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“Thanks, Shelia,” I reply, shifting the bills through my hand as I count. One hundred-ten dollars, not bad at all. I’m actuallypretty pleased with my cash tips. I know there are some tips that are on card charges, but I won’t get those until payday. At least, I have a little cash now. It’s not a drop in the bucket for what I need to fix my financial disaster, but I no longer feel destitute, even though without Luke, I’d still be homeless. I see Jay approaching us as he exits the hall which leads to the office and bathrooms.
“Good work tonight, ladies,” Jay praises. “Things seemed to go well.” Shelia snorts.
“Yeah, Marley and I work great together.” Shelia throws an arm around my shoulders. “She’s a gem, Jay. I’m so glad you hired her.” The man looks pleased to see we are getting along so well. He looks around, frowning.
“Where’s Nicole?” He pins Shelia with a hard stare.
“She left.” Shelia shrugs. “She wasn’t a big help anyway.” Jay’s face hardens even more.
“I’m sorry, girls,” Jay apologizes. “It’s looking more and more like she isn’t going to work out. I’ve given her every opportunity, but she doesn’t seem to care.” Shelia nods thoughtfully.
“She’s an addict, Jay,” Shelia states. “She won’t let anyone help her until she’s ready. It’s sad, but I’ve seen it more times than I can count. She’s headed for jail or the grave, and there’s nothing we can do about until she chooses to let us help her.”
“I know, but I had hope.” Jay’s voice is laced with sadness. “Well, it’s time for us to all head home so we can come back and do it all again.” He chuckles softly. I look around to see Luke and his entourage are all still here. I frown at the sight. These men should be home sleeping. They have to be at the office in a few hours. I say my good nights to Jay, Shelia, and the other staff before making my way over to their table.
“We’re closed,” I say sternly. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” The men all turn to look at me. I can tell most of them have had more than a few drinks. Dalton and Kelvinseem to be the only ones not shit-faced. Luke’s eyes roam over my body appreciatively before coming to land on mine. Humor is dancing in his eyes and on his face.
“You’re kicking us out, baby?” he questions, quirking a brow. I nod solemnly. His grin widens as he snags me around the waist and pulls me close. I shriek, but his mouth keeps it from escaping. I can taste the beer on his tongue. He’s definitely intoxicated. It would seem they’ve been celebrating their sister being found safe and alive. His lips leave mine to trail up my jaw to my ear. “I need to get you home,” he whisper-shouts. “I need to taste more than your mouth, baby girl.” I think he believes he’s whispering so only I can hear, but he’s speaking in a rather loud whisper. The others around the table break out in laughter.
“Come on Luke,” Dalton says as he stands. “I’ll drive your vehicle. Kelvin, you get the other one. Marley you might need to push him. I’m not sure how safe he’s going to be to drive his chair.” As if to prove Dalton’s point, Luke begins to wheel himself in a circle. Laughing I bat his hands away from the wheels and begin pushing him toward the back door. Dalton and Kelvin assist the other three men to their feet and follow us outside.
Despite his drunken state, Luke manages to get his wheelchair in his vehicle. I’m terrified thinking we can’t allow him to drive. Dalton loads Rosco into the back and urges me to climb in beside him. Dalton takes the passenger seat. He flips a switch to start the vehicle and backs us out of the parking spot. I had no idea there was an override for someone to drive from the passenger seat.
We arrive home at nearly three in the morning. I’m exhausted and I know Luke has to be running on empty, too. We manage to get everyone in the house without incident. I go with Luke to his room. Thankfully Dalton follows us, as I can’t get Luke into the bed by myself. He’s had way more to drink than I thought. We finally manage to wrestle him into the bed.
“He’s a heavy mother fucker,” Dalton wheezes out as we heftLuke onto his side of the bed. He passed out shortly after we got into the SUV. He doesn’t wake. Dalton removes his shoes and helps me get his jeans off. “You good now?” Dalton asks.
“Yes, we will be fine now,” I assure him. I decide to leave Luke in his shirt and boxers.
“Good.” Dalton turns and heads for the door, closing it firmly behind him. I use the bathroom and put on my pajama set. I come out and climb into bed with Luke. He stirs as I enter the bed.
“Come here, baby girl,” he requests, flopping his left arm out in invitation. I scoot over to snuggle into his side. His arms wrap around me. I feel his lips on my head just before he begins to snore softly. I settle my head on his chest and close my eyes. I’m asleep within minutes.
The sun is filtering in though the blinds of the large windows along the outside wall of Luke’s bedroom. I turn toward his side of the bed to get the light out of my eyes, not yet wanting to wake up. My body is sore and stiff as I turn. My arm finds the bed to be empty. My eyes fly open, and sure enough, I’m alone in Luke’s room. I shouldn’t expect anything less, but it was very late, well early morning when we made it into bed. I thought Luke would still be asleep beside me since he’d passed out from all the alcohol, but it seems he woke without any issues.
Yawning, I stretch and crawl to the nightstand on my side of the bed where my phone is charging. It’s almost noon. With another yawn, I force myself to get out of bed. I enter the bathroom and take care of business, then lose my clothes for a shower. Luke has the best shower. The water pressure is phenomenal and the shower head has multiple settings. I linger a little longer than I should, but the hot water is easing the aches from my body. Eventually I force myself to get out and towel off. I make my way into the bedroom and pull out the last clean outfit Dalton had bought me, a few days ago. I really need to do some laundry and go shopping for another couple changes of clothes.
I brush my hair in front of the mirror in the bathroom,wondering how Luke’s day is going. Perhaps I should text him. Let him know I’m thinking about him, but would that make me appear clingy? Ugh! I don’t know and that’s the problem. We’ve jumped into this relationship at lightning speed. We don’t really know each other, but this intense physical connection has us throwing caution and common sense to the wind.
Having done all I can to appear human again, I slip my cell into my back pocket and make my way downstairs. I really need some food, coffee, and the ocean breeze. As I near the bottom of the stairs I hear murmured voices from the dining room, and the scent of coffee hits my nose. I want to see who’s here in the dining room, but instead I make my way into the kitchen to fill myself a cup of liquid energy. I rummage around in the kitchen to find some creamer and artificial sweetener. When I finally have the perfect cup of joe, I go in search of my house companion for the day.
All eyes turn to me, when I enter the dining room. Luke and all the rest are spread out around the room, working from laptops or on their phones. While there are only six men in the room, I count ten laptops and just as many phones. What the hell? Why would they need so many devices?
“Sleeping beauty has arisen!” Bo declares, standing to give me a dramatic bow. “What can I get for you, my queen?” I roll my eyes at his silly behavior. I look to Luke who is holding out his hand toward me, but with an amused look on his face. I cross the room to Luke and bend down for a good morning…er, afternoon kiss.
“How long have you guys been up?” I query as I take a seat. “I’m surprised any of you are up as drunk as you all were, this morning.”
“I wasn’t drunk,” Bo argues. “I was completely in charge of my faculties.” I grunt at his assessment.
“I distinctly remember it taking Kelvin and Dalton to haul youup the stairs when we got home,” I remind him. Although he likely doesn’t remember that part.
“Are you sure that was me?” he questions. “Because I have no recollection of that event.” I roll my eyes as I take another sip of energy. I’m not nearly awake enough to deal with the Robertson men’s crazy.
“Well I remember every detail,” Kelvin speaks up from across the table, not taking his eyes off his computer screen. He’s going back and forth between to laptops, typing feverishly. How in the world he even knows what he is doing is beyond my ability to comprehend. “You were totally wasted, and my back is still feeling the pain of hauling your sorry ass up to your bed. I should have dumped you on the couch and taken your room for the night.” Bo glares at Kelvin before turning back to his computer.
Bo begins to retort, but Luke takes my hand distracting me from the ensuing argument. “How’d you sleep, baby girl?” Luke murmurs, his thumb rubs the back of my hand gently in a soothing motion.
“Like the dead.” I giggle. “I don’t think I moved a muscle.” His lips twitch with amusement. “Although, I must have because you were gone when I woke.” I pout, my eyes raising from our joined hands to meet his.
