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Yeah. Not on my server. The only reason I let him stay on was because I could control and contain the damage. If I banned him outright, I might miss something important. Unlike some servers, I was able to heavily moderate mine. I’d written a program to help. It was amazing what AI could do if you knew how to use it. My software scanned everything being said or typed. If something seemed threatening or questionable, it notified me. As I used it, it learned. As it learned, it became more and more accurate until it had down the troublemakers to keep an eye on and new users it needed to learn.
In the meantime, I needed to find out where the kid was from and what school he went to and have a talk with the e-sports coach. Surely to God there was some place for the kid.
Needing to get back to my office where I could explore this situation more easily, I shut down my laptop and packed everything up. Glancing at the full cup of coffee Jordan had left hours earlier, I scowled. There were a few quirks I had. Taking a cup of coffee from just anyone was one of them. I didn’t do it. I made my own or took it from Danica. Even Blaze didn’t get to make my fucking coffee. Why was I OK with Danica making my coffee? No clue. Probably because she got me. She knew when to engage me in small talk and when to leave me the fuck alone. Very few people had that capability.
I glanced around the shop and found the woman in question. Danica was behind the counter waiting on a customer. As always, she had a smile and polite conversation if the customer welcomed it. This time, the young man she served was openly flirting with her. I wanted to growl my disapproval but held it in. Mostly.
There wasn’t anyone in line and the guy kept Danica engaged even when she tried to go back to her work.
“I know a sweet little pizza place on the edge of town I’d love to show you. Tell me what time you get off and I’ll pick you up.”
“I appreciate the offer, Leo, but I don’t go out on weekdays. My sisters have school, and I have to make sure they have their homework done.”
“Surely you can find a sitter.” This Leo wasn’t taking no for an answer, but it wasn’t any of my business. One thing I knew about Danica was that she could take care of herself.
“I probably could, but it’s something I promised myself and my mother before she died. I don’t go out during the week unless it’s an emergency. Then I take the girls with me.”
“Didn’t you say they were your sisters?” Leo looked equal parts confused and irritated. He was good-looking. Athletic. I’d seen the guy around a couple of times. He was some kind of local sports hero in high school. Pretty sure he worked for his daddy now at some kind of family business, but I had no reason to find out. Until now.
“They are.”
“Then why are you responsible for them?” The fucker sounded like a whiny little pussy. “Get someone else to take care of them so you can live your own life.”
“They’re my sisters, Leo. Not a responsibility. I could have passed them on to social services and visited them instead of becoming their guardian, but that wasn’t what me or my mother wanted.”
“Fine. What about this weekend? We’ll go to a movie, then maybe to a nightclub. I have a friend who can get us into The Hudson.”
She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I appreciate the offer. I really do. But I’m not at a good place in my life to date anyone. I know you understand.” Her tone was gentle and sounded truly regretful. While I was happy she’d turned him down, I didn’t like the thought that she might be tempted to go out with him if she had fewer responsibilities. I thought that twit, Leo, was going to keep pushing, but he flashed her a smile.
“I get it. Some other time, perhaps. It’s not been that long since your mother passed, right?”
“A few years,” she said softly, lowering her eyes as if the grief were still close. “Five.”
“You’ve grieved long enough. You’ll be ready to move on with your life soon. When you do, I’ll be there for you.” The superior smirk he gave Danica made me want to bitch-slap the punk.
“I’m sure you will.” She smiled up at him. “I really need to get back to work now. It was good talking to you.” With that, she turned her back and began cleaning equipment behind the counter.
Leo scowled at her behind her back but didn’t continue to try and engage her again. He picked up his coffee and headed out the door, dumping his untouched cup in the trash. If Danica really needed time before she dated anyone, Leo wasn’t one to wait until she was ready. I was pretty sure Danica had no intention of going out with the dumbass anyway.
I dumped the now-cold cup of coffee I hadn’t touched into the trash and brought the mug Danica had filled for me when I’d first arrived back to the counter. “Cup for the road, sweetie?”
She turned. There was a tired look on her face before she smiled brightly at me. Unlike the smile she’d give Leo, this one looked genuine. “Anything for you, Wylde.” She refilled my cup. “Heading out early today? You usually stay until it’s close to closing.”
“Got some stuff I can’t do on the laptop. Believe me, I’d much rather work here. The scenery is much more pleasant.” I winked at her and she blushed.
“Perhaps you need to get some pictures for your office, then. Or maybe a potted plant.”
“Plants are like pets. They require maintenance I don’t have time to give. As to pictures? I’ll do my best to find something suitable.”
“Don’t find anything too good. I’d miss seeing you here.”
“Not to worry. You know I have to come see my best girl.”
“Oh?” She tilted her head to the side quizzically. “I didn’t think you thought that highly of Jordan.” The woman in question had cut out early, as usual, leaving Danica to finish the day on her own.
“I don’t.” I picked up my coffee and gave her a small salute as I turned to leave, but not before I snapped a picture of her with my phone as she turned away.
Chapter Two
