped Adam get rid of that couple. I told them not to come back.”
Sam patted Caden’s leg before he rose. Caden wanted to drag his best friend back down but knew that wouldn’t work for long.
“We’re good, Detective. Thanks for helping Adam.”
“I’ve told you to call me Lincoln,” the detective responded with a laugh. “And it was my pleasure. They don’t need to be acting that way here. I heard the yelling before I even stepped inside.”
“Yeah, they can get loud,” Adam agreed as he walked back behind the counter. He flashed Caden a bright smile and winked. “And your coffee is on the house today.”
“That’s not necessary,” Detective Lincoln Daniels quickly replied. “Happy to help.”
“We insist,” Sam told him.
“Oh well, thanks. My usual, please, then.”
Sam took a step toward the machine on the side of the counter that they used when they were busy, but Caden stood.
“I got it.” He was the one that made the detective’s usual. He knew just how hot and how much flavor to add.
“Thanks, bud.” Sam patted his shoulder. Sam was fully aware of Caden’s crush on the attractive detective.
Caden grabbed a large cup and started the familiar ritual. During one of his braver moments, Caden had made adjustments to the detective’s usual order and had him try it. Okay, he asked Sam to have the detective try it, but the detective had agreed that it was better the way Caden made it. He started to order his drink ashis usualdone Caden’s way. It made Caden happy.
Now that the shop had slowed down, Adam went out to bus and clean the tables as Sam started to refill their supplies. That left Caden with the issue of getting the drink he’d made to the detective. Caden hated calling out orders. It drew too much attention to himself.
Caden carefully walked the cup over to the pickup counter. He was about to motion for Sam when a big hand appeared under his face.
“Is that mine, Caden?” The detective’s strong voice always sent shivers down Caden’s spine.
Caden nodded as he pushed the cup closer to that big hand. The detective was a large guy, over six feet tall, with wide shoulders and tattooed and muscular arms. He couldn’t help but admire the detective’s thick thighs before allowing his gaze higher to the slim waist with the gold badge pinned to his belt. He continued running his gaze up that wide chest and settled it on the detective’s chin.
