Axel (Ride Series #3) - O'Brien, Megan Page 0,4

even noticed the age difference.

“Well, it’s true,” I defended with a huff.

“Soph,” she sighed. “I know you don’t like to talk about your past and you know I won’t pry. But whatever it was – whatever it is, don’t you think it’s time to move on? You’re gorgeous. You look amazing and you just had a baby six months ago– you lucky bitch,” she snarked with a grin. “Go out, meet a hot man and let him take you to bed!” she coaxed.

I blushed and shook my head. My only experience with sex had started out amazing and ended with him freaking out with a capital F.

I thought back to that evening so often the binding of the book in my memory was well worn.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Fine,” she sighed, as she always did when the subject came up.

“Tim’s coming home soon,” I put in, trying to distract her by mentioning her husband. He’d been gone for three months and was due back the following week.

“Yeah,” she smiled, though it didn’t touch her eyes. She didn’t talk about Tim much and I’d never pried. God knows, I had my own secrets.

“I’m glad.” I squeezed her hand briefly. “I’m beat, time for bed,” I announced, rising to stretch. “I’ll go sneak in and grab Mad,” I said around a yawn.

“Thanks for hanging out,” she smiled.

“Anytime.” I grinned back with a wink. Jill was a true friend. It killed me that she could only know a piece of me, but I’d take what I could get.

I fell asleep that night thinking about that damned spark. I thought about how it was so fierce with Axel; it was almost a life force all its own. Maybe I’d just be alone forever since I couldn’t seem to settle for anything less.

*****

“Bella, your order’s up!” Dwayne called the next evening.

I rolled my eyes at the most southern man I’d ever known calling me ‘Bella’ but he’d done it from day one. We’d seriously discussed a name change for him over a bottle of Chianti one night, but had quickly moved on to discuss men, his favorite subject. The man was many things – someone who fit the name ‘Dwayne’ wasn’t one of them.

To me, Dwayne was a name for a cattle rancher or maybe a mechanic down on his luck. It certainly didn’t fit with my leopard print and sequin shirt-wearing friend whose hips swayed so dramatically when he walked, I was worried he’d end up with permanent damage.

The tips were great on weekends, and if I had to deal with prima donna Dwayne, then so be it. Truth be told, I sort of loved the guy. Though I’d never tell him that; he’d force that high-school musical movie marathon party on me, which he’d threatened me with from the moment we met. He promised it would be the best night of our lives. Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t convinced.

“Got it,” I answered, sweeping in to gather the steaming platters of eggplant parmesan and penne primavera.

When I turned to deliver the food, I nearly dropped it on the floor. Henry, the president of The Sinners, a motorcycle club who partnered often with the Knights, and his lady were sitting in front of a bottle of wine waiting for their food. I’d switched mid-shift with Betty and had no idea they were here until now.

“Shit,” I breathed. I didn’t think they’d seen me, but I spun on my heel nonetheless. “D, can you please deliver these to table 5,” I hissed with panic.

“Why, sugar?” he asked, looking over my shoulder in question.

“Please, they’re nice people. I just…I can’t see them. Please?” I asked again, unable to curb my clear desperation.

He looked at me with concern before nodding. “Sure thing, sugar plum,” he agreed, taking the platter from me and strutting his way to their table.

I hid out in the kitchen until Dwayne gave me the all-clear. He covered all my tables for that hour. I owed him a favor, which meant I’d likely be seeing a lot of Zac Efron in my future.

“Thanks,” I sighed, shoving off from the counter I sat on.

“No problem, honey.” He patted my leg and didn’t ask anything more.

Another week went by. Mad was cutting a tooth so I was exhausted when I walked in that evening to start my shift. I felt like a zombie with a notepad as I moved from table to table.

“Table 10’s a hottie!” Dwayne squealed with a wink. I gave him a small nod