Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(7)

“You think I don’t wish that every f*cking day, Trey? You think I don’t wish it had been me?” I growl, my voice carrying far enough to draw the attention of the other patrons dining on the patio.

“Decklan. Trey.” My mother’s voice turns firm. “That’s enough.”

The moment I catch sight of Kimber still standing next to the table, a look of what I can only describe as fear across her pretty face, I feel my temper give a bit. Hell, I almost feel bad for nearly losing it in front of her. Though I’m not entirely sure why I care.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Trey speaks directly to my mother, but I keep my eyes locked firmly on Kimber who seems to shrink a bit under my gaze.

“I’m going to give you all a few minutes,” She finally says, backing slowly away from the table before quickly spinning on her heel and disappearing back inside.

“Can we please just get through one meal as a family?” My mother pulls my attention back to her. “Decklan, we never see you anymore. I just want to enjoy an afternoon with both of my children.”

“Of course, Mother,” Trey speaks again.

Fucking kiss ass.

“Sorry, Mom,” I grumble, lifting the beer to my lips, draining the contents of my glass in a matter of seconds.





Chapter Three


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Kimber

What are the odds?

What are the odds that out of all the restaurants between here and Portland he would walk into the one that I just happen to work at? Standing just inside the wall that separates the indoor dining area from the outdoor patio, I chance a peek in the direction of the man I now know as Decklan.

Decklan.

Even his name is sexy as sin.

My God, this man is all kinds of gorgeous, and of course, I’m fumbling around like a babbling idiot, unable to keep my thoughts straight when he’s staring at me through his aviator sunglasses. I don’t have to see his brilliant gray eyes through the dark lenses to feel the intensity of his stare behind them.

Taking a deep breath, I make my way back out towards the table. The occupants seem much calmer now that they have food to replace the need for conversation; well, everyone except Decklan who has chosen a liquid diet for this afternoon, now on his third beer.

I can’t help but wonder if he always drinks this much or if it’s the current situation he finds himself in which clearly isn’t a pleasant one. From my frequent trips to their table, I have learned at least a couple of things.

The woman is his mother, that much is clear. Not only have I heard him refer to her as such, but he also looks a great deal like her. The other man is his older brother, Trey I believe. I only know this because I overheard him call Decklan ‘little brother’ so that left out a lot of the guess work. Though based on their appearance I never would have guessed it.

Decklan is all leather and ripped jeans, rugged and impossibly sexy, while his brother looks like an uppity frat boy. His dark hair is combed nicely to the side, and his face is free of any hair. He’s an attractive enough man but has nothing on Decklan.

Either way, it’s clear to see that neither man particularly cares for the other. From the bits and pieces I’ve gathered, I’m guessing something big happened between them and it’s not that they simply don’t get along.

I can feel Decklan’s eyes on me before I even make it to the table. I try my best to keep my face relaxed and not give away just how affected I actually am by this fact.

“Can I get anyone anything?” I ask, positioning myself between Decklan’s brother and mother once I reach the table.

“No, dear. I think we’re fine.” Decklan’s mother is the first to respond, giving me a sweet smile as she slides her near empty salad plate to the side.

“We’ll take the checks please,” Trey speaks next, his voice clipped.

“Of course.” I nod, clearing away their empty plates, avoiding Decklan’s gaze as I do.

I don’t know why I feel so on edge around him. Okay, so he’s good looking. It’s not like I haven’t seen an attractive man before. There’s just something about him, I can’t explain it.

It takes me a good five minutes to get the system to cooperate and print out their checks. Having only worked here for three weeks, I’m still struggling a bit with the finicky computer systems they use.

When I finally make it back out onto the patio, the dynamic has completely changed. Decklan’s mother is crying softly, and Decklan looks as though he’s ready to kill someone; his face contorted in anger as he glares at Trey across the table.

Not sure what to do, I silently deposit the payment books onto the table and quietly slip away. The tension is so heavy I can feel the weight of it just by being in close proximity.

I glance outside over the next several minutes while still tending to my customers that are seated indoors, but I can’t really get a feel of what exactly is going on. After delivering food to two different tables, I decide to head back out and collect their money.

My stomach sinks slightly when I realize that the only people remaining at the table are Decklan’s mother and brother.

“I’m sorry about all the commotion,” she says, wiping her damp cheeks with her napkin.

“Don’t apologize, Mom. It’s not your fault.” Trey reassures her, patting the back of her hand.